Title: Single cylinder engine transient test system

Authors: John J. Moskwa, John L. Lahti, Matthew W. Snyder

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Engineering Drive, Madison WI 53706, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Engineering Drive, Madison WI 53706, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Engineering Drive, Madison WI 53706, USA

Abstract: Single cylinder research engines are often used to evaluate preliminary combustion chamber designs and valvetrain configurations. These engines are modular in design, which makes testing various engine modifications inexpensive and easy. Unfortunately, the standard test configuration does not very accurately represent the rotational dynamics or manifold gas dynamics of the intended multi-cylinder engine application. This new single-cylinder transient test system addresses these and other issues by allowing the single-cylinder to operate as though it were part of a multi-cylinder engine. This greatly extends the test capability of the single-cylinder engine, which in turn reduces development time and cost, and provides a seamless transition from single to multi-cylinder testing. The system also improves low speed test capability and offers extremely fast transient speed performance. With this system it is possible to run standardised emission tests, which opens up new areas of research in this early phase of engine development.

Keywords: airflow; control; single cylinder engines; hydraulic components; hydrostatic dynamometer; intake manifold; simulation; modelling; vacuum; transient test; rotational dynamics; manifold gas dynamics; cylinder testing; engine testing; emission tests; vheicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2006.008461

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2006 Vol.40 No.1/2/3, pp.196 - 211

Published online: 21 Dec 2005 *

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