forgassere

Forgassere, also known as carburetors, are mechanical devices used in internal combustion engines to mix air and fuel in the correct proportion for combustion. They were a common component in gasoline engines before the widespread adoption of fuel injection systems. The basic principle of a carburetor involves the Venturi effect. As air is drawn through a narrowed section of the carburetor, its speed increases and its pressure decreases. This lower pressure draws fuel from a fuel bowl through a jet, where it is atomized and mixed with the incoming air.

The amount of air-fuel mixture entering the engine is controlled by a throttle valve, typically operated by the accelerator pedal. Different circuits within the carburetor handle various engine operating conditions, such as idling, acceleration, and high speed. For example, an idle circuit provides a richer mixture at low engine speeds, while a main circuit handles normal cruising. An accelerator pump injects a small amount of extra fuel during acceleration to prevent the engine from stumbling.

While effective, carburetors have several limitations. They are sensitive to altitude and temperature changes, requiring adjustments for optimal performance. They can also be less precise in fuel delivery compared to fuel injection, leading to potentially lower fuel efficiency and higher emissions. Modern vehicles predominantly use electronic fuel injection systems, which offer more precise control, better fuel economy, and reduced emissions. However, carburetors are still found in some older vehicles, small engines like those in lawnmowers and chainsaws, and in some performance applications where their simplicity and mechanical nature are desired.