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In the present paper, two different methodologies are adopted and critically integrated to analyze the knock behavior of a last generation small size spark ignition (SI) turbocharged VVA engine. Particularly, two full load operating points are selected, exhibiting relevant differences in terms of knock proximity. On one side, a knock investigation is carried out by means of an Auto-Regressive technique (AR model) to process experimental in-cylinder pressure signals. This mathematical procedure is used to estimate the statistical distribution of knocking cycles and provide a validation of the following 1D-3D knock investigations. On the other side, an integrated numerical approach is set up, based on the synergic use of 1D and 3D simulation tools. The 1D engine model is developed within the commercial software GT-Power™. It is used to provide time-varying boundary conditions (BCs) for the 3D code, Star-CD™.

In the present paper, a recently developed centrifugal compressor model is briefly summarized. It provides a refined geometrical schematization of the device, especially of the impeller, starting from a reduced set of linear and angular dimensions. A geometrical module reproduces the 3D geometry of the impeller and furnishes the data employed to solve the 1D flow equations inside the rotating and stationary ducts constituting the complete device. The 1D compressor model allows to predict the performance maps (pressure ratio and efficiency) with good accuracy, once the tuning of a number of parameters is realized to characterize various flow losses and heat exchange. To overcome the limitations related to the model tuning, unknown parameters are selected with reference to 5 different devices employing an optimization procedure (modeFRONTIER™).

In this paper, the results of an extensive experimental analysis regarding a twin-cylinder spark-ignition turbocharged engine are employed to build up an advanced 1D model, which includes the effects of cycle-by-cycle variations (CCVs) on the combustion process. Objective of the activity is to numerically estimate the CCV impact primarily on fuel consumption and knock behavior. To this aim, the engine is experimentally characterized in terms of average performance parameters and CCVs at high and low load operation. In particular, both a spark advance and an air-to-fuel ratio (α) sweep are actuated. Acquired pressure signals are processed to estimate the rate of heat release and the main combustion events. Moreover, the Coefficient of Variation of IMEP (CoVIMEP) and of in-cylinder peak pressure (CoVpmax) are evaluated to quantify the cyclic dispersion and identify its dependency on peak pressure position.

The one-dimensional (1D) modeling of a turbocharged engine requires the availability of the turbine and compressor characteristic maps. This leads to two main problems: performance maps of the turbocharger device are usually limited to a reduced number of rotational speeds, pressure ratios and mass flow rates. Extrapolation of maps’ data is commonly required; performance maps are experimentally derived on stationary test benches, while the turbocharger usually operates under unsteady conditions, when coupled to an internal combustion engine (ICE). To overcome the above problems, in the present paper the flow inside a rotating pipe of a centrifugal compressor is simulated within a 1D modeling approach, with the aim of predicting its characteristic map. The main improvement with respect to the employment of a steady experimental map consists in the absence of data extrapolation and in the possibility of fully characterizing the unsteady operation of the component.

The paper reports the research activity related to the development of a “downsized” turbocharged Spark-Ignition (SI) engine. Both experimental and theoretical analyses are carried out to characterize the performance of this engine architecture, and particularly to analyze the matching conditions with the turbocharger and the combustion process at wide-open-throttle conditions. To this aim, a quasi-dimensional model for the simulation of the burning process is included as an external user-defined routine in a commercial 1D simulation code (GT-Power®). The rate of heat release is computed through a two-zone model, based on a “fractal” representation of the turbulent flame front. A turbulence sub-model is included and it is properly tuned with respect to turbulence results computed by a 3D CFD code. A CAD procedure evaluating, at each crank-angle and flame radius, the intersections between the flame surface and the actual combustion chamber walls, is also presented.

The paper illustrates both numerical and experimental methodologies aiming to characterize performances and overall noise radiated from a light duty diesel engine. The main objective was the development of accurate models to be included within an optimization procedure, able to define an optimal injection strategy for a common rail engine. The injection strategy was selected to contemporary reduce the fuel consumption and the combustion noise. To this aim, an experimental investigation was firstly carried out measuring engine performances and noise emissions at different operating conditions. Contemporary, a one-dimensional (1D) simulation of the engine under investigation was performed, finalized to predict the in-cylinder pressure cycles and the overall engine performances. The 1D model was validated with reference to the measured data. In order to assess the combustion noise, an innovative study, mainly based on the decomposition of the in-cylinder pressure signal, was utilized.

The work relates to the use of multidimensional modelling as a tool for improving the robustness of combustion of a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Spark Ignition (SI) engine. A procedure is assessed for the prediction of the thermo-fluid-dynamic processes occurring in a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, characterised by a bore-to-stroke ratio close to the unity, and a pent-roof head with four valves. The engine is at a design stage, under development for application on two wheels vehicles. A new generation six-holes Bosch injector is considered as realising a jet guided combustion mode. This last is preferred for its potential in realising effective charge stratification and great combustion stability under various operating conditions. The three-dimensional (3D) numerical model is developed within the AVL FIRE™ software environment.

In this paper, an experimental and numerical analysis of combustion process and knock occurrence in a small displacement spark-ignition engine is presented. A wide experimental campaign is preliminarily carried out in order to fully characterize the engine behavior in different operating conditions. In particular, the acquisition of a large number of consecutive pressure cycle is realized to analyze the Cyclic Variability (CV) effects in terms of Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) Coefficient of Variation (CoV). The spark advance is also changed up to incipient knocking conditions, basing on a proper definition of a knock index. The latter is estimated through the decomposition and the FFT analysis of the instantaneous pressure cycles. Contemporary, a quasi-dimensional combustion and knock model, included within a whole engine one-dimensional (1D) modeling framework, are developed. Combustion and knock models are extended to include the CV effects, too.

The paper details recent results concerning the design of a new intake system for a 1.4 liter displacement ELASIS-FIAT engine. A classical approach, based on theoretical one-dimensional characterization of the whole system, is presented. This approach, however, requires a relevant number of geometrical information which are usually unavailable in the first phase of the design process. For this reason, a statistical analysis on a number of existing devices was also carried out to the aim of providing such initial data as a function of prescribed levels of pressure losses and noise emission for the device. The methodology allows then to define a base configuration of the system, to start the 1D analyses. The base geometry is further refined taking into account the layout constraints and the presence of resonators for the reduction of the noise emission. Experimental data collected on a prototype of the designed system have confirmed the robustness of the whole design procedure.

In this paper, a downsized twin-cylinder turbocharged spark-ignition engine is experimentally investigated at test-bench in order to verify the potential to estimate the peak pressure value and the related crank angle position, based on vibrational data acquired by an accelerometer sensor. Purpose of the activity is to provide the ECU of additional information to establish a closed-loop control of the spark timing, on a cycle-by-cycle basis. In this way, an optimal combustion phasing can be more properly accomplished in each engine operating condition. Engine behavior is firstly characterized in terms of average thermodynamic and performance parameters and cycle-by-cycle variations (CCVs) at high-load operation. In particular, both a spark advance and an A/F ratio sweep are actuated. In-cylinder pressure data are acquired by pressure sensors flush-mounted within the combustion chamber of both cylinders.

In this work, various techniques are numerically applied to a base engine - vehicle system to estimate their potential CO2 emission reduction. The reference thermal unit is a downsized turbocharged spark-ignition Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) engine, with a Compression Ratio (CR) of 10. In order to improve its fuel consumption, preserving the original full-load torque, various technologies are considered, including an increased CR, an external low-pressure cooled EGR, and a ported Water Injection (WI). The analyses are carried out by a 1D commercial software (GT-Power™), enhanced by refined user-models for the description of in-cylinder processes, namely turbulence, combustion, heat transfer and knock. The latter were validated with reference to the base engine architecture in previous activities. To minimize the Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) all over the engine operating plane, the control parameters of the base and modified engines are calibrated based on PID controllers.

In the present work, an Auto Regressive Moving Average (ARMA) model and a Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) are applied on vibrational signals, acquired by an accelerometer placed on the cylinder block of a Spark Ignition (SI) engine, for knock detection purposes. To the aim of tuning such procedures, the same analysis has been carried out by using the traditional MAPO (Maximum Amplitude of Pressure Oscillations) index and an Inverse Kinetic Model (IKM), both applied on the in-cylinder pressure signals. Vibrational and in-cylinder pressure signals have been collected on a four cylinder, four stroke engine, for different engine speeds, load conditions and spark advances. The results of the two vibrational based methods are compared and in depth discussed to the aim of highlighting the pros and cons of each methodology.