- C -

Cunife

A magnetic allow made from copper (Cu) nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe).

Cup Expander

Metal discs formed to fit inside piston cups and to keep the lips of the cups in tight contact with the cylinder walls while the hydraulic system is not pressurized.

Cup Seal

A circular rubber seal with a depressed center section surrounded by a raised sealing lip to form a cup.

Cup Shim

A cup-shaped spring adjuster used to reduce valve-spring bounce at high engine rpm.

Cup Wheel

A wheel shaped like a cup or bowl.

Cuppling

The method of connecting two circuits together, Circuits connected with a wire are directly cupled (DC) Circuits connected through a capacitor or transformer are indirectly (AC) coupled

Curb Height

The measurement from the vehicle frame to the road surface.

Curb Weight

A vehicle's weight in ready-to-run condition, with water, coolant, motor oil and other fluids in their places. As opposed to dry weight

Curbside

The right-hand side of a vehicle, that nearest to the curb.

Curing

1. The hardening of a catalyzed compound, such as fiberglass. 2. The drying of paint.

Curing Agent

A class of materials used in brake linings to accelerate the chemical reaction of the binders and other materials

Current

1. At present. (Now). 2. Rate of flow of electrons through a conductor measured in amperes ( when 6.28 x 10 18 electrons pass a single point in one second it is said to represent one ampere of current flow).

Current Collector

Term used to describe the conductive material in a fuel cell that collects electrons.

Current Limiter

One section of a voltage regulator for a DC generator charging system.

Current Ramping

A diagnostic technique used to examine the change in current flow in a circuit over a specific period of time, using an inductive amps probe an a oscilloscope.

Current-carrying Capacity

The current, in amperes, a conductor can carry continuously, under the conditions of use, without exceeding its temperature rating.

Current-draw Test

Starting-system test that determines amperes consumed by the starter motor during operation.

Cursor

[1] An on-screen marker that can be used to align with a waveform to make more accurate measurements [2] A position indicator on a video display to indicate data or a command to be corrected, repositioned, or entered.

Cursor Data

A feature for measuring specific areas of a waveform for voltage, frequency, pulse width dwell, and so on available on many oscilloscopes

Curtain Area

An engineering term that relates to the efficiency of the flow of air and fuel entering the combustion chamber.