LABORATORY ENGINE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 17

LABORATORY ENGINE

INTERESTING; FEATURES A C.I\R. fuel testing engine has beei installed in the testing laboratories o the Vacuum Oil Company at Melbourne The letters CJ\K.. stand for co-opera tive fuel research, ■which is tho aanr of the body of research engineers madup of representatives from the" moto and oil industries in America. Althoiig] the main development ; "work was car ried' oaiii the United States, man; British* laboratories co-operated, am :many 'leading authorities agree that th> C.F.R. engine will become the accept ed standard all over the world" for dc termining the knock ratings of fuels • Tho "engine has one cylinder 3Jin bor and 4Jin stroke, approximately thos of conventional motor-car engines, am 1 incorporates several noyel- features. . The cylinder head isso designed tha the compression ratio can be variei from 3.1 to 15.1 while tho engine i running. Changing the ■ conipressioi ratio in no way alters the shapo o the combustion chamber. By a simpli but ingenious device the degree o spark advance is automatically alterei with every change in compression ratic The cooling system is so designe*

that a practically constant jacket temperature, of 212deg. F. (boiling water) is- maintained automatically. A loading device automatically maintains the speed of the engine at 600 r.p.m. This is done by means of a slotted rotor type of induction motor running at synchronous speed and belted to the flywheel of tho engine. The motor is used for starting the engine, but once the engine starts, the motor acts as a generator if the1 engine runs above 600 r.p.m., and' as a motor if the engine is running below this speed. In this way the engine speed is maintained absolutely constant at 600 r.p.m. A device attached to the crankshaft enables the operator to actually observe the timing of the spark. The degree of spark advance is indicated on a graduated scale by the .flashing of .a neon? tube spark indicator. The indicator consists of.'■& small.neon-tube carried behind a slot in a disc attached to the crankshaft, and which rotates inside a\ non-conductive ring. ..' To the ring is fastened a circularly graduated1 metal scale in proper position relative to the neon-tube. From the metal scale a lead is carried to the high-tension side of the ignition circuit, thus causing the neori-tube to light each time the spark , is fired. .. . . Tho instrument used for measuring the intensity of knock is the Midgley bouncing pin, wliich, coupled with the eloetrolyte . cell permits - scientifically accurate readings to be taken of the knocking tendencies of motor fuels under varying compression ratios. In addition to the electrolytic cell the control panel carries a recording instrument aptly, named a (iknockmeter," because it shows at-a glance the degree of knocking taking place in the combustion chamber. . BODY NOISES Body noises often arocluo to minor things that can be corrected if checked up systematically. One of the most ■ important points to bear in mind is the effect of iWeather and temperature on the car. A good sunning after a period of dampness is a decided advantage; a good washing after a period of dry weather equally effective in banishing squeaks.. . ' ■ ■ . In fact, cases have been known where water poured [on the flooring of the car, after removal of the mats and cushions, has checked persistent noises. Front body posts area fruitful source of noises which sometimes can be checked by tightening "the windshield. If the rear quarter windows are lowered a little they . may rattleannoyingly. Many other rattles are due to the lowered windows hitting the inside of the' doors. Drumming noises in the* car usually occur at certain speeds' which should be avoided as much as. possible. Almost all the loud body squeaks originate in the doors, which may need new rubber stops. The wire connections.at tho coil, distributor, and spark pluga should bo' checked occasionally to see that they are clean and tight. Loose connections may cause misfiring or complete motor failure. ' •■-.-/•■