INBOARD MOTOR

An engine mounted within the hull of a vessel, usually driving a fixed propeller by a shaft protruding through the stern. Generally used on larger vessels. See also stern drive and outboard motor.

inboard_motor engine hull fixed_propeller stern_drive stern shaft propeller outboard fixed

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GEARBOX

A system of gears which alter the ratio between the revolution of the engine and the propeller shaft so the propeller operates in a relatively efficient speed range. By using a gearbox the engine and the propeller shaft will revolve at different speeds.

engine shaft revolution ratio propeller_shaft system propeller gearbox

PISTON VALVE

A cylindrical type of steam engine slide valve for admission and exhaust of steam.

piston_valve cylindrical steam engine valve exhaust

PISTON ENGINE

A type of engine characterized by reciprocating motion of pistons in a cylinder. Also known as displacement engine; reciprocating engine.

piston_engine displacement motion engine

PERFORMANCE NUMBER

One of a series of numbers (constituting the PN, or performancenumber, scale) used to convert fuel antiknock values in terms of a reference fuel into an index which is an indication of relative engine performance; used mostly to rate aviation gasolines with octane values greater than 100.

performance_number indication fuel rate relative engine

OVERRUNNING CLUTCH

A clutch that allows the driven shaft to turn freely only under certain conditions; for example, a clutch in an engine starter that allows the crank to turn freely when the engine attempts to run.

overrunning_clutch turn shaft starter clutch engine crank

OVERSQUARE ENGINE

An engine with bore diameter greater than the stroke length.

oversquare_engine bore diameter engine

OVERDRIVE

An automobile engine device that lowers the gear ratio, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

overdrive gear fuel lowers engine device

OVERHEAD-VALVE ENGINE

A fourstroke-cycle internal combustion engine having its valves located in the cylinder head, operated by pushrods that actuate rocker arms. Abbreviated OHV engine. Also known as valve-in-head engine.

overhead-valve_engine cylinder combustion_engine internal_combustion_engine internal engine combustion rocker

OVERGEAR

A gear train in which the angular velocity ratio of the driven shaft to driving shaft is greater than unity, as when the propelling shaft of an automobile revolves faster than the engine shaft.

overgear gear velocity velocity_ratio ratio gear_train shaft train engine angular_velocity angular

OPTICAL INDICATOR

An instrument which makes a plot of pressure in the cylinder of an engine as a function of piston (or volume) displacement, making use of magnification by optical systems and photographic recording; for example, the small motion of a pressure diaphragm may be transmitted to a mirror to deflect a beam of light.

optical_indicator pressure plot cylinder magnification piston diaphragm may motion engine instrument beam

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