Abstract The torque performance of a prime mover is tested, according to the invention, by having its output shaft coupled to a flywheel of known inertia which is driven and accelerated from a first predetermined angular velocity to a second predetermined angular velocity. The time taken for accelerating the flywheel is measured, and the average torque developed by the prime mover is derived from the time taken to accelerate the flywheel. The continuous torque developed, during acceleration, by the prime mover is monitored by measuring the reaction force exerted by the flywheel upon its support during acceleration. Alternately, the invention provides for a test stand on which a prime mover may be tested while a second prime mover is being installed or disconnected, and for comparing the torque developed by a prime mover to the torque of a reference prime mover. The invention further provides a simplified instrumentation system for determining the torque performance of an engine or other prime mover by counting the revolutions of the output shaft at various time intervals during acceleration by means of an impulse signal for each revolution of the shaft which is fed into an impulse counter whose output is connected to a recorder instrument.
An apparatus for determining the performance of a prime mover having a rotating output shaft, said apparatus comprising: pulse-generating means for providing a predetermined number of electrical pulses for each revolution of said output shaft; normally open frequency sensitive switch means connected to said pulse-generating means and adapted to close at a predetermined frequency; interval timer means connected to said frequency sensitive switch means and adapted to be started upon closure of said frequency sensitive switch means; and pulse counter means connected to said pulse-generating means and controlled by said frequency sensitive switch means for being started upon starting of said interval timer means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for determining the performance of a prime mover having a rotating output shaft, said apparatus comprising: pulse-generating means for providing a predetermined number of electrical pulses for each revolution of said output shaft; normally open frequency sensitive switch means connected to said pulse-generating means and adapted to close at a predetermined frequency; interval timer means connected to said frequency sensitive switch means and adapted to be started upon closure of said frequency sensitive switch means; and pulse counter means connected to said pulse-generating means and controlled by said frequency sensitive switch means for being started upon starting of said interval timer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means controlled by said interval timer means for stopping said pulse counter means after a predetermined elapsed time has been recorded by said interval timer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means controlled by said pulse counter means for stopping said interval counter means after a predetermined number of pulses has been recorded by said pulse counter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flywheel of known inertia connectable to said output shaft.