Article
Article
Carburetor
Article By:
Anglin, Donald L. Consultant, Automotive and Technical Writing, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Last reviewed:November 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.109400
The device that controls the power output and fuel feed of internal combustion spark-ignition engines generally used for automotive, aircraft, and auxiliary services. Its duties include control of the engine power by the air throttle; metering, delivery, and mixing of fuel in the airstream; and graduating the fuel-air ratio according to engine requirements in starting, idling, and load and altitude changes. The fuel is usually gasoline or similar liquid hydrocarbon compounds, although some engines with a carburetor may also operate on a gaseous fuel such as propane or compressed natural gas. A carburetor may be classified as having either a fixed venturi, in which the diameter of the air opening ahead of the throttle valve remains constant, or a variable venturi, which changes area to meet the changing demand. See also: Automobile; Engine; Fuel system
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