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Definition
Piston:
What it is: a solid disk or cylinder that fits inside a hollow cylinder, and moves under pressure
What it does: transfers force from expanding gas in the cylinder to the crankshaft via a piston rod and/or connecting rod
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Connecting Rod:
What it is: Any rod, in an engine, that transmits power or motion
What it does: connects the piston to the crank or crankshaft; transfers rotary motion to reciprocating (linear) motion by connecting the crankshaft to the connecting rod |
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Definition
Crankshaft:
What it is: a rotating shaft that drives (or is driven by) a crank
What it does: translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation; attached to the connecting rod |
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Definition
Valve:
What it is: a device that regulates the flow of a fluid (gas) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways
What it does: used in most piston engines to open and close the intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder head |
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Flywheel:
What it is: storage device for rotational energy
What it does: stores up rotation energy during the power impulses of the engine; releases this energy between power impulses, thus assuring less fluctuation in engine speed and smoother engine operation |
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Camshaft:
What it is: apparatus often used in piston engines to operate valves
What it does: forces the valves open by pressing on the valve, or on some intermediate mechanism, as it rotates |
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Spark plug:
What it is: electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines
What it does: ignites compressed aerosol gasoline by means of an electric spark |
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Carburetor:
What it is: device in an internal combustion engine
What it does: vaporizes fuel and creates proper fuel/air mix prior to ignition |
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Term
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Definition
What it is: consists of primary coil winding and its leads, a set of breaker points and a condenser
What it does: the revolutions of the cam interrupt electrical current, which cause the electromagnetic field of the primary coil to collapse; as the field collapses, voltage is induced across the primary coil and causes an arc |
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Term
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Definition
What it is: contains secondary coil winding, a high-tension lead or sparkplug wire, and a sparkplug
What it does: voltage across the primary coil results in proportional voltage to be induced across the secondary winding; the voltage reaches a high value and is able to arc across the gap of the sparkplug
ESSENTIAL OF IGNITION |
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