Acoustic emission mapping of diesel engines for spatially located time series—Part II: Spatial reconstitution

Abstract

In this study the characteristics of AE wave transmission around and through the cylinder head of a small four-stroke fuel injection diesel engine are investigated. Two sets of measurements have been carried out, one with simulated sources at various points on the cylinder head and one with the engine running, using a nine-sensor array. Propagation of AE waves from the simulated sources to the array sensor positions indicates attenuation factors of around 8.5. It is important to be able to estimate source–sensor distance accurately and this has been done using a threshold technique to identify the arrival time of a low frequency high amplitude wave at the sensors, then to deduce the wave speed from that information and hence calculate the source–sensor distance (transmission path length). Engine running tests were carried out and analysis focused on reconstitution of injector and exhaust valve opening events using signal mapping techniques. For injector events, the attenuation factors were similar to those measured from the simulated sources. For exhaust valve-opening events the attenuation factors varied between 5 and 7 with relatively poor correlation. This difference is thought to be due to variation in the actual source position during valve opening because the exhaust valve actuation involves a cam, push rod and rocker design. The results can be used to reconstitute the timing and amplitude of the AE emitted at the source which enables much more focussed monitoring of specific components and processes identified in the signals.