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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Spark ignition, early flame development and cyclic variation in I. C. engines

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6513627

Combustion and pressure development in spark ignition engines are marked by cycle to cycle variations which are especially severe if the mixture is lean. The variations in indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) that arise from this could be sufficiently severe to cause problems in certain engine operating regimes even in engines which run smoothly at steady operating conditions. Cyclic variations in IMEP could be effectively reduced at source by reducing cyclic variations in combustion. These are known to originate during the initial stage of combustion which can be influenced by the ignition process. Of the various enhanced ignition devices, variants of the spark ignition system seem to be of most practical interest for automobile applications in the immediate future.

Research Organization:
Shell Research Ltd., Thornton Research Centre
OSTI ID:
6513627
Report Number(s):
CONF-870204-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English