How can I measure pressure inside an internal combustion engine?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to measure pressure inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Participants explore various techniques, including theoretical approaches and practical applications, while considering the challenges posed by high temperatures and pressures in the environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about methods to measure instant pressure in the combustion chamber, suggesting potential changes to engine operation based on this data.
  • Another participant proposes using transducers mounted inside the cylinders or measuring force on connecting rod bearings as possible methods.
  • There is a suggestion to use piezoelectric crystals as transducers, with a question about their viability under high temperature and pressure conditions.
  • A response confirms that piezo transducers can be used if they are specifically designed for combustion applications, emphasizing the need for high-speed data capture linked to crankshaft angle.
  • One participant expresses interest in theoretical exploration rather than practical implementation, seeking guidance on usage rather than construction.
  • Questions arise regarding the availability of high-temperature piezoelectric transducers and methods for capturing high-speed data.
  • Several participants suggest specific manufacturers and resources for pressure sensors, including Endevco, AVL, and Kistler.
  • There is a discussion about the importance of independent research and the value of finding information through personal searches.
  • One participant notes the need for high-speed data capturing, suggesting a temporal resolution of 1 MHz to achieve adequate data points per degree of crankshaft rotation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods and approaches to measuring pressure, but no consensus is reached on a single method or specific sensor. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of measuring pressure in an environment that includes both combustion and compression phases, indicating that only a few cycles are typically tested. The discussion also notes the need for high-speed data acquisition, which may depend on specific equipment capabilities.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in engine design, pressure measurement techniques, and those conducting theoretical research in internal combustion engine performance.

banerjeerupak
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Could some one tell me if there is any method to find out the instant pressure inside the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. I plan to change the way engines work if the pressure can be monitored.
 
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Other than by calculation, I guess that the only way would be to mount transducers inside the cylinders or measure the force exerted on the connecting rod bearings.
Brewnog does this sort of stuff for a living, so he might be the best person to answer this.
 
i was thinking of using piezo electric crystals as the transducer in this case. Would they melt or be active at the temp and pressure acting inside the combustion chamber.
 
Yes you can use a piezo transducer, but you need one specially designed for combustion use, and you need a device capable of capturing the data at high speed and matching it to crankshaft angle from a rotary encoder.

Try AVL or Kistler.
 
could you suggest how this could be done
i'm not trying to do it practically
but only doing theoretical paper.
so i need to explain the usage and not actually make it.
 
i mean where can we get a piezoelectric transducer designed for such high temperature use. also let me know how to go about capturing the high speed data.
 
What do you want to know? Put a pressure sensor in the cylinder, capture the signal using some kind of data acquisition kit, and link this to crankshaft angle from a rotary encoder.

What's your question?
 
I want to know what pressure sensor to use.
 
A piezoelectric dynamic pressure transducer?
 
  • #10
Look at Endevco's web site.
 
  • #11
can you give me the link please to this site.
 
  • #12
http://www.endevco.com/"

Remember, Google is our friend. It took about 1 1/2 seconds to find that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
sorry to have bothered you
i'll rely on google more from now on
 
  • #14
No bother. I was just pointing out that you need not rely upon others quite as much. You can learn much more by doing your own searches, since they can lead to multiple other related sites that might be beneficial.
 
  • #15
Nice link Fred. AVL and Kistler are the market leaders for reciprocating engine pressure measurement, I'll be sure to check out Endevco.
 
  • #16
actually even if i search, my ability to check out the correct links is less compared to an experts eyes. see all the links that you all post from nasa.
i'm a regular visitor of www.nasa.gov but have never come across those links.
just inexperienced i guess
 
  • #17
I've never posted a Nasa link, just two which were pertinent to what I thought your question was.
 
  • #18
Try PCB Transducers, Also ussually internal combustion engines we do not speak of a combustion chamber since it is also a compression chamber etc.
Most of the time only a couple cycles are tested this way one does not let the engine run for a long time. You will need high speed data capturing probably 1 Mhz temporal resolution (see Gagescope). That will give you about one datapoint per degree turning angle
 

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