04/07/2020
This is a long post. Five more to follow this. Enjoy!
Dynamometers 101-1
By Bob McFarland
Let’s start with the basics. What is a dynamometer? Well it’s not really complicated. In general there are two types. What some, unfortunately, call a dynamometer is what I call a force gauge. They are used to measure the tension on a cable, such as measuring the load on a winch cable or crane cable. This type of “dynamometer” is sold by Dillon, and others. In the rotary torque machine testing industry, this type of “dynamometer” is a linear force measuring gauge and not a rotary torque measuring and controlling dynamometer.
An example of a Dillon model AP Dynamometer
A dynamometer for testing rotating torque producing machines, e.g. prime movers, or rotating torque driven machines, e.g. electrical or hydraulic power generators such as alternators, fans and pumps, is a device to measure and control rotary torque. There are two main ways to do this. There are motor based, e.g. electric or hydraulic motors, and brake based dynamometers (hysteresis brakes, eddy-current brakes, hydro-kinetic/water brakes, and hydraulic-shear friction brakes). Wikipedia has a basic introduction to dynamometers here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamometer
Motor based dynamometers are 4 quadrant machines, i.e. Bi-directional rotation AND positive braking or negative motoring torque. Brake based dynamometers are 1 or 2 quadrant machines, i.e. Uni- or Bi-directional rotation AND positive braking torque. Here’s how the four operating quadrants (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) of dynamometers are defined.
One of Six
