David R. Lancaster

MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF ENGINE PRESSURE DATA

This paper provides a user oriented description of techniques for the measurement and analysis of engine cylinder pressures. These techniques were developed for piexoelectric transducers and for digital systems of data acquisition and analysis. Test cell procedures are described for transducer preparation and calibration, and for association of each pressure with its appropriate crank angle. Techniques are also described for evaluating the accuracy of pressure data and for eliminating specific errors. Two examples of uses for pressure data are discussed: the calculation of heat release rate in conventional engines, and the computation of internal flows in divided chamber engines. /GMRL/

Cylinder-pressure-based engine control using pressure-ratio-management and low-cost non-intrusive cylinder pressure sensors

Over the last two decades, advanced engine control systems have been developed that use cylinder pressure as the primary feedback variable. Production application has been limited by cost, reliability, and packaging difficulties associated with intrusive cylinder pressure sensors. Now, a low-cost cylinder-pressure-based engine control system has been developed that utilizes Pressure-Ratio Management (PRM) and non-intrusive cylinder pressure sensors mounted in the spark plug boss of four-valve-per-cylinder engines. The system adaptively optimizes individual-cylinder spark timing and air-fuel ratio, and overall exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for best fuel economy and lowest emissions over the life of each vehicle. This paper presents the engine control and cylinder pressure sensor systems. Results are presented showing spark timing and EGR control, knock and misfire detection, cylinder-to-cylinder air/fuel balancing, and cold start control.

Effects of Turbulence on Spark-Ignition Engine Combustion

The effects of mixture turbulence on combustion in a spark- ignition engine were investigated using a CFR engine. The apparent instantaneous turbulent flame speed during combustion was calculated from a combustion head release model that used measured cylinder pressures and assumed spherical flame propagation. This flame speed was correlated with turbulent intensities measured in the motored engine. The ratio of fully developed turbulent flame speed to laminar flame speed was found to be a linear function of motored turbulent intensity. /GMRL/