SAE Update - November 2021 - 23

The future of combustion measurement
FOCUS:POWERTRAIN
AND PROPULSION
combustion pressure
measurement tools - rising to
the challenge
Manufacturers of combustion pressure
measurement tools are rising to these
challenges and providing Engineers with
tools that are fit for the purpose of
developing new combustion engine
technologies. Over the past few years, many
of the typical problems associated with incylinder
sensors and their response to the
measurement task have been solved. Crystal
technology from the main manufacturers of
engine combustion pressure sensors has
been improved dramatically over time, with
respect to its temperature sensitivity. The
measuring element (containing the piezoelectric
crystal) can now provide excellent
stability and accuracy across the complete
measurement temperature range - in many
sensor designs, without the need for water
cooling of the sensor itself. Other more
recent developments relating to packaging
of the sensor - providing compact sensor
designs that are immune to vibration, strain,
drift and other interference factors, but are
highly accurate, utilising the exceptional
dynamic range that piezo-electric sensing
technology can provide.
The ideal sensor for future IcE
engine concepts
What is the ideal sensor for the above
application challenges? are we there yet?
There will never be a perfect sensor that
has no compromises at all. However, stateUPDATE
of-the-art
piezo-electric sensing
technology for combustion measurement
applications is now in a great place!
Compact sensor designs allow installation
in " busy " combustion chambers. Advanced
crystals, measuring elements and sensor
designs mean that many of the past issues
are solved. Optimized, flush-mounted
designs can provide the best quality signal,
and the creation of sensors that can be
used right across the development process
- from early simulation validation to final
calibration and sign-off - is a reality now.
This level of technology is ideal for new ICE
combustion concepts, where design space
has to be explored and where the risk of
sensor damage due to overload is high. For
this application, the combined attributes of
sensor accuracy and robustness are ideal.
Optimized measuring chains,
advanced data acquisition
Data from the measuring chain is not just
about raw pressure curves. For an
optimized workflow and measurement
setup, operational data is incredibly
important. Engine pressure sensors have a
hard life, but are also expensive, precision
measuring devices. Understanding their
operational duty cycle, as experienced
during their run time, can help with
efficient handling of a sensor " pool " .
Sensor operation time and loading cycles
can recorded and used to determine the
suitability of a given sensor for an
application (e.g. accurate measurement, or
November 2021
23
SAE Update - November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAE Update - November 2021
