POWER ABSORBING DYNAMOMETER

摘要

A power absorbing dynamometer includes a stator having an inside stator surface and a rotor having an inside rotor surface. The rotor is rotatable by a mechanical power source. The inside rotor and stator surfaces generally face and oppose each other. Together, the rotor and stator define a passage bounded substantially by the inside surfaces thereof. The passage preferably is a torus-shaped passage within the dynamometer. Liquid is introduced into the passage via a port of the dynamometer. The dynamometer also includes means for developing and maintaining within the passage a unique liquid flow which is a substantially helical recirculating flow of the liquid on the inside rotor and stator surfaces as the rotor is rotated by the mechanical power source. The liquid is thereby heated or vaporized as the rotor is rotated by the mechanical power source, and power absorbed from the mechanical power source is related to a rate at which the liquid is heated or vaporized. The power absorbing dynamometer preferably causes at least some of the liquid in the passage to boil and vaporize due substantially only to friction associated with the substantially helical recirculating flow of the liquid on the inside rotor and stator surfaces. The power absorbed from the mechanical power source is related to the rate at which the liquid vaporizes. The vaporized liquid preferably collects in the center of the passage where it can be easily vented.