Tumble Flow Measurements Using Three Different Methods and Its Effects on Fuel Economy and Emissions

In-cylinder flows such as tumble and swirl have an important role on the engine combustion efficiencies and emission formations. In particular, the tumble flow, which is dominant in-cylinder flow in current high performance gasoline engines, has an important effect on the fuel consumptions and exhaust emissions under part load conditions. Therefore, it is important to know the effect of the tumble ratio on the part load performance and optimize the tumble ratio of a gasoline engine for better fuel economy and exhaust emissions. First step in optimizing a tumble flow is to measure a tumble ratio accurately. In this research the tumble flow was measured, compared and correlated using three different measurement methods: steady flow rig, 2-Dimensional PIV, and 3-Dimensional PTV. Engine dynamometer test was performed to find out the effect of the tumble ratio on the part load performance. Dynamometer test results of high tumble ratio engine showed faster combustion speed, retarded MBT timing, higher exhaust emissions, and a better lean burn combustion stability. Lean limit of the baseline engine was expanded from A/F=18:1 to A/F=21:1 by increasing a tumble ratio using MTV.