What aspect of a prime mover does a governor control under varying load conditions?

The governor of a prime mover is primarily responsible for controlling the speed of the engine or turbine under varying load conditions. When the load on a prime mover changes, the governor senses this change in demand and adjusts the fuel input accordingly to maintain a consistent speed.

As the load increases, the speed of the prime mover tends to drop; the governor reacts by increasing fuel supply to bring the speed back to the desired set point. Conversely, if the load decreases, the speed may rise, prompting the governor to reduce fuel input to maintain control. This mechanism is crucial for ensuring that the prime mover operates efficiently and within its designated speed range, thus providing stable performance across fluctuating operational demands.

While torque, temperature, and fuel consumption can be affected by the governor's adjustments, they are not directly controlled as speed is. Therefore, understanding the role of the governor in regulating speed is essential for effective operation and maintenance of prime movers.