Chapter XVII: Electric Vehicles 201-214

Requirements. Gasoline-electric Trucks. The Current Used.
Mechanically-produced Electricity. Current from Batteries.
Primary Battery. Secondary or Storage Battery. Reversal of
Current. Charging. Time required, and Current. Troubles
in Use. Overcharging. The Circuiting. Economy in Use
of Current. Series and Parallel. The Connections. The
Controller. The General Equipment. Accessories. Seating
Arrangement. The Transmission. Brakes.

GLOSSARY 215

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. PAGE

1. Views of Plain Frame 13
2. Quarter Elliptic 14
2a. Half Elliptic 15
3. Three-quarter Elliptic 15
4. Full Elliptic 16
4a. Cantilever Spring 17
5. Fore and Aft Motion 17
6. Lateral Motion 18
7. Floating Axle 20
8. Semi-floating Axle 20
9. Crossing Depression 22
10. Striking Obstruction 22
11. Solid Tire 24
12. Single Tube 25
13. Double Tube 26
14. Illustrating Tire-removing Tool 27
15. Vulcanizer 29
16. Turning Action on Front Wheel 31
17. Illustrating the Strain on Fabric 33
18. Illustrating the Strain on Fabric 33
19. Effect of Flat Tire 34
20. Steering Wheel 38
21. Steering Gear 39
22. Type of Front Axle 40
23. Contracting Brake 41
24. Expanding Brake 41
25. Contract Mechanism 43
26. Equalizer Bar 44
27. Rear Axle. Service and Emergency Brake 45
28. Equalizing Mechanism 47
29. Resistance in Equalization 47
30. Equalizer and Differential Movements 48
31. Differential in Housing 50
32. Section of Differential 51
33. Side View of Differential Wheel 51
34. Top View of Differential Wheel 52
34a. Differential Gears 53
35. Radius Rods 56
36. Torque Tube 57
37. Chain Drive 58
38. Shaft Drive 60
39. Straight Line Drive 60
40. Cone Clutch 63
41. Multiple Disk Clutch 65
42. Progressive Transmission. Low 70
43. Neutral Position 71
44. Intermediate 72
45. High 73
46. Reverse 75
47. Selective Transmission. Low Gear 77
48. Intermediate 78
49. High 79
50. Reverse 80
51. Progressive Control Mechanism 81
52. Selective Control Mechanism 83
53. 3-Speed 85
54. 3-Speed 85
55. 3-Speed 85
56. 4-Speed 85
57. 4-Speed 85
58. 4-Speed 85
59. 4-Speed 85
60. Control-Lever Bracket 86
61. Planetary Transmission 88
62. Frictional Transmission 89
63. Firing Position 94
64. Return First Cycle 94
65. Drawing in Charge 96
66. Compression 96
67. Automatic Inlet Valve 98
68. Calculating Efficiency 100
69. Two-Cycle Expansion Position 102
70. Exhausting 103
71. Compression 103
72. Crank Shaft 104
72a. Increasing Cooling Area 110
73. Movement of Heated Water 111
74. Cooling System 112
75. Radiator Type 114
76. Side View of Pump 116
77. Section 116
78. Carbureter Float and Needle 123
79. Carbureter Inlet Valve 124
80. Carbureter Discharge Port 125
81. Carbureter Secondary Air Inlet 127
82. Complete Carbureter 128
83. Surface Carbureter 131
84. Series Wiring 137
85. Parallel Wiring 138
86. Multiple Wiring 139
87. Dynamo Connection 142
88. Magneto 142
89. Induction Coil 146
90. High Tension Circuit 147
91. High Tension Connections 149
92. Vibratory Coil 152
93. Contact Maker 154
94. Contact Breaker 155
95. Starting Mechanism 160
96. Muffler 164
97. 3-Point Roller-Bearing 165
98. Wrong Bearing 165
99. Improper Alinement 166
100. Correct Raceways 166
101. Cage for Roller Bearing 167
102. Roller Bearing 168
103. Caution Signs 171
104. Wiring for Lighting Circuit 175
105. Ignition Wiring 177
106. Lubricating System 189

INTRODUCTORY

The building and development of auto vehicles form one of the most remarkable pages in the history of manufactures. The subject nearest the boy is the motorcycle, which is a direct development of the bicycle. From this to the larger power vehicles is but another step, so that in setting forth the structures involved the aim should be to show how one form of device grew out of the preceding one, and how each structure following in the train, became desirable and necessary.

It would be impossible in a limited work of this kind to show the various modifications of all the elements which make up a complete structure.

When these vehicles were first brought out, the mechanism was exceedingly simple, being, in reality, nothing more than the hitching up of some form of motive power with running gears.

But now all that is changed. The old type steering mechanism was imperfect; the attachment of the wheels to the axles had to be modified; the wheels themselves entirely revolutionized; speed changing and reversing especially adapted for quick and positive work; and even the easy starting of the motor had to be provided for.

The entire equipment required a multiplicity of new devices, such as signaling apparatus, lighting systems, safety appliances, means to prevent skidding, wind shields, a reorganization of body and seating arrangement, and a reconstruction of the springs and their attachment to the chassis.

The electrical part has made as rapid strides, and in the development the sparking mechanism has approached perfection, and brought into existence a wonderful variety of systems, so that each cycle of improvements has made them more efficient, but simpler to construct, understand and use.

It is a rare thing to-day to see any of the power machines dragged home by horse power. Not many years ago this was a common sight. The size, shape, and materials used, have been understood by scientific analysis and study, so that breakage, under ordinary uses, is not at all a common thing.

It is the aim of this book to show in as simple a manner as possible how this wonderful transformation has been brought about, and to furnish one or more types of each element, properly constructed and arranged, so that the boy may understand how each part is built, and the particular reasons for the structures.

In no branch of manufactures can be found such a variety of technical designations as have grown out of this industry. By virtue of necessity, many of these names have been coined to suit the conditions. This knowledge is imparted in these pages, which contains a complete glossary of every term used in the art.

THE AUTHOR.

AUTOMOBILES