Automotive Industries Unit 11

1 Match the descriptions of the bearings with the pictures.

A
3 B C

D E F

1 In a roller bearing, the wheel hub doesn’t
touch the axle. Between them is a set of
rollers in a groove that rotate with the hub.
As the wheel moves, the rollers rotate and
circulate around the axle.
2 Spherical roller bearings rotate in twin
grooves and can carry greater loads. Because
the bearing is self-aligning, the shaft in the
centre need not be precisely at 90o to the
bearing’s housing.
3 The simplest type of bearing is the plain bush
bearing. A shaft rotates inside a sleeve, called
a ‘bush’. When friction wears away the bush,
it can be replaced. ball bearings, not roller bearings.
4 In taper roller bearings, the rollers and the
grooves in which they move are both conical.
They are capable of supporting considerable
loads. A single roller bearing can only support
thrust in one direction, so a second row with the
taper facing the opposite direction is provided.
5 If a bush bearing cannot be fitted around a shaft,
J7276
then a split bearing must bePEARSON
used. Two halves of
Technical English
a bearing are held together by bolts and nuts, or
Automotive Industries
aw_11_01
screws.
6 In a ball bearing, spherical balls are used
instead of cylindrical rollers. Double-row bearings
of this type can carry heavier loads. Bicycles use

2 Answer the questions about the descriptions in 1.

1 Which bearings contain cones? 2 Which bearings contain rollers ?
3 Which bearings contain balls? 4 Which bearings do not contain moving parts?
5 Which bearings are described as suitable for bearing heavier loads?

3 Label the diagram using the words in bold.

Ball and roller bearings consist of the following parts:
• An inner race which is fixed to the axle.
• An outer race which is fixed to the housing.
• A number of balls or rollers.
1 4
• A cage which prevents the balls or rollers
from rubbing against each other, and to
space them around the circumference of
the bearing.
The races and balls (or rollers) are made of a
specially hardened steel, while the cages may 2 3

be of aluminium or bronze.

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

 Automotive Industries Unit 11

4 Read the product description of a tracked earthmover and complete the specification table (A).
1 The aim of the design was to produce a tracked earthmover with greater power than earlier models. The
designers considered the needs of users, for example, construction sites, quarries and landfill sites.
2 The new design has an 8.8 litre six-cylinder engine, with a top speed of 10 kph in the ‘travel’ mode.
The alternative ‘work’ mode allows slower speeds. Independent power is provided to each track, so
the driver can control each track separately and turn the machine easily.
3 The earthmoving bucket has a width of 3.3 m and a capacity of 4.7 m3.
4 The powerful engine is located at the rear, and therefore acts as a counterweight. Another advantage
is that the radiator, placed at the rear, is kept clear of earth-moving operations. The electronic fuel
injection system delivers multiple injections of fuel during the engine’s compression stroke, which
improves fuel combustion. The turbocharger, driven by the exhaust, results in increased power,
improved combustion and reduced exhaust emissions.
5 The design uses strong, rigid box-sections, which resist torsional forces. The steel frame provides
flexibility, durability and resistance to high load forces. The multi-purpose bucket made of high-
strength, low alloy steel resists dents and damage.
6 The cab is designed for comfort and ease of operation. AC and heating are standard features. The
dashboard has two groups of instruments: one with four gauges (fuel level, etc) and another with
warning indicators (low alternator output, etc).

A Tracked earthmover B Articulated dump truck

Design brief greater power than earlier more power; carries increased payload (+15%)
models
Users construction sites, Quarries, landfill sites, forestry industry, construction sites
1
Key 2 5.9 litre engine; top speed of 50 kph
features
Capacity 3 Max payload: 20 tonnes (12 m3)
Parts and powerful engine at rear; 6 forward gears, 3 reverse gears (manual or automatic
functions operation); power-assisted dual braking system; twin
hydraulic system for a) steering and tipping mechanism,
b) braking and suspension.
Materials 4 Rear chassis: high tensile strength steel, with box-section
reinforcements
Properties 5 Increased rigidity and resistance to loading forces
Operation 6 Reduced noise and vibration; good visibility and stability;
AC (standard)

5 Read the specification table (B) for an articulated dump truck. Use your notebook. Write a product
description using the guide phrases.
1 The aim of the design … ; The designers considered …
2 The new design has …
3 The truck has a maximum payload capacity …
4 The powerful engine drives … ; One main advantage is … ; The design uses … ; In addition there is …
5 The design uses … ; The advantage of the …
6 The redesigned driver’s cab features …

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

 Automotive Industries Unit 11

Word List
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS NOUN PHRASES

bronze ball bearing

cage bush bearing

circumference dump truck

combustion inner race

counterweight landfill site

forestry low alloy steel

groove outer race

hub roller bearing

payload spherical roller bearing

quarry split bearing

reinforcement taper roller bearing

rigidity tracked earthmover

sleeve VERBS

stability circulate

turbocharger ADJECTIVES

vibration self-aligning

visibility torsional

© Pearson Longman 2008 www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish