Speed Indicator Mechanism Explained: How Centrifugal, Chronometric & Drag-Cup Tachometers Work

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This calculator converts selected shaft speed to angular speed, evaluates radial inertial-force magnitude mω²r for one selected rotating mass, and reports a disclosed algebraic 2F/k displacement proxy. It does not predict the calibration or sleeve travel of a real speed indicator.

Speed Indicator · Selected Radial-Force Ledger

Explore selected angular-speed and radial-force arithmetic without treating the displacement proxy or squared-speed index as an instrument calibration.

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Selected Angular Speed
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Radial Force per Selected Mass
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Algebraic 2Fr/k Travel Proxy
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Squared-Speed Index vs 3000 rpm
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Equation Used

ω=2πN/60; Fr=mω²r; xproxy=2Fr/k; index=100(N/3000)².
Selected scalar ledger only; linkage projection, spring preload, changing radius, friction and calibration are not predicted.
  • Mass is represented as a point at the selected fixed radius.
  • Speed is steady for the scalar radial-force calculation.
  • The selected spring rate is used only in the disclosed algebraic 2Fr/k proxy.
  • The 3000 rpm value is a normalization reference only.
  • Link geometry, force projection, preload, changing radius, gravity, friction, stops, gearing, calibration and safety are excluded.

Former sleeve-lift and dial-deflection claims are narrowed to an algebraic 2Fr/k proxy and a squared-speed reference index.

Watch the Speed Indicator in motion
Video: How Does A Vertical Speed Indicator Work? by Nguyen Duc Thang (thang010146) on YouTube. Used here to complement the diagram below.
Same mechanism and inputs as the interactive calculator.

Selected radial-force reference

The animation shows an illustrative symmetric flyweight and dial layout. Exact values are confined to angular speed, one-mass radial force, the stated 2F/k proxy, and a squared-speed index relative to 3000 rpm.

What the calculator determines

Select shaft speed, one rotating mass, its radius and a comparison spring rate. The calculator reports ω, mω²r, 2mω²r/k, and 100(N/3000)².

Selected scalar ledger

ω=2πN/60; Fr=mω²r; xproxy=2Fr/k; speed index=100(N/3000)².

Selected-input example

At 3000 rpm, m=20 g and r=20 mm, one-mass radial force is about 39.48 N. With k=5 N/mm, the disclosed algebraic 2F/k proxy is about 15.79 mm and the squared-speed index is 100%.

Force ledger, not instrument calibration

A real flyweight mechanism requires link geometry and force projection, changing radius, spring preload, effective rates, gravity, friction, stops and a calibrated transmission to the pointer. Therefore the proxy is not literal sleeve lift and the index is not a dial calibration.

Questions

Why is 2Fr/k only a proxy?

The two radial forces do not generally act directly along the sleeve axis; link angles and reactions determine axial force and motion.

Is the percentage a calibrated dial reading?

No. It is only a squared-speed index normalized to 3000 rpm and may exceed 100%.

References & Further Reading

  • Wikipedia contributors. Tachometer. Wikipedia

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