Lab session No 12:-

Study of Dynamometers
A dynamometer or "dynamo" for short is a device for measuring force, moment of
force (torque), or power. For example, the power produced by an engine, motor or other
rotating prime mover can be calculated by simultaneously measuring torque and rotational
speed (RPM).
A dynamometer can also be used to determine the torque and power
required to operate a driven machine such as a pump. In that case, motoring or
driving dynamometer is used. A dynamometer that is designed to be driven is called
absorption or passive dynamometer. A dynamometer that can either drive or absorb is
called a universal or active dynamometer.
Dynamometer is device with a rotating shaft that is coupled to the shaft of a machine
under test to measure the output torque or the required driving torque of the machine. The
torque measured by the dynamometer is multiplied by the shaft angular velocity, measured
by a tachometer, to compute the horsepower of the machine under test. Dynamometers are
used to determine the torque and horsepower characteristics of electric motors,
generators, internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and pumps.

Basic Principle of Dynamometer:The principle of operation of the dynamometer

is based on Newtons third law of motion, which states that the forces of action and
reaction are equal and coexistent. In motors and generators, for example, the
torque developed by the armature current of the machine exerts an equal and opposite
(reaction) torque on the machine frame. When a dynamometer is used to test such
machines, its reaction torque is used as a measure of the tested machines torque.

Working of Dynamometer:A dynamometer consists

of an absorption (or absorber/driver) unit, and usually
includes a means for measuring torque and rotational speed.
An absorption unit consists of some type of rotor in housing.
The rotor is coupled to the engine or other equipment under
test and is free to rotate at whatever speed is required for the
test. Some means is provided to develop a braking torque
between the rotor and housing of the dynamometer. The
means for developing torque can be frictional, hydraulic,
electromagnetic, or otherwise, according to the type of
absorption/driver unit.

 One means for measuring torque is to mount the dynamometer housing so that it is free
to turn except as restrained by a torque arm. The housing can be made free to rotate by
using trunnions connected to each end of the housing to support it in pedestal-mounted
trunnion bearings. The torque arm is connected to the dynamo housing and a weighing
scale is positioned so that it measures the force exerted by the dynamo housing in
attempting to rotate. The torque is the force indicated by the scales multiplied by the length
of the torque arm measured from the center of the dynamometer. A load cell
transducer can be substituted for the scales in order to provide an electrical signal that is
proportional to torque.

Another means to measure torque is to connect the engine to the dynamometer through
a torque sensing coupling or torque transducer. A torque transducer provides an electrical
signal that is proportional to the torque. With electrical absorption units, it is possible to
determine torque by measuring the current drawn (or generated) by the absorber/driver.
This is generally a less accurate method and not much practiced in modern times, but it
may be adequate for some purposes.

Operation of Torque power

Absorption type Dynamo:-

An
absorbing
dynamometer acts as a load that is driven by the prime mover that is under test (e.g. Pelton
wheel). The dynamometer must be able to operate at any speed and load to any level of
torque that the test requires.
An absorption dynamometer is usually equipped with some
means of measuring the operating torque and speed. The Power Absorption Unit of a
dynamometer absorbs the power developed by the prime mover. This power absorbed by
the dynamometer is then converted into heat, which generally dissipates into the ambient
air or transfers to cooling water that dissipates into the air. Regenerative dynamometers, in
which the prime mover drives a DC motor as a generator to create load, make excess DC
power and potentially - using a DC/AC inverter - can feed AC power back into the
commercial electrical power grid. Absorption dynamometers can be equipped with two
types of control systems to provide different main test types.
Constant Force: The dynamometer has a "braking"
torque regulator - the Power Absorption Unit (PAU) is
configured to provide a set braking force torque load,
while the prime mover is configured to operate at
whatever throttle opening, fuel delivery rate, or any
other variable it is desired to test. The prime mover is
then allowed to accelerate the engine through the
desired speed or RPM range. Constant Force test
routines require the PAU to be set slightly torque
deficient as referenced to prime mover output to allow
some rate of acceleration. Power is calculated based on rotational speed x torque x
constant. The constant varies depending on the units used.
Constant Speed: If the dynamometer has a speed regulator (human or computer), the PAU
provides a variable amount of braking force (torque) that is necessary to cause the prime
mover to operate at the desired single test speed or RPM. The PAU braking loa d applied to
the prime mover can be manually controlled or determined by a computer. Most systems
employ eddy current, oil hydraulic, or DC motor produced loads because of their linear and
quick load change abilities. Power is calculated based on rotational speed x torque x
constant, with the constant varying with the output unit desired and the input units used.
A motoring dynamometer acts as a motor that drives the equipment under test. It must be
able to drive the equipment at any speed and develop any level of torque that the test
requires. In common usage, AC or DC motors are used to drive the equipment or "load"
device.

In most dynamometers power (P) is not measured directly, but must be calculated from
torque () and angular velocity () values or force (F) and linear velocity (v):
Or
where
P is the power in watts
is the torque in newton meters
is the angular velocity in radians per second
F is the force in newtons
v is the linear velocity in metres per second

Types of Dynamometer:1. Prony Brake Dynamometer:The Prony Brake is a simple dynamometer used to
measure the torque of engines. It is primarily and reliably used to measure the torque of
large engines like those found in heavy machinery and automobiles. However, it is not good
when measuring torque in smaller motors, such as vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, and
washing machines. It does not work well with large motors. It is very efficient for smaller
engines.
Setup: The setup is simple. At the shaft of the tested motor, users are required to attach
the leather belt on the pulley wheel.
Above the pulley, the end of belt
attaches the opposite sides of a
balance. No accessories or extra
power source are necessary to
support the work of the system. It is
very efficient.
Principles: The principles are simple.
The torque is calculated from the
measured friction from the leather
belt when the engine is running. When the limit of the engine is reached, users are required
to tighten the rope, increasing the friction. By comparing the pull from both sides of the
belt, the torque can be calculated. By using this simple principle, the most important
parameter, the horsepower rating for engines, can be calculated. The Prony Brake is a
simple gadget used to measure the horsepower rating for gas motors or eng ines. However,
that simple gadget was invented approximately 200 years ago. Using this device, the most

important parameter, the horsepower rating for engines, can be calculated. It can also
measure the torque ratings. It is an excellent tool for measuring these important aspects of
motors.
2. Hydraulic Dynamometer:Hydraulic
dynamometers are machines that measure the
power of an engine by using a cell filled with
liquid to increase its load. Dynamometers,
dynamos or dynamometers are used extensively
in automotive and recreational vehicle
applications because determining torque
capacity, maximum rotary speed and maximum
power absorption is important and valuable
information for many drivers and riders.
Hydraulic dynamometers are stationary and take
measurements without requiring removal of the
engine. These machines are also called water brake dynamos because they use water or oil
in the load cell. They are able to create different loads on the engine as well as maintain a
steady RPM rate while testing.
Working and Principle:
1. When water is supplied into the dynamometer being driven by an engine, the water
flows in the direction indicated by arrows. Then output (power) of an engine is absorbed
by a fluid-friction occurring in the impeller chamber. The fluid-friction converts the
mechanical energy into a thermal energy, and increases the water temperature.

2. The control of the brake torque is carried out by adjusting the water friction that is,
changing the volume of the water retaining in the impeller chamber. The control of brake

torque is carried out by changing the water level "r" in the radial direction in the
impeller chamber by giving the rotation to the rotary valve with the load control handle
and moving the position of water-outlet.
3. Water coming from the water-inlet passes through the impeller chamber without
retaining and is discharged out of the water-outlet.
4. The amount of water retaining in the impeller chamber increases in proportional to the
increasing in the water-level in the radial direction as compared with.
3. Eddy current dynamometer:Principle: Eddy-Current Dynamometer's theory is based on Eddy-Current (Fleming's law
of right hand). When a current carrying conducting material moves through a magnetic
field voltage is generated, which results in current. If the conductor is a part of circuit then
current will flow through circuit. But if it is isolated than voltage is still induced & local
currents may flow in a short circuited path within the bar itself. These curre nt are called
eddy eddy currents, dissipated in the form of heat.
The construction of eddy-current electro brake as shown in the picture below, has a
notched disc (rotor) which is driven by a prime mover (such as engine, etc.) and magnetic
poles(stators) are located outside of it with a gap. The coil which excites the magnetic pole
is wound in circumference direction. When a current runs through exciting coil, a magnetic
flux loop is formed around the exciting coil through stators and a rotor. The rotation of
rotor produces density difference, then eddy-current goes to stator. The electromagnetic
force applies in opposite of the rotational direction by the product of this eddy-current and
Vector of magnetic flux and it becomes brake.

The current through the stator becomes heat on the stator. So, rotational movement by
braking is converted into heat energy. Dynamometer absorbs horse power by changing this
heat energy by cooling water.
4.

Chassis dynamometer:-

A chassis dynamo is a service tool that allows the operator

to safely place a controlled load on a vehicle. With the use of a dynamo, a vehicles primary
power train components, including the engine, transmission, and differential as well as
vehicle components such as the braking, cooling, and electrical systems, can be properly
operated throughout a vehicles power and speed range. Assembly deficiencies may be
detected before the vehicle is driven and an actual evaluation of an engines operating
condition may be performed. The dynamometer is the final quality test before a vehicle is
put into service.
Construction: A chassis dynamometer has three major components: the roll set, the
absorption unit, and the torque indication system. Chassis dynamo roll sets come in a
variety of diameters depending on the application. An automotive chassis dynamometer
will typically have smaller roll sets, while a large truck dynamo will have a larger set. These
dynamo roll sets are placed in a specially designed frame and are either coupled directly to
the dynamometer absorption unit or to a belt drive system. Dynamo roll sets are available
in both fixed and adjustable width versions which can accommodate a variety of
wheelbases for testing multiple vehicles on a single machine.

The absorption unit is restrained using a torque arm that is connected to a load cell. The
load cell measures the force with which the stators are trying to rotate. By knowing the
distance from the axis of the absorber to the torque arm, torque can be measured by:
Torque = force x distance
If we measure speed, horsepower can then be found by the relationship:
HP = (torque x rpm)/5252
Operation: A chassis dynamometer measures power from the engine through the wheels.
The vehicle is parked on rollers which the car then turns and the output is measured. These
dynamos can be fixed or portable. Because of frictional and mechanical losses in the
various drivetrain components, the measured horsepower is generally 15-20 percent less
than the brake horsepower measured at the crankshaft or flywheel on an engine
dynamometer.