Accelerator
Accelerator turns up in 2 fields: concrete, automotive. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Accelerator in concrete
An admixture that speeds up setting and early strength gain, mostly used in cold weather.
Calcium chloride is the classic accelerator, dosed at up to 2 percent by weight of cement, and it can cut setting time by hours on a cold day. Because chloride corrodes steel, it is barred from prestressed work and tightly limited in reinforced concrete, where non-chloride accelerators based on calcium nitrate and similar salts take its place. Ready-mix plants usually pair it with hot water through the winter.
"Give me hot water and one percent non-chloride accelerator on the slab loads, it's dropping to 28 tonight."
Accelerator in automotive
The foot pedal that controls the engine speed and vehicle acceleration.
This driver control dictates the amount of air and fuel entering the engine. In older vehicles, a physical cable connects the pedal directly to the throttle body or carburetor. In newer vehicles, a position sensor sends an electronic signal to the engine control unit, which then commands an electric motor to open the throttle plate.
"The accelerator feels sticky, check if the throttle cable is binding up near the firewall."