Exhaust Gas Sampling Technique for Relating Emissions and Cycle Characteristics

Cycle-to-cycle variations of the combustion process of spark ignition engines, usually observed as peak pressure variations, are a phenomenon whose causes have not yet been identified with certainty.

For investigating whether or not there is a relationship between physical cycle characteristics, such as peak pressure, and exhaust gas composition, a sampling system was developed which collects bag samples from specified cycles only. It consists of an analog portion for obtaining pressure and rate-of-pressure change signals, a digital logic portion for discriminating between signals according to selected criteria, and an electrically actuated sampling valve in the engine exhaust system. Since signal analysis and discrimination are instantaneous, gas sampling is done during the exhaust stroke of the same cycle for which the logic generated the command to sample.

The system is described in detail and its use is illustrated with an example.