| eters or dyno systems seem complicated but once | | | | Unlike transmission dynos, absorption dynamometers |
| you understand the basics it all becomes clear! A | | | | produce the torque that they measure by creating a |
| dynamometer is basically just a measuring tool, in the | | | | constant restraint to the turning of a shaft, by applying |
| same way as voltmeters, scales or speedometers | | | | mechanical friction, fluid friction, or electromagnetic |
| are. | | | | induction. |
| Among force-measuring devices, dynamometers are | | | | A Prony brake develops mechanical friction on the |
| a flexible metallic ring that bends when a force is | | | | edges of a rotating pulley by the means of a few |
| applied in such a manner as to tend to collapse it (the | | | | brake blocks that are squeezed against the wheel by |
| amount of bending being a measure of the applied | | | | tightening the bolts until the friction torque FR balances |
| force) and a hydraulic load cell that measures | | | | the torque WL. |
| compressive loads in terms of fluid pressure. | | | | A water brake creates a resistance by circulating the |
| Once you have built your new motor, or fitted any | | | | water flow between a rotating impeller and a |
| tuning parts, it is very important to visit a good | | | | stationary shell, while an electric dynamometer |
| automotive Dynamometer or rolling road. If you don't, | | | | generates and absorbs direct-current electricity or |
| then you will never be able to properly set up your | | | | eddy currents. In each case, the element that exerts |
| engine. | | | | the restraining influence is freely cradled so that its |
| A good dynamometer allows you to use a gas | | | | tendency to rotate with the rotating body can be |
| analyzer while under load so you can see the real air | | | | restricted and the restricted force is measured at a |
| fuel mixture at all RPM's while driving. | | | | known distance from the axis of rotation. |
| Power-measuring dynamometers may be either | | | | Torque is the product of the spring load or weight and |
| transmission dynamometers or absorption | | | | the distance from the axis of rotation. Dynamometers |
| dynamometers. The former utilize devices that | | | | also measure the torque produced by an engine in |
| measure torque, in terms of the elastic twist of the | | | | order to reveal important information about its |
| shaft or of a special torquemeter inserted between | | | | performance. |
| some sections of the shaft. The torque is produced by | | | | A diagnose is then presented in performance graphs, |
| the useful load that the prime mover, motor, or | | | | which can be easily printed and interpreted. |
| machine is carrying. | | | | |