2006-06-21 09:04:13 · 3 answers · asked by kevininpompey 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Brake horsepower (bhp) is the measure of an engine's horsepower without the loss in power caused by the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump and other auxiliaries. The actual horsepower delivered to the driving wheels is less. An engine would have to be retested to obtain a rating in another system.
2006-06-21 09:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Paul G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brake horsepower (bhp) is a measurement of power taken at a vehicle's wheels. Or, if you like, chassis dynos use a water brake to place a load on the wheels to measure the torque, from which horsepower is derived.
The term comes from the inventor of the steam engine, James Watt, who made some rough mathematical estimates of a horse's ability to do work. Since most machines were run by horses (or mules) at the time, comparing how much work his engine could do compared to a typical horse was a way for him to market his engine, and the term stuck.
2006-06-21 16:11:31 · answer #2 · answered by Harry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dunno about BHP. British Horsepower?
Anyway to answer your other question, I think it was Watt that arbitrarily estimated the power of a horse. It's not based on anything in particular, but a horsepower = 746 watts
2006-06-21 16:08:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋