[SEL] Speed limiter

[Jack Watson]

Steve Gray wrote:

> Hey Guys & Gals -
>
>   I picked up a little trinket last November in the form of a speed 
> limiter for a line shaft. At first, I thought if might be an early 
> form of a centrifugal clutch until I saw how the flyballs were pinned. 
> The large pulley in the pictures would have been the driven (input) 
> side which spins the clutch drum. The clutch shoes, which are wood, 
> are mounted on the flyballs and are spring loaded against the drum. 
> This transmits the rotating motion from the input pulley to the output 
> shaft and pulley. If the speed becomes too great, the flyballs pull 
> the clutch shoes away from the drum, slowing the output. This unit has 
> no markings whatsoever other than having a lot of old red paint on it. 
> Any idea of age and maker? Pictures are at: 
> http://www.oldengineshed.com/snapshot/. I need to pour new babbitt 
> bearings in it, but it's in excellent shape, otherwise. If there's 
> room for it, it might end up on the big display trailer.
>
> - Steve
>
Could it have been a safety device - an over-speed brake for a lift 
(elevator)?

Jack in Oz