Characterization of an in-cylinder flow structure in a high-tumble spark ignition engine

Abstract

A strong in-cylinder tumbling flow, which was produced by partially shrouding the lower periphery of the inlet valves, was measured in a three-valve twin-spark spark ignition (SI) engine using digital particle image velocimetry (PIV). Characteristics of the bulk flow, cyclic variation, frequency spectrum of velocity fluctuation, large- and small-scale fluctuation kinetic energy and integral length scale are analysed in detail. The possible effects of these flow characteristics on the charge stratification and subsequent ignition and combustion processes are also discussed. The results have shown that the strong tumble field was characterized by a very small velocity component in the direction of the tumble rotational axis until the late stage of the compression stroke. The cyclic variation of the bulk flow, though still present, was significantly reduced. Towards the end of the compression process, both low- and high-frequency velocity fluctuations were found to be high after the tumble had collapsed. The velocity fluctuation component along the cylinder axis was characterized by higher frequencies. An integral length scale was found in the range of 4–9 mm during the compression stroke.