Chapter I: Front Matter

_Every Boy’s
Mechanical
Library_

AUTOMOBILES

EVERY BOY’S MECHANICAL LIBRARY

By J. S. ZERBE, M.E.

Price, per volume, 60 cents, Net. Postage extra.

AUTOMOBILES

This is a subject in which every boy is interested. While few mechanics have the opportunity to actually build an automobile, it is the knowledge, which he must acquire about every particular device used, that enables him to repair and put such machines in order. The aim of this book is to make the boy acquainted with each element, so that he may understand why it is made in that special way, and what the advantages and disadvantages are of the different types. To that end each structure is shown in detail as much as possible, and the parts separated so as to give a clear insight of the different functions, all of which are explained by original drawings specially prepared to aid the reader.

MOTORS

To the boy who wants to know the theory and the practical working of the different kinds of motors, told in language which he can understand, and illustrated with clear and explicit drawings, this volume will be appreciated. It sets forth the groundwork on which power is based, and includes steam generators, and engines, as well as wind and water motors, and thoroughly describes the Internal Combustion Engine. It has special chapters on Carbureters, Ignition, and Electrical systems used, and particularly points out the parts and fittings required with all devices needed in enginry. It explains the value of compounding, condensing, pre-heating and expansion, together with the methods used to calculate and transmit power. Numerous original illustrations.

AEROPLANES

This work is not intended to set forth the exploits of aviators nor to give a history of the Art. It is a book of instructions intended to point out the theories of flying, as given by the pioneers, the practical application of power to the various flying structures; how they are built; the different methods of controlling them; the advantages and disadvantages of the types now in use; and suggestions as to the directions in which improvements are required. It distinctly points out wherein mechanical flight differs from bird flight, and what are the relations of shape, form, size and weight. It treats of kites, gliders and model aeroplanes, and has an interesting chapter on the aeroplane and its uses in the great war. All the illustrations have been specially prepared for the work.

CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK

]

_Every Boy’s Mechanical Library_

AUTOMOBILES

BY
J. S. ZERBE, M.E.

_Author of
Motors--Aeroplanes_

_ILLUSTRATED_

NEW YORK
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTORY 1

CHAPTER I. AUTOMOBILE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT 5-12

Development of the Industry. The First Patent. Newton’s
car. Watt’s Invention. Traction. Push legs. Power. Springs.
Water Tube Boiler. The First Differential. The First
Gas Motor Car. Gasoline Car. Flash Boiler System. The
Carbureter. Improved Structures. The Order of Development.
Speed vs. Power. Lighter Vehicles.

CHAPTER II. THE FRAME AND ITS ACCESSORIES 13-23

The Frame. Channel-bar Frames. How the Frame is suspended.
Fore and aft Motion. Lateral Motion. Cantilever
Spring. Shock Absorbers. The Axle. Live Axles. Dead
Axles. Semi-Floating Axle. Full Floating Axle. Wheels.
Flexibility. Large vs. Small Wheels. Minimizing Shocks.
Resiliency.

CHAPTER III. TIRES, TUBES AND RIMS 24-36

Tires. Solid Tires. Cushion Tires. Pneumatic Tires. Single
Tubes. Double Tubes. The Outer Tube. The Inner Tube.
Advantage of Double Tube. Putting on and Taking off Double
Tubes. Damage to Tires. Repair to Tires. Vulcanizing.
Oil as an enemy of Tires. Non-skidding Tires. Tires for
City Use. Side slipping. Faulty Alinement. Broken Fabric.
Bruises. Under Inflation. Stretched Tires. Blistered Tires.
Rim Cutting. Inflation Pressures. Expansion of Heated Air.

CHAPTER IV. THE STEERING GEAR AND BRAKES 37-45

The Steering Column. Motor Control. Throttle Movement.
Steering Wheel Type. Steering Gear. Front Axle. Running
Brake. Double-acting Contracting Brake. Contracting Brake.
Equalizers. The Emergency Brake. Combined Service and
Emergency Brake.

CHAPTER V. THE DIFFERENTIAL 46-54

The Meaning of Differential. Equalizing Bar. Unequal
Resistance. Balanced Equalizer Bar. Transmission Wheel.
Action of Transmission Gearing.

CHAPTER VI. THE DRIVE 55-61

Power Transmitted to Wheels through Springs. Illustrating
power transmission. Torsion Rod. The Torque Tube. Radius
Rod. Chain Drive. Jack Shaft. Objections to Chains. Shaft
Drive. Train of Shafting.

CHAPTER VII. CLUTCHES 62-68

Clutch Requirements, Frictional Contact. Cone Clutch.
Compression Spring in Clutches. The Multiple Disk Clutch.
Its Construction. Disadvantages of Multiple-Disk Clutches.
Care of Multiple Disk Clutch.

CHAPTER VIII. TRANSMISSION, OR CHANGE SPEED GEARS 69-89

Transmission Leverage. Economy of Transmission Gearing.
Types of Transmission. The Progressive. Low Gear.
Intermediate Gear. High Gear. Reverse. Selective Type.
Low Gear. Intermediate Gear. High Gear. Reverse Gear.
Control Lever for Progressive Transmission. Operation
of the Selective Gear. Selector Bars. Shifting Lever.
Speed Selectors. 3-speed Selectors. 4-Speed Selectors. An
approved Type of Selector. Controlling the Selector. Using
the Clutch and Selector. Planetary Transmission. Frictional
Transmission.

CHAPTER IX. THE MOTOR 90-108

Value of Fuel Utilized. The Waste. Water Absorption. Engine
Types. The Four-Cycle Engine. The Two-Cycle. Compression.
Economy of Four-Cycle Engine. Valve Movements. The Ignition
point in the Cycle. The Fly-wheel. Impulses in Four-Cycle
Engine. The Cylinder Case, and Connections. Piston and
Crank Construction. Calculating the Efficiency. Pressures
in Explosions. Expansion Line. Mean Effective Pressure. The
Two-cycle Engine. Foot Pounds. Work or Energy. Cycle of
Operation. The Crank Shaft. Special Metal. Engine Troubles.
Difficulties pointed out. Starting the Engine. Carbureter.
Low Compression. Mixtures. Spark Plugs. The Weather.
Drainage.

CHAPTER X. COOLING SYSTEMS 109-117

Air Cooling. Air-Cooling Devices. Water Cooling. Gravity
System. Locating the Reservoir. Force System of Cooling.
The Radiator Connections. Radiators. Construction
of Radiator. Operation of Radiator. The Pump. Pump
Construction. Action of Pump.

CHAPTER XI. CARBURETERS 118-132

Carbureted Air. Composition of Gasoline. Gasoline
Expansion. Requirements of a Carbureter. Evaporation.
Air Saturation. Air Contact with Gasoline. Instantaneous
Combustion. Compression. Compression as a Mixing Means.
Carbureter Types. The Spraying Carbureter. Dissecting the
Carbureter. The Mixing Chamber. The Float Chamber. The
Venturi Tube. The Inlet Valve. The Throttle Valve. The
Secondary Air Supply. Automatic Admission of Secondary
Air. Carbureter Adjustments. Special Points Concerning
Carbureters. Thin Mixtures. Speeds and Mixtures. Surface
Carbureter. The Float. The Oil Inlet. Securing Surface for
air Contact.