Cylinder Pressure Variations as a Stochastic Process

A framework for a new approach to modelling the cyclic pressure variations which occur in spark ignition engines, based on stochastic process theory, is discussed. The aim is to of establish a stochastic process model for the entire pressure/time history of cycle-by-cycle variation throughout the combustion period. Three types of model are discussed. In the first two it is possible to incorporate correlation across cycles, arising from “prior cycle effects”. In the third, simpler version, the individual cycles are treated as statistically independent. Through a statistical analysis of some pressure data acquired under typical engine conditions the basic characteristics of the stochastic process representations are illustrated.