Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ae"

AEA

Aeration

Act of combining substance with air
A foaming of a liquid because air has been introduced into the fluid. When it occurs in certain liquids, it decreases the efficiency of the liquid.

Aeration test burner: (ATB) A burner for measuring the features of the combustion of commercial gases

Aerial bunched conductors: (ABC) Method of power transmission where the three conductors are twisted into a thicker insulated cable. More expensive but better at surviving blizzard conditions than normal separate conductors.

Aerobar: Aerobar

An extension to bicycle handlebars which project forward to give the rider an alternate riding position and a lower, more aerodynamic position. His elbows rest in the pads while he grabs the upright ends of the bars. Aerobars were popularized by triathletes and Greg LeMond.

Aerobars: Sometimes referred to as Tri bars. Aerobars popularized by triathletes and Greg LeMond, are attached to handlebars in order to provide a rider with a lower, more aerodynamic position.

Aerobic sealer: A substance, such as room temperature vulcanizing (RTV), a common silicone rubber sealing compound) that requires the presence of oxygen to hold parts together.

Also see
Anaerobic sealer

Aerodynamic balance: A balance, usually but not necessarily in a wind tunnel, designed for measuring aerodynamic forces or moments.

Aerodynamic center: The point about which the pitching moment coefficient is constant for a range of airfoil incidence.

Aerodynamic drag: The Resistance of the air to forward movement, sometimes called Air resistance. This is a factor of the shape of the vehicle (drag coefficient and frontal area), the objects which stick out (i.e., mirrors, mufflers, bumpers), the amount of turbulence at the rear of the vehicle, the nature of the vehicle's skin surface, and the amount of air going through the vehicle for cooling and ventilation. The faster you go, the greater the air friction (air friction = velocity x velocity). The faster you go, the greater the amount of power needed to overcome this drag (power = velocity x velocity x velocity).

Aerodynamic heating: The heating of a vehicle passing through the atmosphere, caused by friction and compression of air (or other gas).

Aerodynamics: The study of the flow of air as it passes over and around a moving object as well as the forces which the air makes on the object. An airplane, for instance, needs positive lift to get it airborne and negative lift to help it land. Thus the shape of a land vehicle (car, bicycle, etc.) either promotes positive or negative lift. Race cars may use Spoilers and wings (Air foils) to control lift. In vehicle design, the airflow is monitored in a wind tunnel. As well, aerodynamics also studies the most efficient shapes for increased Speed and Fuel economy.

Aerodynamic stance: In order to create less Drag, the vehicle is lowered closer to the ground. This improves the flow of air over the vehicle. A better aerodynamic stance helps the vehicle to go faster when it is going in a straight line as well as give better Fuel economy. Also, when a vehicle sits lower to the ground, it has a low Center of gravity which makes it more stable when going through turns and enables the Driver to maintain a higher Speed.

Aerofoil: British spelling for airfoil a body or body panel shaped like a wing so as to produce an aerodynamic reaction (lift) normal to its direction of motion, for a small resistance (drag), in that plane; e.g., a wing, plane, aileron, tailplane, rudder, or elevator.
Also see
Air foil

Aero lever: One of a pair of road bike brake levers employing hidden cables that travel out the back of the level body and under the handlebar tape.

Aero system: A roof rack designed for cars without external rain gutters. The rack is held on by clips that extend down into the door.