A Bit of Automobile Technology

It would be nice to shift to a non-electrical topic for a change. A brief explanation would be provided about the recent past & current technology available in cars.

Different kinds of Transmission systems:
MT: Manual Transmission - The Coventional Gear selection system
AT: Automatic Transmission - The Automatic Gear selection system
ManuMatic/Tiptronic/GearTronic: Manu(al + Auto)matic system
CVT: Continuously Variable Transmission

5 Speed manual transmission - gears

Automatic transmission lever

Above the letters indicate the following:
1. P - Park
2. R - Reverse
3. N - Neutral
4. D - Drive
5. 2 - Second gear is maximum
6. L - Low/1st gear is maximum

Tiptronic - A type of manumatic/semi-automatic trnasmission

Normally manual transmission employs a clutch but an auto transmission utilises a torque converter instead of clutch.

Few emission control systems:
CVCC: Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion by Honda for complying with emission standards
CC: Catalytic Converter used for treating toxic emissioons

Compound vortex controlled combustion employs a 2nd spark plug near inlet

Various ValveTrain systems:

The valvetrain system having camshaft, valves etc

VTEC: Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control by Honda
VVT-i : Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence developed by Toyota
SOHC: Single Over Head Camshaft system
DOHC: Double Over Head Camshaft system

Multiple Fuel delivery systems:
Carburettor:Conventional indirect injection
MFI: Mechanical Fuel Injection
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection

Engine Efficiency Improvement systems:
Intercooler/Aftercooler:
Turbocharger/TurboSupercharger:

Close view of an intercooler - courtesy: wikipedia

A Typical Turbocharger

Passenger Safety systems:
ABS: AntiLock Braking System
EBD: Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Emerging Aotomobile Design technologies:
HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle cosists of an IC Engine and Electric motors