An Investigation of Steady Flow Through a Curved Inlet Port

This paper presents a combined experimental and computational study of steady flow through a curved inlet port. Three-dimensional flow within the port and cylinder for the intake process has been simulated using the CFD code STAR-CD. Flow structures affected by the valve lift and port shape were predicted. Local static surface pressure was measured on a twice full size model of the port, valve and cylinder assembly. The static pressure maps from both measurement an computation provide detailed information on the intake port flow. The numerical predictions show an appreciable pressure recovery for a favourable flow passage between the valve seat and the valve head, which confirm earlier port design procedures. An optimum valve size for the present curved port was explored.