Brake horsepower is a term that is commonly used in the world of automobiles and machinery. It is an important concept that helps us understand the power output of an engine or motor. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of brake horsepower, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and the root words that make up this term.
Definitions
Brake horsepower is defined as the power output of an engine or motor, measured at the output shaft without any power losses due to friction or other factors. It is the amount of power that an engine or motor can produce in order to perform work. It is typically measured in units of horsepower (hp) or kilowatts (kW).
Origin
The term “brake horsepower” was first used in the 19th century, when steam engines were the primary source of power for machinery. The term “brake” referred to a device that was used to apply a load to the engine, in order to measure its power output. The term “horsepower” was coined by James Watt, a Scottish inventor who developed the steam engine in the late 18th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, brake horsepower is defined as “the power output of an engine or motor, measured at the output shaft without any power losses due to friction or other factors.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the horsepower of an engine or motor as measured by a brake dynamometer.”
Associations
Brake horsepower is often associated with the performance of automobiles, boats, and other vehicles. It is also used in the design and development of industrial machinery, such as pumps, compressors, and generators. In addition, brake horsepower is used in the field of renewable energy, to measure the power output of wind turbines and solar panels.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of brake horsepower include:
- Shaft horsepower.
- Flywheel horsepower.
- Gross horsepower.
- Net horsepower.
- Brake mean effective pressure (BMEP).
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of brake horsepower, but it is sometimes compared to other measures of power output, such as:
- Indicated horsepower (the power output of an engine as measured by the pressure inside the cylinders).
- Electrical horsepower (the power output of an electric motor).
- Thermal horsepower (the power output of a steam engine).
The same root words
The term “brake horsepower” is made up of two root words:
- Brake: a device used to slow down or stop a machine or vehicle.
- Horsepower: a unit of power equal to 746 watts, originally defined as the amount of power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second.
Example Sentences
- The new sports car has a maximum output of 500 brake horsepower.
- The generator produces 500 kilowatts of electrical power, which is equivalent to 670 brake horsepower.
- The pump has a motor rated at 100 brake horsepower, which is sufficient to handle the required flow rate.
- The wind turbine has a rated power output of 2 megawatts, which is equivalent to 2,684 brake horsepower.