The development of a transparent cylinder engine for piston engine fluid mechanics research

Book · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5745265

Richman, R M; Reynolds, W C

The development of a unique flow visualization engine is discussed. The new research engine, called the Flow Diagnostics Engine (FDE), is a singlecylinder engine with a transparent cylinder made from single-crystal sapphire. In contrast to previous efforts, the FDE has an internal geometry very similar to that of production engines. A computer-controlled valveactuation system is used on the FDE. The valve actuators are fast electro-hydraulic devices which, with a minicomputer, provide complete control over the valve motion. To visualize the flows in the engine cylinder, a special Schlieren system was developed and demonstrated. In the new visualization system, a holographic optical element is used to correct system abberations. To demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of the FDE system, flows in both conventional and swirl engine geometries were visualized and recorded with high-speed cinematography. The visualization provides qualitative information about the flow and allows observation of: the development and motions of large recirculation zones during the intake event; the appearance of small-scale turbulence and the changes in scale caused by compression and expansion; the expansion of ring crevice gases into the cylinder during the beginning of the event; and the large-scale motions associated with intake swirl. The FDE system is very versatile and can accommodate a wide variety of engine geometries, operating conditions, and optical diagnostics.

• OSTI ID: 5745265
• Report Number(s): TP-840379
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
CYLINDERS
FLOW VISUALIZATION
FLUID MECHANICS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
COMPRESSION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EXPANSION
GEOMETRY
HYDRAULIC CONTROL DEVICES
MICROPROCESSORS
OPACITY
SAPPHIRE
SCHLIEREN METHOD
TURBULENCE
VALVES
VORTEX FLOW
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPUTERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL SYSTEMS
CORUNDUM
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
HEAT ENGINES
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
MINERALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
330100* - Internal Combustion Engines