Mechanical Engineering - Research Publications

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    The feasibility of downsizing a 1.25 liter normally aspirated engine to a 0.43 liter highly turbocharged engine
    Attard, William ; Konidaris, Steven ; Toulson, Elisa ; Watson, Harry (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2007)
    In this paper, performance, efficiency and emission experimental results are presented from a prototype 434 cm3, highly turbocharged (TC), two cylinder engine with brake power limited to approximately 60 kW. These results are compared to current small engines found in today’s automobile marketplace. A normally aspirated (NA) 1.25 liter, four cylinder, modern production engine with similar brake power output is used for comparison. Results illustrate the potential for downsized engines to significantly reduce fuel consumption while still maintaining engine performance. This has advantages in reducing vehicle running costs together with meeting tighter carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards. Experimental results highlight the performance potential of smaller engines with intake boosting. This is demonstrated with the test engine achieving 25 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). Results are presented across varying parameter domains, including engine speed, compression ratio (CR), manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and lambda (λ). Engine operating limits are also outlined, with spark knock highlighted as the major limitation in extending the operating limits for this downsized engine.
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    Compression ratio effects on performance, efficiency, emissions and combustion in a carbureted and PFI small engine
    Attard, William ; Konidaris, Steven ; Hamori, Ferenc ; Toulson, Elisa ; Watson, Harry (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2007)
    This paper compares the performance, efficiency, emissions and combustion parameters of a prototype two cylinder 430 cm3 engine which has been tested in a variety of normally aspirated (NA) modes with compression ratio (CR) variations. Experiments were completed using 98-RON pump gasoline with modes defined by alterations to the induction system, which included carburetion and port fuel injection (PFI). The results from this paper provide some insight into the CR effects for small NA spark ignition (SI) engines. This information provides future direction for the development of smaller engines as engine downsizing grows in popularity due to rising oil prices and recent carbon dioxide (CO2) emission regulations. Results are displayed in the engine speed, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and CR domains, with engine speeds exceeding 10,000 rev/min and CRs ranging from 9 to 13. Combustion analysis is also included, allowing mass fraction burn (MFB) comparison. Experimental results showed minimum brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) or maximum brake thermal efficiency (nTH) values in the order of 220 g/kWh or 37% could be achieved. A maximum brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 13 bar was also recorded at 8000 rev/min.
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    Highly turbocharging a restricted two cylinder small engine: turbocharger development
    Attard, William ; Watson, Harry ; Konidaris, Steven (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2007)
    This paper describes the turbocharger development of a restricted 430 cm3 odd firing two cylinder engine. The downsized test engine used for development was specifically designed and configured for Formula SAE, SAE’s student Formula race-car competition. A well recognised problem in turbocharging Formula SAE engines arises from the rules, which dictate that the throttle and air intake restrictor must be on the suction side of the compressor. As a consequence of upstream throttling, oil from the compressor side seal assembly is drawn into the inlet manifold. The development process used to solve the oil consumption issue for a Garrett GT-12 turbocharger is outlined, together with cooling and control issues. The development methodology used to achieve high pressure ratio turbocharging is discussed, along with exhaust manifold development and operating limitations. This includes experimental and modeling results for both pulse and constant pressure type turbocharging. The engine completed extensive static and transient testing with no turbocharger issues after initial development. Peak values of 25 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) were recorded while running on pump gasoline.
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    Development of a 430cc constant power engine for formula SAE competition
    Attard, William ; Watson, Harry (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2006)
    This paper describes the design and development of an engine with constant power for SAE’s student Formula race-car competition, allowing the avoidance of gear shifting for much of the Autocross event. To achieve constant power for over 50% of the speed range, turbocharging was adopted with a boost pressure ratio of 2.8 at mid-range speeds and applied to an engine capacity of 430 cc. This engine was specifically designed and configured for the purpose, being a twin cylinder in-line arrangement with double overhead camshafts. Most of the engine components were specially cast or machined from billets. The capacity was selected to minimise frictional losses and thus increase delivered power along with dry sump lubrication and a three speed gear box. The engine manifolds and plenums were designed using a CAE application and proved to be well suited to the task resulting in excellent agreement between predicted and actual performance. One of the major challenges of the experimental development was overcoming the turbocharger oil consumption under throttled operation at part load conditions and at full power when the FSAE restrictor is choked. For the 2004 Australian competition the engine was run with slightly reduced mid speed power to avoid excessive use of the traction control system and was very competitive finishing first in the fuel economy event.
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    Highly turbocharging a restricted, odd fire, two cylinder small engine: design, lubrication, tuning and control
    Attard, William ; Watson, Harry ; Konidaris, Steven (SAE Technical Paper Series, 2006)
    This paper describes the mechanical component design, lubrication, tuning and control aspects of a restricted, odd fire, highly turbocharged (TC) engine for Formula SAE competition. The engine was specifically designed and configured for the purpose, being a twin cylinder in-line arrangement with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Most of the engine components were specially cast or machined from billets. A detailed theoretical analysis was completed to determine engine specifications and operating conditions. Results from the analysis indicated a new engine design was necessary to sustain highly TC operation. Dry sump lubrication was implemented after initial oil surge problems were found with the wet sump system during vehicle testing. The design and development of the system is outlined, together with brake performance effects for the varying systems. Tuning an odd fire engine with an intake restriction and upstream throttle location was explored together with varying injector locations and manifold geometry. To improve engine efficiency, turbocharging and specific engine downsizing were employed in conjunction with a lean burn strategy at low brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). This engine package and tuning strategy resulted in the Melbourne University Formula SAE vehicle being very successful in competition, finishing first in the fuel economy event at the 2004 Australasian competition. Peak BMEP values of 25 bar, believed to be the highest recorded for small engines on pump gasoline were also achieved.
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    Comparing the performance and limitations of a downsized formula SAE engine in normally aspirated, supercharged and turbocharged modes
    Attard, William ; Watson, Harry ; Konidaris, Steven ; Khan, Mohammad (SAE International Technical Paper, 2006)
    This paper compares the performance of a small two cylinder, 430 cm3 engine which has been tested in a variety of normally aspirated (NA) and forced induction modes on 98-RON pump gasoline. These modes are defined by variations in the induction system and associated compression ratio (CR) alterations needed to avoid knock and maximize volumetric efficiency (hVOL). These modes included: (A) NA with carburetion (B) NA with port fuel injection (PFI) (C) Mildly Supercharged (SC) with PFI (D) Highly Turbocharged (TC) with PFI. The results have significant relevance in defining the limitations for small downsized spark ignition (SI) engines, with power increases needed via intake boosting to compensate for the reduced swept volume. Performance is compared in the varying modes with comparisons of brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), brake power, hVOL, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and brake thermal efficiency (hTH). The test engine used in experiments was specifically designed and configured for Formula SAE, SAE’s student Formula race-car competition. A downsized twin cylinder in-line arrangement was chosen, which featured double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Most of the engine components were specially cast or machined from billets. Experimental results showed BSFC or hTH values in the order of 240 g/kWh or 34% could be achieved. TC BMEP values in the region of 25 bar were also achieved, the highest recorded for small engines on pump gasoline [1]. The engine was installed into successive Melbourne University Racing (MUR) vehicles in 2003 and 2004, where it was very competitive, finishing first in the fuel economy event at the 2004 Australasian competition.