crankcase
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The housing that encloses and protects a crankshaft: In an internal combustion engine, the crankcase is the sturdy metal casing that contains the crankshaft and, in many designs, also contains the engine's oil sump.
Usage
- The primary function of the crankcase is to protect the crankshaft and connecting rods from debris and to contain the engine oil that lubricates these moving parts.
- It is a fundamental component of piston engines, located below the cylinders.
Examples
- Noun:
- A leak in the crankcase can cause oil to drip onto the ground.
- The mechanic removed the oil pan to access the bottom of the crankcase.
- Modern engines often have a crankcase ventilation system to manage pressure.
Advanced Usage
- "Crankcase ventilation": A system that routes gases (blow-by) that escape past the piston rings from the crankcase back into the intake to be burned, reducing emissions and preventing pressure buildup.
- A clogged PCV valve can disrupt proper crankcase ventilation.
Variants and Related Words
- Crankshaft (n): The main rotating shaft of an engine, which converts the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion. It is housed within the crankcase.
- Oil pan / Sump (n): The detachable lower part of the crankcase that holds the engine's lubricating oil.
Synonyms
- Engine block lower section (in some contexts, though technically the block and crankcase can be integrated or separate).
- Bedplate (a structural base that forms part of the crankcase in large engines).
Related Phrases
- "Crankcase oil": The lubricating oil contained within the crankcase.
- It is important to change the crankcase oil regularly.
- "Crankcase explosion": A dangerous condition in large engines where flammable vapors in the crankcase ignite.
- Proper maintenance helps prevent the risk of a crankcase explosion.
Noun
- housing for a crankshaft