Two-Dimensional Temperature Distributions of Combustion Chamber Surfaces in a Firing Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract

This paper summarizes the development and application of advanced thermal imaging techniques to a spark ignition engine at the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering. A thermal imaging system is described which is capable of viewing and recording the cylinder head surface temperature and piston surface temperature in a firing spark ignition engine. Two-dimensional temperature distributions of these surfaces were measured both during the engine's warm-up period and steady state operations. The influence of the engine's operating conditions was examined upon the temperature distributions of combustion chamber surfaces during the engine's warm-up period. The effect of spark timings, particularly the onset of knocking combustion on the surface temperatures, has been studied.

Full-cycle firing simulation of a pent-roof spark-ignition engine with visualization of the flow structure, flame propagation and radiative heat flux

“…The turbulent kinetic energy is assigned as 10 per cent of the mean in¯ow velocity squared, and its dissipation rate is found for a length scale equal to half the maximum lift of the inlet valve. Mean temperatures on the combustion chamber surfaces are estimated on the basis of thermal maps for a similar sized engine and compression ratio [20]. The cylinder walls are coolest at 450 K, the piston face is somewhat hotter at 490 K and the highest temperatures are on the cylinder head.…”