The Instrument Panel of a Car

1. Read and translate the text:

A modern car is a complex means of transport. However, it is relatively easy to operate as a number of devices help you to keep control. An instrument panel in a modern car, for example, provides the driver with valuable information. It includes such instruments as a speedometer, a fuel gauge,a tachometer and an ammeter.

The function of the speedometer is to indicate the speed of the car. A speed limit to be adopted for towns and built-up areas is 30 miles per hour or 60 km per hour.

The purpose of the fuel gauge is to indicate the amount of fuel to be contained in the petrol tank. If its level in the tank is very low, the warning lightswitches on in the car. When this happens it is necessary to put some more petrol into the tank.

The tachometer is necessary to indicate the engine speed in revolutions per minute. When the engine turns slowly at the minimum speed the alternator also turns slowly. It doesn't produce enough current for the engine. Therefore, the battery must supply the necessary current. A car battery can easily become discharged in quite a short time. The function of the ammeter is to indicate whether the battery is charging or discharging.

Instrument panels in the cars in the near future will become much more complicated. The common devices will soon be replaced by onboard computer systems, as intelligent vehicles are the field to be researched nowadays. The idea is to create automatic cars on automatic highways. The vehicles to be introduced will move with the minimum supervision on the part of man since they will communicate with one another and with the road sensors on the way. This is necessary in order to reduce the load on drivers and to ease the stress on the road network. The leading engineering companies are using advanced mechatronics to achieve this goal.

2. Fill in the table with the data from the text:

3. Answer the questions:

1. The aim of the instrument panel is to provide the driver with
information, isn't it?

2. Does the instrument panel include such instruments as a multi­
meter and a fuel gauge?

3. Is the speed limit for towns and built-up areas 30 mph or more?

4. What is the function of the fuel gauge?

5. Why does the warning light switch on?

6. What instrument indicates if the battery is charging or discharging?

7. How will the instrument panel change in future? What will cause
the changes?

4. Complete the following sentences:

1. An ... panel provides the ... with valuable information.

2.The ... of the ... is to indicate the amount of the petrol to ... in the petrol tank.

3.An instrument panel in the car ... a speedometer, ..., a fuel gauge and ....

4.The tachometer indicates the ... of the engine in ... per minute.

5.A car ... can easily ... discharged.

6. The function of the ... is to indicate whether the ... is ... or discharging.

7. The idea is ... intelligent ... that will ... the load on drivers and ...the stress on the ....

Практическая работа № 28.

The thermostat

1. Translate the following compound nouns into Russian:

a heat sensor-_____________ a top hose-_____________

liquid pressure-_____________ the coolant temperature-_____________

hot water flow-_____________ a coil spring-_____________

a wax type thermostat-_____________ engine wear-_____________

a temperature-sensitive valve fuel consumption

2. Read the text and say what you have learnt about thermostats:

As the dictionary says, the thermostat is an apparatus that can be set to keep a room, machine, etc., at an even temperature as it connects and disconnects the supply of heat when necessary. In short, the thermostat is used to control the temperature.

As it is known liquids expand when they are heated. This effect is used in the thermostat in the picture. With an increase in the air temperature the liquid expands in the heat sensor. This expansion causes the valve to close in order to reduce the flow of hot water. After a short time, the temperature goes down and consequently the liquid cools and contracts. The spring load is now greater than the liquid pressure, so the valve will open. Once again, the hot water flow is increased. This type of the thermostat is widely spread in various heating systems.

The same principle is used in the wax type thermostat, which is almost universal in modern vehicles. This thermostat is a temperature-sensitive valve that is situated just below the top hose. As the coolant temperature rises, the valve is opened by the expansion of the wax inside it. When the temperature falls, the valve is automatically returned to the closed position by a coil spring. When thermostats of this type fail, it is very important to replace them immediately. It is normally more convenient to fit a new one than to overhaul the old one.

The thermostat is used to prevent the flow of water to the radiator when the coolant temperature is less than about 80°C. Its functions are as follows:

- to allow the engine to become warm quickly. Both engine wear
and fuel consumption are increased if the engine is operating at a low
temperature;

- to prevent the engine from remaining cool under running
conditions.

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3. Say if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements:

1.The thermostat is a device to control the supply of heat.True /false

2.Liquids expand when they are cooled.True /false

3.Wax does not expand when the temperature rises.True /false

4. The valve is opened by the expansion of the wax outside it.True /false

5. When the wax type thermostat fails you should replace it at once.True /false

6. The thermostat prevents the flow of water to the battery when the
coolant temperature is below 80°C.True /false

7. The higher the temperature of engine operation, the more fuel is
consumed.True /false