Tractor Engine Torque Transducer Using Governor Setting and RPM

ABSTRACT Amicro-chip computer system was used to calculate and output a signal proportional to engine torque using inputs from a magnetic rpm pick-up and a potentiometer linked to the governor setting lever. The signal representing the estimated torque rose to over 100% maximum engine torque for a period of 1 s or so when the governor setting was suddenly advanced. Signals below zero were obtained for similar periods when the governor setting was suddenly retracted. Otherwise, signals representing torque generally paralleled actual engine torque levels. Sources of minor amounts of imprecision in detecting the actual governor setting caused sizable errors between estimated and actual torque values. The torque estimation system was intended for use with an automatic controller for transmission ratio and engine speed.