- Anaerobic sealer
- A substance used to prevent bolts and screws from loosening up and backing out. Anaerobic sealers do not require oxygen for activation. The Loctite® brand is the most widely used anaerobic sealer.
- Analog British spelling is analogue
-
- A display which uses a dial rather than a read-out of numbers (digital).
- A signal that varies proportionally with the data it measures. In a computer, an analog signal is a constantly fluctuating voltage that ranges from high to low.
- Analog clock
- The traditional clock with rotating hands. Contrast with Digital clock.
- Analog cluster
- An instrument panel display using dials. Opposite to Electronic cluster.
- Analog filter
- Filter suitable for use with analog signals, i.e., those which are continuous with time. Contrast with Digital filter.
- Analog speedometer
-
A speedometer which shows the speed by a needle on the dial of a gauge. It contrasts with a Digital speedometer
Analog speedometer
- Analogue
- British spelling of Analog.
- Anatomic saddle
-
A bicycle seat that is designed with cut out sections or bumps to accommodate your ischial tuberosities (i.e., sit-down bones).
Anatomic saddle
- Anchor
-
- A mounting point on the vehicle frame or unibody for a non-structural but stressed component, such as a seat or seat belt.
- The stationary portion of a leading/trailing drum brake on which the heels of the brake shoes ride.
- A heavy hook-shaped device for holding a ship at rest in water. The anchor grips the ocean bottom and is fastened to the ship by a chain.
- An obsolete, heavy piece of equipment that has no use or function is considered euphemistically as nothing more than a boat anchor.
Also see
- Anchorage
- The point where something is attached -- such as where the seat-belt is
attached to the frame.
Also see
- Anchor bolt
-
- A bolt used to secure frameworks, stanchion bases, etc. to piers or foundations, and having usually a large plate washer built into the latter as anchorage
- The bolt which goes through a bracket to secure something. British term is through bolt.
- Anchor clamp
- A fitting attached to the overhead contact wire of a tramway or railway to support the wire, and also to take the longitudinal tension and prevent movement of the wire in a direction parallel to the track.
- Anchor end
- The end of a brake shoe that's attached to or positioned against a fixed point on the backing plate.
- Anchor eyes
- The semi-circular notches at the ends of some shoe webs where they contact the Shoe anchor on the Backing plate.
- Anchor gate
- A heavy gate, such as a canal lock gate, which is supported at its upper bearing by an anchorage in the masonry such as an Anchor bolt.
- Anchor pin
-
- The stationary portion of a duo-servo drum brake on which the tops of the brake shoes rest. The secondary shoe bears against the anchor pin when the brakes are applied and the vehicle is moving forward. Conversely, when the vehicle is backing up and the brakes are applied, the primary shoe bears against it.
- The point in a drum brake system where the braking forces are transmitted to the axle and which prevents the brake shoes from revolving with the drum.
- Anchor plate
-
- The stationary portion of a leading/trailing drum brake on which the heels of the brake shoes ride.
- A bracket, solidly attached to the vehicle suspension, on which a floating or sliding Caliper mounts
Also see
- Ancillaries
- The various components attached to the main part of the engine and driven by the engine itself -- such as the alternator, generator, power steering pump, supercharger, fuel pump, and water pump.
- Aneroid altitude compensator
- A bellows device, installed integrally with the APT system on some post-1975 Rochester Quadrajet carburetors, that automatically compensates for changes in altitude by raising or lowering the primary metering rods, thus richening or leaning out the air/fuel mixture in accordance with changes in air pressure.
- Aneroid barometer
- A device to determine atmospheric pressure with the use of a vacuum chamber or syphon bellows
- Aneroid-type thermostat
- An older style thermostat located in the engine coolant system. It has a metal expandable bulb partially filled with acetone, alcohol, or another volatile liquid. As the coolant reaches operating temperature, the liquid in the bulb will boil and expand the bulb, closing the valve to allow coolant to the radiator.
- ANFAC
- Acronym for Asociacion Espanola de Fabricantes de Automoviles y Camiones (Spain).
- ANFAVEA
- Acronym for Associação Nacional de Veículos Automotores (Brazil).
- ANFIA
- Acronym for Associazione Nazionale Fra Industrie Automobilistiche (Italy).
- Angels
- Radar echoes from an invisible and sometimes undefined origin. High-flying birds, insect swarms, and certain atmospheric conditions can be responsible.
- Angle
-
See
- Ackermann angle
- Approach angle
- Attack angle
- Azimuth angle
- Blade angle
- Bunching angle
- Cam angle
- Caster angle
- Departure angle
- Dwell (angle)
- Front triangle
- Heading angle
- Ignition angle
- Included angle
- Knuckle Angle
- Lock angle
- Offset angle
- Opening angle
- Rake
- Ramp-over angle
- Rear triangle
- Roll angle
- Shallow angle
- Slip angle
- Spark angle
- Spark ignition angle
- Steep angle
- Steering angle
- Steering knuckle angle
- Swivel angle
- Thread angle
- Thrust Angle
- Tire deviation angle
- Tire slip angle
- Toe-in angle
- Triangle-split system
- Valve angle
- Yaw angle
- Angle bearing
- A shaft-bearing in which the joint between base and cap is not perpendicular to the direction of the load, but is set at an angle.
- Angle block
-
- A cylinder block that doesn't have a Deck at 90 degrees to the cylinders
- A small wooden block used in woodwork to make joints, esp. right-angle joints, more rigid.
- Angle bracket
-
- A bracket projecting from the corner of a building beneath the eaves, and not at right-angles to the face of the wall.
- A bracket consisting of two sides set at right angles, often stiffened by a gusset. Also called gallows bracket.
- Angle Clip
- A short piece of angle bar
- Angle Collar
- A ring made of angle bar
- Angled deck
- British term for Canted deck.
- Angledozer
- A Bulldozer with a blade able to be set in such a way to push material to the side of the road. Usually called a Grader or Motor grader.
- Angle elevation
- The vertical angle measured above the horizontal, from the surveyor's instrument to the point observed.
- Angle grinder
-
A power tool (driven by electricity or compressed air) which has abrasive discs. The tool helps to remove old paint or rough metal surface
Angle grinder
- Angle iron
- Mild steel bar rolled to an L-shaped cross-section, used in structural work. Legs may be equal or unequal and leg lengths up to 800 mm are available. Also called Angle, Angle bar, Angle steel, and L-iron.
- Angle-nose pliers
-
A pair of pliers with long jaws that are bent at right angles to aid in gripping something which cannot be reached with regular pliers.
Angle-nose pliers
- Angle of advance
-
- The angle in excess of 90° by which the eccentric throw of a steam-engine valve gear is in advance of the crank.
- The angle between the position of ignition and outer dead center in a spark-ignition engine, optimizes combustion of the fuel.
- Angle of attack
- The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the relative airflow. Also called (in error) angle of incidence.
- Angle of contact
- The angle subtended at the center of a pulley by that part of the rim in contact with the driving belt.
- Angle of Head
- In countersunk heads, the included angles of the conical underportion or bearing surface, usually 82 or 100 degrees.
- Angle of lock
- The angle between the line through the center of the wheel seen from above when turning a corner and the same line when going straight.
- Angle parking
-
A system of parking on the side of the street where the car is about 45 degrees from parallel with the edge of the street. The British term is echelon parking
Angle parking
- Angle valve
- Type of globe valve design, having pipe openings at right angles to each other. Usually, one opening is on.
- Angular velocity
- The angular displacement per unit time, measured in degrees per time or radians per time
- Anhydrous
- A compound that does not contain any water. Ethanol produced for fuel use is often referred to as anhydrous ethanol, as it has had almost all water removed.
- Aniline
- An oily liquid poisonous (C6H5NH2) obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes)
- Aniline Point
- The aniline point of a petroleum product is the minimum equilibrium solution temperature with an equal volume of freshly distilled aniline.
- Anisotropy
- The characteristic of something (like a crystal) that when light or magnetism passes through it from one angle, it gives a different reading or measurement than when measured from a different angle because the molecules are arranged in a regular lattice which allow or inhibit the light or magnetism.
- Anneal
- To remove hardness from metal by heating, usually to a red color, then allowing it to cool slowly. Unlike steel, copper is annealed by heating, and then plunging it into cold water. It is the reverse of Hardening.
- Annealing
- Process of heat treating metal to get desired properties of softness and ductility (easily formed in to a new shape). For example heating and slow cooling of a piece of iron.
- Anniversary Billing
- A method of charging a client for the first month of storage and then if it remains in storage it will be charged a monthly rate due on the anniversary of its arrival.
- Annular combustion chamber
- A gas turbine combustion chamber in which the perforated flame tube forms a continuous annulus within a cylindrical outer casing.
- Annular electric brake
- An electric brake design in which the electromagnet is shaped like a circle or ring (annulus) inside the brake shoes.
- Annular gear
- A round gear with teeth cut on the outside for engagement with a Pinion. Usually shrunk fit on to a mating diameter, e.g., starter ring on automobile flywheel.
- Annular Nail
- A nail with circular ridges along the shank (like screw threads, but not in a spiral pattern) used in securing a pallet.
- Anode
-
- In an electrical circuit it is the Positive pole. It is that part of an electrical circuit to which electrons are flowing.
- The electrode at which oxidation occurs. For fuel cells that create potential, it is also the electrode towards which negative ions flow.
- The positive terminal of an electrolytic cell
- Zinc, aluminum, or an alloy that is attached to the hull of a vessel. As electric current moves from the vessel to the water, the anode is destroyed (oxidized). Without this anode shell, the metal hull plating would be dissolved by electrolysis.
Also see
- Anodize
- By electrolytic action, this is the process of Coating or plating a metal (usually Aluminum) with a thin protective film or material such as chrome. It is sometimes applied with colored dye.
- Anodized
- An electroplating process commonly performed on aluminum parts, which forms a thin protective film on the surface of the metal. Anodizing is sometimes accompanied by the use of a colored dye, which gives a lustrous colored finish to the aluminum parts.
- ANSI assembly identifier
- The serial numbering scheme adopted by the ANSI to ensure uniqueness of an assembly serial number.
- Antechamber
- A small auxiliary combustion-chamber, used in some compression-ignition engines, in which partial combustion of the fuel is used to force the burning mixture into the cylinder, so promoting more perfect combustion.
- Antenna
- A device which pulls in radio reception. A Power antenna automatically rises when the radio is turned on and lowers when it is shut off. Some cars had the antenna wires imbedded in the Windshield. Also called aerial.
- Antenna changeover switch
- Switch used for transferring an antenna from the transmitting to the receiving equipment, and vice versa, protecting the receiver.
- Antenna downlead
- Wire running from the elevated part or conductor of an antenna down to the transmitting or receiving equipment.
- Anthropogenic
- Made or generated by a human or caused by human activity. The term is used in the context of global climate change to refer to gaseous emissions that are the result of human activities, as well as other potentially climate-altering activities, such as deforestation.
- Anti-backfire valve
- (Anti-BFV) Valve used in Air injection reaction ( Exhaust emission control) system to prevent backfiring during the period immediately following sudden Deceleration by diverting the air coming from the Air pump away from the Exhaust ports. Otherwise the Exhaust gases which contain unburned Gasoline could mix with fresh air and cause unwanted backfiring.
- Anti-BFV
- Acronym for Anti-backfire valve.
- Anti-chip coating
- A resilient coat of paint between the primer and the top coat to protect the body shell from chipping damage caused by gravel or stones.
- Anticline
- An area of the earth's crust where folding has made a dome like
shape in the once flat rock layers. Anticlines often provide an
environment where natural gas can become trapped beneath the
earth's surface, and extracted.
See also
- Anti-corrosion warranty
- Manufacturers usually state that all body sheet metal components are warranted against rust-through corrosion for 6 years or 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
- Anti-dazzle mirror
- A mirror that can be set to reduce the glare of the lights from a vehicle
following your vehicle.
Also see
- Anti-dive system
- A Dive is the action of the front of the vehicle to point downward during braking. The Suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency.
- Anti-drum compound
- A sticky material which is applied to the inside of panels to reduce the noise caused by vibration or drumming
- Antifouling composition
- A substance applied in paint form to ships' bottoms and structures subject to the action of sea water, to discourage marine growths.
- Antifreeze
- A chemical (usually Ethylene glycol) added to the Cooling system to prevent the Coolant from freezing in cold weather. It also inhibits the formation of rust and other deposits which may clog the Radiator and other cooling passageways. Its Resistance to freezing is better with a mix of 50-50 with water than 100% antifreeze.
- Antifriction bearing
-
A bearing containing Rollers, needles, or balls plus an inner and outer Race. The bearing is designed to roll instead of slide thus minimizing Friction between two moving parts. To avoid disintegration, the bearing must use lubrication (i.e., Wet friction)
Antifriction bearing
- Anti-g suit
- A close-fitting garment covering the legs and abdomen. When inflated, it equalizes the pressure especially around the head and heart during high-speed maneuvers. Colloquially, g-suit.
- Anti-icing
- The process of applying chemicals such as salt brine, liquid calcium chloride, or calcium magnesium acetate on the ice-covered road surface
- Anti-knock agent
- A substance like Tetraethyl lead which is added to Gasoline to raise the Octane number and reduce the gasoline's tendency to detonate, Knock, or Ping. In Unleaded gasoline, Tetraethyl lead is not used because of its environmental danger.
- Anti-knock index
- (AKI) The measure of the anti-knock properties of a brand and type of gasoline. It is defined as half the sum of the research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON). This is the number posted on the retail gasoline pumps normally indicating 87, 89, or 92 octane. Racing gasoline have AKI's from 100 to 118.
- Antiknock substances
- Substances like lead (IV) ethyl added to fuel to lessen its tendency to detonate or knock in an engine.
- Antiknock value
- The relative immunity of a volatile liquid fuel from detonation in a
gasoline engine as compared with some standard fuel.
Also see
- Anti-lift
- Lift is the action of the rear end of the vehicle to rise during braking. The Suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency.
- Anti-lock brake system
- (ABS) A device which senses that one or more of the wheels are locking up during
braking.
- It monitors the rotational speeds of the wheels and reduces hydraulic pressure to any wheel it senses locking up.
- It is controlled by both mechanical and electronic components.
- When you apply the brakes, the ABS will regulate the flow of brake fluid being delivered to the brake calipers.
- It must be remembered that a wheel cannot be steered unless it is rolling; so if the wheel is locked up, there is no steering control.
- By the use of electronic computers, the brakes rapidly alternate (at a rate of 30 times per second) from full pressure to full release.
- This process will also alternate from the left-front wheel and the right-rear wheel and switch to the right-front wheel and left-rear wheel.
- In this way both maximum braking and maximum steering control is allowed during braking.
- Before the advent of ABS, drivers were advised to pump the brakes to maintain the same effect.
- However, the human foot cannot pump the brakes faster than the computer control.
- Also, steady application of the brakes without ABS may cause brake failure (i.e., Brake fade) because of the excess heat.
- Never pump the brakes if you have ABS.
- When you firmly apply the brakes with ABS, you may feel a pulsing sensation and hear a banging noise.
- The abbreviation ABS comes from the German anti blockier system.
- Sometimes called anti-skid brakes.
- Antimony alloy
- A combination of antimony and another substance like aluminum used in bearings and battery plates
- Anti-noise system
- (ANS) A noise counteraction system. This is a sophisticated system which has a number of small microphones placed around the vehicle to detect driving noises. A computer microprocessor analyzes these noises and generates matching counter-frequencies which are sent to small speakers located in the passenger compartment. In this way the road noises are cancelled or erased.
- Anti-percolation valve
- A device for venting vapors from the main discharge tube, or the well, of a
Carburetor. The vented vapors are not released into
the atmosphere, but rerouted into an evaporative emission
Canister where they are stored until the next time the
vehicle is started. Thus it provides a richer mixture needed for starting.
Also see
- Antique Car
-
- A vehicle built prior to 1915 sometimes called the brass era because of the widespread use of fancy brass fittings and brass lanterns that were a natural addition to the new "horseless carriage." The Brass era lasted from around 1905 to 1914. This was the beginning of mass produced affordable vehicles for the common public rather than the domain of the elite.
- A vehicle built between 1880 and 1916 (inclusive)
- A vehicle (including hardtop or convertible) built before 1950 and in original form with no modern technology, equipment, or refinements except wheels.
- Anti-rattle spring
-
-
A specially shaped wire that prevents the clutch plate and spring from making noise when no pressure is applied to the plate.
clutch antirattle spring clip
- A device that attaches to disc brake pads to keep them from making a rattle noise when the brakes are not applied.
- A component in disc brakes shaped like the letter X and made of spring steel. It applies radial pressure to the brake pads to prevent rattling. Also called spreader spring.
-
- Anti-roll bar
-
Sometimes called the anti-sway bar, stabilizer bar, or even (incorrectly) roll-bar. It is usually a round bar which connects the left wheel Suspension assembly with the right side. It may be found at the front and/or rear. Its main function is to keep both wheels rolling at the same rate when meeting bumps; but it also affects handling. A front anti-roll bar increases Understeer and a rear bar increases Oversteer.
Anti-roll bar
- Antisag bar
- A vertical rod connecting the main tie of a roof truss to the ridge to support it against sagging under its own weight.
- Antiscuffing
- The ability of a precision insert bearing to resist scuffing or scratching the shaft journal in the event that the oil surface skin is destroyed.
- Antiseize compound
- A paste that is applied to metal parts to keep them from sticking to other metal parts, particularly threaded surfaces such as spark plug threads and wheel studs and bolts
- Anti-siphon bleeds
- Small holes drilled into the cluster to prevent main-system fuel from continuing to flow when the throttle is closed, stopping airflow through the carburetor.
- Anti-skid
- (ASBS) A computer controlled automotive device which senses when one or more of the wheels are locking up during braking. It eases up on the amount of Hydraulic pressure to that wheel. It must be remembered that a wheel cannot be steered unless it is rolling; so if the wheel is locked up, there is no steering control. By the use of electronic Computers, the brakes rapidly alternate from full power to none so that both maximum braking and maximum steering control is allowed. If you jam on the brakes, you will feel a pulsing sensation. Sometimes called Anti-lock brakes.
- Antiskid brake system
- A non-standard term for Wheel slip brake control system
- Antismog device
- A special part or system designed to reduce or eliminate emission of noxious gases from exhaust of engine.
- Antisolar glass
- Glass which absorbs heat from sunshine and reduces glare, but transmits most of the light.
- Antisound
- Sound signal with same amplitude but opposite phase of some unwanted sound signal so that both signals cancel each other when superimposed.
- Anti-spin regulation
- (ASR) The control or prevention of wheelspin under power, normally by means of electronic sensing and in conjunction with anti-lock brakes.
- Anti-squat system
- Squat is the action of the rear end of the vehicle to point downward during hard Acceleration. The Suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency. Contrasts with Anti-dive system.
- Anti-squeal shim
- A shim (metal plate) placed behind the brake piston or the brake pad to reduce noise when the brakes are applied.
- Anti-stall dashpot
- A diaphragm unit mounted on the carburetor that allows air to escape slowly from its vacuum chamber to prevent throttle plate(s) in the carburetor from closing too suddenly--and stalling the engine--during deceleration.
- Antisurge valve
- A valve for bleeding off surplus compressor air to suppress the unstable airflow due to Surge in a gas turbine engine.
- Anti-theft system
- Any device (mechanical or electrical) which tends to reduce the theft of a vehicle. It may involve an alarm system, ignition lockouts, steering locks, steering wheel locks, transmission locks, and/or wheel locks.
- Anti-tipper
- An arm, usually with a small wheel attached at the outer end, which is secured to the back of a wheelchair to prevent the chair from falling on its back and thereby injuring the patient.
- Anti-vibration mounting
-
- Because the engine, transmission, differential, and other components tend to vibrate when in motion, noise increases and there is possible wear at the points of contact with the frame members. Rubber blocks are used to cushion the vibration at the mounting points.
- Rubber springs designed to absorb vibrations from engines, etc. Care needed in design and materials selection to match vibration frequency with main damping peak of elastomer.