Brakes and Dynamometers

Brakes and Dynamometers
Brake:
A brake is a device used for retarding or
stopping the motion of a body. When we apply
brakes a frictional resistance acts on the body the
kinetic energy of the body is dissipated in the form
of heat.
Dynamometer:
A dynamometer is a device for measuring the
mechanical power developed by a machine.
Dynamorneter applies the frictional resistance and
has an arrangement to measure the resistance
applied. By knowing the resistance applied the
power can be calculated.
Classifications of Mechanical Brakes
Self-energizing brake:
A brake in which the force of friction assists the
applied force in applying the brakes is called self
energizing brake.
Self locking brake

If after once applying brake no force is required
to keep the brake in applied condition, the brake
is called self-locking brake.
Differentiate between absorption
dynamometer and transmission
dynamometer
In absorption dynamometer, the power to be
measured is absorbed in doing work against the
frictional resistance applied and is dissipated in
the form of heat. A transmission dynamometer
measure the power which is being transmitted
The power being measured is not dissipated in
the form of heat g the power while being
Absorption Dynamometers
The following two types of absorption dynamometers

are important from the subject point of view :
1. Prony brake dynamometer, and

2. Rope brake dynamometer.
Prony brake dynamometer
1. A simplest form of an absorption type

dynamometer is a prony brake dynamometer, as
shown in Fig.
2. It consists of two wooden blocks placed around a
pulley fixed to the shaft of an engine whose
power is required to be measured. The blocks
are clamped by means of two bolts and nuts, as
shown in Fig.
3. A helical spring is provided between the nut and
the upper block to adjust the pressure on the
pulley to control its speed.
4. The upper block has a long lever attached to it
and carries a weight W at its outer end.
5. A counter weight is placed at the other end of
the lever which balances the brake when
1. Two stops S, S are provided to limit the motion

of the lever.
2. When the brake is to be put in operation, the
long end of the lever is loaded with suitable
weights W and the nuts are tightened until the
engine shaft runs at a constant speed and the
lever is in horizontal position.
3. Under these conditions, the moment due to the
weight W must balance the moment of the
frictional resistance between the blocks and the
pulley.
W = Weight at the outer end of the lever in

newton's,
L = Horizontal distance of the weight W
from the center of the pulley in meters,
F = Frictional resistance between the blocks
and the pulley in newton's,
R = Radius of the pulley in meters, and
N = Speed of the shaft in r.p.m.
We know that the moment of the frictional
resistance or torque on the shaft,
T = W.L = F.R N-m
Work done in one revolution
= Torque Angle turned in radians
Work done per minute
= T2 N N-m
Rope Brake Dynamometer

It is another form of absorption type dynamometer
which is most commonly used for measuring the
brake power of the engine. It consists of one, two or
more ropes wound around the flywheel or rim of a
pulley fixed rigidly to the shaft of an engine. The
upper end of the ropes is attached to a spring
balance while the lower end of the ropes is kept in
position by applying a dead weight as shown in Fig.
In order to prevent the slipping of the rope over the
flywheel, wooden blocks are placed at intervals
around the circumference of the flywheel. In the
operation of the brake, the engine is made to run at
a constant speed. The frictional torque, due to the
rope, must be equal to the torque being transmitted
by the engine.
Transmission Dynamometers
The following types of transmission dynamometers are important
from the subject point of view :
1. Epicyclic-train dynamometer, 2. Belt transmission dynamometer,
and 3. Torsion dyna-mometer.
Belt Transmission Dynamometer Froude or Thorneycroft
Transmission Dynamometer
1. A belt transmission dynamometer, as shown in

Figure is called a Froude transmission dynamometer.
2. It consists of a pulley A (called driving pulley) which
is rigidly fixed to the shaft of an engine whose power
is required to be measured.
3. There is another pulley B (called driven pulley)
mounted on another shaft to which the power from
pulley A is transmitted.
4. The pulleys A and B are connected by means of a
continuous belt passing round the two loose pulleys
C and D which are mounted on a T-shaped frame.
5. The frame is pivoted at E and its movement is

controlled by two stops S,S. Since the tension in the
tight side of the belt (T1) is greater than the tension
in the slack side of the belt (T2), therefore the total
force acting on the pulley C (i.e.T1) is greater than
the total force acting on the pulley D (i.e. T2 ).
6. It is thus obvious that the frame causes
movement about E in the anticlockwise direction. In
order to balance it, a weight W is applied at a
distance L from E on the frame as shown in Figure.

Brakes and Dynamometers

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Brakes and Dynamometers

Classifications of Mechanical Brakes

Self locking brake

The following two types of absorption dynamometers

1. Prony brake dynamometer, and

Prony brake dynamometer

1. A simplest form of an absorption type

1. Two stops S, S are provided to limit the motion

W = Weight at the outer end of the lever in

Rope Brake Dynamometer

1. A belt transmission dynamometer, as shown in

5. The frame is pivoted at E and its movement is

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