Motor control

“ In the construction of a motor car from the point of view of absolute control of it at every moment, the first thought of the mechanic is an adequate brake and an efficient regulator of speed, instruments antagonistic, but necessary to work simultaneously or alternately. ”

“ The earliest cars used toothed-wheel gearing in order to reduce the speed of the small fast-running motor. Improved types on this principle still exist, but there are some interesting forms in which the motors are placed right at the hub of the wheels and effect speed reduction and control by electrical means, without any intermediate gearing. ”

“ When once confidence is acquired, and the novice feels that the car is quite under his control, longer distances, say fifty feet at a time, may be attempted; but as it will be obvious that in this distance some momentum will have been attained, and that even though the left pedal is pressed down the carriage still rolls on, opportunity has now come for making use of the right pedal. ”

“ The complication of the machines which are used, and the mysterious nature of the powers which they apply, seem to make them more effective means of enlargement than the old simple tools. Those who have observed the process by which the horse-car driver of a decade ago has been converted into the motor-man of to-day have had a chance to see what the control of energies may do for them. ”

“ Assuming a vehicle with running gear complete and motors mounted and geared to the driving-wheels, the motors have to be fed with energy in order that the car may be propelled— that is to say, we must in addition to the motors have a source of electric current present. A car with body, running gear, and motors geared in position, is a potentiality only. ”

“ An electric vehicle may be regarded as consisting of a body, a running gear, with one or two motors mounted on it and arranged to operate the driving wheels of the vehicle through speed reduction gearing, of a battery of accumulators carried on the car itself, of connections between this battery and the motors, and of a controller, the functions of which will be explained. ”

“ For example, when travelling on a level road at top speed, if the driver wishes to slow down to pass a vehicle, he does not necessarily change his gear, but operates the accelerator, so as to alter the speed of the engine. The car will then slow until the pressure on sleeve c c is once more increased by means of the lever. ”

“ It must be remembered that the engine has to drive the car and not the car the engine, which if caused to rotate at a much greater speed than that for which it was constructed may result in a serious breakage. Therefore do not let the clutch in until the speed of the car is sufficiently reduced to give the engine some work to do when the pedal is lifted up. ”

“ It's guaranteed to run the car under electric power for nearly a mile, without the motor being operated. All we'll have to do will be to set the starter going—that turns the fly wheel, you know. Then we can put in low gear, slip in the clutch, just as if the motor was in operation, and get the car to the top of the hill. ”

“ As a matter of fact the whole power of the engine is never available for the work of turning the wheels of the car, a certain portion of it always being absorbed in the work of driving the gear; indeed, it is not too much to say that in some instances—as has indeed been proved by actual tests—fully one half of the power developed by the engine is thus lost between the motor and the wheels. ”

“ Even the engine of a motor cycle has three strokes of play for one of work. Our engines, too, must have a liberal supply of the right kind of fuel. But even with all those precautions, we have to confess that the muscular engines of the foot do sometimes break down, and the leverage of the foot becomes threatened. Nor have we succeeded in finding out why they are so liable to break down in some boys and girls and not in others. Some day we shall discover this too.
We are now to look at another part of the human machine so that we may study a lever of the third order. ”

“ Luckily the fly-wheel of the engine struck on a mound and stopped the car with the two front wheels over the edge of the cliff. Make it therefore a golden rule: never leave your car, whether the engine is running or not, without first putting the speed lever in the out-of-gear position and also putting the side brakes on. ”

“ The amount of pep which a car is said to possess is gauged by the quickness with which it responds to the acceleration, either by the pedal or by throttle lever, changing the car from slow or moderate speed to full speed. ”

“ The motor mechanism is that which puts the whole in motion. It either generates its own motive power, like the steam-engine, the caloric engine, the electro-magnetic machine, etc., or it receives its impulse from some already existing natural force, like the water-wheel from a head of water, the windmill from wind, etc. ”

“ On taking a position in the driver's seat with one foot on each side of the steering column, each foot lightly resting on the two driving pedals, it will be found that the left pedal when pressed down disconnects the engine from the driving mechanism, whilst the right one also does this, but at the same time applies a powerful brake to arrest the motion of the vehicle. ”

“ Note.—It is most essential for every motorist to insist on having proper and convenient means fitted on his car for washing the cylinders with paraffin or petrol, both to facilitate starting up and to keep the piston-rings in good order.
Back Firing.—I have said that a considerable resistance should always he felt when turning a motor slowly by hand; sometimes, however, the innocent motorist, when endeavouring to put his engine into motion, receives something considerably more than a mere resistance. ”

“ Assuming that the vehicle is in perfect condition for use and the engine has been set going, the first thing to do is to examine the ways and means of starting the carriage either forward or backward, to ascertain how to stop it when desired, and steer it from side to side or round a corner, or to avoid an obstacle. We will suppose that the vehicle is of the Panhard type, with wheel steering and single lever at the right-hand side, giving the speeds forward and reverse. ”

“ In our days, by means of its organs which have become automatic, the mechanism controls the mechanism. A chauffeur is no more than a pilot; once going, his machine keeps up its own energy; once awake, it will only fall asleep again at the word of command. In short, as Lerne bade me note, the modern motor-car enjoys properties that a spinal cord might confer; it enjoys instinct and reflex actions. Spontaneous movements take place in it along with the voluntary movements caused by the intelligence of the driver, who becomes as it were the brain of the vehicle. ”

“ If the governor goes wrong at an awkward moment in the traffic, and the engine begins to race, it may be controlled by switching off and on, or retarding ignition, admitting an excess of air, or the exhaust-valve lifters may be thrown out by hand. ”

“ There is not one jarring note—until the 'honk, honk' of a motor is followed by the breathless, panting whirr of the engine, and a big car flashes down the road and past, travelling at the topmost of its top speed. ”

“ Next to the engine itself the construction of the transmission gear is the most important thing about an autocar; for as this portion of the machine is the medium through which the power is conveyed from the engine to the wheels, it does not require an intimate knowledge of mechanics to perceive that bad design and undue friction here may make a very material difference in the running and speed of the car. ”

“ With its four-change speed-gear a motor cycle seems better adapted for easy and economical travelling than the human machine. If, however, the human machine has no change of gear, it has one very marvellous mechanism—which we may call a compensatory mechanism, for want of a short, easy name. The more we walk, the more we go hill-climbing, the more powerful do the muscular engines of the heel become. It is quite different with the engine of a motor cycle ”

“ Remaining seated in one position, with little or no opportunity of moving the lower limbs, renders them very liable to stiffness or cramp, especially in the case of elderly drivers, whose joints are less mobile and flexible than those of the young. The exhilaration which accompanies driving in a motor is particularly helpful to people who are somewhat enervated. I have known instances of ladies suffering from defective nerve power who have derived great benefit from the invigorating and refreshing effect of meeting a current of air caused by driving in an automobile. ”

“ Operation of Motors.—The speed of a direct-current motor is always such that the counter e.m.f. of the motor becomes nearly equal to the impressed e.m.f. of the line. In order to speed up a motor it is necessary to weaken the fields; and conversely, to slow it down we must strengthen the fields. The above methods are necessary if the motor is to run at a nearly fixed speed with a variable load. The speed can also be controlled by a variable resistance placed in the armature circuit. ”

“ The motor, which the frenzied cupidity of manufacturers hurls like a juggernaut’s car upon the bewildered people and of which the idle and fashionable make a foolish though fatal elegance, will soon begin to perform its true function, and putting its strength at the service of the entire people, will behave like a docile, toiling monster. But in order that the motor may cease to be injurious and become beneficent we must build roads suited to its speed, roads which it cannot tear up with its ferocious tyres, and from which it will send no clouds of poisonous dust into human lungs. ”

“ A difficult place to start a car is when stalled on a hill. This is done by holding the machine with the foot brake, throttling the motor with the hand lever, and slowly releasing brake and engaging clutch simultaneously.
243. Driving the Automobile. In driving, many things should be observed. The oil pressure gauge or indicator should be noted from time to time to see that the motor bearings are getting proper lubrication. The speed of the motor should be such that the battery is being charged rather than discharged, as is likewise shown by an indicator on the dash. ”

“ That is very easily tested by putting the controller in the position in which the car refuses to move, and testing the contact springs by pressing them against the cylinder. If the car then goes on they require tightening. ”

“ By the same device the motor can run at reduced speed, although with a considerable loss of energy in the rheostat; it is indeed, as a rule, difficult to get effective speed variation in motors of any kind without serious loss of energy. ”

“ The exact effects upon the human frame of the rapid motion, of the vibrations, of the presence of the electric current and escaping gas have never been adequately investigated—though 41 sundry ill consequences of motor-driving have been noted without any diminution of the practice. ”

“ It takes more than a knowledge of certain small levers and pedals and a deftness in manipulating clutch and brakes and gear shifts and steering wheel, to make an automobile driver. Because of this fact the Automobile School of the West Side Young Men’s Christian Association, in New York City, has formulated a set of instructions to its students for the road lessons, which are about the most complete, yet concise, so far published. ”

“ The motors may fail from various causes. The most common of these is burning up, due in general to forcing too much current through them either to get up a steep and muddy hill, or less generally in an attempt to run the vehicle up to or beyond the due limit of speed. ”

“ After having been for a drive or having the engine running, the next thing to do is to go through another set of regular functions which should always take place before putting the car away. Turn off electric current, or if lamp ignition, blow out lamps, and after a few minutes turn off petrol to the lamps; turn off main petrol to carburetter, turn off lubricators, and then have the engine turned smartly by hand and a little paraffin pumped into the cylinders from the pump provided for this purpose. ”

“ It is also certain that the mechanical motor which shall be found to be most universally adaptable, that is to say, most pliant in accommodating itself to the various lines and to the varying work of the traffic, will be the form of motor which will eventually carry the day. ”

“ If the batteries and motors are all right in any particular position, and the car refuses to move even when the controller is tested in the above-described manner, there may be failure in the connections. ”

“ It matters not whether one call it an automobile, a tin lizzie, a gas wagon, or what not, it consists of a steel frame upon which are mounted wheels, an engine, appliances for connecting the engine to the driving wheels, a fuel supply tank, a system for producing ignition at the right moment, and appliances for regulating the speed of the engine and the direction of the car. ”

“ Two Motor Regulation.--With a two motor equipment, the controller becomes more complicated because it must be arranged to switch the motors in series or in parallel, so as to secure economy at half and full speed. ”

“ In the way of permanent literature, however, the movement can by no means be described as suffering from plethora, a fact which, is easily attributable to the constantly recurrent changes in the mechanical evolution of the motor-car. ”