The Comparison of Mass Fraction Burned Obtained from the Cylinder Pressure Signal and Spark Plug Ion Signal

Abstract

<div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper focuses on comparing the mass fraction burned obtained by pressure sensing and ion sensing through a conventional spark plug. The mass fraction burned curves obtained from both methods at different engine operating conditions are compared. In addition, the 0-10%; 50%, and 90% mass fraction burn durations are also compared.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Traditionally, the mass fraction burned for a spark ignition engine is obtained through the measurement of pressure signal and the well known Rassweiler-Withrow method, which requires an expensive pressure sensor and some rather complex instrumentation. Ion sensing through a spark plug is very cost effective and reveals much information about the combustion process in the cylinder. Instead of making assumptions to attain the mass fraction burned, ion sensing by a spark plug allows us to obtain the mass fraction burned information through the Wiebe function constructed by several critical events shown in the ion signal during the combustion.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The results demonstrate that the mass fraction burned attained by spark plug ion sensing offers an exciting alternative for mass fraction burned measurement and may be used as a tool to further estimate pressure in a cylinder.</div>