A variable swirl inlet system with swirl control subport was developed with consideration of how to control the angular momentum of inlet flow into the cylinder.
The effects of swirl on direct injection diesel engine performance and emissions are investigated with this variable swirl system.
Basically, lower swirl level reduces the amount of initial stage burning, which is related to NOx emission, maximum cylinder pressure and rate of cylinder pressure rise, over the entire range of engine speed and load. As a result, in high speed range or partial load range, low swirl level simultaneously gives better BSFC and lower NOx level.
An intercooled turbocharged engine with this variable swirl inlet system gave higher low-speed torque, higher brake horse power and better cold startability by selection of optimum swirl level for each engine condition.