Components of the automobile

UNIT 1

 

COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Trackless – безрельсовый

Self-propelled – самодвижущийся

Vehicle – транспортное средство

Framework – каркас

Body – кузов

Combustion – горение, сгорание

Transmission – передача, трансмиссия

Ignition – зажигание, воспламенение

Intake – поглощение, впуск

Exhaust – выпуск, выброс, выхлоп

Piston stroke – ход поршня

Gear – механизм

Valve – клапан

Wheelbase – подвеска, колесная база

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE

Automobiles are trackless, self-propelled vehicles for land transportation of people or goods, or for moving materials. There are three main types of automobiles. These are passenger cars, buses and lorries (trucks). The automobile consists of the following components: a) the engine; b) the framework; c) the mechanism that transmits the power from engine to the wheels; d) the body.

Passenger cars are, as a rule, propelled by an internal combustion engine. They are distinguished by the horsepower of the engine, the number of cylinders in the engine and the type of the body, the type of transmission, wheelbase, weight and overall length.

There are engines of various designs. They differ in the number of cylinders, their position, their operating cycle, valve mechanism, ignition and cooling system.

Most automobile engines have six or eight cylinders. The activities that take place in the engine cylinder can be divided into four stages which are called strokes. The four strokes are: intake, compression, power and exhaust. "Stroke" refers to the piston movement. The upper limit of piston movement is called top dead centre, TDC. The lower limit of piston movement is called bottom dead centre, BDC. A stroke constitutes, piston movement from TDC to BDC or from BDC to TDC. In other words, the piston completes a stroke each time it changes the direction of motion.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Двигатель внутреннего сгорания, коробка передач, мощность двигателя в л. с., колесная база, приводной цикл, система охлаждения, двухтактный (четырехтактный) двигатель, верхний предел, нижний предел, верхняя мертвая точка, нижняя мертвая точка.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What are automobiles?

2. What are three main types of automobiles?

3. Can you name the components of an automobile? What are they?

4. What are passenger cars distinguished by?

5. What is a passenger car propelled with?

6. What is the difference of various engine designs?

7. What is a stroke of an automobile?

8. What is top dead centre?

9. What is bottom dead centre?

 

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. component 2. lorry 3. car 4. different 5. exhaust 6. gear

a) various b) discharge c) truck d) constituent e) automobile f) mechanism

 

Ex.6. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

The activities that take place in the engine cylinder can be divided into four stages which are called strokes.

 

Ex.7. Translate into Russian paying attention to the word “as”.

1. As the mixture burns, high pressure is created. 2. The automobile uses gasoline as a fuel. 3. As long as the car is in order, you can be carried from one place to another. 4. No special cooling fans are, as a rule, required. 5. Some semiconductors are almost as good conductors as metals.

Ex. 8. Summarize the text.

UNIT 2

ENGINE OPERATION

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Powered by – оснащенный

Flywheel – маховое колесо, маховик

Crankshaft – коленчатый вал

Carburettor – карбюратор

Throttle – дроссель, регулятор

Lubrication – смазка

Flexibility – гибкость, легкость

Breaks – тормоза

Steering wheel –управление, рулевое колесо

Linkage – рычажный механизм

To lessen – облегчить, ослабить

Springs – пружины, амортизаторы

Shock – удар, толчок

Leaf spring – пластинчатая пружина, рессора

Coil spring – спиральная пружина

Torsion bars – торсионы (стержень, выполняющий функции пружины)

Air suspensions – пневматические подвески

Spark – искра

Steering system – рулевая система

Connecting rod – шатун

Crude oil – сырая нефть

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

ENGINE OPERATION

An automobile, powered by a petrol engine, begins to op­erate when the driver turns a flywheel connected to the engine crankshaft. As the crankshaft revolves, a mixture of fuel and air is drawn from a carburettor into the engine cylinders. The ignition system provides the electric sparks that ignite this mixture. The resultant explosions of the mixture turn the crankshaft, and the engine starts moving. By regulating the flow of the fuel and air with a throttle, the driver controls the rotational speed of the crankshaft.

Cooling, electrical ignition and lubrication systems are of great importance for the good.performance of. a car. The lights, radio and heater add to the flexibility, comfort, and convenience of the car. The indicating devices keep the driver informed as to engine temperature, oil pressure, amount of fuel, and battery charging rate.

Brakes are of drum and disk types. The steering system consists of a manually operated steering wheel which is con­nected by a steering column to the steering gear from which linkages run to the front wheels. it is difficult to turn the steering wheel, and special hydraulic power mechanism are used to lessen this effort. Suitable springings are used against shocks. These are leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bars and air suspensions.

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Система зажигания, вращение коленчатого вала, воспламенить топливную смесь, регулировать впрыск топлива, система смазки, давление масла, температура двигателя, количество топлива, уровень зарядки аккумулятора, пластинчатая пружина, рессора, пневматическая подвеска.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. When does an automobile begin to operate?

2. What ignites the mixture of fuel and air?

3. What do the resultant explosions of the mixture do?

4. How does the driver control the rotational speed of the crankshaft?

5. What types of brakes do you know?

Ex.5. Translate into Russian paying attention to the word “by”.

1. The high pressure created by the compressed gases causes the crankshaft to turn or rotate? 2. Petroleum, or crude oil, is put through a refining process by which the gasoline is distilled out. 3. The method of cooling by water is easy to accomplish. 4. A new car plant will have been constructed by the end of this year. 5. The crank is linked to the piston by means of the connecting rod. 6. The driver can make the car operate by turning the flywheel.

Ex.6. Ask questions on all the parts of the following sentences.

1. The piston can slide up and down inside the cylinder. 2. The automobile engineer sees in the car a triumph of engineering and production skill.

 

Ex. 7. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 3

 

UNIT 4

TYPES OF ENGINES

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Expenditure – расход, затрата

Combustion chamber – камера сгорания

Integral – неотъемлемый, полный, целый

Turbine – турбина

Power-plant – силовая установка

Electric-generating – энергогенерирующий

Fixed – неподвижный, закрепленный

Close – закрытие, запирание

Fitting – монтаж, подгонка, сборка

Piston – поршень

Torque – крутящий момент

Provision – предосторожность

Gear to – соединять, входить в зацепление

Clutch – сцепление

Disengage – выводить из зацепления, расцеплять

Crank – пусковая рукоятка

Rope wound – заводной трос

Flywheel – маховик

Inertia starter– инерционный стартер (с маховиком)

Explosive starter – взрывной стартер

Blank cartridge – патрон с холостым зарядом

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

TYPES OF ENGINES

Internal-combustion engine, any type of machine that obtains mechanical energy directly from the expenditure of the chemical energy of fuel burned in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the engine. Four principal types of internal-combustion engines are in general use: the Otto-cycle engine, the diesel engine, the rotary engine, and the gas turbine. The Otto-cycle engine, named after its inventor, the German technician Nikolaus August Otto, is the familiar gasoline engine used in automobiles and airplanes; the diesel engine, named after the French-born German engineer Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel, operates on a different principle and usually uses oil as a fuel. It is employed in electric-generating and marine-power plants, in trucks and buses, and in some automobiles. Both Otto-cycle and diesel engines are manufactured in two-stroke and four-stroke cycle models.

The essential parts of Otto-cycle and diesel engines are the same. The combustion chamber consists of a cylinder, usually fixed, that is closed at one end and in which a close-fitting piston slides. The in-and-out motion of the piston varies the volume of the chamber between the inner face of the piston and the closed end of the cylinder.

Unlike steam engines and turbines, internal-combustion engines develop no torque when starting, and therefore provision must be made for turning the crankshaft so that the cycle of operation can begin. Automobile engines are normally started by means of an electric motor or starter that is geared to the crankshaft with a clutch that automatically disengages the motor after the engine has started. Small engines are sometimes started manually by turning the crankshaft with a crank or by pulling a rope wound several times around the flywheel. Methods of starting large engines include the inertia starter, which consists of a flywheel that is rotated by hand or by means of an electric motor until its kinetic energy is sufficient to turn the crankshaft, and the explosive starter, which employs the explosion of a blank cartridge to drive a turbine wheel that is coupled to the engine. The inertia and explosive starters are chiefly used to start airplane engines.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Получение механической энергии от затрат химической энергии сжигаемого топлива, неотъемлемая часть, бензиновый двигатель, работать по другому принципу, составные части двигателя, камера внутреннего сгорания, паровой двигатель, двигатель внутреннего сгорания, выводить из состояния сцепления, приводить в движение коленчатый вал с помощью пусковой рукоятки, инерционный стартер, вращение маховика вручную, задействовать патрон с холостым зарядом для запуска турбины.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What is an internal-combustion engine?

2. What types of engines are in general use now?

3. Who was an inventor of gasoline engine used in automobiles today?

4. What is the origin of diesel engines?

5. What are the advantages of internal combustion engines when starting?

6. What is normal starting of an automobile engine?

7. What is manual starting of engines?

8. What methods of starting large engines do you know?

9. What kinds of starters are chiefly used to start airplane engines?

 

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. engineer 2. manufactured 3. essential 4. motion 5. provision 6. by means of 7. manually 8. sufficient

a) with the help of b) by hand c) appropriate d) basic e) technician f) movement g) precaution h) produced

 

Ex.6. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

The inertia and explosive starters are chiefly used to start airplane engines.

 

Ex. 7. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 5

OTTO-CYCLE ENGINES

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Compress – сжимать, сдавливать

Four-stroke engine – четырехтактный двигатель

Simultaneously – одновременно

Exert – оказывать (действие)

Exhaust valve – выпускной клапан

Ratio – коэффициент

High-octane – высокооктановый

Antiknock – высокооктановое число, антидетонатор

Percentage – процентное содержание

Suck – поглощать, всасывать

Compression ratios - степень сжатия

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

OTTO-CYCLE ENGINES

The ordinary Otto-cycle engine is a four-stroke engine; that is, in a complete power cycle, its pistons make four strokes, two toward the head (closed head) of the cylinder and two away from the head. During the first stroke of the cycle, the piston moves away from the cylinder head while simultaneously the intake valve is opened. The motion of the piston during this stroke sucks a quantity of a fuel and air mixture into the combustion chamber. During the next stroke, the piston moves toward the cylinder head and compresses the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. At the moment when the piston reaches the end of this stroke and the volume of the combustion chamber is at a minimum, the fuel mixture is ignited by the spark plug and burns, expanding and exerting a pressure on the piston, which is then driven away from the cylinder head in the third stroke. During the final stroke, the exhaust valve is opened and the piston moves toward the cylinder head, driving the exhaust gases out of the combustion chamber and leaving the cylinder ready to repeat the cycle.

The efficiency of a modern Otto-cycle engine is limited by a number of factors, including losses by cooling and by friction. In general, the efficiency of such engines is determined by the compression ratio of the engine. The compression ratio (the ratio between the maximum and minimum volumes of the combustion chamber) is usually about 8 to 1 or 10 to 1 in most modern Otto-cycle engines. Higher compression ratios, up to about 15 to 1, with a resulting increase of efficiency, are possible with the use of high-octane antiknock fuels. The efficiencies of good modern Otto-cycle engines range between 20 and 25 percent—in other words, only this percentage of the heat energy of the fuel is transformed into mechanical energy.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Впускной клапан, движение поршня, подвергать компрессии топливную смесь, свеча зажигания, увеличение давления на поршень, выхлопные газы, коэффициент полезного действия современных двигателей, компрессионный коэффициент работы двигателя, механическая энергия, тепловая энергия сгораемого топлива.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What does “a complete power cycle” of ordinary gasoline engines mean?

2. Can you explain what is the first stroke of the cycle?

3. What is the movement of the piston during next two strokes (the second and the third)?

4. What is the final stroke of the engine?

5. What factors limit the efficiency of modern Otto-cycle engine?

6. What is the compression ratio?

7. What are compression ratios of good modern Otto-cycle engines?

 

Ex. 5. Find the antonyms to the underlined words.

1. complicated

a) expensive; b) simple; c) similar; d) numerous.

2. shortage

a) current; b) delay; c) distance; d) plenty.

3. to remain

a) to lend; b) to be; c) to measure; d) to stretch.

4. to destroy

a) to drag; b) to pave; c) to restore; d) to step.

5. huge

a) small; b) strong; c) free; d) hard.

6. to connect

a) to charge; b) to collapse; c) to introduce; d) to part.

7. gradually

a) also; b) at once; c) chiefly; d) rather.

8. repair

a) pay; b) remark; c) surface; d) damage.

9. the same

a) due; b) total; c) different; d) essential.

10. strength

a) combustion; b) device; c) weakness; d) force.

11. wide

a) powerful; b) narrow; c) dry; d) necessary.

Ex. 6. Match the synonyms.

1. one moment 2. fuel mixture 3. limitation 4. participate 5. octane number

a) gasoline b)octane value c) one second d) restriction e) share

 

Ex.7. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

During the next stroke the piston moves toward the cylinder head and compresses the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

 

Ex. 8. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 6

DIESEL-CYCLE ENGINES

 

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Constant – постоянный

Volume – объем, масса, емкость, вместимость

Compression – сжатие, давление, уплотнение

Suction – впуск, всасывание

To draw – затягивать

Intake valve – впускной клапан

Air fraction – частица, объем воздуха

Former – прежний, бывший

Approximately – приблизительно

Vaporization – выпаривание, испарение

Instantly – мгновенно, немедленно

To warm up – прогревать

Combustion – воспламенение, возгорание

Exhaust – выпуск, выхлоп

To govern – управлять, регулировать

Inherently – по существу

Disadvantage – недостаток

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

DIESEL-CYCLE ENGINES

Theoretically, the diesel cycle differs from the Otto cycle in that combustion takes place at constant volume rather than at constant pressure. A diesel engineis an internal combustion engine which operates using the diesel cycle (named after Dr. Rudolph Diesel). The defining feature of the diesel engine is the use of compression ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber during the final stage of compression. This is in contrast to a petrol (gasoline) engine, which uses the Otto cycle, in which a fuel/air mixture is ignited by a spark plug. Most diesels are also four-stroke engines but they operate differently than the four-stroke Otto-cycle engines. The first, or suction, stroke draws air, but no fuel, into the combustion chamber through an intake valve. On the second, or compression, stroke the air is compressed to a small fraction of its former volume and is heated to approximately 440°C (approximately 820°F) by this compression. At the end of the compression stroke, vaporized fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and burns instantly because of the high temperature of the air in the chamber. Some diesels have auxiliary electrical ignition systems to ignite the fuel when the engine starts and until it warms up. This combustion drives the piston back on the third or power stroke of the cycle. The fourth stroke, as in the Otto-cycle engine, is an exhaust stroke.

The efficiency of the diesel engine, which is in general governed by the same factors that control the efficiency of Otto-cycle engines, is inherently greater than that of any Otto-cycle engine and in actual engines today is slightly more than 40 percent. Diesels are, in general, slow-speed engines with crankshaft speeds of 100 to 750 revolutions per minute (rpm) as compared to 2500 to 5000 rpm for typical Otto-cycle engines. Some types of diesel, however, have speeds up to 2000 rpm. Because diesels use compression ratios of 14 or more to 1, they are generally more heavily built than Otto-cycle engines, but this disadvantage is counterbalanced by their greater efficiency and the fact that they can be operated on less expensive fuel oils.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Воспламенение от сжатия, постоянный объем, воспламенение от свечи зажигания, всасывать воздух в камеру внутреннего сгорания через впускной клапан, в результате сжатия воздух нагревается приблизительно до 440⁰ С, впрыск топлива в камеру внутреннего сгорания, мгновенное воспламенение, вспомогательная (дополнительная) электрическая система зажигания, прогреть двигатель, частота вращения коленчатого вала от 100 до 750 оборотов в минуту, степень сжатия, недостатки, дешевая топливная смесь, преимущества, недостатки, уравновешивать степень сжатия.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. How does diesel cycle differ from the Otto cycle theoretically?

2. Is diesel engine an internal combustion engine?

3. How does it operate?

4. What is the defining feature of the diesel engine?

5. How does a fuel/air mixture ignite in Otto-cycle engines?

6. Are most diesels four-stroke engines?

7. Is it typical for diesels to have auxiliary electrical ignition systems?

8. What is the first or suction stroke of diesel engines?

9. What happens on the second or compression stroke of diesel engines?

10.What drives the piston back on the third or power stroke of the cycle?

11.What is the fourth stroke?

12.Are there any disadvantages of diesel engines?

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. constant 2. less expensive 3. feature 4. to ignite 5. to operate 6. final 7. fraction 8. auxiliary 9. actual 10.in general

a) cheap b) permanent c) to work d) the last e) to fire f) characteristic g) modern h) part i) additional j) on the whole

 

Ex.6. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

The fourth stroke, in the Otto-cycle engine, is an exhaust stroke.

 

Ex. 7. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 7

 

TWO-STROKE ENGINES

 

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Suitable – подходящий

Power (compression) stroke – рабочий ход, рабочий такт

Pressure power – ход давления, ход сжатия

Double – удваивать, дублировать

Displacement – рабочий объем

Lawn mower – газонокосилка

Chain saw – цепная пила

Outboard – наружный, навесной

To introduce – вводить, подавать

Poppet valve – сквозной (проходной) клапан

Sleeve valve – сквозной канал, (полый) клапан

Port – окно, отверстие

Outward – наружный, внешний, движение поршня вниз

Charge – заряд, загрузка

To restrict – ограничивать

Lubricating oil – моторное масло, машинное масло

Hydrocarbons – углеводород

Under arrangements – согласно договорам

Withdrawn – в нижней мертвой точке

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

TWO-STROKE ENGINES

By suitable design it is possible to operate an Otto-cycle or diesel as a two-stroke or two-cycle engine with a power stroke every other stroke of the piston instead of once every four strokes. The power of a two-stroke engine is usually double that of a four-stroke engine of comparable size. Thus it develops more power with the same displacement, or can be lighter and yet deliver the same power. For this reason it is used in lawn mowers, chain saws, small automobiles, motorcycles, and outboard marine engines.

The general principle of the two-stroke engine is to shorten the periods in which fuel is introduced to the combustion chamber and in which the spent gases are exhausted to a small fraction of the duration of a stroke instead of allowing each of these operations to occupy a full stroke. In the simplest type of two-stroke engine, the poppet valves are replaced by sleeve valves or ports (openings in the cylinder wall that are uncovered by the piston at the end of its outward travel). In the two-stroke cycle, the fuel mixture or air is introduced through the intake port when the piston is fully withdrawn from the cylinder. The compression stroke follows, and the charge is ignited when the piston reaches the end of this stroke. The piston then moves outward on the power stroke, uncovering the exhaust port and permitting the gases to escape from the combustion chamber.

However, there are several disadvantages that restrict its use. Since there are twice as many power strokes during the operation of a two-stroke engine as there are during the operation of a four-stroke engine, the engine tends to heat up more, and thus is likely to have a shorter life. Also, in the two-stroke engine lubricating oil must be mixed with the fuel. This causes a very high level of hydrocarbons in its exhaust, unless the fuel-air mixture is computer calculated to maximize combustion. A highly efficient, pollution-free two-stroke automobile engine is currently being developed by world Engineering, under arrangements with all auto makers.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Рабочий объем, полный такт, двухтактный цикл, сократить период подачи топлива в камеру сгорания, топливо и воздух поступают через входной канал при полном выходе поршня из цилиндра (в максимально нижнем положении), такт сжатия (рабочий ход), перегреваться, смешивать масло с бензином, высокий уровень содержания углеводорода в выхлопных газах, усилить сгорание.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. Is it possible to operate an Otto-cycle or diesel as two-stroke or two-cycle engine?

2. Do two-cycle engines with the same displacement (as four-cycle engines) develop more power?

3. What are other advantages of two-stroke cycle engines?

4. What is the general operating principle of two-stroke engines?

5. Is there any difference between two and four-stroke engines?

6. What are disadvantages of two-stroke engines?

7. What causes a very high level of hydrocarbons in the exhaust of two-stroke cycle engines?

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. double 2. withdraw 3. introduce 4. spent gases 5. duration 6. allow 7. simple 8. escape from 9. restrict 10.outward

a) come out b) back c) limit d) twofold e) remove f) to inject g) exhaust gases h) continuance i) permit j) ordinary

 

Ex.6. Complete and translate the sentences.

1. The general principle of two-stroke engine is to …

2. The compression stroke follows and … the end of this stroke.

3. This causes a very high level of ….

4. The piston then moves … uncovering … to escape from the combustion chamber.

5. A highly efficient … is currently being developed ….

Ex.7. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

There are several disadvantages that restrict the use of two-stroke cycle engines.

 

Ex. 8. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 8

 

ROTARY (WANKEL) ENGINE

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Three cornered rotor – треугольный, трехгранный ротор

To draw in – нагнетать

Chamber – корпус, камера

Trapped – удерживаемый

Face – поверхность; передняя часть

Turning – вращение

Expel – вытеснять

Alternately – поочередно

Consequent – последовательный, соответственный

Option – дополнительный агрегат, дополнение

Gravity – сила тяжести

Safe – безопасный, надежный

Bulk – масса, вместимость

Reciprocating – поршневой, возвратно-поступательное движение

Advanced pollution control devices – устройства предварительной регулировки уровня загрязнения

Conventional – общепринятый, обыкновенный

Rotating – вращение

Offset – компенсировать, возмещать

Torque – вращающийся момент

Fuel consumption – расход горючего

Performance – характеристика

Efficiency – коэффициент полезного действия

Innovation – техническое новшество

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

ROTARY (WANKEL) ENGINE

In the 1950s the German engineer Felix Wankel developed an internal-combustion engine of a radically new design, in which the piston and cylinder were replaced by a three-cornered rotor turning in a roughly oval chamber. The fuel-air mixture is drawn in through an intake port and trapped between one face of the turning rotor and the wall of the oval chamber. The turning of the rotor compresses the mixture, which is ignited by a spark plug. The exhaust gases are then expelled through an exhaust port through the action of the turning rotor. The cycle takes place alternately at each face of the rotor, giving three power strokes for each turn of the rotor. Because of the Wankel engine's compact size and consequent lesser weight as compared with the piston engine, it appeared to be an important option for automobiles. In addition, its mechanical simplicity provided low manufacturing costs, its cooling requirements were low, and its low center of gravity made it safer to drive.

The Wankel engine has 48% fewer parts and about a third the bulk and weight of a reciprocating engine. Its main advantage is that advanced pollution control devices are easier to design for it than for the conventional piston engine. Another advantage is that higher engine speeds are made possible by rotating instead of reciprocating motion, but this advantage is partially offset by the lack of torque at low speeds, leading to greater fuel consumption.

A line of Wankel engine cars was produced in Japan in the early 1970s, and several United States automobile manufacturers researched the idea as well. However, production of the Wankel engine was discontinued as a result of its poor fuel economy and its high pollutant emissions. Nowerdays Mazda, a Japanese car manufacturer, has continued to design and innovate the rotary engine, improving performance and fuel efficiency.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Двигатель внутреннего сгорания абсолютно новой конструкции, горючая смесь из воздуха и топлива нагнетается через впускной клапан, в результате вращения ротора происходит сжатие смеси, рабочий цикл осуществляется поочередно на передних гранях ротора, масса и вес, простота конструкции, себестоимость (производства), автопроизводители, надежный в управлении.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

1. What was developed by the German engineer Felix Wankel?

2. Is there any difference between reciprocating engines and rotary engines?

3. How does fuel-air mixture circulate in a rotary engine?

4. What is the cycle of a rotary engine?

5. What is appeared to be an important option of the Wankel engine?

6. What are the advantages of a rotary engine?

7. What is its main advantage?

8. Were there any manufacturers of Wankel engine cars in the early 1970s?

9. What are disadvantages of a rotary engine?

10. Are there any perspectives of rotary engines?

 

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. radically 2. design 3. offset 4. bulk 5. to discontinue 6. conventional

a) generally accepted b) mass c) absolutely d) model e) compensation f) to stop

Ex.6. Complete and translate the sentences.

1. The Wankel engine has 48% ….

2. In the 1950s the German ….

3. Its main … conventional piston engine.

4. In addition … made it safer to drive.

5. However … pollutant emissions.

Ex.7. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

The exhaust gases are then expelled through an exhaust port through the action of the turning rotor.

 

Ex. 8. Summarize the text.

 

UNIT 9

 

UNIT 10

 

ELECTRIC CAR ENGINE

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Controller – регулятор

Battery pack – блок питания, аккумуляторная батарея

Ultracapacitor – ультраконденсатор

Flywheel – маховик

Charge-sustained mode – режим поддерживающей (длительной) зарядки

Charge-depleting mode – режим подзарядки

Convergence – схождение в одной точке, сходимость (бесконечного ряда)

Solar – солнечный

Aeronautical – воздухоплавательный, авиационный

Innovative – новаторский

Radar – радиолокатор, радиолокационная установка

Satellite – спутник

Automotive – самодвижущийся, автомобильный

Muffler – глушитель

Tune-up – наладить, отрегулировать

Alternating current – переменный ток

Brushless – безупречный

Spinning – кружение

High performance cell – К.П.Д. элемент

Lead acid – окись свинца

Integral – неотъемлемый, полный

Power inverter – преобразователь (постоянного тока в переменный)

Convert – преобразовывать

Current electricity – электрический ток

Congest – перегружать

Obsolete – изношенный, устарелый

Crude – грубый, простой

Small-scale – небольшого размера, маломасштабный

Congestion – загруженность автодорог

Paradigm – пример, образец

Advancement – прогресс, продвижение, распространенность

Accelerator – ускоритель, акселератор

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

ELECTRIC CAR ENGINE

An electric car is a type of alternative fuel car that utilizes electric motors and motor controllers instead of an internal combustion engine. The electric power is usually derived from battery packs in the vehicle.

In general terms an electric car is a rechargeable battery electric vehicle. Other examples of rechargeable electric vehicles are ones that store electricity in ultracapacitors, or in a flywheel.

Vehicles using both electric motors and other types of engine are known as hybrid electric vehicles and are not considered pure electric vehicles because they operate in a charge-sustaining mode.

The electric car was among some of the earliest automobiles, small electric vehicles predate the Otto cycle upon which Diesel (diesel engine) and Benz (gasoline engine) based the automobile. Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Scottish businessman Robert Anderson invented the first crude electric carriage. Professor Sibrandus Groningen, the Netherland, designed the small-scale electric car built by his assistant Christopher Becker in 1835.

Nowadays the development of the electric automobile will owe more to innovative solar and aeronautical engineering and advanced satellite and radar technology than to traditional automotive design and construction. The electric car has no engine, exhaust system, transmission, muffler, radiator, or spark plugs. It will require neither tune-ups nor – truly revolutionary – gasoline. Instead, its power will come from alternating current electric motors with a brushless design capable of spinning up to 20,000 revolutions/minute. Batteries to power these motors will come from high performance cells capable of generating more than 100 kilowatts of power. And, unlike the lead-acid batteries of the past and present, future batteries will be environmentally safe and recyclable. Integral to the braking system of the vehicle will be a power inverter that converts direct current electricity back into the battery pack system once the accelerator is let off, thus acting as a generator to the battery system even as the car is driven long into the future.

An electric car’s efficiency is affected by its charging efficiencies. A typical charging cycle is about 85% efficient, and the discharge cycle converting electricity into mechanical power is about 95% efficient, resulting in 81% of each kW-h is put to use.

The growth of automobile use and the increasing resistance to road building have made our highway systems both congested and obsolete. But new electronic vehicle technologies that permit cars to navigate around the congestion and even drive themselves may soon become possible. Turning over the operation of our automobiles to computers would mean they would gather information from the roadway about congestion and find the fastest route to their instructed destination, thus making better use of limited highway space. The advent of the electric car will come because of a rare convergence of circumstance and ability. Growing intolerance for pollution combined with extraordinary technological advancements will change the global transportation paradigm that will carry us through the twenty-first century.

 

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below.

Автомобиль - альтернатива двигателю внутреннего сгорания, электрические средства передвижения, электромобиль, простая электроколяска, работать в режиме продолжительной подзарядки, современные спутниковые и радиолокационные технологии, пункт назначения, загруженность автодорог, аккумулятор, безопасный для окружающей среды, малогабаритный, мощность электромотора зависит от переменного тока, передовые электронные технологии, перегруженность автодорог.

 

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

What does an electric car utilize in comparison with an internal combustion engine?

1. Where is the electric power usually derived from?

2. How do we call an electric car in general terms?

3. What are hybrid electric vehicles?

4. Why do we call them “hybrid”?

5. What is the origin of an electric car?

6. Who invented the first crude electric carriage?

7. What are the advantages of an electric car?

8. Will it require gasoline as a fuel?

9. What is the efficiency of an electric car?

 

Ex. 5. Match the synonyms.

1. Global 2. Extraordinary 3. Limited 4. Progress 5. Paradigm 6. Automotive 7. Innovative 8. Accelerator 9. Obsolete

a) An old one b) Fastener c) Absolutely new d) Self-propelled e) Example f) Advancement g) Minimized h) Unusual i) Overall

Ex.6. Complete and translate the sentences.

1. The electric power …from …in the vehicle.

2. Other examples of …, or in a flywheel.

3. …car was among some of the earliest ….

4. Nowadays …will owe …than to traditional automotive design and construction.

5. …for pollution combined with …through the twenty-first century.

 

Ex.7. Make up all possible questions to this sentence.

An electric car is a type of alternative fuel car that utilizes electric motors and motor controllers.

Ex. 8. Summarize the text.

Engine Types

The majority of engines in motor vehicles today are four-stroke, spark-ignition internal combustion engines. The exceptions like the diesel and Rotary engines will not be covered in this article.

There are several engine types which are identified by the number of cylinders and the way the cylinders are laid out. Motor vehicles will have from 3 to 12 cylinders which are arranged in the engine block in several configurations. The-most popular of them are shown on the left. In-line engines have their cylinders arranged in a row. 3, 4, 5 and 6 cylinder engines commonly use this arrangement. The "V" arrangement uses two banks of cylinders side-by-side and is commonly used in V-6, V-8, V-10 and V-12 configurations. Flat engines use two opposing banks of cylinders and are less common than the other two designs. They are used in engines from Subaru and Porsche in 4 and 6 cylinder arrangements as well as in the old VW beetles with 4 cylinders. Flat engines are also used in some Ferraris with 12 cylinders

Most engine blocks are made of cast iron or cast aluminum. Each cylinder contains a piston that travels up and down inside the cylinder bore. All the pistons in the engine are connected through individual connecting rods to a common crankshaft.

The crankshaft is located below the cylinders on an in-line engine, at the base of the V on a V-type engine and between the cylinder banks on a flat engine. As the pistons move up and down, they turn the crankshaft just like your legs pump up and down to turn the crank that is connected to the pedals of a bicycle.

A cylinder head is bolted to the top of each bank of cylinders to seal the individual cylinders and contain the combustion process that takes place inside the cylinder. Most cylinder heads are made of cast aluminum or cast iron. The cylinder head contains at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve for each cylinder. This allows the air-fuel mixture to enter the cylinder and the burned exhaust gas to exit the cylinder. Engines have at least two valves per cylinder, one intake valve and one exhaust valve. Many newer engines are using multiple intake and exhaust valves per cylinder for increased engine power and efficiency. These engines are sometimes named for the number of valves that they have such as "24 Valve V6" which indicates a V-6 engine with four valves per cylinder. Modern engine designs can use anywhere from 2 to 5 valves per cylinder.

The valves are opened and closed by means of a camshaft. A camshaft is a rotating shaft that has individual lobes for each valve. The lobe is a "bump" on one side of the shaft that pushes against a valve lifter moving it up and down. When the lobe pushes against the lifter, the lifter in turn pushes the valve open. When the lobe rotates away from the lifter, the valve is closed by a spring that is attached to the valve. A common configuration is to have one camshaft located in the engine block with the lifters connecting to the valves through a series of linkages. The camshaft must be synchronized with the crankshaft so that the camshaft makes one revolution for every two revolutions of the crankshaft. In most engines, this is done by a "Timing Chain" (similar to a bicycle chain) that connects the camshaft with the crankshaft. Newer engines have the camshaft located in the cylinder head directly over the valves. This design is more efficient but it is more costly to manufacture and requires multiple camshafts on Flat and V-type engines. It also requires much longer timing chains or timing belts which are prone to wear. Some engines have two camshafts on each head, one for the intake valves and one for the exhaust valves. These engines are called Double Overhead Camshaft (D.O.H.C.) Engines while the other type is called Single Overhead Camshaft (S.O.H.C.) Engines. Engines with the camshaft in the block are called Overhead Valve (O.H.V) Engines.

Now when you see "DOHC 24 Valve V6", you'll know what it means.

 

How an Engine Works

Since the same process occurs in each cylinder, we will take a look at one cylinder to see how the four stroke process works.

The four strokes are Intake, Compression, Power and Exhaust. The piston travels down on the Intake stroke, up on the Compression stroke, down on the Power stroke and up on the Exhaust stroke.

 

 

Intake

As the piston starts down on the Intake stroke, the intake valve opens and the fuel-air mixture is drawn into the cylinder (similar to drawing back the plunger on a hypodermic needle to allow fluid to be drawn into the chamber.)

When the piston reaches the bottom of the intake stroke, the intake valve closes, trapping the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.

 

Compression

The piston moves up and compresses the trapped air fuel mixture that was brought in by the intake stroke. The amount that the mixture is compressed is determined by the compression ratio of the engine. The compression ratio on the average engine is in the range of 8:1 to 10:1.

This means that when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the air-fuel mixture is squeezed to about one tenth of its original volume.

 

Power

The spark plug fires, igniting the compressed air-fuel mixture which produces a powerful expansion of the vapor. The combustion process pushes the piston down the cylinder with great force turning the crankshaft to provide the power to propel the vehicle. Each piston fires at a different time, determined by the engine firing order. By the time the crankshaft completes two revolutions, each cylinder in the engine will have gone through one power stroke.

 

Exhaust

With the piston at the bottom of the cylinder, the exhaust valve opens to allow the burned exhaust gas to be expelled to the exhaust system. Since the cylinder contains so much pressure, when the valve opens, the gas is expelled with a violent force (that is why a vehicle without a muffler sounds so loud.) The piston travels up to the top of the cylinder pushing all the exhaust out before closing the exhaust valve in preparation for starting the four stroke process over again.

 

Oiling System

Oil is the life-blood of the engine. An engine running without oil will last about as long as a human without blood. Oil is pumped under pressure to all the moving parts of the engine by an oil pump. The oil pump is mounted at the bottom of the engine in the oil pan and is connected by a gear to either the crankshaft or the camshaft. This way, when the engine is turning, the oil pump is pumping. There is an oil pressure sensor near the oil pump that monitors pressure and sends this information to a warning light or a gauge on the dashboard. When you turn the ignition key on, but before you start the car, the oil light should light, indicating that there is no oil pressure yet, but also letting you know that the warning system is working. As soon as you start cranking the engine to start it, the light should go out indicating that there is oil pressure.

 

Engine Cooling

Internal combustion engines must maintain a stable operating temperature, not too hot and not too cold. With the massive amounts of heat that is generated from the combustion process, if the engine did not have a method for cooling itself, it would quickly self-destruct. Major engine parts can warp causing oil and water leaks and the oil will boil and become useless.

While some engines are air-cooled, the vast majority of engines are liquid cooled. The water pump circulates coolant throughout the engine, hitting the hot areas around the cylinders and heads and then sends the hot coolant to the radiator to be cooled off. For more information on the cooling system, click here.

 

Engine Balance

Flywheel a 4 cylinder engine produces a power stroke every half crankshaft revolution, an 8 cylinder, every quarter revolution. This means that a V8 will be smother running than a 4. To keep the combustion pulses from generating a vibration, a flywheel is attached to the back of the crankshaft. The flywheel is a disk that is about 12 to 15 inches in diameter. On a standard transmission car, the flywheel is a heavy iron disk that doubles as part of the clutch system. On automatic equipped vehicles, the flywheel is a stamped steel plate that mounts the heavy torque converter. The flywheel uses inertia to smooth out the normal engine pulses.

Balance Shaft Some engines have an inherent rocking motion that produces an annoying vibration while running. To combat this, engineers employ one or more balance shafts. A balance shaft is a heavy shaft that runs through the engine parallel to the crankshaft. This shaft has large weights that, while spinning, offset the rocking motion of the engine by creating an opposite rocking motion of their own.

 

Gelling

Diesel fuel is also prone to "waxing" or "gelling" in cold weather, terms for the solidification of diesel oil into a partially crystalline state. The crystals build up in the fuel line (especially in fuel filters), eventually starving the engine of fuel and causing it to stop running. Low-output electric heaters in fuel tanks and around fuel lines are used to solve this problem. Also, most engines have a "spill return" system, by which any excess fuel from the injector pump and injectors is returned to the fuel tank. Once the engine has warmed, returning warm fuel prevents waxing in the tank. Due to improvements in fuel technology, with additives waxing rarely occurs in all but the coldest weather. A mix of diesel and kerosene should be used to start a cold vehicle in the coldest weather.

 

Fuel delivery

A vital component of all diesel engines is a mechanical or electronic governor which limits the speed of the engine by controlling the rate of fuel delivery. Unlike Otto-cycle engines, incoming air is not throttled and a diesel engine without a governor can easily overspeed, resulting in its destruction. Mechanically governed fuel injection systems are driven by the engine's gear train. These systems use a combination of springs and weights to control fuel delivery relative to both load and speed. Modern, electronically controlled diesel engines control fuel delivery and limit the maximum rpm by use of an electronic control module (ECM) or electronic control unit (ECU). The ECM/ECU receives an engine speed signal, as well as other operating parameters such as intake manifold pressure and fuel temperature, from a sensor and controls the amount of fuel and start of injection timing through electric or hydraulic actuators to maximize power and efficiency and minimize emissions. Controlling the timing of the start of injection of fuel into the cylinder is a key to minimizing emissions, and maximizing fuel economy (efficiency), of the engine. The timing is usually measured in units of crank angle of the piston before top dead center. For example, if the ECM/ECU initiates fuel injection when the piston is 10 degrees before TDC, the start of injection, or timing, is said to be 10° BTDC. Optimal timing will depend on the engine design as well as its speed and load.

Advancing the start of injection (injecting before the piston reaches TDC) results in higher in-cylinder pressure and temperature, and higher efficiency, but also results in elevated engine noise and increased oxides of nitrogen (NO_X) emissions due to higher combustion temperatures. On the other hand, delayed start of injection causes incomplete combustion, reduced fuel efficiency and an increase in exhaust smoke, containing a considerable amount of particulate matter (PM) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC).

Major advantages

 

Diesel engines have several advantages over other internal combustion engines.

• They burn less fuel than a gasoline engine performing the same work, due to the engine's high efficiency and diesel fuel's higher energy density than gasoline.

• They have no high-tension electrical ignition system to attend to, resulting in high reliability and easy adaptation to damp environments.

• They can deliver much more of their rated power on a continuous basis than a gasoline engine.

• The life of a diesel engine is generally about twice as long as that of a gasoline engine due to the increased strength of parts used, also diesel fuel has better lubrication properties than gasoline.

• Diesel fuel is considered safer than gasoline in many applications. Although diesel fuel will burn in open air using a wick, it will not explode and does not release a large amount of flammable vapour.

• For any given partial load the fuel efficiency (Kgs burned per KWh produced) of a diesel engine remains nearly constant, as opposed to gasoline and turbine engines which vary depending on throttle position.

Indirect injection

An indirect injection diesel engine delivers fuel into a chamber off the combustion chamber, called a prechamber or ante-chamber, where combustion begins and then spreads into the main combustion chamber, assisted by tatujence created in the chamber. This system allows for a smoother, quieter running engine, and because combustion is assisted by turbulence, injector pressures can be lower, about 100 bar using a single orifice tapered jet injector. Mechanical injection systems allowed high-speed running suitable for road vehicles (typically up to speeds of around 4,000 rpm). The prechamber had the disadvantage of increasing heat loss to the engine's cooling system, and restricting the combustion burn, which reduced the efficiency by 5%-10%. Indirect injection engines were used in small-capacity, high-speed diesel engines in automotive, marine and construction uses from the 1950s, until direct injection technology advanced in the 1980s. Indirect injection engines are cheaper to build and it is easier to produce smooth, quiet-running vehicles with a simple mechanical system. In road-going vehicles most prefer the greater efficiency and better controlled emission levels of direct injection.

Direct injection

Modern diesel engines make use of one of the following direct injection methods:

Direct injection injectors are mounted in the top of the combustion chamber. The problem with these vehicles was the harsh noise that they made. Fuel consumption was about 15 to 20 percent lower than indirect injection diesels, which for some buyers was enough to compensate for the extra noise.

This type of engine was transformed by electronic control of the injection pump, pioneered by the Volkswagen Group in 1989. The injection pressure was still only around 300 bar (4350 psi), but the injection timing, fuel quantity, EGR and turbo boost were all electronically controlled. This gave more precise control of these parameters which made refinement more acceptable and emissions lower.

Unit direct injection

Main article: Unit Injector

Unit direct injection also injects fuel directly into the cylinder of the engine. In this system the injector and the pump are combined into one unit positioned over each cylinder controlled by the camshaft. Each cylinder has its own unit eliminating the high pressure fuel lines, achieving a more consistent injection. This type of injection system, also developed by Bosch, is used by Volkswagen AG in cars (where it is called a Pumpe-Duse-System —literally "pump-nozzle system") and by Mercedes Benz ("PLD") and most major diesel engine manufacturers in large commercial engines (CAT, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Volvo). With recent advancements, the pump pressure has been raised to 2,050 bar (205 MPa, 30127 p_si), allowing injection parameters similar to common rail systems.

UNIT 1

 

COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE

Ex. 1 Read and memorize the following words.

Trackless – безрельсовый

Self-propelled – самодвижущийся

Vehicle – транспортное средство

Framework – каркас

Body – кузов

Combustion – горение, сгорание

Transmission – передача, трансмиссия

Ignition – зажигание, воспламенение

Intake – поглощение, впуск

Exhaust – выпуск, выброс, выхлоп

Piston stroke – ход поршня

Gear – механизм

Valve – клапан

Wheelbase – подвеска, колесная база

 

Ex. 2. Find and read sentences with these words in the text given below.

 

TEXT

COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE