Shock Absorber Struts

A strut is a structural piece designed to resist pressure in the direction of its length. On typical "McPherson Strut" use, the shock absorber is built into the strut. Most shock absorber struts are hydraulic units. Like the hydraulic shock struts, faulty units must be replaced as an assembly. Another similar front suspension system is called the "hydraulic shock strut." This strut serves as a shock absorber and replaces the upper control arm. The coil spring, however, is located between the lower control arm and the body structure instead of being mounted directly on the strut.

Shock Absorbers

The operating principle of direct-acting hydraulic shock absorbers is in forcing fluid through restricting openings in the valves. This restricted flow serves to slow down and control rapid movement in the car springs as they react to road irregularities. Usually, fluid flow through the pistons is controlled by spring-loaded valves and the hydraulic shock absorber automatically adapts to the severity of the shock. If the axle moves slowly, resistance to the flow of fluid will be light. If it is rapid or violent, the resistance is stronger, since more time is required to force fluid through the openings. By these actions and reactions, the shock absorbers permit a soft ride over small bumps and provide firm control over spring action for cushioning large bumps. The double-acting units must be effective in both directions because spring rebound can be almost as violent as the original action that compressed the shock absorber.

Side Beam

The operating principle of direct-acting hydraulic shock absorbers is in forcing fluid through restricting openings in the valves. This restricted flow serves to slow down and control rapid movement in the car springs as they react to road irregularities. Usually, fluid flow through the pistons is controlled by spring-loaded valves and the hydraulic shock absorber automatically adapts to the severity of the shock. If the axle moves slowly, resistance to the flow of fluid will be light. If it is rapid or violent, the resistance is stronger, since more time is required to force fluid through the openings. By these actions and reactions, the shock absorbers permit a soft ride over small bumps and provide firm control over spring action for cushioning large bumps. The double-acting units must be effective in both directions because spring rebound can be almost as violent as the original action that compressed the shock absorber.

Solar Cells

Some electric cars are equipped with solar cells located on the roof of the car, similar to a sunroof. These collect sunlight and convert it into energy. The solar cell is used to augment the existing recharging system.

Spark Plug

A spark plug is a device that is inserted into the combustion chamber of an engine, which contains a side electrode and insulated center electrode. These are spaced to provide a gap for firing an electrical spark to ignite air-fuel mixtures. The high-voltage burst from the coil via the distributor is received at the spark plug's terminal and conducted down a center electrode protected by a porcelain insulator. At the bottom of the plug, which projects into the cylinder, the voltage must be powerful enough to jump a gap between the center and side electrodes through a thick atmosphere of fuel mixture. Fuel is ignited in the cylinder when the spark bridges the gap.

Spark Plug Wires

The spark plug wire carries 20,000 or more volts from the distributor cap to the spark plug. Spark plug wires are made of various layers of materials. The fiber core, inside the spark plug wire carries the high voltage. Some spark plug wires have a locking connection at the distributor cap. The distributor cap must first be removed and the terminals squeezed together, and then the spark plug wire can be removed from the distributor cap. To work effectively in modern ignition systems, it is important that the resistor ignition cable is capable of producing a specifically designed resistance.

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