Analysis of the in-cylinder flow structures generated by the engine induction system - a comparison of experimental and simulated data

A comparison and analysis of laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements and a computed fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the in-cylinder flow structures generated by an engine induction system is presented in this paper An octagonal glass model with a moving piston complementary to a real engine cylinder was applied in the analysis. Good agreement between the measured and simulated patterns of the flow structures and the inlet-valve discharge coefficients was obtained. In general, this study shows that in-cylinder CFD predictions yield reasonably accurate results that help to improve the knowledge of the airflow characteristics during the intake stroke. CFD therefore represents an effective design tool for developing less-polluting and more efficient internal combustion engines. (c) 2005 Journal of Mechanical Engineering. All rights reserved.