Supplementary control gear for variable-power engines

摘要

An engine which can be controlled to give a constant output power is supplemented by a supplementary control gear flanged directly to it. In normal operation, this transmits the constant nominal power directly. When the speed range which can be covered by the engine alone is departed from, a variable speed gear built into the supplementary control gear is connected up. This compensates the speed drop to an appropriate degree and keeps the power constant in a larger range. The casing surrounds both a releasable shaft coupling, the output shaft with a common mounting for the latter and the variable speed gear and its control elements and permits the use of higher speeds without overstressing the engine mounts. Normally there is no need for a belt drive between the engine and the supplementary control gear and the design process is considerably simplified, no longer requiring a separate foundation and allowing higher efficiencies.