Browsing by Author "Corbett, John-Henry"
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- ItemApplication of an engine management system to a stationary spark ignition engine(2017-03) Corbett, John-Henry; Haines, R. W.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The subject of this report is the application of an engine management system to a small spark ignition engine, together with the installation of this engine to an existing small engine test bench. The purpose of this project is to further develop an existing small engine test bench to expand the testing capabilities of the Stellenbosch University Biofuel Test Facility. This was achieved by applying a fully controllable engine management system to a spark ignition engine and incorporating it into the existing small engine test bench. It allowed control over engine parameters such as ignition timing, fuel injection duration and, in turn, the air-fuel ratio. This report includes a literature review regarding spark ignition engines, engine testing and engine management systems. The main focus of the report is the application of an engine management system to a small spark ignition engine and its relevant subsystems, including the configuration and programming of the electronic control unit. The test procedures and data obtained are documented, verifying the engine’s response to ignition timing and fuel injection parameter changes, as well as illustrating the management system’s ability to control the engine over its operating range. In addition, this report also details the further development of an engine-indicating system employing fibre optic and piezoelectric pressure transducers to measure the in-cylinder pressure. The obtained indicating data was used to analyse the combustion process by means of a single-zone, zero-dimensional heat release model. From this model the rate of heat release together with the burn rate was obtained. The work done on the piston during various operating cycles was analysed, using both calculated and measured mean effective pressure values. It is then concluded that the developed engine management system is capable of controlling the test engine through its operating range and that the test setup as a whole is capable of producing accurate and repeatable results.