A Transient Test System for Single Cylinder Research Engines With Real Time Simulation of Multi-Cylinder Crankshaft and Intake Manifold Dynamics

A new high-bandwidth transient test system is being developed that allows a single cylinder research engine to be tested under conditions nearly identical to those experienced by individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine. The system consists of two unique test components: a high bandwidth transient hydrostatic dynamometer capable of simulating the combustion and rotational dynamics of a multi-cylinder engine, and an air intake simulator that pulls air from the intake manifold plenum to simulate air induction characteristics of the multi-cylinder engine. The system makes it possible to evaluate preliminary engine control strategies and perform more detailed hardware development early in a development program when representative multi-cylinder engines may not be available. This reduces engine development time and allows the transition to multi-cylinder engine hardware to proceed with fewer design changes and less cost.