inlet manifold
Noun: - A manifold that carries vaporized fuel from the carburetor to the inlet valves of the cylinders: An "inlet manifold" is a key component in an internal combustion engine. It is a system of pipes or channels designed to distribute the air-fuel mixture (in a carbureted engine) or just air (in a fuel-injected engine) evenly from the carburetor or throttle body to the intake ports of each cylinder.
The term "inlet manifold" is used specifically in the context of automotive and mechanical engineering to describe a crucial engine part responsible for delivering the combustible mixture to the cylinders. - The mechanic replaced the cracked inlet manifold to restore proper engine performance. - A common upgrade is to install a high-performance inlet manifold to improve airflow.
- Technical Context: In modern fuel-injected engines, the component is often called an "intake manifold," but "inlet manifold" remains a correct and synonymous term, especially in British English or when referring to older carbureted engines.
- The design of the inlet manifold significantly affects the engine's torque characteristics.
- Intake manifold (n): The more common modern term, functionally identical to an inlet manifold.
- Exhaust manifold (n): The complementary component that collects exhaust gases from the cylinders and directs them to the exhaust pipe.
- Intake manifold
- Induction manifold
- Carburetor (n): The device that mixes air with fuel, often attached to the inlet manifold in older engines.
- Throttle body (n): The component controlling airflow into the inlet/intake manifold in fuel-injected engines.
- Runner (n): An individual pipe or passage within the inlet manifold that leads to a specific cylinder.
- manifold that carries vaporized fuel from the carburetor to the inlet valves of the cylinders