COMBUSTION AND DESIGN
One sometimes hears talk that suggests that a car is propelled by a series of more or less sudden shocks imparted to the pistons. Whilst the gases burn very quickly, the rate of burning often occupying less than onethousandth of a second, it is never within measurable distance of becoming instantaneous. Were the charge to burn as quickly as many people imagine, nothing could prevent the cylinder from being blown to pieces. For this and other reasons the rate at which cc/nbustion occurs is closely controlled by the design of the cylinder head, the use of special fuels, • and so on. Too high.a "flame rate,".as it. is called, causes rough running or even audible knocking owing to the shocks created by an extremely sudden rise in the pressure of the burning mixture. This is the reason why motorists sometimes find that a cheaper grade of fuel gives smoother running; its low '■flame rate" is more suited to the particular engine than fuel with a high flame rate. Similarly, a change of fuel in the other direction will benefit many engines.
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Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 34
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183COMBUSTION AND DESIGN Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 34
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