4. (Mach.) A contrivance applied to steam engines, water wheels, and
other machinery, to maintain nearly uniform speed when the resistances
and motive force are variable.
The illustration shows a form of governor commonly used for steam
engines, in wich a heavy sleeve (a) sliding on a rapidly revolving
spindle (b), driven by the engine, is raised or lowered, when the speed
varies, by the changing centrifugal force of two balls (c c) to which
it is connected by links (d d), the balls being attached to arms (e e)
which are jointed to the top of the spindle. The sleeve is connected
with the throttle valve or cut-off through a lever (f), and its motion
produces a greater supply of steam when the engine runs too slowly and
a less supply when too fast.
Governor cut-off (Steam Engine), a variable cut-off gear in which the
governor acts in such a way as to cause the steam to be cut off from
entering the cylinder at points of the stroke dependent upon the
engine's speed. -- Hydraulic governor (Mach.), a governor which is
operated by the action of a liquid in flowing; a cataract.
Gov"ern*or gen"er*al (?). A governor who has lieutenant or deputy
governors under him; as, the governor general of Canada, of India.
Gov"ern*or*ship, n. The office of a governor.
Gow"an (?), n. [Scot., fr. Gael. gugan bud, flower, daisy.] 1. The
daisy, or mountain daisy. [Scot.]
And pu'd the gowans fine.
Burns.