The spelling of the word "rotor arm" is quite straightforward. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈroʊ.tər ɑːrm/. The first syllable of the word is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by a schwa sound in the second syllable. The second part of the word is pronounced as "arm" with a longer vowel sound in the second syllable. The word refers to the moving part of a rotary engine, and is commonly found in automotive and aviation industries.
A rotor arm is a mechanical component used in the ignition system of internal combustion engines, particularly in older cars. It is responsible for distributing high-voltage electrical current to the spark plugs in the correct firing order, enabling the ignition of the air-fuel mixture inside the engine's cylinders.
Typically made of a non-conductive material such as plastic or phenolic resin, the rotor arm is connected to the central shaft of the distributor, which rotates as the engine runs. This rotational motion allows the rotor arm to transfer the electrical energy from the ignition coil, located on the outside of the distributor, to each spark plug in the engine.
Functioning as a revolving switch, the rotor arm disperses the electrical charge to the appropriate spark plug wire at the precise moment it is required to ignite the fuel mixture in each cylinder. It accomplishes this by passing the current through each contact point on the distributor cap, which is connected to a specific spark plug wire. This sequential and synchronized distribution of electrical energy ensures that the spark plugs fire in the correct order, promoting optimal engine performance and combustion efficiency.
The rotor arm is a vital component of the ignition system, directly contributing to the smooth operation and power delivery of an internal combustion engine, especially in older vehicles that use a distributor-based ignition system.
The word "rotor" comes from the Latin word "rota", meaning "wheel" or "round object". "Arm" is derived from the Old English word "arm", meaning "limb" or "branch".
In the context of "rotor arm", it refers to an essential component found in the distributor of an internal combustion engine. This part consists of an arm-like structure attached to the rotating shaft of the distributor. The distributor is responsible for directing high-voltage electricity to the spark plugs in the correct firing order, hence the name "rotor arm". It rotates and contacts different terminals in the distributor cap, allowing the electricity to reach the spark plugs in the correct sequence.
Therefore, the term "rotor arm" combines the concept of a rotating wheel-like component ("rotor") with the extension-like structure ("arm") that distributes the electrical current.