P RELEASE
Production release pilot.
P.T.O.
Power take-off, used to transmit power from engine
to auxiliary equipment.
PACKAGE
Concept of organization of vehicle including
dimensions.
PACKAGE CAR
A car containing several less-than-car load
shipments.
PACKAGE DRAWING
Guide for use by engineering and design functions
in completion of design of total vehicle.
PACKAGE TRAY
The shelf-like portion of the interior between the
top of the rear seat and the backlight.
PAD
Process Assembly Document
PALLET
A portable platform for holding material for
storage or transportation.
PALLETIZED
Stacked on pallets.
PAN
Those panels which constitute the lower closure of
the floor pan and rear compartment pan.
PANEL BODY
Small, fully enclosed truck body often used for
small package delivery.
PANTOGRAPH
A device located on the top of electric equipment
which collects power from an overhead contact wire by means of a sliding
contact shoe.
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
A circuit in which all control and current
consuming devices are arranged in several independent branches. Each branch provides a separate current path
through the circuit components on this branch only. See series circuit.
PARALLEL HOP
parallel hop
is the form of wheel hop in which a pair of wheels hop in phase.
PARALLEL SPRINGING
Describes the suspension of a vehicle in which the
effective static deflections of two ends are equal; that is, the spring center
passes through the center of gravity of the spring mass.
PARTIAL IMPACT
An impact in which motion is continuous between the
parts of colliding objects which are in contact with each other;
sideswipe. Compare with full impact.
PARTICIPATING CARRIER (tariff)
A railroad which is a party, under concurrence, to
a tariff issued by another railroad or by a tariff publishing agent.
PASSENGER
Any Person in or on a vehicle involved in an
accident other than the driver.
PASSENGER CAR
Any motor vehicle that is 1.) a convertible, 2.) a 2-door sedan, 3.) a 4-door sedan or hard top, 4.)a 3 or 5 door hatchback coupe, 5.) an automobile with a pick-up body, or
6.) a station wagon.
PASSIVE RESTRAINT
An occupant restraint system that does not require
any action on the part of the user for its activation or use.
PATTERN
Model for making a mold in casting.
PAVEMENT
That part of a roadway having a constructed surface
for the facilitation of vehicular traffic.
PAVEMENT GROOVING
Channels cut into the surface of a pavement for the
purpose of drainage. Usually placed in
curves and aligned in the direction of travel.
PAWL (wheel brake)
A pivoted bar adapted to fall into the notches of
teeth of a wheel as it rotates in one direction, and to restrain it from
backward motion. See ratchet and brake
ratchet.
PCI DATE
Date of issuance of "Product Change
Information" or "Release".
PCN
(Program Change Notification) A form that provides
notice and a series of instruction for a product change. (Chrysler internal)
PCP
(Program Chassis Package) A "Concept"
package which includes Basic Engineering Product Assumptions, Serviceability
Objectives (including Seating), Instrument Panel, Controls, Heater, Air
Conditioning, Ventilation, Safety Restriction, etc.
PCR
Product Change Request
PEAK DECELERATION
The maximum value of the passenger compartment
deceleration in a crash. This is
normally some 20% to 50% greater than the mean deceleration. This can also be important in assessing
crash severity, particularly for restrained occupants.
PEAK LINE
An intersection of two planes, or a sharply defined
ridge in a metal surface.
PEAK-TO-PEAK AMPLITUDE
Peak-to-peak amplitude of displacement at a point
in a vibrating system is the sum of the extreme values of displacement in both
directions from the equilibrium position.
PEDALCYCLE
A vehicle operated solely by pedals, and propelled
by human power.
PEDESTRIAN
Any person afoot; any person not in or upon a motor
vehicle or other road vehicle.
PEDESTRIAN IMPACT KINEMATICS
The motion of the pedestrian resulting from impact.
PERCENT DEFLECTION
The static deflection expressed as a percentage of
the unloaded section height above the top of the rim flange.
PERCEPTION
The general process of detecting some object or
situation and comprehending its significance.
PERCEPTION DELAY
A time from the point of possible perception to
actual perception.
PERFORMANCE
The agree to which reaction corresponds to a
decision relating to evasive tactics or driving strategy; how well the decision
is executed. Performance is not
necessarily the success of reaction, because an excellent performance of a bad
decision may have an unfortunate result.
PERIOD
Period of an oscillation is the smallest increment
of time in which one complete sequence of variation in displacement occurs.
Periodic Maintenance
One of three configurable Periodic Maintenance parameters. ( Detroit )
PERIODIC VIBRATION
Periodic vibration exits in a system when recurring
cycles take place in equal time intervals.
PERISHABLE
Commodities easily spoiled or damaged because of
weather or delay in transit. Usually
describing food stuffs.
PERSPECTIVE GRID
A parallelogram (usually square or rectangle) of
known size placed on a flat surface so as to appear in a photograph as a basis
for locating marks or points which also show in the photograph of the surface.
PERT
Programmed Evaluation Review Technique
PF
(Performance Standard) Specification of
performance of a mechanical, electrical
or other operating unit installed in a vehicle. (Chrysler derived)
PGM
Poly-Gel Mitigator
PHOTOGRAMMETRY
The use of photographs for map making.
Pi
Constant used in solving properties of a circle ( =
3.1416).
PIGGY BACK
The transportation of truck trailer and containers
on railroad flat-cars.
PILLAR
A vehicle roof support structure. The pillars between the windshield and the
front seat side windows are the A pillars, those between the front and rear
seats are the B pillars, and those at the back of the rear seats are the C
pillars. There are left and right A, B,
and C. The roof support structure at
the back of a station wagon is the D pillar.
PILOT
An employee assigned to a train when the engine man
or driver of a track car is not qualified on the physical characteristics or
rules of the railroad.
PILOT PROGRAM
Initial program for tryout of new tooling and
fixtures, engineering procedures, etc., plus the building of advance program
bodies for show and engineering test, etc.
PINCH WELD
DLO
Window opening in the body formed by the raw edges
of a pinch-weld.
PINK REPORT
A listing of all product problems accepted by Car
Engineering for funding and timing.
PINTLE HOOK
Coupling device at rear of truck for the purpose of
towing trailers.
PISTON
A device that moves up and down in the engine
cylinder and provides power to the crankshaft.
PITCH
Rotation of a body about its lateral axis.
PITCH VELOCITY (q)
The angular
velocity about the y-axis.
PITCHING MOMENT COEFFICIENT
(C M y) is
based on the yawing moment deriving from the distribution of aerodynamic forces
acting on the vehicle.
PITMAN ARM
The pit men arm of a steering system is a rod
connected to the output shaft of the steering gearbox As the pitman arm rotates through an arc, the end of the pitman
arm, which is connected to the steering linkage, causes the steering linkage to
move to the right or left.
PIVOT PIN (coupler)
Another name for the knuckle pin. It is so called from the fact that the
knuckle, when opening, swings about the pin as a pivot. See coupler.
PK SETUP
Checking the fit-up of detail parts by assembling a
complete body-in-white with screws or rivets.
PLACARD
Paper forms of various designs used to identify
cars or trailers requiring special attention; eg. Hazardous cargos.
PLAN VIEW
A view looking down on the subject.
PLANETARY DRIVE
Gear reduction system with sun gear transmitting
reduction through planetary gears to main output shaft.
PLATEAU
a surface extending above the normal sheet metal.
PLATFORM BODY
Truck or trailer body with a floor, but no sides or
roof.
PLENUM CHAMBER
Ventilating duct in the front end of the body
through which air flows from the outside to the inside of the body.
PLENUM-MOUNTED STEERING COLUMN
A steering column which is required for the
driver's ACRS. This column is mounted entirely on the center duct reinforcement
so as to be isolated from rearward movement of the dash panel (fire wall).
PLP's
Principal locating points for assembly fixtures.
PLUG DOOR
A door on refrigerator or box cars which is flush
with side of car when closed. To open,
it is swung out and rolled to one side.
Also called sliding flush door.
PLUMBING
The pipes, hoses, fixtures and other apparatus
concerned in the distribution and use of compressed air in the vehicle's brake
system.
PLY
A ply is a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords in
a tire.
PLY RATING
The term ply rating is used to identify a given
tire with its maximum recommended load when used in a specific type of
service It is an index of strength and
does not necessarily identify the number of cord plies in the tire
PLY SEPARATION
Ply separation is I parting of rubber compound
between adjacent plies of tire
PNEUMATIC TIMING
The time required for transmission of air to or
from brake chambers upon brake actuation or release.
PNEUMATIC TIRE
A pneumatic tire is a mechanical device made of
rubber, chemicals, fabric, and steel or other materials, which, when mounted on
an automotive wheel provides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that
sustains the load
POD
A streamlined compartment to house various
mechanical implements; e.g., lights, dials, gauges, etc. It is usually round or
elliptical.
POINT OF ACTUAL PERCEPTION
The point of actual perception is the point at
which an object actually was detected and recognized as a potential hazard.
POINT OF NO ESCAPE
The place in time after or beyond which the
accident cannot be prevented by a particular traffic unit.
POINT OF ORIGIN
The terminal as which a shipment is received by a
transportation line from the shipper.
POINT OF POSSIBLE PERCEPTION UNDER EXISTING
CONDITIONS
The point of possible perception under existing
conditions is the point at which it would have been possible to detect an
object under the conditions of weather, light, roadway, etc. , existing at the
time the incident actually occurred
POINT OF POSSIBLE PERCEPTION UNDER NORMAL
CONDITIONS
The point of possible perception under normal
conditions is the point at which it would have been possible to detect an
object in the absence of any unfavorable conditions of weathers light, roadway,
etc.
POINT OF TANGENCY
The point on a curve where the tangent touches it;
PT; on a roadway, usually the point where a curve begins or ends.
POINTS
Exact locations on a model, usually derived from a
blueprint or from the model itself to duplicate the opposite side of the model.
POLARITY
Indicating positive or negative electrical system;
positive polarity indicates positive ground and vice-versa.
POLE TRAILER
Trailer composed of a single telescopic pole, a
tandem rear-wheel unit, and a coupling device used to join the trailer to a
tractor. Pole trailers are used to
transport logs or similar items, when chained together becomes a rigid unit
thereby serves as its own trailer body.
Pole trailers are adjustable in length,
POOL CAR
Specially equipped cars of different ownerships
assigned to a specific company or location.
PORK CHOP
An extension of the instrument panel shape on the
door, usually an integral part of the door garnish molding.
PORT OF ENTRY
A port at which foreign goods are admitted into the
receiving country.
PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE
A concrete made with Portland cement.
PORTS
Apertures in engine block for the passage of gas or
liquid.
POSITION CONTROL
That mode of vehicle control wherein inputs or
restraints are placed upon the steering system in the form of displacements at
some control point in the steering system (front wheels, Pitman arm, steering
wheel), independent of the force required.
POST CRASH
The period of time in a collision sequence from the
point of separation to the occurrence of the last event which significantly
influences the vehicles or occupants of those vehicles. The post crash period will usually extend
beyond the cessation of motion. Fire,
tow out damage to vehicles, aggravation of injuries to occupants due to
inappropriate medical care are examples of post crash events.
POST IMPACT
See post crash
POST-EVENT INFORMATION
Information acquired after the event is over, that
can be integrated into the witness’ original memory for the event.
POST-HOC SIMPLIFICATION
When faced with a seemingly unrelated set of
events, people will reconstruct the situation in such a way as to make the
events be as internally consistent as possible. Then they will remember whatever they need to add, in order to
simplify the situation.
POSTURE ANGLE
Angle between the spine and the upper legs of a
manikin in a sitting position.
POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body
by virtue of its being elevated above a certain datum. It is expressed analytically as. P.E. = Mgh
POWER
Power is the rate of doing work
POWER ASSIST STEERING
Power assist steering comprises the usual elements
of a manual steering system (steering shaft, gearbox, steering linkage) plus, a
hydraulically operated device to multiply the steering shaft torque so that the
forces supplied by the hydraulic unit assist the operator in steering or
turning the vehicle
POWER HOP
An oscillatory hopping motion of a single wheel or
of a pair of wheels which occurs when tractive force is applied in forward or
reverse motion of the vehicle.
Power Interrupt
The total duration of all power interrupts in HH:MM:SS duration format. This is the only time reported without seconds resolution. ( Detroit )
Power Interrupts
Number of times that power to the ProDriver was disrupted Detroit )
Power Interrupts
The engine hours at the start of the most recent power engine hour interrupt. ( Detroit )
POWER STROKE
Phase of the four-stroke cycle when fuel is ignited
and combustion takes place.
POWER TRAIN
The series of parts that transfer the power of the
engine to the wheels. Same as drive
train.
POWERED AXLE
See drive axle, commonly called a live axle.
POWER-LIFT TAIL GATE
A power-operated tail gate capable of lifting load
from street level to the level of the truck or trailer floor.
PPC
Product Planning Committee
PPI
(Pre-Production Part Index) Total number of
characteristics within specification divided by the total number of characteristics
checked. (Chrysler derived)
Ppk
(Preliminary Process Capability Index) is an index
similar to Cpk but based on data from
early, short-term studies of new processes.
PPPI
(Preliminary Process Potential Index) is an index
similar to Cp but based on data from early, short-term studies of new
processes.
PPQR
(Priority Parts Quality Review) Chrysler program to
review product design and manufacturing feasibility to produce a quality
product.
PR/R
(Problem Reporting & Resolution, GP-5) is a
generic process for GM to report and resolve problems between customers and
suppliers.
PRE-CRASH
The period of time in the collision sequence from
the first significant event associated to a cause of the collision to initial
contact A driver's medical history,
mechanical work done on a vehicle, or driver's actions leading up to collision
are examples of pre-crash events
PRE-IMPACT
(See Pre-Crash)
PRELIMINARY
PAR
Advanced working copy of a pilot action request
from a pilot program for action on proposed change.
PRESSURE REGULATOR
(fuel} A bypass valve to regulate the pressure of
the fuel supplied to the injectors. By
passed fuel flows back to the suction side of the gear pump.
PRE-TRIP INSPECTION
See inspection.
PRIMARY CAUSE
A misnomer loosely applied to the most obvious or
easily explained factor in the cause of an accident or the most easily modified
condition factor.
PRIMARY SAMPLING UNIT
A city, county, or group of contiguous cities or
counties with an aggregate population of at least 50,000 which defines a
geographic area for accident investigation.
PSU selection is the first stage in the probability sampling of
accidents for NASS.
PRIMARY SHOES
Primary Shoes are the brake shoes in a drum brake
system which are mounted on the brake plate in the front position Each wheel has a primary (front) shoe and a
secondary (back) shoe
PRINCIPLE DIRECTION OF FORCE
(PDOF) Refers to lines of force during the
collision of vehicles
PRINT
An imprint of liquid or fine dust picked up by a
tire or shoe sole at one place and left at another, usually showing the pattern
of the tire or shoe that made it.
PRIVATE CAR
A car having other than railroad ownership.
PRIVATE SIDING
A side-track owned or leased by an individual or
firm.
PRIVILEGED VEHICLE
In any situation, the vehicle which has the
right-of-way over other vehicles under the law. Also see burdened vehicle.
PRNDL
(Pronounced "prindle") The automatic
transmission indicator dial made up of the initial letters of the words Park,
Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low.
PROBABLE ERROR
Probable error is the investigator's estimate of
error in measurement which might be expected as a result of influences beyond
his control
PRODUCT ACCEPTANCE SPECIFICATIONS
(PAS) These communicate design instruction s and
requirements such as durability and reliability levels, performance factors,
safety considerations, appearance (items not specified by "Styling"),
package, and other appropriate "end-results" information required to
design acceptable systems and components. The manner in which these
requirements are met is not normally specified, but tests which are necessary
to conform that requirements have been met should be defined. PAS are normally
published in two sections: 1. General
PAS (GPAS) which define requirements which are common to several vehicle
lines. 2> PAS Exceptions (PASE),
which define unique and specific requirements for a particular model year
vehicle. Together these two sections
constitute the PAS for a given vehicle program.
PRODUCT OBJECTIVES
A consensus of what has been determined to be the
most marketable product for a given model year; this identifies basic appearance,
performance, cost objectives, etc.
PRODUCT PLANNING
Is the activity having responsibility for, but not
limited to, the identification of product needs and opportunities, the
development of alternatives as required, and the selection of a preferred plan.
Product Planning also secures management approval of recommended products,
monitors implementation, and provides surveillance and controls within
established precepts as the program progresses.
PRODUCT/ENGINEERING LETTERS
These are official communications by which product
direction is transmitted to the various corporate organizations. This direction
delineates additions, deletions and revisions to the rpoduct offering. Approval of these
letters prior to issuance is generally a reciprocal action, with "Vechicle
Engineering" reviewing and concurring in capability with regard to Product
Letter actions and Product Planning providing agreemtn that any effect on
"Product Content" as propsed in Engineering Letters is within the
precepts of the program plan. Sepcial Committees are normally established for
the review and approval of these letters. Issuance conveys to the recipient that all
financial, timing and manpower considerations have been approved to cover the
action directed in this regard, therefore, limitations of action must be
clearly defined and the following is a listing of "work
classifications" which may be elected for Product/Engineering.
LETTERS: 1. "Action
Release" - complete all phases of engineering work up to and including
release for production. 2.
"Investigation through Feasibility" - complete all design development
and testing required to establish cost, design, and manufacturing feasibility.
Prototype tooling is authoorized as required but no realse action is to be
initiated. 3.
""Inveestigation - Paper Study" - complete drawings (new or
marked-up), sketches or text descriptions, compile add and delete lists
together with any additional data required to estimate/evaluate engineering,
production tooling and piece costs. 4.
"Other" - actions not covered by 1., 2., or 3. above e.g.,
installations for management appraisal where prototype tooling is not
authorized, program concellations, etc.
When using this work classification, specific detail of the engineering
work to be performed is to be included in the test letter.
PRODUCTION SAMPLES
Vehicle component parts, produced from production
tools, which are shipped in limited quantities upon request, in support of
prove-out and sign-off requirements mandatory to the authorization of
"volume" shipments for production. (Normally 6 months prior to Job
#1.)
PROFESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION
The effort to determine, from available
information, how the accident happened.
Reconstruction is the fourth level of traffic accident
investigation. It involves studying
results of the accident, considering other circumstances, and applying
scientific principles to form opinions relative to events of the accident which
are otherwise unknown or are a matter of dispute.
PROGRAM CONTENT
A translation of the Product Objectives into basic
Engineering terminology (normally by Vehicle Engineering and Product Planning),
which includes the Vehicle Weight, Cost, Timing, Serviceability and Package Objectives, Body Types (including a
definition of all derivative models to be considered in design) Wheelbases,
Tread, Overall Length and Height Engine/Transmission and Brake Combinations and
Regular Production Options (RPOs).
PROGRAM TIMING
The activity having prime responsibility for, but
not limited to: 1. Establishment and
control of program timing plans. 2.
Coordination of product changes. 3.
Analysis of all vehicle product changes for obsolescence prevention control. 4. Establishment and control of the vehicle
"Pink Report". 5.
Coordination and reporting part complexity counts.
PROGRESSIVE SHIFTING
A process of shifting high torque rise engines that
involves shifting at lower rpm’s at slower speeds, and at progressively higher
rpm’s as the speed of the vehicle increases.
PROHIBITED ARTICLES
Articles of freight which will not be handled.
PRONY BRAKE
Mechanical device used to determine the brake
horsepower of an internal combustion engine.
PROPELLER SHAFT
Driveshaft used to transmit torque from engine or
transmission to rear axle.
PROPORTIONING VALVE
A device (valve) in the braking system used to
balance the braking force between the front and rear brakes
PROVEOUT MODEL
A clay model developed to verify surface drawing
conformation with the appearance of the model originally approved by
management. A record cast subsequently is made in Fiberglass. (See record
model).
PS
(Process Standard) Specification of a production
process to be followed in processing a part of achieve a satisfactory result.
(Chrysler derived)
psi
Pounds per square inch - English unit of pressure.
PSP
(Problem Solving Process) The GM Quality Network's
Problem Solving Process Action Strategy. The process contains four tasks:
Select, Contain, Correct, and Prevent. Described in GP-5.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
A name usually given to a State body having control
of, or regulating public utilities.
PUDDLE
A wet area on the road or roadside where dribble
accumulates after a vehicle has come to rest.
A puddle often marks the final position of a vehicle after an accident.
PULL THE PIN
Release the fifth wheel lock.
Pulse Width
The number of engine revolution degrees that an injector is open to deliver fuel. ( Detroit )
Pump On Distance
The distance traveled by a fire rescue truck which pumps water and moves at the same time. ( Detroit )
Pump On Fuel
The fuel used while operating in the pressure governor mode. ( Detroit )
Pump On Time
The time the engine is running in the pressure governor mode. This mode is active when the engine is used to drive a water pump in a fire truck application. ( Detroit )
PUP
(Slang) A short four-wheel trailer which is pulled
behind a semi-trailer or a straight truck.
PURE PYRO INFLATOR
An ACRS inflator which contains a pyrotechnic gas
generator but not stored gas.
PUSH GUN
single Tip Weld Gun
PUSHER
An extra engine at the rear of a train used to
assist a train in climbing a grade.
PUSHER AXLE
A non-driven (dead) axle installed forward of the
driven axle(s) to increase the permissible gross weight, and consequently the
payload.
PUT ON THE AIR
(Slang)
Apply the brakes.
PUT ON THE IRON
(Slang) Put
on the tire chains.
PVS
Product Verification Specification
PYROMETER
An instrument that registers the temperature of the
exhaust gases.
PYROTECHNIC
An explosive substance to operate, ignite or heat by means of rapid combustion.
References
Detroit Diesel
Caterpillar User's Manual