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The interface between a plenum and primary runner in log-style intake manifolds is one of the dominant sources of flow losses in the breathing system of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). A right-angled T-junction is one such interface between the plenum (main duct) and the primary runner (sidebranch) normal to the plenum's axis. The present study investigates losses associated with the combining flow through these junctions, where fluid from both sides of the plenum enters the primary runner. Steady, incompressible-flow experiments for junctions with circular cross-sections were conducted to determine the effect of (1) runner interface radius of 0, 10, and 20% of the plenum diameter, (2) plenum-to-runner area ratio of 1, 2.124, and 3.117, and (3) runner taper area ratio of 2.124 and 3.117. Mass flow rate in each branch was varied to obtain a distribution of flow ratios, while keeping the total flow rate constant.

An experimental study of the acoustic characteristics of automotive catalytic converters is presented. The investigation addresses the effects and relative importance of the elements comprising a production catalytic converter assembly including the housing, substrate, mat and seals. Attenuation characteristics are measured for one circular and one oval catalytic converter geometry, each having 400 cell per square inch substrates. For each geometry, experimental results are presented to address the effect of individual components in isolation, and in combination with other assembly components. Additional experiments investigate the significance of acoustic paths around the substrate and through the peripheral wall of the substrate. The experimental results are compared to address the significance of each component on the overall attenuation.

One of the dominant sources of flow losses in the intake system of internal combustion engines (ICE) with log-style manifolds is the interface between the plenum and primary runner. The present study investigates such losses associated with the dividing flow at the entry to primary runner with geometries representative of those used in ICE. An experimental setup was constructed to measure the flow loss coefficients of T-junctions with all branches of circular cross-section. Experiments were conducted with seven configurations on a steady-flow bench to determine the effects of: (1) interface radius equal to 0, 10, and 20% of the primary runner diameter, (2) plenum to primary runner area ratios of 1, 2.124, and 3.117, and (3) primary runner taper including taper area ratios of 2.124 and 3.117. The last two categories employed 20% interface radii. The total mass flow rate was also varied to investigate the effect of Reynolds number Re on loss coefficients.

The coupling of shear layer instabilities with the acoustic resonances at the interface of two ducts, a main duct and a connecting sidebranch, leads to whistle noise. The present study investigates experimentally the mechanism of such pure tone noise. A generic sidebranch adapter is fabricated to allow for: (1) the ability to mount downstream of the throttle body in the induction system of a production engine; (2) the adjustment of sidebranch length; and (3) the changes in the diameter of the branch duct. Experiments are conducted both in a flow facility and an engine dynamometer facility for the same set of flow rates. The correlation of the whistle noise between these two facilities is examined in terms of frequency and the dimensionless numbers, including Strouhal and Mach.