Machinery and Mechanical Devices

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Word Menu > Science and Technology > Technology > Machinery and Fabrication > Machinery and Mechanical Devices

absorbing dynamometer - device that absorbs and dissipates the power it measures
aeolipile - early steam engine consisting of round vessel rotated by exhaust jets; simple turbine
agitator - apparatus in machine that shakes and stirs objects
air pump - machine that removes, compresses, or forces air into something
alternator - alternating current generator or dynamo
apparatus - complex device or machine that has a specific use
appliance - device for specific purpose; machine for household task, usu. electric
arc lamp - unit that produces light by maintaining arc between two electrodes, esp. carbon rods
assembly - group of machine parts put together to form independent unit
automatic machine - machine that regulates its own operation
automaton - mechanical contrivance that appears to act by its own motive power; robot
auxiliary device - unit that assists or supplements primary device, but is subordinate to it
backhoe - hydraulic excavating tractor with hinged boom operating jawed bucket
backup device - unit that takes over in event primary device fails and performs same task
balance - instrument that opposes objects of known weight and object being weighed on lever supported exactly in middle, in order to measure weight
balance crane - two-armed apparatus in which one arm counters the load on the other
baler - device that compresses and wraps loose material into standardized bundles
ball bearing - low-friction bearing in which moving parts revolve or slide on freely rolling metal balls
ball cock - valve connected to hollow floating ball which rises and falls in tank to open and shut valve, controlling water supply to tank
battery - device that generates electricity by chemical reaction
bearing - machine part in or on which another part revolves or slides
bellows - device that produces stream of air through narrow opening when sides are pressed together
belt - endless, flexible band passing about two or more pulleys, used to transmit motion between pulleys or to convey materials
bevel gear - gear having teeth cut into conical surface, usu. meshing with similar gear set at right angle
blinker - warning light that flashes steadily on and off
block and tackle - combination of fixed and movable pulley blocks with rope or cable, used to hoist large weights
block gauge - hardened steel with ground faces, used to check accuracy of other gauges
blower - device for supplying air at moderate pressure
blowtorch - small torch that produces hot flame from liquid fuel with pressurized air to melt metals
boiler - closed tank in which water is heated and converted to steam in order to power engine or supply heat
brake - device that connects moving part to frame, used to hold parts in position, control direction of motion, or absorb energy; any device that slows or halts motion, esp. by friction
buffer - padding device or cushion used to lessen or absorb shock
burner - part that produces flame or direct heat
business machine - machine for doing office work, such as computer, photocopier, or calculator
butterfly valve - disk-shaped valve on axis at its diameter, used esp. as damper in pipe or choke in carburetor
bypass engine - turbine or jet engine in which compressed air is diverted to join exhaust gases to increase thrust
cableway - cables connecting two towers, used to move skip for transporting materials
cam - rotating wheel or projection on wheel that gives or receives uneven rotation or reciprocating motion to or from another wheel
camber - slight arching, upward curvature or convexity of member, for specific purpose
capstan - rotating drum with cable used to hoist heavy weights
carburetor - device in which air and gasoline spray combine to form explosive mixture in internal combustion engine
carousel - flat machine that revolves
caster - swivel wheel that supports movable weight, esp. heavy furniture
centrifuge - machine that rotates to generate centrifugal force, used to separate particles of varying density or shed moisture
clamp - device with two parts that can be brought together to grip, fasten, or brace something
cogwheel - wheel with toothed rim that meshes with another wheel to transmit or receive motion
combine - machine used to harvest crops
compactor - device that crushes and compresses loose material into compact bundles
compressed air machine - device operated by expansion of air under pressure in enclosed container
compressor - pump that places air or gas under pressure
computer - electronic device that stores information and performs complex calculations very rapidly
contraption - mechanical device
conveyor belt - endless mechanical belt used to transport objects along its path
coupling - linkage between machine shafts
crampon - hooked device used to lift heavy weights
crane - long-armed machine used to lift or lower objects at great height
crank - arm bent at right angle and connected to shaft of machine, used to transmit or transfer circular motion to and from shaft
crankshaft - shaft with cranks that transmits motion
cyclometer - instrument that records revolutions of wheel to measure distance or speed
cylinder - chamber in which piston moves in reciprocating engine
damper - device that reduces shock, vibration, or air flow
deadbolt - lock bolt that closes and opens by turning of knob or key
derrick - hoisting beam with tackle rigged over it
device - mechanical contrivance used for specific purpose
diaphragm - dividing wall or partition between parts, usu. opening and closing to regulate entry or passage
die punch - sheet metal cutter used to make exact duplicates of die shape in heavy machinery; permanent mold
diesel engine - internal combustion engine that uses extremely high temperatures to burn fuel without spark
differential gear - series of gears that permit two or more shafts to rotate at different speeds
differential motion - movement in which speed of driven object equals difference in speeds of its connected parts
dog - mechanical gripping or holding device
dredge - apparatus used to scoop up mud and rocks from bottom of body of water
drill - pointed instrument that makes holes in hard substances
drive belt - endless loop that transmits power in engine
driver - mechanism that imparts motion to another machine or part
dwell - period in cycle of operation in which given machine part remains motionless
dynamo - device that generates electric current by using coiled wire in magnetic field
electric motor - motor that utilizes electric power to run machinery
electromechanical - (adj) designating a device activated electrically, as by a solenoid, and also working mechanically
elevator - platform or cage suspended on motor-operated cables to hoist or lower objects
engine - machine or device that uses fuel or energy to develop mechanical power, often to transmit motion to another machine
epicyclic train - series of gears or pulleys in which one or more axes revolve around central axis of sun gear
extractor - rotating device that draws off water by centrifugal force
floodgate - gate designed to control and regulate flow of water
fluid coupling - mechanism in which fluid, usu. oil, transmits torque from one shaft to another
flywheel - heavy, notched wheel used to regulate machine’s speed and uniformity of motion
four-stroke engine - internal combustion engine with power stroke occurring once every four piston strokes
fulcrum - support point on which lever turns
funicular - device, esp. carriage, worked by overhead cable from which it hangs
gantry - frame on wheels that spans a distance, esp. used to carry cranes
gauge - device used to measure dimensions or test degrees
gear - device that transmits motion and power by contact between toothed wheels
generator - machine that creates electrical power
Geneva wheel - indexing device that provides period of motionlessness during operating cycle of machine
gimmick - ingenious mechanical device
gin - machine used to hoist heavy objects
gizmo - Informal. device or gadget
go-devil - flexible, jointed implement used to free pipes of obstruction
governor - device for maintaining uniform speed of engine, as by regulating fuel supply
gyroscope - wheel mounted in set of rings so that axis of rotation is free to turn in any direction
harrow - toothed device used to pulverize materials
helical gear - gear with teeth set at oblique angle to rotation of wheel
hoist - device that lifts objects
hopper - storage tank with discharge chute
hydraulic engine - engine powered by liquid, esp. by pressure created when liquid is forced through an aperture
hydrostat - instrument used to detect presence or monitor level of water
hypoid gear - bevel gear designed to mesh with similar gear, with axes at right angle
idle gear - gear placed between driving and driven gear to transmit motion between them
idle wheel - wheel gear for transmitting motion between driving part and driven part
impeller - rotating part of centrifugal pump
implement - tool or other device required to perform given task
inclined plane - simple machine: flat surface at angle to level ground
induction motor - electric motor in which rotation is induced by interaction of magnetic fields
internal combustion engine - fuel-burning reciprocating or rotary engine in which fuel/air mixture is converted into power in enclosed cylinder
jack - support, brace; ratchet device used to lift heavy weight
jet engine - engine that generates reaction force when compressed outside air and hot exhaust gases are forced through nozzle
laser beam - cutting or welding tool that uses highly concentrated beam of light made up of particles in excited energy state
lathe - machine that supports rotating object worked on by stationary cutting, boring, or drilling tool
lever - simple machine: rigid bar that transmits or modifies lifting force applied at one point and is supported by fulcrum at a fixed point
linkage - arrangement and coupling of simple machine elements into compound machines
loom - frame for weaving horizontal and vertical elements
machine - any device or instrument composed of interrelated functioning parts that aids in performing work by transmitting or modifying force or motion
machinery - working parts of a machine; assemblage of mechanical devices or machines
machine tool - heavy-duty power tool used to shape metal machine parts or wood, as on a lathe
mainspring - principal spring in mechanism
mechanical advantage - ratio of resistance or load to applied force of machine
mechanical device - anything produced or operated by machinery or a mechanism, esp. used to produce, transmit, receive, or alter motion
mechanism - any device for performing work or transmitting motion; piece of machinery; assembly of moving parts performing one function within larger machine
mill - device or machine used to cut, grind, mix, shape, or process
mole - powerful boring machine used in construction of tunnels through earth and rock
motor - small engine; electric-driven machine that powers a mechanical device
muffler - device that reduces noise
needle valve - valve in which opening is controlled by fine point that fits into conical seat
nuclear reactor - device that releases energy from nuclear reaction in controlled form, used for large-scale energy production
pallet - platform used to move and store goods
parbuckle - doubled rope with middle secured at specific height and ends passed around cylindrical object that is to be raised or lowered
pawl - device with hinged tongue whose tip engages notches of cogwheel or ratchet to allow one-directional rotation
pendulum - weight suspended from fixed point so as to swing freely back and forth due to gravity and momentum
permanent mold - die punch
pile driver - machine with heavy drop hammer used to sink large timbers into ground
pilot - device that guides action of machine or part
pilot valve - valve that controls action of another valve
plasma arc torch - machine that uses very hot gas to cut metal
plow - device used to cut up, turn, and lift soil
plug - electrical connection that fits into jack; device that closes off flow of liquid or gas
pneumatic engine - engine powered by compressed air
poppet - rising and falling valve consisting of disk on stem
power tool - usu. electric device used to perform specific mechanical task
power train - sequence of gears and shafting that transmits power from engine to driven mechanism
press - device that uses pressure to form or manufacture
pulley - simple machine: small wheel with rope or chain in grooved rim around its circumference, used to increase applied force, lift, or change direction of object at end of rope or chain
pump - device that draws or moves liquids
rack and pinion - large-toothed bar, or rack, that meshes with small gear, or pinion, to receive or transmit motion
ratchet - device that converts continuous motion into intermittent motion, esp. toothed wheel on handle that imparts one-directional motion to tool
reciprocating engine - engine in which back-and-forth movement of pistons causes rotary motion of crankshaft, either two-stroke or four-stroke
reduction gear - combination of gears that reduces input speed to lower output speed
retort - container with long tube used to distill substances
robot - automaton
rolamite - flexible, S-shaped metal loop in which two rollers are suspended with loop fastened to two parallel guide rails
roller - rotating cylinder used to press or shape some object
rotary engine - engine in which rotary motion is produced directly by triangular rotor, not as reciprocating motion from pistons
rotor - any mechanism that rotates, esp. in motor or dynamo
sander - machine or device that smoothes and polishes with sandpaper or abrasive material
scale - balance or other device used to determine weight
scope - instrument used to observe
scraper - device that smoothes or cleans surfaces
screw - simple machine: inclined plane turned around a cylinder
screw conveyor - device for moving loose material, consisting of shaft with broad, helically wound blade rotating in tube or trough; worm
self-regulating machine - automated machine in which feedback input determines changes in future output
semaphore - apparatus that conveys information by means of visual signals
servomechanism - automatic control system that compares input and output to regulate differential
shunt - electrical switch or diverter
simple machine - basic mechanical device, such as inclined plane, lever, pulley, screw, wedge, or wheel and axle
siphon - tube bent into legs of unequal length with shorter leg placed in upper of two containers to draw liquid through and down into lower container by atmospheric pressure
skidway - usu. inclined platform or path for sliding heavy objects, esp. logs or planks
skip - basket or bucket, usu. suspended from crane or cables, used to transport materials
solar cell - photovoltaic cell used to convert radiant energy of sunlight into electric power
sonar - device that transmits sound waves through water and registers reflected vibrations
spigot - stopper plug, often with valve to regulate flow
spring - elastic contrivance, esp. coiled length of wire, that regains its shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched, used to impart force
spring-loaded - (adj) designating machine part held in specific position by spring
sprinkler - device that disperses drops of liquid over wide area
spur gear - gear having teeth cut on rim parallel to its axis of rotation
stator - part of machine that remains fixed with respect to its rotating parts
steam engine - engine that derives its power from steam under pressure in a cylinder
steam shovel - excavating machine with bucket on arm, operated by boiler-driven engine
stopcock - plug, spigot, or valve that controls fluid flow
subassembly - structural or functional group of machine parts that forms part of larger assembly
sun gear - central gear around whose axis other gears in epicyclic train revolve
switch - device used to open, close, or divert, esp. electric current
synchronous motor - electric motor whose speed is proportional to frequency of current driving it
tachometer - instrument that measures rate of rotation
theodolite - surveying instrument used to measure vertical and horizontal angles
thermometer - device that registers temperature
thermosiphon - series of siphon tubes that circulate water in heating unit by convection
thermostat - instrument that regulates temperature
tool - instrument, esp. handheld, that works, shapes, cuts, or joins
transformer - device that converts one form of electricity into another
treadle - lever or pedal that turns wheel
triple-expansion - (adj) designating power source using same fluid to do work at three successive stages of expansion
truckle - small wheel or pulley
turbine - engine with curved blades or vanes on spindle that rotates to convert energy from fluid entering enclosed casing into rotary motion
two-stroke engine - internal combustion engine having compression and power stages only, with power stroke occurring once every two piston strokes
universal joint - flexible connection used to transmit rotary motion from one shaft to another shaft not in line with it
vacuum - enclosed space out of which nearly all air or gas has been pumped
vacuum pump - pump used to draw air or gas out of enclosure to form vacuum
valve - device that regulates flow through pipe or tube, esp. one that permits flow in one direction only
vehicle - means of conveyance or transport, sometimes motorized, that moves on wheels, runners, or tracks
ventilator - device that regulates air flow, used to maintain fresh air
venturi - tube with concave sides that controls flow of liquid by producing suction
vernier - small device with secondary, graduated scale, used to make fine adjustments on precision instruments
waterwheel - wheel on shaft moved by weight of water hitting floats or paddles, used to transmit motion
weapon - instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat
wedge - simple machine: two inclined planes joined to form device with pointed end and thicker base
welding torch - device used to fuse metal parts by heat
wheel - solid disk or circular frame connected by spokes to central axis, used to transmit power or motion in machinery
wheel and axle - simple machine: grooved wheel or pulley fixed to shaft or drum, used to increase mechanical advantage or speed
whorl - flywheel on spindle, used to regulate its speed
widget - small mechanical device or gadget, esp. one whose name cannot be recalled
winch - device with crank on handle, used to transmit motion, esp. for hoisting
windlass - rotating drum with cable wound around it, used for hoisting
windmill - mill operated by large oblique vanes that radiate from shaft and rotate by force of wind
wind tunnel - tunnellike chamber through which air is forced to test airplanes and motors
working part - machine, mechanical device, or element thereof that performs some function for a specific purpose, esp. related to motion
worm - screw conveyor
worm gear - mechanism consisting of rotating shaft cut with helical threads that engages with and drives toothed gear whose axis is at right angle to shaft