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Tufted automobile carpet is probably the most challenging interior trim development recently seen in automotive manufacture. Contrasted with conventional weaving of auto carpets, the technique is faster, more flexible, and utilizes surface materials for a “new look on the floor”, not previously available to the car producer. A brief comparison of both types of production, along with a sketch of the growth of tufted carpet to its present position of importance in the industry serve to spotlight the fact that the carpet manufacturer has kept pace with the latest style and manufacturing demands of the auto makers.

This paper discusses the main features bringing about an increasing need for high speed tires. Namely, increased top speeds of cars, increasing tire loads, and improved highway conditions. Items to consider for improving high speed tire performance are discussed. The effect on high speed of tire size, of inflation pressure, of over-loads, and of tire design and construction are reviewed. Data is presented on the design, construction, and performance of new high speed tires. The tires specifically discussed are the Firestone “500” and the Super Sports 170.

BUICK's 1956 twin-turbine Dynaflow transmission incorporates a fixed-blade stator between the two turbine elements. Added to the twin turbine (introduced in 1953) and the variable-pitch stator (introduced in 1955), the author says, this has made an important contribution to reduction in engine rpm, increased low-end performance, and improved efficiency. Stall ratio has been increased from 2.45/1 to 3.5/1, and “getaway” on low-end car performance has improved.

A new drum, developed by The Budd Company, is being used on the higher performing Studebaker models for 1956. The new drum is best described as a flared cross-rib brake drum. The flare results in increased air flow across the drum, and the ribs provide additional surface area. The flared cross-rib drum provides some improvement in cold performance with an appreciable decrease in brake operating temperatures and consequently much better fade resistance. The prolonged operation at a higher rate of energy input that is provided by the flared cross-rib drum can only be accomplished by drum design, and not by additional mass alone.

SINCE its introduction in 1939, during which time over 7,000,000 units have been produced, Hydra-matic has regularly added such improvements as the cone friction reverse to enable rocking, and the dual-range transmission to improve performance and economy. The 1956 model, the authors report, is completely redesigned. The basic engineering concept involved, they explain, is substitution of a small fluid coupling for the multiple-plate clutch in conjunction with the front unit gear set. The new transmission is reputed to retain all of the desirable features of the former Hydra-matic, at the same time offering new driving ease and performance.

END results of development efforts and problems on the new American Motors V-8 engine are discussed here. The problem of constructing an engine that is economical, low in weight, durable, and flexible is approached through redesign of the complete engine.

REVIEW is given of some representative current configurations and propulsion arrangements for VTOL aircraft. Support is urged for a comprehensive development program on VTOL aircraft to cover the spectrum of aircraft flight speeds and promising propulsion arrangements. Special effort and support is needed on ducted-propeller and ducted-fan types, the author says, as these show considerable promise for commercial and military transport use. Development of this type is dependent upon the availability of suitable powerplants. Efforts to reduce the landing and take-off distance requirements of conventional fixed-wing airplanes should continue, he feels, but it should not be accepted as an interim step toward or a substitute for true VTOL aircraft development.

FUNDAMENTAL considerations which govern the power and fuel requirements, maximum speed, safety, and practical utility of types of VTOL aircraft are enumerated and discussed. The most interesting types of VTOL aircraft such as the helicopter are discussed and evaluated in regard to their probable applicability to the various fields of usefulness in view of these fundamental considerations. The question whether vertical take-offs and landings are really necessary is considered. It is recognized that there is an advantage in the power-controlled approaches of VTOL aircraft from small airports under all weather conditions. It is realized that there is research still needed to make the VTOL a more satisfactory aircraft.

An approach to obtaining laboratory single-cylinder engine fuel octane ratings that agree with car road octane ratings is described. The technique is based on attaining, in the single-cylinder engine, a general duplication of the combustion environment which exists in the multicylinder automotive engine. Because it proved suited to this purpose, a special single-cylinder power section mounted on a CFR crankcase was used. The influence of speed on fuel borderline ratings was in substantial agreement with automotive engine results. Results were obtained on a variety of commercial gasolines and special blends representing extreme variations in hydrocarbon composition. Comparative rating work covered a variety of 1947–1952 and 1955 cars; automotive engine compression ratios ranged from 6.5 to 9.0, and ratios of 10, 11, and 12 were obtained with special engines, heads, and pistons.

This paper was presented at the SAE National Aeronautic Meeting, New York, April 12, 1956. STALL of axial-flow-type compressors limits the flexibility of operation of 1- and 2-spool aircraft turbojet engines. Complete compressor stall or surge is a problem with regard to engine acceleration as well as low-and high-Mach-number flight at high altitudes. Deterioration of compressor performance due to low Reynolds numbers at extreme altitudes aggravates the stall problem. Inlet-flow distortions increase the severity of this problem, particularly for supersonic flight. Rotating stall at low values of equivalent rotative speed is a serious source of blade vibrational failure. This latter problem is also aggravated by inlet-flow distortions.

THE disc-servo brake was designed to eliminate brake fade. To overcome limitations of existing brake structures, desirable features of the disc and shoe brakes were combined. The introduction of three friction surfaces, two pads, and a shoe, and the addition of a ball-and-ramp self-energizing mechanism contribute, the author says, to a brake that has greater fade resistance and longer wear of small segments of the brake lining.

THE selection of transmissions for trucks, with particular emphasis on how they affect the performance of the vehicle, is covered in this paper—the L. Ray Buckendale Lecture for 1956. The author also appraises, briefly, the automatic transmission for truck use. He foresees early progress in this direction for short haul, city, and off-highway units, where shifting and clutch problems are most acute. He expects, however, that it will be some time before they are adopted for highway freight vehicles.

HOLES burned in pistons are usually associated with the word preignition. There are, however, other causes for piston burning, such as, detonation and excessive temperatures, and these as well as the fundamental factors causing preignition, are discussed in this paper. The author suggests that spark-plug condition is probably the most important factor involved in preignition. Considering the other causes of piston burning, operation, maintenance, and possibly fuel variations, all become important because each may contribute to conditions conducive to piston burning.

GENERAL techniques used in the weld repair of magnesium aircraft castings by both gas and arc welding methods are described here. Coverage is given to equipment, methods of surface preparation, preheating, welding procedure, post-heat-treatment. Some typical arc weld repair jobs are described and illustrated. Included also are descriptions of weld defects encountered because of poor welding technique. Typical mechanical property data are shown.

THIS paper describes the background, technology, and recognizes the economies concerning a wider range of fuel quality for the railroad diesel locomotive. Comparisons are made between normal railroad fuel and a wider range of fuel in eight one-year tests in three types of locomotive equipment. The test fuels caused increases in engine deposits, wear, and in contamination of filters and lubricating oil. In five of the tests the test fuels did not interfere with locomotive availability. In three tests changes in materials or methods of maintenance were necessary for continuance of operations. It appears that fuels of the types tested can be used without interfering with locomotive ability if proper precautions are taken.

THIS paper describes the development of a truck automatic transmission, from a statement of broad objectives through the growing pains, to road testing of the final product. Emphasis is placed upon original thinking that led to the decision to undertake such a project, compromises that suggested themselves throughout the various stages, and features tried and found wanting as well as those retained. The finished product is described full though not in detail, stress being placed upon interesting and novel design features.