In automobile engineering, the term “Governing” means the action of varying the fuel supply in accordance with the load demands.
So, the engine runs at a practically constant speed.
Here in this post, you will find some important methods of governing internal combustion engines

So, here are the Three Most Proven Methods of Governing Internal Combustion Engine
Hit & Miss Governing
This method is suitable for small gas engines.
In this system, the rotational motion of the cam actuates the rocker through the roller.
The rocker carries a pecker, which strikes against the pecker block and lifts the valve against the pressure of the spring.
At very high speed, the pecker block is lifted by the rod due to the rise up of the governor sleeve resulting in the engine performing an idle cycle because no fuel is now being supplied.
This method of governing is quite simple but owing to the violent explosions.
This usually occurs as a result of extra scavenging which takes place immediately after a “missed explosion’.
It produces uneven turning moments necessitating the use of a heavy flywheel which increases the friction at the bearing.
Hence it lowers the mechanical efficiency of the engines.
Qualitative Governing
This method is widely used in all heavy oil engines.
Besides being always used on two-stroke cycle engines in which the air-fuel mixture has to be admitted to the engine cylinder to drive out the burnt charge of the previous cycle.
In this governing method, under the action of the centrifugal governor, the amount of fuel entering the cylinder is varied.
This is done by altering the stroke of the Oil Pump or bypassing a part of the fuel.
This would have otherwise been injected into the engine cylinder back to the oil tank or by delaying the closing of the suction valve in the fuel pump.
Quantitative Governing
This may be done by decreasing the lift of the inlet valve.
Secondly, throttling the mixture before it is made to enter the engine cylinder.
This method is largely used for governing petrol and big gas engines.
- Internal Combustion Engines
- Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals
- Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal
- A Textbook of Internal Combustion Engines
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