Numerical Simulation of Swirling Port-Valve-Cylinder Flow in Diesel Engines

A CAD/CAE procedure has been used for the analysis of the flow in an intake port-valve-cylinder assembly of a DI Diesel engine. The flow was simulated for both, steady state conditions and transient motored situation during intake and compression strokes. The characteristics of the helical port are analyzed, for the steady state case, in terms flow rate, generation of angular momentum flux and induced in-cylinder flow motion. The results of the simulation were correlated with experimental results, consisting of oil film visualizations on valve and intake port surfaces, and of local velocity measurements in the cylinder. The transient flow simulation shows the different characteristics of the flow motion in cylinder and piston bowl during intake and compression strokes. It was observed that the swirl generating capacity of the valve is different between the valve opening and closing phases. Also, a strong interaction was found between the swirling motion and the shape and position of the piston bowl.