The paper analyzes and states the factors affecting the power requirements of cars as rubber-tired vehicles of transportation over roads and the factors affecting the amount of power supplied the car as fuel to produce at the road the power required for transportation. Quantitative values are given wherever possible to indicate the present knowledge of the relation between the factors involved, and the text is interspersed with numerous references, tables, charts and diagrams.
Among other important factors specifically discussed are mixing and vaporization, charge quantity control, the heat of combustion, gas-pressure, transformation loss and power transmission efficiency.
Six appendices contributed by other associates of the Bureau of Standards are included. These are illustrated and treat in detail the subjects of the influence of air and fuel proportions upon engine efficiency and power, the metering characteristics of six stock carbureters, the mechanical efficiency of engines with particular reference to part-load conditions, ignition timing, fuel knock and the relative merits of large slow-speed and small high-speed engines.
