Swirl Number Measurements Using Intake Ports Produced by Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

The present work proposes to execute bench test swirl number measurements using a modular device and cylinder head intake ports from a diesel engine manufactured via additive manufacturing (AM). Swirl number measurements with intake ports produced by AM, bring the following advantages: Tests reproducibility, since having the geometric model (CAD) of tested models is enough to re-build the geometry analyzed in the bench test. Easy to measure the swirl number variances in consequence of potential manufacturing process deviations and time reduction to the development of new intake ports geometry. The research is experimental, one sample of the investigated cylinder head was sent to the Polytechnic School of Sao Paulo (EPUSP) laboratory, and the swirl number was measured and recorded for later results comparison with proposed method. This cylinder head sample was then sectioned and digitalized as to know to have the same internal geometry in the intake ports produced via AM. All tests were performed in the same rig and with the same control system aiming to reduce the external variables during data acquisition. When the swirl number results between the complete cylinder head and modular device using AM were compared, no statistically significant changes were found.