THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE

P.M.B. 704, AKURE, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

AN ASSIGNMENT SOLUTION ON THE DETAILS OF CARBURATOR AND

CARBURETION SYSTEM

AND REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF AUTOMOBILES

WRITTEN BY

EMOLA BODUNRIN AYOBAMI

MEE/18/6947

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF BACHELORS

DEGREE

IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (B.ENG)

SUBMITTED TO

PROF. AKINOLA

THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY.

MAY, 2024
DETAILS OF CARBURETION AND CARBURETOR SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

A carburetor (also spelled carburettor or carburetter) is a device used by a gasoline

internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine.The
primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the Venturi tube in the main
metering circuit, though various other components are also used to provide extra fuel
or air in specific circumstances.

Since the 1990s, carburetors have been largely replaced by fuel injection for cars and
trucks, but carburetors are still used by some small engines (e.g. lawnmowers,
generators, and concrete mixers) and motorcycles. In addition, they are still widely
used on piston engine driven aircraft. Diesel engines have always used fuel injection
instead of carburetors, as the compression-based combustion of diesel requires the
greater precision and pressure of fuel-injection. This term paper delves into the
intricate details of carburetor systems and carburetors, providing an exhaustive
exploration of their structure, functionality, types and evolution.

Figure 1: Image of a carburetor

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The carburetor was invented by Karl Benz in 1885 and patented in 1886. It was
apparently also invented by the Hungarian engineers Janos Csonka and Donát Bánki
in 1893. Frederick William Lanchester of Birmingham, England experimented early
on with the wick carburetor in cars. In 1896, Frederick and his brother built the first
gasoline (petrol)-driven car in England, with a single-cylinder, 5 hp (4 kW) internal
combustion engine with a chain drive. Unhappy with the performance and power,
they rebuilt the engine the next year into a two-cylinder horizontally opposed version
using his new wick carburetor design. This version completed a 1,000 mile (1600 km)
tour in 1900, successfully incorporating the carburetor as an important step forward in
automotive engineering.

Carburetors were the usual fuel delivery method for almost all gasoline-fueled
engines up until the late 1980s, when fuel injection became the preferred method of
automotive fuel delivery. In the U.S. market, the last automobiles sold to the general
public equipped with a carburetor were the 1990 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and the
Buick Estate Wagon. Until 1991 the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor equipped
with the 351 in³ (5.8 L) engine had an Autolite four barrel carburetor. The SUV Jeep
Grand Wagoneer equipped with a 360ci (5.9L) AMC engine came with either a two
or a four barrel carburetor. The last light truck to have a carburetor was the 1994
Isuzu. Elsewhere, Lada cars built in Samara Oblast in the Russian Federation used
carburetors until 1996.

A majority of motorcycles still utilize carburetors due to lower cost and throttle
response problems with early injection set ups. However, as of 2005, many new
models have been introduced with fuel injection. Carburetors are still found in small
engines and in older or specialized automobiles, such as those designed for stock car
racing.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CARBURETION

A carburetor works on one principle, known as Bernoulli’s Theorem. The Bernoulli
Theorem was discovered by the Swiss mathematician and physicist Daniel Bernoulli.
The Bernoulli Theorem denotes the pressure acting on the point of the liquid and the
velocity of the particles. The Bernoulli Theorem states that “the total energy of a
small amount of an incompressible liquid flowing from one point to another remains
constant throughout the displacement.”

Using the above principle, the primary job of the carburetor is to make air move faster
so that both low static pressure and high dynamic pressure are created. The
accelerator (or throttle) in any automobile does precisely this with a carburetor. It
does not directly control the amount of fuel being used. However, it does control the
carburetor mechanism, which controls the amount of air that flows into the engine.
The speed of this air flow changes the static pressure, which in turn draws in a certain
amount of fuel that is pulled up and used.
Carburetors come in various degrees of complexity and design. The simplest model of
a carburetor comes in the form of a single vertical air pine located above the engine
cylinders, along with a horizontal fuel pipe joined to its side. The air flows down the
vertical pipe and acts as a gateway to the narrow middle part (the kinked section). The
kinked central part is called the Venturi, and it significantly speeds up the air flow.
This increase in the speed of the air causes a fall in pressure, which creates a sucking
effect and draws in air from the fuel pipe attached to the side.
The air that is sucked out also pulls fuel along with it. The next logical question is –
how is the air-fuel mixture controlled? The carburetor contains swiveling tow valves
in the venturi. At the top, the valve is called the choke. The choke controls the amount
of air that flows in. If the choke is in its closed position, only a small amount of air
can enter the venturi, while a larger amount of fuel is drawn in. This makes the engine
consist of a more fuel-rich mixture. The advantage arises when one would like to start
an engine or when the engine is cold. The bottom part of the valve contains a
secondary valve known as the throttle. The more the throttle is open, the more air
flows into the carburetor. The more air that flows into the carburetor, the more fuel it
pulls in from the horizontal fuel pipe attached to it. This makes the engine produce
more energy and deliver more power, which makes the automobile go faster. So,
whenever you push down on the accelerator, you’re giving the engine more oxygen
and fuel to burn.

The fuel pipe attached to the carburetor consists of a miniature fuel tank called the
fuel feed chamber. This is a small tank with a float and a valve inside it. Whenever
the fuel pipe continues giving fuel to the carburetor, the float valve present inside it
will sink. When this happens, it draws more fuel into the fuel chamber directly from
the gas tank. Once the fuel chamber is full, it rises, thereby closing the pathway from
the gas tank to the fuel chamber.

COMPONENTS OF A CARBURETOR

The carburetor in a car is a very important component and the car owner's job is to
always check the condition of the carburetor regularly. In a carburetor, of course,
several components work, and each component has a different role. The various
components and their functions are listed below:

 Float Chamber: Float Chamber or combustion chamber is one of the important

carburetor components. When a car is fully fueled, the float will automatically
rise and will close the fuel valve. Float work will follow the high and low fuel
conditions of a car. When there is too much gasoline and it causes flooding, the
performance of the float will not function properly. As the name implies, the
combustion chamber functions as a room for combustion, and it is positioned at
the cylinder head. The combustion chamber will be a place of combustion that
mixes fuel with compressed air from a piston in the cylinder.

 Floater: A floater is also another important component in a car, despite it being

small in shape. To maintain the stability of its performance, the condition of the
floater must be checked regularly. Floaters will indeed work in high or low fuel
conditions. It will not work when there is too much fuel or flooding. With the
presence of a floater, the fuel condition will remain stable.
 Choke Valve: The car must be made as comfortable as possible so that you and
your family can carry out daily activities smoothly. The car must be kept stable
and repaired immediately if there are any problems occurring. Routine
maintenance is very important to do and must be done for internal and external
components. Choke Valve is a carburetor component that can provide comfort in
a car. The main function of the choke valve is to add to the mixture in a car's fuel
so that the vehicle will be easy to start and use for various daily activities.

 Throttle Valve: The throttle valve becomes a carburetor component which is

also often referred to as a piston valve. The throttle valve has a function as a
regulator of how high or low the level of air mixture entering the car’s
combustion chamber. The throttle valve component will usually work alongside
each other with the skep needle or the main jet. When the throttle valve is open,
the main jet will open too. The throttle valve and the main jet are also sometimes
considered as one single unit. The throttle valve is one of the components that
needs maintenance to ensure the stable condition of your car’s performance.
 Main Jet: The main Jet or a skep needle is a car component that functions to
regulate how much fuel in a vehicle will be mixed or combined with clean air.
The main jet has a conical shape and gets tapered downwards, allowing it to lift
when the gas is pulled. If the mixture of fuel and air gets bigger, the car will have
faster performance. Although the main jet has a small form, its role is still
important. To keep the performance of the main jet stable, you must carry out
routine maintenance of the car and this can be done by bringing the car to the car
repair shop once a month.

 Jet Needle: Another important part of the carburetor is the jet needle. The jet
needle component may not be known a lot by a novice, however, it’s still
important to check its condition. Through regular checks, the car's performance
will work well.
 Slow Jet: Slow jet is a carburetor component useful for supplying clean fuel and
air when the car is in an idle position. If your car is in an idle position, all you
need to do is set the slow jet in the carburetor and reset the needle, so that it’s
performance can return to normal.

 Piston Valve Screw and Pilot Screw: Piston valve screw and pilot screw in a
carburetor have no less important function to support your car’s performance.
The piston valve screw and the pilot screw are indeed similar in shape to the slow
jet but differ in terms of function or usability.
 Main Nozzle: The main nozzle is also a less familiar carburetor component but
has a very important role still. This component will work as the main transmitter
of a vehicle's fuel. The height of the main nozzle is also almost the same as the
surface of the fuel which is positioned in the floating basin. The main nozzle is
usually found on a carburetor that has a venturi type.

 Venturi: The venturi is a narrow section that is positioned in the carburetor tube
and it functions to increase the speed of the airflow. With the presence of venturi,
the car speed will be fast and different from other types of cars. Your car will run
faster and can beat various types of other cars. Cars that have venturi can also be
used for uphill road conditions because they can support the strength or speed of
the car well.
TYPES OF CARBURETOR
There are three types of them according to the direction in which the mixture is
supplied.

 Up-draft carburetor
 Horizontal type carburetor
 Down-draft type carburetor
If the air is supplied from the bottom of the mixing chamber then it is called an up-
draft type. If the air is supplied from one side of it then it is called a horizontal-type or
side-draft-type carburetor. And lastly, if the air is supplied from the above portion of
the mixing chamber then it is called a down-draft carburetor. In most cases, down-
draft type systems are generally used due to the following advantages

 Gravity assists the flow of the mixture. so found that the engine pulls better at
lower speeds under load.

 The engine can achieve a higher value of volumetric efficiency.

 The carburetor position is rendered more accessible.

While the only disadvantage is

 The possibility of leakage going directly into the inlet manifold if the float is
defective and the jet is overflowing.
Choosing a particular type is dependent on the fuel supply system. While choosing
them one should be familiar with the types of the Fuel supply system.

Up-draft Carburetor

In this type, air goes through the bottom of the assembly. And fuel comes from the
float chamber and due to the pressure difference within the two-chamber with the help
of venturi, fuel comes out from the fuel pipe and mixes with the inlet air and make a
mixture of air-fuel, which is passed through the throttle valve which is directly
connected with the accelerator. And goes to the engine cylinder where the combustion
of charge (air+fuel) takes place.

Down-draft Carburetor

In this type, air comes from the top of the mixing chamber, and the fuel comes from
the bottom of the mixing chamber, here also the same principle works, due to the low
pressure created by the two venturies fuel comes out through the pipe and then the
mixing of fuel and air occurred here.
Horizontal-type Carburetor
When you rotate the down-draft system in the horizontal direction then its become
horizontal type The working principle of this type is very simple. Here the carburetor
stays in the horizontal position where the air is coming in through one end of it as
shown in the below figure. And mixed with fuel to make the air-fuel mixture and then
the air-fuel mixture is going to the engine cylinder for combustion.

FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Fuel delivery systems in carburetors are essential for ensuring the proper mix of air
and fuel required for efficient engine operation. These systems can be classified based
on how fuel is transported from the fuel tank to the carburetor. Here are the primary
types of fuel delivery systems used with carburetors:
 Gravity Feed System
The gravity feed system relies on gravitational force to deliver fuel from the fuel tank
to the carburetor. This system is commonly used in motorcycles, lawnmowers, and
other small engines where the fuel tank is positioned above the carburetor.

Components and Operation:

Fuel Tank: Positioned higher than the carburetor.
Fuel Line: A simple hose that carries fuel from the tank to the carburetor.
Fuel Shutoff Valve: Controls the flow of fuel and can be used to stop the flow when
the engine is not in use.

Advantages:
- Simple and reliable due to fewer moving parts.
- Low maintenance costs.

Disadvantages:
- Limited to applications where the fuel tank can be positioned above the carburetor.
- Susceptible to issues if the vehicle is inclined steeply, which might disrupt fuel flow.

 Mechanical Fuel Pump

Mechanical fuel pumps are driven by the engine and are commonly used in
automobiles and larger engines where the fuel tank is located below the carburetor.

Components and Operation:

Fuel Pump: Typically diaphragm-type pumps driven by the engine's camshaft or
crankshaft.
Fuel Lines: Carry fuel from the tank to the carburetor.
Fuel Filter: Removes impurities from the fuel before it enters the carburetor.

Advantages:
- Reliable and durable, suitable for various engine sizes.
- Capable of maintaining consistent fuel pressure.

Disadvantages:
- More complex and requires maintenance of additional components like the pump
and filter.
- Mechanical wear can lead to pump failure over time.

 Electric Fuel Pump

Electric fuel pumps are powered by the vehicle's electrical system and are used in
modern vehicles with carburetors, although more common in fuel-injected systems.
They are often installed when retrofitting older vehicles with modern components.

Components and Operation:

Electric Pump: Typically located near or inside the fuel tank, powered by the
vehicle's battery.
Fuel Pressure Regulator: Maintains the appropriate fuel pressure.
Fuel Lines and Filter: As in mechanical systems, these components carry and filter
the fuel.

Advantages:
- Provides consistent fuel pressure regardless of engine speed.
- Can be positioned anywhere in the vehicle, allowing greater design flexibility.

Disadvantages:
- Relies on the vehicle's electrical system, which can be a drawback if the electrical
system fails.
- More complex and expensive compared to mechanical systems.

Fuel Delivery Process in Carburetors

Regardless of the type of fuel delivery system, the fundamental process of how the
carburetor mixes fuel with air remains the same:

 Fuel Flow: Fuel is delivered to the carburetor through the fuel line and enters the
float chamber.
 Float Mechanism: The float maintains a consistent fuel level in the float chamber,
ensuring a steady supply to the jets.
 Jets and Venturi: Fuel is drawn through jets into the venturi, where it mixes with
air. The venturi effect (a decrease in pressure as air velocity increases) aids in
atomizing the fuel.
 Air-Fuel Mixture: The mixture is then delivered to the engine's intake manifold,
ready for combustion.

CARBURETOR CIRCUITS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Carburetors are complex devices that regulate the air-fuel mixture in internal
combustion engines through various circuits, each serving a specific function to
ensure the engine operates efficiently under different conditions. Here is a detailed
look at the key carburetor circuits and their functions:

 Idle Circuit
The idle circuit manages the air-fuel mixture when the engine is idling, i.e., when the
throttle is closed or nearly closed.

Components and Operation:

Idle Jet: Controls the fuel flow for the idle mixture.
Idle Air Bleed:Allows air to mix with the fuel before entering the intake manifold.
Idle Mixture Screw: Adjusts the ratio of air to fuel at idle.

When the throttle valve is closed, the idle circuit ensures that a small amount of air-
fuel mixture is still supplied to keep the engine running smoothly. The idle mixture
screw allows fine-tuning of the mixture for optimal idling performance.

 Main Circuit
The main circuit provides the correct air-fuel mixture when the engine operates at mid
to high throttle positions, which is the primary operational range.

Components and Operation:

Main Jet: Controls the fuel flow at higher engine speeds.
Air Bleed: Mixes air with fuel to ensure proper atomization.
Venturi: Creates a pressure drop that draws fuel through the main jet into the airflow.

As the throttle opens, the venturi effect increases, drawing more fuel through the main
jet to match the increased airflow, ensuring the engine receives the appropriate
mixture for combustion.

 Accelerator Pump Circuit

The accelerator pump circuit provides an extra burst of fuel when the throttle is
suddenly opened, preventing a lean condition that could cause the engine to stumble
or hesitate.

Components and Operation:

Accelerator Pump: A small diaphragm or piston pump activated by the throttle
linkage.
Pump Nozzle: Directs the extra fuel into the venturi or directly into the intake
manifold.

When the throttle is quickly opened, the accelerator pump injects a measured amount
of fuel to enrich the mixture temporarily, aiding in smooth acceleration.

 Power Enrichment Circuit (Power Valve)

The power enrichment circuit provides an additional fuel supply during high-load or
wide-open throttle conditions, ensuring the engine receives a richer mixture needed
for maximum power.

Components and Operation:

Power Valve: A vacuum-operated valve that opens under low vacuum (high load)
conditions.
Power Jet: Supplies extra fuel when the power valve is activated.

Under heavy acceleration or load, the vacuum in the intake manifold drops, causing
the power valve to open and deliver more fuel through the power jet, enriching the
mixture for enhanced performance.
 Choke Circuit
The choke circuit enriches the air-fuel mixture during cold starts, helping the engine
to start and run smoothly until it reaches operating temperature.

Components and Operation:

Choke Valve: A butterfly valve located at the carburetor's air intake.
Choke Plate: Restricts airflow, increasing the fuel-to-air ratio.
Automatic or Manual Choke Mechanism: Controls the opening and closing of the
choke valve based on engine temperature or manual input.

When the engine is cold, the choke valve closes partially, reducing the amount of air
entering the carburetor and increasing the fuel content in the mixture. As the engine
warms up, the choke valve gradually opens, allowing more air and returning the
mixture to normal operating conditions.

 Transition Circuit
The transition circuit ensures a smooth transition between the idle circuit and the main
circuit, particularly during light throttle conditions.

Components and Operation:

Transition Ports: Small openings near the throttle plate that supply fuel during the
initial opening of the throttle.
Idle Transfer Slot: A slit in the carburetor bore that allows fuel to flow as the throttle
begins to open.

As the throttle moves from the closed to partially open position, the transition circuit
provides a seamless increase in fuel supply, preventing hesitation or stumbling during
light acceleration.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

The following is a chart of potential carburetor problems and possible remedies. This
chart is intended to be a helpful guide when troubleshooting your carburetor. Each
incident varies in accordance to individual use. Regular inspection of carburetor parts
is recommended.
 PROBLEM POSSIBLE SOLUTION
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed) Examine idle and main mixture adjustment
 Carburetor Leaks screws and O-Rings for cracks and
damage.
 Carburetor out of adjustment Adjust main mixture adjustment screw;
 Engine will not start some models require finger tight
 Engine will not accelerate adjustment
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed)
 Engine will not idle
 Engine lacks power at high speed
 Engine overspeeds
 Engine starves for fuel at high speed
(leans out)
 Carburetor out of adjustment Adjust idle mixture screw
 Engine will not start
 Engine will not accelerate
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed)
 Engine will not idle
 Engine lacks power at high speed
 Idle sped is excessive
 Carburetor out of adjustment Check for bent choke and throttle plates
 Engine will not idle
 Idle speed is excessive
 Engine will not start Adjust control cable or linage, to assure
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed) full choke and carburetor control
 Engine will not idle
 Engine overspeeds
 Idle speed is excessive
 Engine starves for fuel at high speed
(leans out)
 Carburetor out of adjustment Clean carburetor after removing all non-
 Engine will not start metallic parts that are serviceable.
 Engine overspeeds
 Carburetor floods Check inlet needle and seat for condition
 Engine starves for fuel at high speed and proper installation
(leans out)
 Carburtor leaks Check sealing of welch plugs, caps, plugs
 Engine overspeeds and gaskets
 Idle speed is excessive
 Carburetor out of adjustment Adjust governor linkage
 Engine will not idle
 Engine lacks power at high speed
 Carburetor leaks
 Engine overspeeds
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed) Adjust float settings if float type carburetor
 Engine will not idle
 Engine lacks power at high speed
 Carburtor floods
 Engine starves for fuel at high speed
(leans out)
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed)
 Engine will not idle
 Carburetor floods
 Engine will not start Check diaphragm for cracks or distortion
 Engine will not idle and check nylon check ball for function if
 Engine lacks power at high speed available
 Carburetor floods
 Idle speed is excessive
 Engine hunts (at idle or high speed) Check sequence of gaskets and
 Engine lacks power at high speed diaphragms for the particular carburetor
 Carburetor floods being repaired
 Idle speed is excessive
 Engine starves for fuel at high speed
(leans out)
Applications of Carburetors
While largely replaced by fuel injection in modern cars, carburetors are still used in a
variety of applications. Here are some of the main ones:

Small engines: Carburetors are common in small gasoline engines like lawnmowers,
chainsaws, weed whackers, generators, and power tools. Their simpler design makes
them cost-effective for these applications.

Classic cars and motorcycles: Many older cars and motorcycles manufactured
before the widespread adoption of fuel injection in the 1990s still rely on carburetors.

Other motorized equipment: Carburetors can be found in various motorized

equipment like go-karts, snowmobiles, and some small airplanes.

Historical machinery: Restorations of antique cars, motorcycles, and other historical

engines often involve carburetors as they were the original fuel delivery system.
 REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF AUTOMOBILE

INTRODUCTION
The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor.
The history of the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide. It is
estimated that over 100,000 patents created the modern automobile. However, we can
point to the many firsts that occurred along the way. Starting with the first theoretical
plans for a motor vehicle that had been drawn up by both Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac
Newton.
In 1769, the very first self-propelled road vehicle was a military tractor invented by
French engineer and mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot (1725 - 1804). Cugnot used a
steam engine to power his vehicle, built under his instructions at the Paris Arsenal by
mechanic Brezin. It was used by the French Army to haul artillery at a whopping
speed of 2 1/2 mph on only three wheels. The vehicle had to stop every ten to fifteen
minutes to build up steam power. The steam engine and boiler were separate from the
rest of the vehicle and placed in the front (see engraving above). The following year
(1770), Cugnot built a steam-powered tricycle that carried four passengers.
In 1771, Cugnot drove one of his road vehicles into a stone wall, making Cugnot the
first person to get into a motor vehicle accident. This was the beginning of bad luck
for the inventor. After one of Cugnot's patrons died and the other was exiled, the
money for Cugnot's road vehicle experiments ended.
Steam engines powered cars by burning fuel that heated water in a boiler, creating
steam that expanded and pushed pistons that turned the crankshaft, which then turned
the wheels. During the early history of self-propelled vehicles - both road and railroad
vehicles were being developed with steam engines. (Cugnot also designed two steam
locomotives with engines that never worked well.) Steam engines added so much
weight to a vehicle that they proved a poor design for road vehicles; however, steam
engines were very successfully used in locomotives. Historians, who accept that early
steam-powered road vehicles were automobiles, feel that Nicolas Cugnot was the
inventor of the first automobile.
 Old Engraving depicting the 1771 crash of Nicolas Joseph Cugnot's steam-powered
car into a stone wall.

After Cugnot Several Other Inventors Designed Steam-Powered Road Vehicles

 Cugnot's vehicle was improved by Frenchman, Onesiphore Pecqueur, who also
invented the first differential gear.
 In 1789, the first U.S. patent for a steam-powered land vehicle was granted to
Oliver Evans.
 In 1801, Richard Trevithick built a road carriage powered by steam - the first in
Great Britain.
 In Britain, from 1820 to 1840, steam-powered stagecoaches were in regular
service. These were later banned from public roads and Britain's railroad system
developed as a result.
 Steam-driven road tractors (built by Charles Deitz) pulled passenger carriages
around Paris and Bordeaux up to 1850.
 In the United States, numerous steam coaches were built from 1860 to 1880.
Inventors included: Harrison Dyer, Joseph Dixon, Rufus Porter, and William T.
James.
 Amedee Bollee Sr. built advanced steam cars from 1873 to 1883. The "La
Mancelle" built in 1878, had a front-mounted engine, shaft drive to the
differential, chain drive to the rear wheels, steering wheel on a vertical shaft and
driver's seat behind the engine. The boiler was carried behind the passenger
compartment.
 In 1871, Dr. J. W. Carhart, professor of physics at Wisconsin State University,
and the J. I. Case Company built a working steam car that won a 200-mile race.
Early Electric Cars
Steam engines were not the only engines used in early automobiles. Vehicles with
electrical engines were also invented. Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is
uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented the first electric carriage. Electric
cars used rechargeable batteries that powered a small electric motor. The vehicles
were heavy, slow, expensive, and needed to stop for recharging frequently. Both
steam and electric road vehicles were abandoned in favor of gas-powered vehicles.
Electricity found greater success in tramways and streetcars, where a constant supply
of electricity was possible.

The Internal Combustion Engine and Early Gas-Powered Cars

The very first self-powered road vehicles were powered by steam engines and by that
definition Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France built the first automobile in 1769 -
recognized by the British Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Club de France
as being the first. So why do so many history books say that the automobile was
invented by either Gottlieb Daimler or Karl Benz? It is because both Daimler and
Benz invented highly successful and practical gasoline-powered vehicles that ushered
in the age of modern automobiles. Daimler and Benz invented cars that looked and
worked like the cars we use today. However, it is unfair to say that either man
invented "the" automobile.

History of the Internal Combustion Engine - The Heart of the Automobile

An internal combustion engine is any engine that uses the explosive combustion of
fuel to push a piston within a cylinder - the piston's movement turns a crankshaft that
then turns the car wheels via a chain or a drive shaft. The different types of fuel
commonly used for car combustion engines are gasoline (or petrol), diesel, and
kerosene.
A brief outline of the history of the internal combustion engine includes the following
highlights:
 1680 - Dutch physicist, Christian Huygens designed (but never built) an internal
combustion engine that was to be fueled with gunpowder.
 1807 - Francois Isaac de Rivaz of Switzerland invented an internal combustion
engine that used a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. Rivaz designed a car
for his engine - the first internal combustion powered automobile. However, his
was a very unsuccessful design.
 1824 - English engineer, Samuel Brown adapted an old Newcomen steam engine
to burn gas, and he used it to briefly power a vehicle up Shooter's Hill in London.
 1858 - Belgian-born engineer, Jean JosephÉtienne Lenoir invented and patented
(1860) a double-acting, electric spark-ignition internal combustion engine fueled
by coal gas. In 1863, Lenoir attached an improved engine (using petroleum and a
primitive carburetor) to a three-wheeled wagon that managed to complete an
historic fifty-mile road trip. (See image at top)
 1862 - Alphonse Beau de Rochas, a French civil engineer, patented but did not
build a four-stroke engine (French patent #52,593, January 16, 1862).
 1864 - Austrian engineer, Siegfried Marcus, built a one-cylinder engine with a
crude carburetor, and attached his engine to a cart for a rocky 500-foot drive.
Several years later, Marcus designed a vehicle that briefly ran at 10 mph that a
few historians have considered as the forerunner of the modern automobile by
being the world's first gasoline-powered vehicle (however, read conflicting notes
below).
 1873 - George Brayton, an American engineer, developed an unsuccessful two-
stroke kerosene engine (it used two external pumping cylinders). However, it was
considered the first safe and practical oil engine.
 1866 - German engineers, Eugen Langen and Nikolaus August Otto improved on
Lenoir's and de Rochas' designs and invented a more efficient gas engine.
 1876 - Nikolaus August Otto invented and later patented a successful four-stroke
engine, known as the "Otto cycle".
 1876 - The first successful two-stroke engine was invented by Sir Dougald Clerk.
 1883 - French engineer, Edouard Delamare-Debouteville, built a single-cylinder
four-stroke engine that ran on stove gas. It is not certain if he did indeed build a
car, however, Delamare-Debouteville's designs were very advanced for the time -
ahead of both Daimler and Benz in some ways at least on paper.
 1885 - Gottlieb Daimler invented what is often recognized as the prototype of the
modern gas engine - with a vertical cylinder, and with gasoline injected through a
carburetor (patented in 1887). Daimler first built a two-wheeled vehicle the
"Reitwagen" (Riding Carriage) with this engine and a year later built the world's
first four-wheeled motor vehicle.
 1886 - On January 29, Karl Benz received the first patent (DRP No. 37435) for a
gas-fueled car.
 1889 - Daimler built an improved four-stroke engine with mushroom-shaped
valves and two V-slant cylinders.
 1890 - Wilhelm Maybach built the first four-cylinder, four-stroke engine.
Engine design and car design were integral activities, almost all of the engine
designers mentioned above also designed cars, and a few went on to become major
manufacturers of automobiles. All of these inventors and more made notable
improvements in the evolution of the internal combustion vehicles.

The Importance of Nicolaus Otto

One of the most important landmarks in engine design comes from Nicolaus August
Otto who in 1876 invented an effective gas motor engine. Otto built the first practical
four-stroke internal combustion engine called the "Otto Cycle Engine," and as soon as
he had completed his engine, he built it into a motorcycle. Otto's contributions were
very historically significant, it was his four-stoke engine that was universally adopted
for all liquid-fueled automobiles going forward.

The Importance of Karl Benz

In 1885, German mechanical engineer, Karl Benz designed and built the world's first
practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine. On January 29,
1886, Benz received the first patent (DRP No. 37435) for a gas-fueled car. It was a
three-wheeler; Benz built his first four-wheeled car in 1891. Benz & Cie., the
company started by the inventor, became the world's largest manufacturer of
automobiles by 1900. Benz was the first inventor to integrate an internal combustion
engine with a chassis - designing both together.

The Importance of Gottlieb Daimler

In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler (together with his design partner Wilhelm Maybach) took
Otto's internal combustion engine a step further and patented what is generally
recognized as the prototype of the modern gas engine. Daimler's connection to Otto
was a direct one; Daimler worked as technical director of Deutz Gasmotorenfabrik,
which Nikolaus Otto co-owned in 1872. There is some controversy as to who built the
first motorcycle Otto or Daimler.
The 1885 Daimler-Maybach engine was small, lightweight, fast, used a gasoline-
injected carburetor, and had a vertical cylinder. The size, speed, and efficiency of the
engine allowed for a revolution in car design. On March 8, 1886, Daimler took a
stagecoach and adapted it to hold his engine, thereby designing the world's first four-
wheeled automobile. Daimler is considered the first inventor to have invented a
practical internal-combustion engine.
In 1889, Daimler invented a V-slanted two cylinder, four-stroke engine with
mushroom-shaped valves. Just like Otto's 1876 engine, Daimler's new engine set the
basis for all car engines going forward. Also in 1889, Daimler and Maybach built
their first automobile from the ground up, they did not adapt another purpose vehicle
as they had always been done previously. The new Daimler automobile had a four-
speed transmission and obtained speeds of 10 mph.
Daimler founded the Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft in 1890 to manufacture his
designs. Eleven years later, Wilhelm Maybach designed the Mercedes automobile.
If Siegfried Marcus built his second car in 1875 and it was as claimed, it would
have been the first vehicle powered by a four-cycle engine and the first to use
gasoline as a fuel, the first having a carburetor for a gasoline engine and the first
having a magneto ignition. However, the only existing evidence indicates that the
vehicle was built circa 1888/89 - too late to be first.

THE ASSEMBLY LINE

1891 Panhard-Levassor vehicle with front engine1891 Panhard-Levassor vehicle

with front engine
By the early 1900s, gasoline cars started to outsell all other types of motor vehicles.
The market was growing for economical automobiles and the need for industrial
production was pressing.
The first car manufacturers in the world were French: Panhard & Levassor (1889) and
Peugeot (1891). By car manufacturer we mean builders of entire motor vehicles for
sale and not just engine inventors who experimented with car design to test their
engines - Daimler and Benz began as the latter before becoming full car
manufacturers and made their early money by licensing their patents and selling their
engines to car manufacturers.

Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor

Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor were partners in a woodworking machinery
business, when they decided to become car manufacturers. They built their first car in
1890 using a Daimler engine. Edouard Sarazin, who held the license rights to the
Daimler patent for France, commissioned the team. (Licensing a patent means that
you pay a fee and then you have the right to build and use someone's invention for
profit - in this case Sarazin had the right to build and sell Daimler engines in France.)
The partners not only manufactured cars, they made improvements to the automotive
body design.
Panhard-Levassor made vehicles with a pedal-operated clutch, a chain transmission
leading to a change-speed gearbox, and a front radiator. Levassor was the first
designer to move the engine to the front of the car and use a rear-wheel drive layout.
This design was known as the Systeme Panhard and quickly became the standard for
all cars because it gave a better balance and improved steering. Panhard and Levassor
are also credited with the invention of the modern transmission - installed in their
1895 Panhard.
Panhard and Levassor also shared the licensing rights to Daimler motors with Armand
Peugot. A Peugot car went on to win the first car race held in France, which gained
Peugot publicity and boosted car sales. Ironically, the "Paris to Marseille" race of
1897 resulted in a fatal auto accident, killing Emile Levassor.
Early on, French manufacturers did not standardize car models - each car was
different from the other. The first standardized car was the 1894, Benz Velo. One
hundred and thirty four identical Velos were manufactured in 1895.

Charles and Frank Duryea

America's first gasoline-powered commercial car manufacturers were Charles and
Frank Duryea. The brothers were bicycle makers who became interested in gasoline
engines and automobiles and built their first motor vehicle in 1893, in Springfield,
Massachusetts. By 1896, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company had sold thirteen
models of the Duryea, an expensive limousine, which remained in production into the
1920s.

Ransome Eli Olds

The first automobile to be mass produced in the United States was the 1901, Curved
Dash Oldsmobile, built by the American car manufacturer Ransome Eli Olds (1864-
1950). Olds invented the basic concept of the assembly line and started the Detroit
area automobile industry. He first began making steam and gasoline engines with his
father, Pliny Fisk Olds, in Lansing, Michigan in 1885. Olds designed his first steam-
powered car in 1887. In 1899, with a growing experience of gasoline engines, Olds
moved to Detroit to start the Olds Motor Works, and produce low-priced cars. He
produced 425 "Curved Dash Olds" in 1901, and was America's leading auto
manufacturer from 1901 to 1904.

Henry Ford
American car manufacturer, Henry Ford (1863-1947) invented an improved assembly
line and installed the first conveyor belt-based assembly line in his car factory in
Ford's Highland Park, Michigan plant, around 1913-14. The assembly line reduced
production costs for cars by reducing assembly time. Ford's famous Model T was
assembled in ninety-three minutes. Ford made his first car, called the "Quadricycle,"
in June, 1896. However, success came after he formed the Ford Motor Company in
1903. This was the third car manufacturing company formed to produce the cars he
designed. He introduced the Model T in 1908 and it was a success. After installing the
moving assembly lines in his factory in 1913, Ford became the world's biggest car
manufacturer. By 1927, 15 million Model Ts had been manufactured.
Another victory won by Henry Ford was patent battle with George B. Selden. Selden,
who had never built an automobile, held a patent on a "road engine", on that basis
Selden was paid royalties by all American car manufacturers. Ford overturned
Selden's patent and opened the American car market for the building of inexpensive
cars.

THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE

THE EARLY YEARS, ELECTRIC CARS FROM 1830 TO 1930

An electric vehicle or EV, by definition will use an electric motor for propulsion
rather than being powered by a gasoline-powered motor. Besides the electric car:
bikes, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, and trains have all been powered by electricity.

Beginnings
Who invented the very first EV is uncertain and several inventors have been given
credit. In 1828, Hungarian, Ányos Jedlik invented a small-scale model car powered
by an electric motor that he designed. Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is
uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented a crude electric-powered carriage.
In 1835, another small-scale electric car was designed by Professor Stratingh of
Groningen, Holland, and built by his assistant Christopher Becker. In 1835, Thomas
Davenport, a blacksmith from Brandon, Vermont, built a small-scale electric car.
Davenport was also the inventor of the first of the first American-built DC electric
motor.

Better Batteries
More practical and more successful electric road vehicles were invented by both
Thomas Davenport and Scotsmen Robert Davidson around 1842. Both inventors were
the first to use the newly invented but non-rechargeable electric cells or batteries.
Frenchmen Gaston Plante invented a better storage battery in 1865 and his fellow
countrymen Camille Faure further improved the storage battery in 1881. Better
capacity storage batteries were needed for electric vehicles to become practical.

American Designs
In the late 1800s, France and Great Britain were the first nations to support the
widespread development of electric vehicles. In 1899, a Belgian built electric racing
car called "La Jamais Contente" set a world record for land speed - 68 mph - designed
by Camille Jénatzy.
It was not until 1895 that Americans began to devote attention to electric vehicles
after an electric tricycle was built by A. L. Ryker and William Morrison built a six-
passenger wagon both in 1891. Many innovations followed and interest in motor
vehicles increased greatly in the late 1890s and early 1900s. In fact, William
Morrison's design with a capacity for passenger is often considered the first real and
practical EV.
In 1897, the first commercial EV application was established as a fleet of New York
City taxis built by the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia.

Increased Popularity
By the turn of the century, America was prosperous and cars, now available in steam,
electric, or gasoline versions, were becoming more popular. The years 1899 and 1900
were the high point of electric cars in America, as they outsold all other types of cars.
One example was the 1902 Phaeton built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of
Chicago, which had a range of 18 miles, a top speed of 14 mph and cost $2,000. Later
in 1916, Woods invented a hybrid car that had both an internal combustion engine and
an electric motor.
Electric vehicles had many advantages over their competitors in the early 1900s. They
did not have the vibration, smell, and noise associated with gasoline cars. Changing
gears on gasoline cars was the most difficult part of driving, while electric vehicles
did not require gear changes. While steam-powered cars also had no gear shifting,
they suffered from long start-up times of up to 45 minutes on cold mornings. The
steam cars had less range before needing water than an electric's range on a single
charge. The only good roads of the period were in town, causing most travel to be
local commuting, a perfect situation for electric vehicles, since their range was limited.
The electric vehicle was the preferred choice of many because it did not require the
manual effort to start, as with the hand crank on gasoline vehicles, and there was no
wrestling with a gear shifter.
While basic electric cars cost under $1,000, most early electric vehicles were ornate,
massive carriages designed for the upper class. They had fancy interiors, with
expensive materials, and averaged $3,000 by 1910. Electric vehicles enjoyed success
into the 1920s with production

DECLINE AND RISE OF ELECTRIC CARS FROM 1930 TO 1990

Decline of the Electric Vehicle
For the following reasons the electric car declined in popularity. It was several
decades before there was a renewed interest.
 By the 1920s, America had a better system of roads that now connected cities,
bringing with it the need for longer-range vehicles.
 The discovery of Texas crude oil reduced the price of gasoline so that it was
affordable to the average consumer.
 The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1912 eliminated the
need for the hand crank.
 The initiation of mass production of internal combustion engine vehicles by
Henry Ford made these vehicles widely available and affordable in the $500 to
$1,000 price range. By contrast, the price of the less efficiently produced electric
vehicles continued to rise. In 1912, an electric roadster sold for $1,750, while a
gasoline car sold for $650.
Electric vehicles had all but disappeared by 1935. The years following until the 1960s
were dead years for electric vehicle development and for their use as personal
transportation.

The Return
The 60s and 70s saw a need for alternative-fueled vehicles to reduce the problems of
exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines and to reduce the dependency on
imported foreign crude oil. Many attempts to produce practical electric vehicles
occurred during the years from 1960 and beyond.

Battronic Truck Company

In the early 60s, the Boyertown Auto Body Works jointly formed the Battronic Truck
Company with Smith Delivery Vehicles, Ltd., of England and the Exide Division of
the Electric Battery Company. The first Battronic electric truck was delivered to the
Potomac Edison Company in 1964. This truck was capable of speeds of 25 mph, a
range of 62 miles and a payload of 2,500 pounds.
Battronic worked with General Electric from 1973 to 1983 to produce 175 utility vans
for use in the utility industry and to demonstrate the capabilities of battery-powered
vehicles. Battronic also developed and produced about 20 passenger buses in the mid
1970s.

CitiCars & Elcar

Two companies were leaders in electric car production during this time. Sebring-
Vanguard produced over 2,000 "CitiCars." These cars had a top speed of 44 mph, a
normal cruise speed of 38 mph and a range of 50 to 60 miles.
The other company was Elcar Corporation, which produced the "Elcar". The Elcar
had a top speed of 45 mph, a range of 60 miles and cost between $4,000 and $4,500.

United States Postal Service

In 1975, the United States Postal Service purchased 350 electric delivery jeeps from
the American Motor Company to be used in a test program. These jeeps had a top
speed of 50 mph and a range of 40 miles at a speed of 40 mph. Heating and defrosting
were accomplished with a gas heater and the recharge time was 10 hours.
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