In mechanical engineering, an eccentric is a wheel that rotates on an axle that is displaced from the focus of the circle described by the wheel; in other words, a mechanical motion that can operate either as a cam or a crank, depending upon what is connected to the wheel. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (959x567, 520 KB) Detail of using Eccentric (mechanism) on old steam locomotive. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (959x567, 520 KB) Detail of using Eccentric (mechanism) on old steam locomotive. ... Mechanical engineers design and build engines and power plants. ... It has been suggested that Wheel and Axle be merged into this article or section. ... An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. ... monkey ... Look up crank in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
On steam locomotives
Eccentrics are seen on steam locomotives and other steam engines where they drive connecting rods that operate valves, usually indirectly through some kind of reversing mechanism. It is also very sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Union Pacific Big Boy #4012 at work on a cold November 29, 1941 A steam locomotive is a locomotive powered by steam. ... // The term steam engine may also refer to an entire railroad steam locomotive. ...
On tandem bicycles
The term is also used to refer to the device often used on tandem bicycles to allow slight repositioning of a bottom bracket in order to properly tension the timing chain. The tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle (occasionally, a tricycle) designed to be powered by more than one person. ... A square-taper cartridge bottom bracket. ...
The eccentricity of this conic section, the orbit's eccentricity, is an important parameter of the orbit that defines its absolute shape.
Eccentricity may be interpreted as a measure of how much this shape deviates from a circle.
Orbital mechanics require that the duration of the seasons be proportional to the area of the Earth's orbit swept between the solstices and equinoxes, so when the orbital eccentricity is extreme, the seasons that occur on the far side of the orbit (aphelion) can be substantially longer in duration.