Optimising combustion in IC engines requires the precise tuning of local combustion events. System status and the success of improvements are checked with thermodynamic analyses and finally in general engine test procedures. However, in order to understand the contribution of component and process modifications to overall performance, we must be able to see their influence on local combustion events at all times.
For this purpose, AVL engineers have developed techniques and procedures to gain insight into mixture formation and combustion events of both SI and CI engines. The combustion diagnostic techniques are based on solutions developed for optical access to combustion chambers, on image and signal recording in an engine test bed environment, and on results analysis procedures for well defined groups of in-cylinder phenomena.