Benefits of Applying Digital Governors for Slow-To-Medium-Speed Engine Control

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the problems, and their solutions, associated with controlling slow to medium speed reciprocating engines. Engines in this category operate at or below 400 rpm and are often used to power generator sets and other stationary equipment; they also are used in many marine applications. These engines are characteristically difficult to control not only because of the torsional variation associated with cylinder firing, but also because of other system-dynamics problems.

New digital control systems have been designed and applied to solve these torsional and dynamic control problems. The new controls include state-of-the-art speed sensing and programmable, variable dynamics.