De Prony brake
Freno Prony
- Date
- 1821 · confidence high
- Place
- Paris, Île-de-France, France
- Credited to
- Gaspard de Prony
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What it is
Device that measures an engine's torque by wrapping a belt around the output shaft and tightening it until rotation slows to a desired speed, measuring the friction force transmitted; gave rise to the concept of brake horsepower.
What it led to
- Concept of brake horsepower
- Standardization of engine power measurement
- Later development of friction dynamometers