Centrifugal governor
part · 1788 · Industrial Revolution
A speed regulator with spinning weights; used by Watt.
Inventor: James Watt.
Principles and materials it uses
- Centrifugal effect — uses. The weights spread apart as the speed rises.
- Feedback control — uses. The governor is a classic example of feedback.
- Iron — is made of. Watt’s governor is iron levers and weights.
Where it is used
- Watt steam engine — is part of. Watt used a centrifugal governor to keep the speed steady.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Cruise control — evolved into. Early systems were a development of the centrifugal governor.