Effect of Fuel Atomization at a Fuel Supply System on the Lean Burn Characteristics in a Spark-Ignition Engine

This paper presents the fuel atomization effect of a fuel supply system on the lean burn characteristics of a spark-ignition engine and its mechanism. The fuel supply system can realize extremely different two state of atomization, i.e., wall-film of fuel flow and ultra-fine spray (less than 7 um S.M.D. by Malvern measurement). For the first step of the study, the atomization effect is examined under steady operation; several operating parameters including cyclic variability are expressed against the A/F over the wide range of operating condition. Within the operation limits, the fuel atomization does not affect any parameters, while it gives pretty much influence on the lean operation limit. Furthermore, this influencing behavior strongly depends on the throttle valve position and its opening. Combining these facts with the observation of the visualized induction system, the importance of the throttle valve in determining the atomization effect could be shown, and the possible affecting mechanism could be derived.