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Flow unsteadiness has been investigated experimentally for two idealised model geometries including the Ahmed form. Several techniques were used including twin hot-wire probes located at different positions in the wake and a frequency domain correction method for pneumatic tubing. Levels of periodicity in the wakes and on the surfaces of the models have been examined using spectral analysis techniques. Unsteadiness was found to originate from movement of the closed separation bubble at the end of the large radii at the front of the models and from vortex shedding when large radius curved rear surfaces are present.

This paper describes a method for calculating the temperature of a semi-infinite heat sink plate of a given thickness, subjected to transient heating by a D2Pak power IC. Accurate prediction of the heat sink temperature over time then allows for more accurate calculation of the IC junction temperature. A set of curves have been developed for the time variation of heat sink plate temperature. This has been achieved by the use of finite element methods, and modeling a large range of configurations. The system variables were put into dimensionless form, and the model results plotted. The resulting plot indicates an effective thermal resistance of a given heat sink plate at a given point in time. A curve fit has also performed on the results. The results of the finite element model have been compared with laboratory data.

The hypocycloid mechanism, in its basic or modified version, can be used in reciprocating machines as an alternative solution to the conventional crankshaft-connecting rod system. This kinematic device is quite old in concept, but still gives rise to some research since it has some positive mechanical features, and it allows several functions to be easily combined. In the hypocycloid mechanism in fact the connecting rod has a perfectly sinusoidal straight-line motion, a characteristic that theoretically reduces the piston side thrust to zero and permits a perfect balance of inertia forces without auxiliary rotating shafts. Moreover, by means of a second head with suitable seals that prevent leakage to the crankcase, the lower portion of the cylinder can be used as a second working chamber without using the crosshead thus reducing the dimensions of the double acting machine.

This paper presents some of the modelling and experimental work being carried out at the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with CMC Research, on their new Scotch yoke engine concept. It begins with an overview of the engine, its compactness and friction advantages. The development of a one dimensional ‘squeeze film’ model is outlined and some simulation results are presented for both a motored and fired engine. A novel feature of the model is the introduction of an ‘un-filled factor’ to account for the dynamics of the oil film volume particular to this type of linear bearing. Experimental results are presented to highlight the important features and serve as a means of validating the model predictions. Comparisons show that the squeeze model correlates reasonably well with the experimental data and it is concluded that the current, flat, bearing design works by a predominantly squeeze film mechanism.

The C-section bumper design has become a de-facto engineering standard for the majority of thermoplastic bumpers on production vehicles. C-section beams can provide satisfactory performance in a wide range of crash scenarios and can be produced using a variety of plastics processing methods. However, owing to changes in bumper design requirements and advances in composites technology, recently many OEMs have begun considering use of I-section geometry, which has the potential to provide significant weight and packaging size savings while providing equivalent performance at a lower cost. This report will compare the performance of C- and I-section designs using a variety of different compression-moldable, glass-mat thermoplastic (GMT) composite materials. A software package will be introduced that makes it possible to evaluate an I-beam design for a given set of packaging requirements in a very short period of time.

To help account for fuel distribution during combustion in diesel engines, a fuel film model has been developed and implemented into the KIVA-II code [1]. Spray-wall interaction and spray-film interaction are also incorporated into the model. Modified wall functions for evaporating, wavy films are developed and tested. The model simulates thin fuel film flow on solid surfaces of arbitrary configuration. This is achieved by solving the continuity, momentum and energy equations for the two dimensional film that flows over a three dimensional surface. The major physical effects considered in the model include mass and momentum contributions to the film due to spray drop impingement, splashing effects, various shear forces, piston acceleration, dynamic pressure effects, and convective heat and mass transfer.

This paper describes the development of a spark ignition engine operating in a stratified-EGR mode at part load. The concept is to reduce the pumping loss with high levels of EGR while maintaining stable combustion via charge stratification. Since the engine operates stoichiometrically, the ability to control NOx emissions by the three-way catalyst is retained. The configuration of introducing the stoichiometric fresh mixture to the center portion of the combustion chamber with the EGR gas on the two sides is visualized in a transparent engine using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and Mie scattering. Visualization results showed that the stratification between air/fuel mixture and EGR gas was relatively well established during the intake stroke. There was, however, significant mixing in the late part of the compression stroke.

Spray model of KIVA-II code was modified by comparing with experimentally measured spray liquid phase penetration and spray image in a transparent engine. The KIVA-II code with modified spray model was applied to a HSDI engine with different combustion chamber shapes, nozzle specifications and injection pressures. The results were compared with experimental emissions and it was found that the modified KIVA-II code was relatively able to predict the effects of engine design factors such as combustion chamber shape and injector on NOx and soot emissions.

Single-laser-shot measurements of the fuel/air ratio in the cylinder of a motored direct-injection natural gas (DING) engine were obtained using a dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) technique capable of simultaneously probing N2 and CH4. The DING engine was modified for optical access and CARS was used to probe the region near the glow plug. Measurements were acquired at eight different probe volume locations with one crank angle degree resolution for injections starting at 30° and 20° BTDC. The CARS data clearly show the arrival of the fuel jet at the probe volume and, from traversing the probe volume, the location of the centerlines of two fuel jets in the vicinity of the glow plug. The CARS measurements also show large fluctuations in fuel concentration on a shot-to-shot basis indicating the presence of large-scale mixing structures within the fuel jets.

This paper describes a detailed study into the use of a pitot probe to measure air flow around an inlet valve under steady state conditions. The study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of the method for locating areas of a port and valve which may be contributing to a poor overall discharge coefficient. This method would provide a simple and cheap experimental tool for use throughout the industry. The method involves mounting a miniature internal chamfer pitot tube on a slider attached to the base of the valve. The probe can traverse the appropriate area by rotating the valve and moving it along the slide. Changing the probe allows measurements in different planes, allowing the whole region around the valve to be surveyed. The cylinder head complete with instrumentation is mounted on a steady flow rig. The paper presents the results obtained at different valve lifts on a production cylinder head.

To simulate the air-fuel mixing in the intake ports and cylinders of internal combustion engines, a fuel liquid film model is developed for integration in 3D CFD codes. Phenomena taken into account include wall film formation by an impinging spray, film transport such as governed by mass and momentum equations with wall and air flow interactions and evaporation considering energy and convection mass transfer equations. A continuous-fluid method is used to describe the wall film over a three dimensional complex surface. The basic approximation is that of a laminar incompressible boundary layer; the liquid film equations are written in an integral form and solved by a first-order ALE finite volume scheme; the equation system is closed without coefficient fitting requirements. The model has been implemented in a Multi-Block version of KIVA 2 (KMB) and tested against problems having theoretical solutions.

Exhaust emissions consisting of oxides of nitrogen (collectively known as NOx) from internal combustion engines present a serious environmental problem. Although the problem exists for both gasoline and diesel engines, the problem is more severe for the diesel engine. NOx formation in an engine depends strongly on flame temperature, and flame temperature is dependent upon the composition of the fuel and the intake air. The concept is to develop and test copolymer modules for Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA) supply to diesel engines. The objective is to minimize NOx production from diesel engine emissions without a significant loss of fuel efficiency or a significant increase in carbon monoxide and smoke related emissions. In the present study, a module using the latest membrane technology was designed, tested and fabricated. The modules were installed in a diesel engine test stand and tests were run. The NOx level from the test engine using standard air was established.

The mixture preparation process was investigated in a direct-injected, 4-valve, SI engine under motored conditions. The interaction between the high-pressure fuel jet and the intake air-flow was observed. Laser-sheet droplet imaging was used to visualize the in-cylinder droplet distributions, and a single-component LDV system was used to measure in-cylinder velocities. The fuel spray was visualized with the engine motored at 1500 and 750 rpm, and with the engine stopped. It was observed that the shape of the fuel spray was distorted by the in-cylinder air motion generated by the intake air flow, and that this effect became more pronounced with increasing engine speed. Velocity measurements were made at five locations on the symmetry plane of the cylinder, with the engine motored at 750 rpm. Comparison of these measurements with, and without, injection revealed that the in-cylinder charge motion was significantly altered by the injection event.

The methods of operation of four of the leading combustion system designs for fuel only gasoline direct injection (G-DI) engines have been compared by applying a classical analysis procedure for defining fuel transport. The fuel spray requirements for the different systems are discussed in relation to results obtained from a Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) rig for different injectors. The combustion systems have then been considered regarding the functional requirements of future G-DI engines. These include power potential, stratified and homogeneous performance, variable air motion requirements, OEID component function monitoring, packaging and manufacturing issues and calibration effort. The paper concludes that there are at least four main approaches capable of producing acceptable combustion and that the choice of system will depend on packaging, cost and manufacturing constraints.

The paper reports on achievements obtained in an ongoing development program which is part of a european EUREKA joint research project named EFFLED (EFFicient Low Emission Diesel) being performed at AVL in cooperation with the companies DAF Trucks, Serck Heat Transfer, Robert Bosch and the Community of the City of Rotterdam. The main objective of this project is the development and refinement of a venturi supported exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a turbocharged and intercooled heavy-duty (HD) diesel engine enabling map controlled cooled EGR rates which are high enough to achieve future low NOx emission standards at acceptable fuel consumption level. In addition to EGR, further technologies have been investigated, which may be required to meet future exhaust emission standards.

The reduction of particulate emissions from diesel engines is one of the most challenging problems associated with exhaust pollution control, second only to the control of NOx from any “lean burn” application. Particulate emissions can be controlled by adjustments to the combustion parameters of a diesel engine but these measures normally result in increased emissions of oxides of nitrogen. Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) hold out the prospect of substantially reducing regulated particulate emissions and the task of actually removing the particles from the exhaust gas has been solved by the development of effective filtration materials. The question of the reliable regeneration of these filters in situ, however, remains a difficult hurdle. Many of the solutions proposed to date suffer from high engineering complexity and/or high energy demand. In addition some have special disadvantages under certain operating conditions.

Use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) with heavy-duty diesel engines has been hampered in the past by increased particulate, increased oil degradation, loss of power, etc. This study was focused on assessing the effect of EGR on the oil degradation and intake system fouling on a modern, low-emitting diesel engine. A series of 300-hour tests were run using an accelerated test condition. Based upon this work it was concluded that chemical and physical properties of the lubricating oil were not degraded with use of EGR. However, depending upon the design of the EGR system, the subsequent contamination of the turbocharger and the air-to-air charge cooler can be unacceptable. This work shows that with modern engines, low-sulfur fuels, and proper design, EGR can now be considered an acceptable part of a manufacturer's emissions reduction strategy.

Automotive engineering requires dynamic system simulation software. To meet future legislated emission and con-sumption standards, a vehicle has to be considered as a group of interacting systems. NAGREMA is an automotive simulation software with the focal point on the accessory drive. Variations of the standard V-belt configuration can be compared with decentralized approaches using electric or electro-hydraulic drives. NAGREMA is implemented using MATLAB/Simulink, provides a graphical user interface and a set of vehicle, engine and accessory templates. It reduces model complexity by dividing the vehicle, the engine, the accessory drive and the control system into hierarchically organized subsystems.