DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ul"

UL

Acronym for Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

ULC

Acronym for Underwriter's Laboratories.

ULCC

Acronym for Ultra Large Crude Carriers. Tankers larger than 300,000 dwt.

ULEV

Acronym for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standards

Ullage

The amount which a tank or vessel lacks of being full.

U-lock

A U-shaped bicycle lock; called D-lock in Britain

ULP

Acronym for Ultra-Low Profile. A tire with a low aspect ratio

ULSD

Acronym for Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel

Ultimate cornering force

The maximum steady-state cornering or side force generated by the tires when a vehicle is driven around a Skidpad with the speed increased gradually until if it were increased further the vehicle would slide off course.

Ultimate Strength

The stress level that a pressure-bearing part can tolerate without rupture, fracture, deformation or other physical damage.

Ultra 7

A Freewheel designed to allow seven Cogs to fit into the space normally taken up by six.

Ultralight tube

An inner tube with thin walls.

Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle

(ULEV)

1. A vehicle that meets the ULEV emission standards set by the California Air Resources Board. The ULEV standards are more stringent than the LEV standards.
2. A vehicle meeting either EPA's CFV ULEV standards or CARB's California Low-Emission Vehicle Program ULEV standards. ULEVs produce fewer emissions than LEVs. Fleets who purchase CFV ULEVs may earn credits under the Clean-Fuel Fleet Vehicle Program. Manufacturers that sell CFV ULEVs may earn credits under the federal California Pilot Program.

Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Standards

(ULEV) State and federal governments set standards for automakers developing vehicles that will output lower emission levels. Each state determines their own levels as does the federal government. California and New York have some of the most stringent laws. Once the requirements are met for a specific vehicle, the automaker may call that car or truck a Low Emission Vehicle or LEV.

Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel

(ULSD) Diesel fuel containing a maximum 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur.

Ultrasensor

A fabric in clothing which works to keep you dry and comfortable in two ways larger yarns next to the skin pull moisture via capillary action to finer yarns on the face of the fabric, and hydrophobic polyester speeds evaporation.

Ultra 6

A Freewheel designed to allow six Cogs to fit into the space normally taken up by five.

Ultrasonic welding

A high-tech welding procedure used for metals (e.g., in wire bonding of integrated circuits) and plastics. Pressure is applied to the parts to be joined and ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted through the materials; frictional heat at the materials interface causes localized melting and coalescence; ultrasonic welding is fast and produces precise, strong welds

Ultraviolet

Invisible radiation waves with frequencies from 4 to 400 nanometers which is shorter than wave lengths of visible light and longer than X-ray.

Ultraviolet rays

Energy waves that emanate from the electrodes and the welding flames of such a frequency that these rays are in the ultraviolet ray light spectrum.

Ultrex

A windproof, waterproof, highly breathable fabric that is perfect for foul weather cycling gear. Ultrex fabric lets perspiration vapor out while keeping rain and wind from getting in.