Browse Topic: Engine mechanical components

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Design and Analysis of a Large Hydraulic Cylinder Maintenance Device2026-99-02147/31/2026
Addressing the challenges in maintaining large hydraulic cylinders and the lack of specialized equipment, this study presents a dedicated maintenance system developed through a case study of a large hydraulic lifting cylinder. Through a comprehensive analysis of maintenance requirements, we developed a six-component maintenance system comprising a foundation base, a mounting bracket, a cylinder support frame, a piston rod bracket, a drive cylinder bracket, and hydraulic components. The paper systematically explains the structural configurations and functional specifications of each component, details the operational workflow of the maintenance system, and conducts theoretical design and strength verification for critical load-bearing brackets using principles from theoretical mechanics and structural mechanics. A static analysis module from ANSYS Workbench finite element software was employed to validate the overall structure. Results demonstrate that the key components meet operational strength requirements. This innovative maintenance system proves highly feasible and serves as a valuable reference for designing similar hydraulic cylinder systems.
Qiao, Xiaodong, Du, Chao, Long, Yuheng
Design and Verification of Underactuated Coupled-Commutation Omnidirectional Mobile Integrated Camping Robot Chassis2026-99-08207/30/2026
To solve the poor mobility of traditional camping vehicle chassis in complex terrains and confined spaces, this paper proposes an underactuated omnidirectional mobile chassis for outdoor camping vehicles. The chassis adopts a coupled commutation mechanism (double-crank elastic special-shaped connecting rods cross sliders), allowing each wheel to realize two motion modes (omnidirectional translation, in-situ rotation) with just one drive motor, reducing system complexity and cost. A control system based on the RoboMaster Development Board C Type integrates PID angle-loop control and motor speed-current dual closed-loop control for motion stability. Kinematic models for these two modes are established to derive the wheel parameter-chassis motion relationship. MATLAB R2023b-ADAMS 2024 co-simulations show the chassis maintains attitude stability under S-shaped curve, circular curve, and in-situ rotation; Qualisys 3D motion capture experiments confirm its stable attitude in omnidirectional movement.
Ren, Yulong, Lu, Zhiguo, Yang, Dongsheng, Wu, Di, Zhang, Tianyu, Qian, Zhenxin
Effects of Equivalence Ratio on Hydrogen Combustion Flow and NOX Emission Characteristics in a Jet-Trapped Vortex Combustor2026-99-08067/30/2026
The jet-trapped vortex combustor presented in this study was designed based on the trapped vortex combustor with good flame stability by introducing a jet flame-stabilization method. Leveraging the superior air-fuel mixing efficiency and enhanced heat and mass transfer of the jet stabilization method, this configuration addresses the inherent limitations of heat and mass transfer between the mainstream flow and the cavity in a conventional trapped vortex combustor. To investigate the influence of different hydrogen-air equivalence ratios on the flow dynamics, combustion performance, and emission within the jet-trapped vortex combustor, numerical simulations were conducted in this study. The results show that under different equivalence ratios, a vortex pair structure can be formed in the mixing zone between the hydrogen jet and the air jet. Complete combustion can be achieved at all equivalence ratios except for Φ = 1.56. When Φ is below 0.86, the axial distance required to achieve complete combustion progressively decreases as the equivalence ratio is reduced. The temperature distribution in the combustor is more uniform with minimal variation, and the concentration of NO emissions decreases progressively. Among these cases, the combustion efficiency, temperature distribution, and NO emission characteristic of the combustor are relatively better at Φ = 0.34.
Yan, Pinghua, Hou, Xinglong, Ren, Guanlong, Sun, Haijun, Luo, Kun, Yang, Shucheng
Topology Optimization of Liquid Flow Manifolds for Flow Resistance Reduction in EV Thermal Management2026-99-08657/30/2026
In order to reduce flow resistance loss in EV thermal management systems, this research builds a comprehensive computational process. The study used an advanced three-dimensional topology optimization technology integrating detailed fluid flow analysis with an adjoint sensitivity solver. This integrated computational approach helps systematic analysis of the complete design region. Thus, the internal flow channels with high resistance can be rearranged. The optimization target was set to minimize total pressure drop under defined operational parameters in real driving conditions. Through iterative calculation, the study successfully created three flow manifolds with different geometric shapes; each flow channel has its own distinct source of high resistance. The results show that the optimization effect is quite good, compared with the traditional manifold developed based on engineering experience; these optimized designs have reduced the pressure drop by 27%, 41%, and 74%, respectively. Beyond these quantitative pressure reduction data, detailed flow field analysis revealed that the optimized manifolds promote substantially improved hydrodynamic characteristics. The optimized internal channels generate more uniform velocity profiles, effectively diminish spatial velocity variations, and restrain vortex formation and recirculation zones. These useful flow field enhancements collectively contribute to a dramatic reduction in energy dissipation. This improves the thermodynamic efficiency of the thermal management system effectively. In order to conduct a more comprehensive verification, the optimized manifold was evaluated under various non-design operating conditions. These three designs consistently maintained stable performance characteristics and their low resistance properties in operating scenarios different from the original conditions, compared to the original manifold. Its stable performance under variable conditions shows the effectiveness of the topology-optimized methods and shows its broad operational adaptability. This is of great significance for the automotive application field, as the operating conditions in this field are often changing.
Liang, Zhixuan, Tian, Ran, Ye, Xiaokang, Wei, Mingshan, Sun, Xiaoxia, Shen, Lili
Performance Analysis of a Gasoline Direct-Injection Opposed-Piston FPEG: A Coupled Study of Injection, Scavenging, and Dynamics2026-01-50637/28/2026
The opposed-piston free-piston engine generator (FPEG) is a promising high-efficiency energy conversion architecture, featuring reduced heat transfer and favorable NVH characteristics for applications such as auxiliary power units and vehicle range extenders. While significant progress has been made, existing studies often focus on isolated parameters. The coupled effects of key operational parameters, including injection pulse width, scavenging pressure, rebound cylinder base pressure, and mover mass, on the performance of gasoline direct-injection opposed-piston FPEG remain insufficiently explored. To bridge this gap, we develop and validate a thermodynamics zero-dimensional combustion simulation model against bench tests, with peak pressure errors below 5%. This model enables a systematic investigation into the interactive effects of these parameters. Results indicate that piston dynamics are most sensitive near dead centers and in the first half of the expansion stroke. Indicated thermal efficiency peaks at 35.87% with a 4.5 ms injection pulse width and increases from 35.02% to 36% as scavenging pressure rises from 1.3 bar to 3 bar. Scavenging pressure dominates compression ratio and efficiency, rebound pressure mainly affects operating frequency, and injection width governs indicated work and peak pressure. This study establishes a coupled analysis framework, providing concrete insights for optimizing opposed-piston FPEG performance through parameter coordination.
Wu, Limin, Ji, Kaixuan, Feng, Huihua, Jia, Boru, Zuo, Zhengxing
3D Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Performance and Emissions of an Off-Highway Port Fuel Injection Hydrogen Engine03-19-04-00187/27/2026
To fulfil the global aspiration of achieving net-zero emissions, hydrogen as a fuel seems to be one of the promising candidates. High energy density per unit mass and zero carbonaceous emissions are the two salient advantages that hydrogen offers. In the present study, a set of detailed chemistry-based 3D CFD combustion simulation has been carried on a 3-cylinder turbocharged, water-cooled port fuel injection SI Hydrogen engine to understand its optimum air–fuel ratio, compression ratio, spark timing and combustion chamber geometry. The simulations have been conducted at the full load of the rated power and maximum torque engine rpms. During simulation, the λ zone for study is restricted between 2.1 and 2.7. Two different bowl geometries (spherical and cylindrical), with two compression ratio options (12 and 14) are explored in the simulations. While the spherical bowl seems to accommodate flame front better than the cylindrical bowl, the compression ratio of 12 is a safer choice to control the maximum rate of pressure rise (dp/dθ). At full load and rated speed, the indicated thermal efficiency drops by 7.7% as the λ swings from 2.1 to 2.7, whereas the indicated specific NOx and dp/dθ drop by 99% and 81%, respectively. Similarly, at full load and maximum torque RPM, the indicated thermal efficiency drops by 6.4% with λ swing from 2.1 to 2.7, whereas the indicated specific NOx and dp/dθ drop by 99% and 91%, respectively. Beyond λ = 2.4 NOx reaches almost to zero, however, at a compromise of the thermal efficiency. The dp/dθ remains well within the acceptable limit under this scenario. To account this trade-off between the performance and emission parameters, optimum λ zone has been found out to be between 2.3 and 2.5.
Satre, Santosh Dadasaheb, Mukherjee, Nalini Kanta, Kumar, Sanjeev, Nene, Devendra
Design and Dynamic Simulation of a High-Speed Conjugate Parallel Indexing Cam Mechanism2026-99-16257/24/2026
The cam mechanism, as an extremely important transmission method in mechanical transmission, is widely used in automatic machinery and automatic control devices. In small and medium-sized high-speed automatic guns, high-speed camshafts are often used to achieve intermittent movement of the supply and transport of ammunition during high-speed shooting. Due to the possible vibrations, wear, and instability that may occur during the movement of high-speed camshafts, the design of camshafts needs to meet the requirements of continuous third-order derivatives of the curve, while minimizing angular acceleration as much as possible. This article focuses on the design requirements of a high-speed intermittent motion mechanism, with continuous angular velocity and angular acceleration as design constraints. It establishes segmented function motion equations for the acceleration, deceleration, and uniform speed sections of a high-speed conjugate parallel indexing cam while ensuring that the design cam curve does not have knots. The theoretical profile and the actual profile of the cam, considering roller radius offset, are calculated. Based on this, dynamic simulations are carried out on the acceleration and deceleration sections of the cam roller, and the structural response considering structural elastic deformation and contact collision conditions is obtained. The calculations show that the cam and roller meet the structural strength requirements during high-speed motion. Experimental verification shows that the structure is stable and reliable during high-speed motion.
Wang, Shuman, Qin, Yanhui, Ning, Bianfang
Modeling and Simulation Analysis of Liquid Hydrogen and Power Systems Based on Amesim2026-99-16087/24/2026
Hydrogen-powered aircraft primarily utilize the conversion of liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen to replace aviation kerosene, where hydrogen is directly combusted to provide propulsion. This study applied Amesim software to establish a complicated model simulating the liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen conversion and ignition combustion processes. The simulation contains converting liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen through a heat exchanger and simulating the mixture of gaseous hydrogen and air in the engine combustion chamber, and then igniting the mixture. The pressure, temperature, and flow rate of gaseous hydrogen and air during the ignition and combustion process in the engine combustion chamber, as well as the outlet temperature of the combustion chamber, are simulated and analyzed. The results demonstrate that during the simulation process, the internal pressure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the outlet pressure and flow rate of the liquid hydrogen pump, and the pressure and flow rate of gaseous hydrogen meet the requirements of the ignition combustion test. In addition, varying gaseous hydrogen flow rates had significant impacts on the temperature of the combustion chamber during combustion.
Gao, Pengfei, Wang, Lijian
Experimental Investigation on Unburned Methanol and Formaldehyde Emissions from a Direct-Injection Diesel / Methanol Dual-Fuel Engine2026-99-16467/24/2026
For large-bore marine methanol / diesel dual-fuel engines, this study investigates the formation characteristics of unregulated emissions through experimental methods and explores the mechanisms by which engine load and injection timing influence the emissions of unburned methanol and formaldehyde. The study was carried out on a supercharged intercooled inline six-cylinder engine, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to monitor the exhaust composition in real time. The study shows that methanol released in the exhaust is due to the incomplete combustion of the methanol fuel. In the combustion process of methanol fuel, formaldehyde mainly arises from two pathways, the first of which is the partial oxidation of methanol inside the cylinder; secondly, the unburned methanol in the exhaust gas oxidizes in the exhaust pipe to generate formaldehyde. As the load increased from 25% to 100%, the unburned methanol emissions decreased by 29%, and formaldehyde emissions decreased by 71%. This is mainly attributed to the enhanced oxidation reaction and reduced wall crevice effect due to the increased combustion temperature. Methanol injection timing optimization was effective in controlling unregulated emissions, with methanol emissions lower at -7° CA ATDC and formaldehyde emissions reaching larger values under this condition. Delaying the diesel injection to -16°CA ATDC led to a 38% increase in unburned methanol emissions, caused by fuel spray interactions and longer stagnation, whereas formaldehyde emissions showed minimal change.
Jiang, Yuqi, Li, Hongmei, Zhang, Wenzheng, Li, Xiao, Zheng, Liang, Meng, Yangqian, Gu, Xianan, Hua, Hanqing
Numerical Analysis of Directly Injected Hydrogen into a High-Pressure Chamber2026-01-07457/1/2026
Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines have emerged as an option for decarbonizing heavy-duty transportation. However, injecting high-pressure hydrogen gas into pressurized combustion chambers induces complex compressible flow phenomena, including choked flow and under-expanded supersonic jet structures, which challenge conventional modeling approaches for optimizing engine performance and emissions. This study conducts a numerical investigation of transient hydrogen injection into a high-pressure argon environment, benchmarking a 2D axisymmetric Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model against high-fidelity experimental optical measurements. Utilizing Ansys Fluent with a density-based solver, coupled with the k-ω SST turbulence model and species transport equations, simulations were performed at injection pressures of 6 MPa and 10 MPa into a 1 MPa ambient chamber. The simulation successfully captured fundamental compressible physics, including Mach disk formation and significant expansion cooling near the nozzle exit. Validation results revealed a strong dependency on the nozzle pressure ratio (nPR). At 6 MPa (nPR=6), the model achieved good agreement with experimental data, predicting tip penetration depth within 10% . However, at 10 MPa (nPR=10), while axial penetration depth predictions remained within the 10% error margin, they were consistently underestimated, and radial dispersion was significantly under-predicted. These discrepancies at high energy levels highlight the challenges of predicting turbulent entrainment within the current modeling framework. The results suggests that the observed deviations are likely to be caused by combined limitations related to the RANS turbulence model, the potential shortcomings of the 2D axisymmetric assumption in resolving highly transient mixing phenomena, the meshing strategy used, the constant assumption made about the coefficient of discharge, and the crucial role of the Turbulent Schmidt number (SCt).
Castilla Batun, Uriel Isaac, Alzahrani, Fahad
NVH Design and Refinement of Dedicated Hybrid Engine on Range-Extended Electric Vehicle2026-01-06886/20/2026
Simplicity and electrification of the propulsion system are one of the most important trends in vehicle development and integration process. The complexity of NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) design and refinement is the core challenge to this process. Customers’ expectations of an unnoticeable engine during driving make this challenge more critical [1]. Apart from the overall sound pressure level, the sound quality is even more important due to the lack of noise masking effects [2]. Therefore, the development team has reached an internal consensus that NVH attributes are the top priority in engine development. This paper describes the NVH development process of a dedicated hybrid engine for the range extender electric vehicle (REEV) application, beginning with an introduction to REEV system as well as the operating condition data of long-distance road tests. Based on the road test data, the engine technical specification is defined accordingly and broken down into design targets for all individual components. Subsequently the design target is finally achieved through the definition of engine architecture, hardware selection, and individual component simulation and optimization. With regard to the NVH refinement, the NVH issues such as global crankshaft vibration, start impacts, high-pressure fuel system ticking, and acoustic encapsulations studies are discussed. Finally, the appropriate optimization proposals are summarized and the bench test results are presented.
Wang, Hao, Zhang, Guiqiang
Numerical Simulation of Spark-Ignited Flame Kernels towards Prospective Application to Hydrogen SI Engines2026-37-00156/9/2026
The ongoing energy transition demands the decarbonization of the transport sector, for which the use of premixed hydrogen in spark-ignition (SI) engines appears very promising. However, modeling the combustion of the lean hydrogen/air mixtures required for safe, efficient, and low-NOx engine operation involves multiple open issues. Correct prediction of flame kernel initiation and growth is a difficulty that hydrogen shares with hydrocarbon fuels, while properly accounting for the instabilities that characterize lean hydrogen flames is an additional demanding task. In this work, a 1D kernel expansion model of general validity recently proposed by the authors is implemented into OpenFOAM, an open-source 3D CFD software package, to enable numerical simulation of expanding spark-ignited flame kernels. Firstly, the OpenFOAM framework is presented focusing on XiFluid, its flame propagation model based on a regress variable whose evolution depends on the laminar flame speed. Then, the authors’ kernel expansion model, based on the transient thermo-diffusive theory, is briefly recalled to highlight its capabilities and outputs. The coupling between OpenFOAM and authors’ model is split into two stages, namely ignition and expansion. During the ignition stage, an artificial profile of the regress variable is temporarily imposed to ensure a stable numerical solution, following which the kernel expansion is simulated by feeding into XiFluid an equivalent flame speed extracted from the 1D model. The coupling is currently formulated for laminar kernels, simulations of which are conducted firstly for conventional fuels (methane and propane) and then for hydrogen. The results are validated against outcomes of experimental tests performed in a constant-volume combustion chamber operated by engine manufacturer Wärtsilä. The validation is satisfactory for all fuels, although minor disagreements appear in case of intense flame stretch. These will be addressed in future developments, which will also extend this approach to unstable turbulent hydrogen flames in SI engines.
Dotteschini, Enrico, Pretto, Marco, Giannattasio, Pietro, Gadalla, Mahmoud
Methane Emission Mitigation in Large-Bore Dual-Fuel Engines via Negative Valve Overlap Diesel Injection: Thermochemical Pathways and Reactivity Control2026-37-00456/9/2026
Low-load natural gas–diesel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) in medium-speed marine engines is constrained by an insufficient charge thermal state. This limitation leads to partial fuel oxidation, producing high methane emissions. This work evaluates the use of negative valve overlap (NVO) combined with NVO diesel injection as an in-cylinder reactivity enhancement strategy. The simulation study was performed using the University of Vaasa’s advanced thermo-kinetic multi-zone model (UVATZ), extended for reactive simulations during NVO. The extended framework was validated against test-bench data from a prototype Wärtsilä 6L20 dual-fuel engine operating in RCCI mode. The baseline low-load operating point for reforming simulations was defined by reducing the intake manifold temperature to replicate conditions close to partial misfire with 52% combustion efficiency. The parametric sweeps of NVO injection timing and ratio showed that the strategy can be used for in-cycle fast thermal management, effectively restoring complete combustion on an individual cycle basis. In simulated conditions, the best performance was obtained with an NVO injection ratio of 0.3, with the injection scheduled before top dead center. In contrast, increasing the NVO fraction beyond ~0.3 provided no benefit and led to complete misfire due to excessive reduction of main-event high-reactivity fuel. The simulations revealed a coupled thermal–chemical control mechanism. Early NVO injections stabilize combustion through recompression heat release and an increased next-cycle intake valve closing temperature. Sufficiently late injections stabilize combustion by carrying unreacted diesel into the subsequent cycle. Injections near NVO TDC primarily undergo fuel conversion to CO, H2O, and unsaturated light/mid-range hydrocarbons with negligible thermal boost, yielding an overall reactivity deficit.
Soleimani, Amir, Nurmi, Mikael, Hunicz, Jacek, Kim, Jeyoung, Hyvonen, Jari, Mikulski, Maciej
Effects of Engine Geometries on the Combustion Characteristics of a Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Spark-Ignition Engine2026-37-00466/9/2026
For heavy-duty applications, hydrogen (H2) internal combustion engines offer a practical solution for future transportation. However, the influence of cylinder head flow characteristics and piston geometry on lean H2 combustion remains insufficiently understood. This study presents a comprehensive computational investigation of three engine configurations characterized by distinct in-cylinder flow dynamics: mild swirl and tumble (Engine a), strong tumble (Engine b), and strong swirl (Engine c). High-fidelity three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed for both port-fuel injection (PFI) and direct injection (DI) strategies. The impact of piston geometry was evaluated by comparing the baseline piston with a flat piston, while the spark timing was optimized to achieve favorable combustion phasing. Combustion and NOx formation were modeled using a G-equation-based combustion framework incorporating diffusive-thermal instability effects and a validated in-house H2 chemical mechanism. Turbulence-flame interactions were further characterized using Borghi-Peters diagrams. Under PFI operation, the strong-tumble configuration (Engine b) generated the highest turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), resulting in faster flame propagation, more advanced combustion phasing, and improved thermal efficiency. The flat piston further enhanced efficiency by reducing mixture confinement within piston-induced recirculation zones. Under DI operation, H2 injection significantly increased turbulence intensity, and a flat piston promoted higher TKE near spark timing in Engines b and c by reducing mixture-wall interaction, leading to faster combustion compared with the baseline piston. In contrast, the original piston produced higher TKE within the piston bowl in Engine a due to stronger recirculation. Additionally, the strong-tumble configuration achieved the most homogeneous mixture distribution under DI conditions. These results demonstrate that in-cylinder flow structure, piston geometry, and DI injection strongly affect turbulence generation, mixture formation, and combustion performance. The strong-tumble configuration shows the greatest potential for achieving high thermal efficiency with controlled emissions in lean H2 spark ignition engines.
Liu, Xinlei, Menaca, Rafael, Cenker, Emre, Silva, Mickael, Qahtani, Yasser A., Pei, Yuanjiang, Turner, James W.G., Im, Hong G.
Investigation into Cooling Loss Reduction Associated with Changes in In-Cylinder Flame Distribution by Offset Orifice Nozzle2026-37-00036/9/2026
An increase in compression ratio has been widely recognized as one of the essential technologies for improving the thermal efficiency of heavy-duty diesel engines. However, a higher compression ratio tends to result in increased cooling loss, which could diminish the thermal efficiency gains. It was found that an offset orifice nozzle, in which the orifices are drilled with a small offset from the radial center of the nozzle, improves thermal efficiency and reduces cooling loss simultaneously. This study investigates the mechanism of cooling-loss reduction associated with changes in flame distribution when using an offset orifice nozzle, through in-cylinder combustion observations, two-color method image analysis, and local heat-flux measurements. High-speed combustion visualization was conducted to capture the growth of luminous flames. Radial profiles of the mean and standard deviation were computed at each crank angle to quantify spatial temperature non-uniformity. Furthermore, multiple thin-film thermocouples embedded in the piston were employed to measure transient surface temperature and to derive heat flux over the entire cycle. The results indicated that the luminous flame distribution with the offset orifice nozzle was significantly different from that with a conventional nozzle, leading to reduction in the spatial non-uniformity of high-temperature regions in the observed area. The piston surface temperature measured at multiple points suggested reduced spatial non-uniformity in surface temperature, with suppressed instantaneous heat flux. These findings confirm the hypothesis that cooling-loss reduction is achieved by suppressing localized hot spots on the piston surface through the altered flame distribution.
Mukayama, Tomoyuki, Enomoto, Yoshiteru, Mikami, Naotaka, Nomoto, Shigeru, Uchida, Noboru
A Predictive Methodology for 3D-CFD Simulation of Piston Thermal Field in Sustainable High-Performance Engines2026-37-00026/9/2026
In recent years, especially in high-performance spark-ignition engines, the thermal stress of pistons has gradually increased due to the implementation of various technologies, aimed at meeting emission reduction and specific power increase requirements. If the heat is not properly dissipated, cracking and plastic deformation of the material as well as formation of hot spots triggering pre-ignition in the combustion chamber mixture can occur. This last aspect is even more true considering innovative fuels such as hydrogen. To overcome these problems, one or more jets of oil are directed towards the piston under-crown region, impacting at high speed. This technique ensures immediate cooling and allows the engine performance to be increased without compromising the useful life. In order to optimize the oil jet effectiveness, 3D-CFD can be proficiently adopted. In this regard, the aim of this work is to define a robust numerical methodology able to simulate oil jet impingement and piston thermal field. In particular, a 3D-CFD Volume-of-Fluid (VoF) simulation is used to numerically assess the oil jet impact and provide a map of heat transfer coefficients, which, in turn, is adopted in a 3D-CHT model to estimate the piston thermal field. The proposed methodology is validated against experimental data on a high-performance engine piston. In particular, a pair of oil jets is investigated and the resulting heat transfer coefficient map is exploited to obtain the thermal field of the piston, which is finally compared to the available experimental temperature measurements. The results show that the predicted temperatures agree with the experimental data within an error lower than 2.5%.
Duni, Andrea, Berni, Fabio, Breda, Sebastiano, Fontanesi, Stefano, Gilioli, Filippo
Investigating the Potential of Two Individually Controlled Injectors per Rotor for a Direct Injection Hydrogen Wankel Engine2026-37-00086/9/2026
Hydrogen-fueled rotary engines offer a promising zero-emission solution for compact commercial powertrains. This study reports experimental results from the further development of a naturally aspirated, direct-injection hydrogen rotary engine by HTM. Initial applications, such as an airport baggage tractor, demonstrated technical feasibility but revealed pre-ignition that limited maximum torque. To address this, mixture formation was investigated using an experimental setup with two independently controlled injectors feeding a single rotor injection channel. The effects on operating behavior, efficiency, and NOx emissions were evaluated. The dual-injector configuration significantly shortens injection duration and improves spatial distribution of hydrogen within the combustion chamber. Enhanced mixture control suppresses pre-ignition and enables higher mean effective pressure. Systematic variation of injection timing under representative steady-state conditions also shows potential for NOx reduction through differentiated injector operation. In-cylinder pressure analysis and exhaust gas measurements provide detailed insight into combustion characteristics and abnormal events. The dual-injector setup increases torque capability and operational robustness without additional mechanical complexity, supporting the use of hydrogen rotary engines in compact hybrid systems and stationary power applications.
Endres, Jonas, Beidl, Christian, Herold, Tim, Lavall, Philipp, Schmidt, Marvin, Hofmann, Silas, Kahl, Jonas
Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 Carbon-Neutral Fuel versus EN 228 in a 1980s Fiat 500 Engine2026-37-00336/9/2026
The energy transition requires a rapid reduction in the use of fossil fuels, whose combustion generates substantial greenhouse-gas emissions. In Europe, transport alone accounts for roughly a quarter of total greenhouse-gas emissions, with road transport being the predominant component. In this context, the use of biofuels has emerged as a potential solution for limiting further increases in CO₂ emissions. However, most studies available in the literature evaluate the performance of these fuels on modern engines, while their effects on historic carburetted engines remain largely unexplored. This is particularly significant given the large fleet of historic vehicles across Europe, supported by a long-standing tradition of vehicle preservation, associations, and classic car collectors. The main historic-vehicle federations advise caution and the use of low-ethanol formulations so as not to damage elastomers, fuel tanks, and carburettor float bowls. For this reason, a few suppliers have developed fuels specifically for classic vehicles. Among this minority, in 2023 Coryton Advanced Fuels introduced the SUSTAIN Classic line, including the Super 80 variant. In the present study, the performance, fuel consumption, and emissions of an air-cooled, four-stroke Fiat 500 engine fueled with commercial RON 95 gasoline and Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 were analyzed. A first test comprised a complete sweep from 1000 to 5000 RPM and a second test evaluated four different main jets at maximum torque speed and maximum power speed. To evaluate the performance, the engine was installed on a test bench equipped with a torque meter. Static pressure and temperature sensors were employed to characterize the engine operating conditions, while a dynamic pressure sensor installed in the combustion chamber was used to analyze the combustion characteristics. Exhaust emissions were also measured using a gas analyzer, allowing for a detailed and accurate comparison of the effects associated with the use of the two fuels.
Tarchiani, Marco, Fossati, Federico, Raspanti, Sandro, Baroni, Alberto, Ferrara, Giovanni, Romani, Luca
On Natural Gas Combustion Split into Diesel Like Architecture of a Compression Ignition Engine Retrofitted for Spark Ignition Operation2026-37-00296/9/2026
In commercial areas that no longer favor diesel engines, such as Europe, it might be interesting to convert an existing compression ignition engine to the spark ignition operation and to use natural gas (NG) because of its advantages: availability of still abundant supplies worldwide and environmental benefits compared to conventional liquid fossil fuels. This paper first presents experimental results on NG combustion inside such a converted engine with diesel-like architecture dedicated to light-duty vehicles and passenger cars. Particularly, our study carried out at the engine test bed revealed that in certain operating points (low speed and load, stoichiometric mixture and rather high spark advance), the combustion is split into two distinct events (first, a fast combustion inside the cylinder and piston bowl and then, a slower combustion occurring outside the bowl-in combustion chamber, in other words, in the squish region), which is not specific to the standard spark ignition engine. This is clearly illustrated by a rate of heat release profile with two peaks. The explanations for such combustion event are also supported by a 3D CFD study showing the in-cylinder NG distribution. The combination of experimental and numerical investigations contributes to the understanding of NG combustion in the diesel like architecture of the converted CI engine when subjected to deliberately extreme conditions, namely non-optimal spark advance setting exceeding the maximum brake torque spark advance.
Clenci, Adrian F., Popa, Robert, Berquez, Julien, Iorga-Siman, Victor, Magheru, Catalin, Punov, Plamen, Niculescu, Rodica
Rapid Fuel Distribution Prediction in RCCI Marine Engines Using CFD-Informed, Active Learning Framework2026-37-00176/9/2026
Accurate prediction of in-cylinder fuel distribution (FD) is fundamental to reduced-order combustion modeling and emissions prediction yet remains computationally prohibitive with high-fidelity CFD alone. This work develops a CFD-informed machine-learning surrogate for spatial FD in a large-bore diesel engine, based on a Wärtsilä W20 injector and representative engine conditions. A fully coupled injector–spray–engine CFD framework under engine-like RCCI inert conditions determines the needle-lift profile and resolves the combined effects of injector geometry, needle dynamics, and operating conditions on in-cylinder flow, capturing physical phenomena not reproducible by isolated free-spray simulations. A high-fidelity database is generated using Latin Hypercube Sampling, from which FD is extracted at 15 CAD before top dead center within an annular multi-zone (MZ) representation consistent with reduced-order combustion models. A multi-output Random Forest (RF) surrogate, augmented with uncertainty-driven active learning, is trained to predict the complete spatial FD vector. Prediction errors are higher near the combustion chamber core than in liner-adjacent zones, reflecting stronger nonlinear coupling and localized data sparsity. To address this, four additional CFD samples are selected from regions of maximum predictive uncertainty and incorporated into the training dataset. This targeted enrichment markedly improves surrogate performance, reducing mean absolute error (MAE) under worst-case input conditions. Although localized error amplification persists in a few zones, these regions are systematically identified and can be mitigated through further adaptive sampling using candidates proposed by the updated surrogate. Convergence of the active-learning framework is assessed using mean MAE, worst-zone MAE, global L1 error, and ensemble-based predictive uncertainty, ensuring robust and consistent accuracy across the design space. The framework integrates CFD-resolved physics, machine-learning surrogates, uncertainty quantification, and adaptive sampling, providing a scalable and physically consistent approach for efficient FD prediction in advanced engines.
Moradi, Jamshid, Salahi, Mahdi, Heidarabadi, Shadab, Andwari, Amin, Konno, Juho, Wik, Christer, Mikulski, Maciej
CFD Modelling of an Asymmetric Hydrogen Injector Cap for Direct Injection Applications: Design Impact on Jets Structure and Momentum Flux2026-37-00116/9/2026
The adoption of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral sustainable fuel for internal combustion is regarded as a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions. In this framework, the injection system plays a crucial role, being responsible for delivering a large amount of fuel to the combustion chamber. Currently, low-pressure direct injection is considered one of the best solutions to ensure the appropriate fuel delivery. The use of caps has proven particularly effective, as they enable a potentially unlimited range of geometries while minimizing modifications to the injector hardware. Experimental campaigns and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be used together as complementary tools to speed up the development process and explore multiple combinations of parameters, thereby optimizing the overall design of both the engine and the caps. In the present paper, a single-hole GDI-derived hydrogen prototype injector equipped with a two-hole asymmetric cap and fed with hydrogen is analyzed through both experiments and CFD simulations under two different operating conditions in terms of rail pressure. Cap pressure, overall fuel instantaneous mass flow rate and hole-specific jet momentum have been measured during the experimental campaign. The resulting data were used as boundary conditions and as targets for the validation of steady-state CFD computations, where the same equipment has been simulated. In particular, the momentum flux produced by the two jets emerging from the forming cap was used to validate the numerical methodology against experimental outcomes. Moreover, the exact dimensions of cap holes have been taken by means of optical microscope and applied to the simulation to compare the real geometry against the nominal one. Therefore, the impact of the effective cap geometry is explored, evidencing a noticeable dependence specifically of the cap backpressure and therefore of the injection system performance on the details of the cap design.
Pavan, Nicolo, Breda, Sebastiano, Duni, Andrea, Martino, Manuel, Fontanesi, Stefano, Postrioti, Lucio
Development and Validation of a One-Dimensional Model for an Opposed-Piston Free-Piston Engine Generator with Parametric Analysis2026-37-00216/9/2026
Opposed-piston free-piston engine generators (OFPEGs) are emerging as a promising technology for next-generation hybrid and electrified transportation systems due to their high efficiency, reduced mechanical complexity, and improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics. However, due to eliminating the conventional crankshaft mechanism and directly coupling a free-piston engine with linear generators, performance of OFPEG systems is governed by a strong coupling between piston dynamics, in-cylinder combustion processes, and electrical loading conditions. This coupling presents substantial challenges for system design, control, and optimization, limiting the further development and application of OFPEGs. Existing researches lack a comprehensive numerical model that integrates detailed in-cylinder thermodynamic process with control system of linear generator, and quantitative analysis of the effect of piston motion trajectory on system performance remains insufficiently explored. In this study, a novel one-dimensional OFPEG model is developed in Gasdyn and coupled with a linear motor model and a control strategy in MATLAB/Simulink, thus forming a complete numerical model for OFPEG. The model is validated against experimental measurements, demonstrating effective prediction of thermodynamic and dynamic performance with acceptable errors. Based on the validated model, the effects of varying piston motion trajectory on system performance are analyzed. Lower Rt and higher Ωcom and Ωexp are recommended for higher performance. When Rt is reduced to 2.5:1, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 36.3% and 3.4 kW, respectively. When Ωcom is increased to 0.6, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 35.5% and 3.22 kW, respectively. When Ωexp is increased to 0.6, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 36.0% and 3.41 kW, respectively. These improvements are primarily attributed to reduced heat transfer losses and enhanced scavenging efficiency under the modified trajectories. The results provide valuable insights into the optimization of piston motion trajectory to achieve higher performance. Furthermore, the proposed numerical model provides an effective tool for OFPEG design, optimization, and control strategy development, supporting the advancement of high-efficiency, low-carbon OFPEG systems for future transportation applications.
Wang, Jiayu, Morandi, Nicola, Lucchini, Tommaso, FENG, HUIHUA, Jia, Boru, Ren, Peirong
TOC99-08-02-0TOC4/13/2026
TOC
Tobolski, Sue
Achieving 70% Urban Fuel Consumption Reduction: An Opposed-Piston Engine-Based Mild-Hybrid Powertrain Architecture for Light Commercial Vehicles (JLA-2/JLA-T)2026-01-04324/7/2026
This paper proposes a novel powertrain architecture for the urban Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, leveraging the compact JLA-2 opposed-piston (OP) engine paired with the reconfigurable JLA-T mild-hybrid architecture. Within SAE literature, OP engines are consistently associated with simplicity. As highlighted by Tom Ryan III (2008 SAE President) in the foreword of Opposed Piston Engines: Evolution, Use, and Future Applications, this architecture is characterized by its manufacturing simplicity” and described as a “relatively simple, robust, and cost effective” power unit solution. The present work builds on this established view. The JLA-2 engine solves traditional packaging constraints by reducing the block width by 30% for horizontal installation and is volumetrically self-sufficient, eliminating external compressors. Although the gear train required for crank synchronization introduces design challenges, explicitly accounted for in our model, the elimination of the cylinder head and valve train reduces component count. The study utilizes a comprehensive computational methodology—incorporating 0D/1D thermodynamics, 3D CFD, and FEA—to evaluate the system against a standard Ford Escape baseline. The JLA-T module mechanically blends torque using a planetary gear-set and a low-voltage 48V electric assist, capturing electrification benefits without the high costs and safety complexities of high-voltage systems. Simulation results suggest significant performance improvements, notably achieving a sub-9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration and enabling Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) compliance in restricted zones. Most significantly, the analysis indicates that this platform delivers up to a 70% reduction in urban fuel consumption when operated as a PHEV, driven by the system’s modularity and optimized energy recovery. This paper presents the system architecture, control logic, and performance comparisons, demonstrating a feasible technical pathway for decarbonizing urban transport fleets. (Note: “JLA” serves as the proprietary designation for the engine and electromechanical hybrid system series proposed by the authors).
Nigro, Norberto, Aguerre, Horacio, Carignano, Mauro Guido, Alonso, José Luis, Juni, Carlos A.
Analyzing Fastened Joints in Hydraulic Dampers Using Simulation and Experimental Methods2026-01-05854/7/2026
The main purpose of this study is to develop and validate an accurate calculation model for a hydraulic damper piston valve joint, enabling reliable torque specification and clamp behavior without full prototype iteration. Joint stiffness is a primary interest point. The joint features a bolted interface with a laminated shim stack of many thin disks with varying outer diameters. Analysis of such joints are uncommon in literature, making it challenging to quantify the effects of load distribution, truncation, and surface contact effects between members. The proposed models discussed in this paper are based on frustum load distribution combined with annular-plate bending and elastic-foundation effects to capture the effects of washer cupping. Concrete outputs of the calculator include member load distribution, bolt and member stiffnesses, torque-to-preload relationships, and an external-load simulation that predicts when individual members lose clamp load. Detailed internal hydraulic flow through piston valve orifices and shim hydrodynamics are outside the present scope. For model correlation, axisymmetric finite-element analyses of contact pressure and joint compression were conducted, and a 30-sample torque-to-failure study quantified general joint behavior and friction characteristics. The proposed virtual development method allows early selection of joint geometry and torque specification prior to physical builds. The performance characteristics of a representative joint are presented, with simulation and experimental results that show improved preload prediction.
Dresen, Gabriel, Vollmar, Race, Roy Chowdhury, Sourav
Simultaneous Reduction of NOx and Fuel Consumption for Off-Road Powertrains2026-01-02964/7/2026
Simultaneously reducing criteria pollutants and fuel consumption is important for clean air and improving vehicle total cost of ownership. The goal of this effort was focused on a 90% NOx reduction and 10% fuel savings for an off-road 407 kW diesel engine. The baseline was a production Fiat Powertrain 13L engine and aftertreatment system meeting 0.4 g/kW-hr NOx. The baseline system was quantified over the NRTC, RMC, new low load cycle and five field cycles. A next generation engine was built incorporating several fuel-efficient design features, including a higher compression ratio, increased fuel-rail pressure, low-friction piston rings, and a high-efficiency variable-geometry turbocharger. Cylinder deactivation and EGR pump technologies were added to this engine as well. The combination was optimized prior to adding advanced aftertreatment systems, showing the trade-off of engine out NOx and exhaust temperature. Two next-generation catalyst technologies were employed into a LO-SCR plus main SCR system, both with and without an electric heater upstream of the LO-SCR. These catalysts were hydrothermally aged to simulate significant field use. Dual SCR dosing with newly developed controls played a critical role in achieving the proper split between the upstream LO-SCR and the downstream main SCR. Adding a next generation mixer for the downstream SCR proved essential in obtaining the final results. The optimal configuration required adding an electric heater to elevate the exhaust temperature at the LO-SCR for early cycle NOx reduction. The final results showed a 94.8% NOx reduction and 15.7% fuel savings on the composite NRTC.
McCarthy, Jr.,, James, Wine, Jonathan, Bradley, Ryan, Hasseman, Andy, Prikhodko, Vitaly, Howell, Thomas
Investigation of In-Cylinder Cycle-to-Cycle Variation Using PIV, LIF and RANS Simulation2026-01-02994/7/2026
Cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) of combustion is an issue that inevitably arises in internal combustion engines. There is a need to clarify and improve the situation, as well as predict it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study involved carrying out experimental analyses of the factors that cause combustion cycle fluctuations, as well as predicting the CCV of gas flow using RANS. To elucidate the CCV in gas flow and combustion within gasoline engine, simultaneous TR-PIV, PLIF and direct-photography of flame propagation were performed using an optical single-cylinder engine, CCV prediction model for gas flow using RANS was verified. The results revealed the following: The variation in the equivalence ratio per cycle has little effect on initial combustion but does influence IMEP. Evaluating the laminar flame speed, SL and turbulent flame speed, ST as factors determining initial combustion revealed almost no correlation with SL, while moderate correlations were observed between ST and CA10. The position of the tumble vortex center at ignition timing was found to be critical; the vortex center position most favorable for advancing combustion timing was located to diagonally below the spark plug. The angular velocity at the center of the tumble vortex in the ensemble averaged flow significantly affected the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) at the ignition timing, initial flame propagation speed, and CA10 phase. A model predicting cycle fluctuations during non-combustion was developed and verified against experiments. The CCV predicted using the spatial-based model reproduced the experimental CCV trends.
Hokimoto, Satoshi, Moriyoshi, Yasuo, Kuboyama, Tatsuya
Improving Transient Diesel Performance with E-Supercharging and Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Controls2026-01-04444/7/2026
Torque transients are challenging for turbocharged diesel engines. Engine torque response is limited by the lag in air flow, restricting the rate at which fuel can be delivered to avoid high engine-out soot emissions. Electrified forced induction systems (EFIS) offer a solution to address this challenge. In this study, an electrified supercharger (e-supercharger) is utilized in addition to the stock turbocharger on a 4.5-L 4-cylinder diesel engine to create a two-stage boosting system. Two control strategies were studied for e-supercharger control during engine transients, a model-based single-input single-output (SISO) controller and a model-based robust multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) controller. Constant speed load acceptance (CSLA) experiments and emulated drive-cycles were performed to evaluate the performance of each control method. In-cylinder pressure measurements were acquired and apparent heat release calculations were performed and analyzed to better understand the transient engine response. The e-supercharged two-stage boosted engine demonstrated significant improvements over the baseline engine when using both control approaches. The rate of transient power generation was improved by as much as 59.4% resulting in reduced engine speed droop and decreased engine speed recovery time. Transient engine-out soot emissions were also reduced. Although both control approaches improved transient response relative to the baseline engine, the MIMO controller showed the greatest potential for future improvements.
Vang, Nicholas, Rothamer, David, Ghandhi, Jaal, Ashta, Shubham, Qiu, Weijin, Rayasam, Sree Harsha, Shaver, Greg, Frushour, Bryan, Dou, Danan
Model-Based Development of a Heavy-Duty H 2 -ICE and Integrated, Turbogeneration, Electrification, and Supercharging (ITES) System2026-01-04264/7/2026
Changing global economic conditions and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are driving the need to develop efficient, near-term, alternative propulsion system technologies for heavy-duty vehicles. This study combines a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) with electrically assisted turbocharging, exhaust energy recovery, and mild hybridization to maximize propulsion system efficiency and reduce NOx emissions. To reduce cost and packaging impact of integration of these technologies on an engine, the study presents a model-based development and optimization of an Integrated Turbogeneration, Electrification, and Supercharging (ITES) system that combines the enabling components into a single compact unit. In the first phase of this study, a H2-ICE and aftertreatment concept for a MY2027 7.7L medium heavy-duty on-road engine was developed and evaluated through 1D simulation. The concept was to convert a diesel engine by changing the cylinder head to implement a port fuel injection (PFI) lean H2 SI combustion system with two-stage turbocharging and no external EGR. The concept was optimized for compression ratio, valve lift profiles, turbocharging, aftertreatment size/specification, and calibration using 1D system simulation in GT-SUITE. In the second phase of this study, the H2-ICE concept performance was further improved by integrating the ITES system and evaluated through 1D simulation. The ITES system replaces the conventional low-pressure stage of the boosting system and adds the capability of electrically assisted turbocharging, turbogeneration from exhaust energy, and P1 mild-hybridization. Applying a model-based approach, the H2-ICE & ITES component sizes were optimized for the best performance and emissions benefit. Using 1D simulation of validated models, the efficiency benefit of the ITES system on engine and vehicle level system was predicted. Finally, a vehicle level simulation was conducted comparing the fuel consumption between a conventional advanced boosting system H2-ICE concept and H2-ICE+ITES concept for Class 6-7 medium heavy duty truck application.
Bustamante, Oscar, Correia Garcia, Bruno, Joshi, Satyum, Franke, Michael
Relative Knocking Intensity to Discuss Similarities and Differences between Low- and High-Speed Knocking Phenomena2026-01-03124/7/2026
Knock intensity, the maximum half-amplitude of pressure oscillation, reaches 1 MPa once in thousands of cycles under a certain boosted high-load condition at the engine speed of 5000 min-1, which is named high-speed super knock. In the present study, a mass-production turbo-charged direct-injection gasoline engine is operated for the indicated mean effective pressure of 1.7 MPa at the engine speed of 1500 to 5000 min-1. Unburned-zone autoignition timing is estimated using Livengood-Wu integral coupled with a small set of ignition delay time equations, which matches that detected from the differential value of net heat release rate, with a difference below 2 degrees in the whole range of engine speed. As unburned-zone autoignition timing advances, ignition delay time in an unburned zone at the autoignition timing shortens. Whenever autoignition occurs at 15 degrees after TDC, the ignition delay time is the period of about 10 degrees, regardless of engine speed. Knock intensity divided by the intensity of pressure oscillation induced by the main combustion, is named relative knock intensity. True heavy knock with an extremely-large relative knock intensity occurs occasionally at the low engine speed of 1500 to 2000 min-1, of which the occurrence rate decreases with the increase in engine speed. The high-speed super knock also has an extremely-large relative knock intensity, which might be a rare occurrence of the true heavy knock. A propagation flame front is visualized at autoignition timing using 20 ion probes mounted on the combustion chamber roof. When the high-speed super knock occurs, a relatively-large volume of unburned zone is located directly below the exhaust valves. However, no remarkable autoigniton heat release is observed.
Zeng, Changzhi, Kuboyama, Tatsuya, Yatsufusa, Tomoaki, Okuyama, Shota, Kuwahara, Kazunari
Persistent Elevated Soot Emissions Induced by Clustered Stochastic Preignition Events2026-01-03144/7/2026
Stochastic Preignition (SPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon that can occur in spark-ignition engines particularly under high-load operation. SPI is characterized by uncontrolled initiation of combustion prior to spark discharge, an abnormal combustion process that can lead to severe knock events and significant engine damage. SPI has been associated with fuel properties, lubricant composition, and engine design and operation. In this work, a single-cylinder test engine with a dry-sump oil system was utilized to study the SPI response of E10 and E25 fuels with a range of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). An automated test procedure was employed, consisting of ten square-waved load profile segments, with each segment composed of 5 min of low-load operation followed by 25 min of sustained high-load operation. These tests were replicated across multiple days of testing including a lubricant triple flush between tests, and an online Fuel in Oil diagnostic measurement. Exhaust particulate emissions were continuously measured by an AVL microsoot sensor (MSS). Elevated particulate matter emissions were observed to occur concurrently with SPI events as blooms of soot. Particularly after clustered events (i.e., multiple SPI cycles occurring within 10 consecutive engine cycles), high soot emissions were observed to persist over several days of sequential operation despite daily lubricant changes, a complete warm-up procedure, and sustained low-load operation between test segments. This result implies that the particulate emissions trends may be dominated by deposit-based effects, where higher load operation is needed to alter deposition and formation processes. The observed soot blooms were also found to correspond to a reduction in the engine fueling and the fuel engine oil dilution rate despite the engine exhaust remaining at stoichiometric exhaust operation. These observations suggest that post-SPI events, pathways for lubricant migration and consumption into the combustion chamber may occur until these pathways are closed from deposit formation or ring dynamics during extended operation. These observed sooting propensity persisted with all fuels tests, but a linear correlation was observed between the summation of soot and particulate matter index (PMI) value for each fuel as well as SPI events, proving that PMI is a crucial fuel property for reducing SPI.1
Splitter, Derek, Jatana, Gurneesh, DelVescovo, Dan, Douvry-Rabjeau, Julien, Fioroni, Gina, Chapman, Elana, Salyers, John
Upstream Oxygen Sensor Signal Improvement Using the DFSS and Virtual Validation Approach2026-01-04864/7/2026
Combustion stability and emission control remain key challenges for gasoline engines, requiring robust oxygen sensing strategies. The primary function of the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor is to detect the oxygen concentration in exhaust gas for accurate air–fuel ratio control. However, poor signal visibility from individual cylinders across engine speeds can lead to improper combustion prediction and reduced engine efficiency. This work applies a Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) approach to optimize the upstream oxygen sensor configuration in a 2.0 L four-stroke gasoline engine. Conventionally, sensor placement is completed by iterative testing and calibration, which is both time-consuming and cost intensive. The DFSS framework uses input, output, control, and noise factors. Exhaust gas mass flow rate from engine cylinders at different speeds is treated as the input, while the detected oxygen mass fraction is the output. Design parameters such as pipe length, pipe diameter, sensor orientation, insertion depth, and location are considered control factors. Sensor element position and ambient temperature serve as noise factors, as they cannot be controlled directly by the engineer. The analysis is performed using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and confirmed through Design of Experiments (DoE) simulations. The optimized configuration achieved improved sensor signal stability and cylinder visibility, enabling more reliable combustion control. This structured approach demonstrates how virtual analysis combined with DFSS principles can guide robust oxygen sensor placement strategies, reducing validation effort while enhancing engine efficiency and emissions performance.
Dixit, Manish, Raja, Vinayak, Annabattula, Pallavi
CFD Investigation of Oil Ingestion and Aeration in a V6 Engine Oil Pan During Vehicle Maneuvers2026-01-02794/7/2026
A computational investigation was carried out using SimericsMP+ to analyze oil distribution and aeration behavior in a V6 engine oil pan during severe vehicle maneuvers. The model accounted for the crankshaft/camshaft rotations and piston motions, which allows for capturing realistic oil distribution in cylinder head drainbacks, engine bay and sump after initializing the crankcase with prescribed oil levels to establish baseline aeration prior to applying dynamic maneuver profiles. Of particular interest was the response of the main oil gallery (MOG) pressure and the exposure of the oil pickup tube during kickoff conditions at multiple fill levels. Both a baseline configuration and a modified sump featuring a containment “doghouse” were examined. Results obtained from the kickoff maneuver show complete uncovering of the pickup tube in the baseline design, leading to unstable lubrication. The first doghouse design only delayed pickup tube uncovering briefly, as oil pooled at the rear gap and air ingestion still occurred. Full fill avoids air ingestion; however, high interaction with the crank shaft results in higher oil aeration longer term after kickoff maneuver ends. The findings highlight the complexity of oil behavior in engine environments, where unpredictable interactions during dynamic maneuvers can easily lead to ingestion and aeration. Despite this complexity, the computational strategy developed in this study was able to accurately reproduce and predict these events which were seen in the test scenario as well in the form of pressure readings at the pump inlet. Since these high-aeration events were validated against experimental measurements, this simulation approach proves to be highly valuable for guiding product design and optimization, allowing engineers to identify risks early and improve lubrication performance in the engines before physical testing.
Jia, Kun, Rahman, Ashique, Pandey, Ashutosh
Passive Soot Regeneration Observations on a GPF Equipped Vehicle for PM Exhaust Emission Control2026-01-03664/7/2026
An on-road study has been conducted where a modern vehicle with a 3L turbocharged, PFDI gasoline engine was upfitted with appropriately sized uncoated GPFs for soot capture in a dual-bank exhaust line. The tested GPFs, whether clean or pre-loaded, were weighed to track their soot-load trends between representative real-world driving routes, where sensor data and exhaust temperature data was recorded. Thus, characterization of the passive soot regeneration process in the uncoated GPF was linked to elevated temperatures and vehicle drive cycles speeds.
Craig, Angus, Warkins, Jason
Physics-Based Simulation for Sustainable Fuels Part 1: Simulation-Driven Hydrogen Engine Power Cylinder Unit Optimization and Experimental Confirmation2026-01-02784/7/2026
The demand for sustainable mobility and transportation is accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen, in internal combustion engines. However, these engines present specific risks, such as flammable crankcase gas accumulation from blow-by and irregular combustion resulting from oil transport into the combustion chamber. Addressing these challenges requires advanced simulation tools to optimize power-cylinder-unit performance, specifically piston ring and gas dynamics. This study demonstrates the success of physics-based 2D simulation for hydrogen PCU design optimization, focusing on blow-by reduction and control of gas-flow-driven oil transport. Unlike commercial codes with adjustment and fitting parameters, the 2D simulation code – developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and successfully applied by MAHLE over decades – is fundamentally physics-based, enabling direct predictive capability without empirical calibration. Leveraging the validated “Healthy PCU System” design methodology 2D ring and gas dynamics models guided component optimization across the entire operating map. Comprehensive engine testing on a hydrogen-fueled platform confirmed simulation predictions, achieving a 28% reduction in blow-by and elimination of reverse-flow-driven oil transport. The optimized PCU design demonstrated significant improvements in lube oil consumption, with reductions of 5 g/h during high-load operations directly addressing hydrogen engine safety and performance requirements. While 2D simulation delivers excellent trend accuracy and captures average system behavior, it cannot resolve three-dimensional effects - such as ring and bore distortion conformability or ring gap positioning and ring rotation phenomena – which are responsible for local oil emissions or irregular combustion. Complementary 3D simulation analysis, combined with detailed inter-ring pressure measurements, provides essential insights into these localized phenomena and real engine behavior, as demonstrated in Part 2 of this publication series. As a further step, 3D oil transport simulation and lube oil consumption range prediction will be conducted as Part 3 of this publication series. This publication series establishes 2D simulation as the essential, computationally efficient tool for precise and efficient PCU development, while confirming that 3D analysis and experimental inter-ring pressure measurements are necessary to fully understand complex ring-liner interactions across multiple engine platforms.
Köser, Philipp, Moreira, Rui, Deuß, Thomas, Morgado, Leonardo
CFD-Guided DoE-ML Optimization Methods in a Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Engine2026-01-03264/7/2026
This study introduces a CFD-guided design of experiments (DoE) and machine learning (ML) framework for the co-optimization of piston and pre-chamber geometries in a passive pre-chamber heavy-duty hydrogen engine operating at medium and low loads. Starting from a reference configuration, an omega-type piston and a methane-optimized pre-chamber, the design space was parameterized using seven geometric variables. A Sobol sequence was employed to generate 96 randomized design variants in the DoE, each evaluated through high-fidelity 3D-CFD simulations to capture key combustion and performance metrics. The resulting dataset served as the foundation for developing and evaluating several ML regression models. A rigorous ML workflow was adopted, featuring 5-fold cross-validation and hyperparameter tuning via Bayesian optimization to ensure generalization and robustness. Model selection was based on multi-metric performance criteria including prediction accuracy, error stability, and sensitivity to design changes. The selected model demonstrated strong predictive capabilities across the design space and was integrated into an iterative optimization loop that continuously refined geometry predictions by incorporating additional CFD runs. This adaptive simulation-learning framework led to improved model accuracy and enabled rapid exploration of high-potential design regions. Beyond reducing time for technology deployment relative to expert-guided design strategies, the ML models offered interpretability by exposing key geometric sensitivities and highlighting high-impact design directions for enhanced hydrogen combustion.
Menaca, Rafael, Shakeel, Mohammad Raghib, Liu, Xinlei, Mohan, Balaji, AlRamadan, Abdullah, Cenker, Emre, Silva, Mickael, Zhang, Anqi, Pei, Yuanjiang, Im, Hong
Ultra-Low NOx Technologies for Heavy-Duty Applications with Reduced Total Cost of Ownership2026-01-02944/7/2026
The utilization of gasoline engines in heavy-duty vehicles for the purpose of continental transportation is in direct competition with conventional diesel engines. It’s imperative that the operating performance of the gasoline engine is equivalent to the diesel engine, and that the gasoline engine shows efficiency benefit to both cost segments, the product manufacturing costs and total cost of ownership (TCO). The 11.6-liter gasoline engine developed has been designed and applicated in such a way that it operates at a stoichiometric combustion air ratio (λ = 1) across the entire engine map range without exception. In combination with external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) this strategy does not result in a substantial decrease in the absolute NOx concentration in raw emissions compared to the diesel engine with 15.0-liter displacement, but it facilitates the cost-efficient utilization of the three-way catalyzer as the main exhaust aftertreatment system, thereby reducing NOx emissions to the detection limit. This reduction is necessary for adherence to the stringent future emission standards for heavy trucks that are being established by the U.S. regulatory authorities (EPA; CARB) for model years commencing in 2027. In addition to the stoichiometric operating strategy, the engine features an innovative combustion chamber geometry, including a high compression ratio, high EGR compatibility within the real engine operating range, and an optimized crankshaft drive. This already tested technology package is now being applied to heavy-duty engines, proving its scalability and effectiveness. Its application to heavy-duty engines not only promises significant production cost savings but also ensures compliance with future emission regulations. By integrating high EGR rates and high compression ratio, the engine achieves optimal combustion efficiency, thereby minimizing emissions without compromising performance. The engine efficiency is demonstrated by its brake thermal efficiency of 43.1% and an extended map range with a specific consumption of less than 200 g/kWh. In a real heavy-duty driving cycle, the average consumption is 228 g/kWh (vs. 217.5 g/kWh), resulting in a significant reduction in total operating costs on the American market using gasoline as fuel.
Medicke, Mario, Arnold, Thomas, Bohme, Jan, Krause, Matthias, Leesch, Mirko
Optimal Strategies for SI H2 Combustion System and Pre-Ignition Investigation through Advanced Optical Techniques2026-01-03244/7/2026
The rapidly transforming mobility sector is confronted with a dual challenge: achieving market expansion while significantly reducing emissions. Even if vehicle electrification tends to be favored in developed nations, it is widely acknowledged that no single solution is universally optimal. Within this context, hydrogen emerges as a compelling energy vector. It can be used both in fuel cells and internal combustion engines. This latter benefits from a well-known architecture and existing production infrastructures constituting a viable short-term and cost-effective solution especially for light or heavy-duty and off-road applications. In this context, investigation on the hydrogen spark-ignited internal combustion engine was performed, focusing especially on critical abnormal combustions. Indeed, during early development phase, abnormal combustion management was a challenge requiring the identification of the root cause of these issues. This work, based on the use of a versatile single-cylinder engine, is dedicated to the optimization of hydrogen combustion through adaptations of injection strategy to minimize the NOx production and improve the combustion efficiency. A dedicated attention was paid to study the effects of different parameters of the hydrogen injection system, such as the location of the injector, the targeting and the injection pressure. Subsequently, a specific cylinder head has been designed to allow endoscopic optical access into the combustion chamber for a visualization of the combustion related phenomena using a high-speed UV intensified camera. The work was especially focused on abnormal combustion analysis such as pre-ignition and allows to analyze the behavior of different spark plugs. Different injection configurations were tested and their effects on combustion were evaluated using both adiabatic heat release rate analysis and in-cylinder movies obtained through the optical setup described above. It provides valuable data about mixture preparation, flame propagation and cycle to cycle fluctuations. Conventional heat release rate analysis gives macro level data of the combustion stroke whereas the endoscopic images provide 2D flame fields that enhance the understanding of the combustion characteristics. This work finally leads to a better understanding of abnormal combustion occurrences and guides towards the choice of relevant injection and ignition strategies, especially at full load.
Londos, Benoit, Bardi, Michele, Serrano, David, Laget, Olivier, Gautrot, Xavier, Bramoullé, Clément, Cordier, Matthieu
On-Engine Measurement of Automotive Turbocharger Turbine Blade Vibration2026-01-02014/7/2026
Automotive turbochargers are carefully designed to avoid resonance of the turbine blades and backwall, which can result in High Cycle Fatigue failures. Blade Tip Timing is an established technique which utilizes fiber optic probes to measure turbine blade displacements in real time on turbochargers spinning at upwards of 150,000 RPM. Historically, Blade Tip Timing measurements of automotive turbochargers have been made under steady-state conditions using a Hot Gas Stand. In an industry first, General Motors conducted testing of a turbocharger on a running gasoline engine to capture realistic exhaust pressure dynamics. A reference turbocharger was measured on an engine testbed running a production calibration; the same turbocharger was then tested on a Hot Gas Stand to observe how the blade behavior changed. Blade displacements were found to be lower on engine, because the dynamics of engine pulsation reduced the in-phase work available to drive the turbine blades, resulting in lower blade stresses and an improvement in calculated blade fatigue life. Testing also confirmed that key blade resonances had been successfully moved out of the operating space of the engine. Additionally, blade vibration was measured at multiple temperatures on the hot gas stand, and a clear trend was observed between blade temperature and frequency of vibration. The conclusion is that the new turbine design is ready for adoption and poses no concerns for High Cycle Fatigue. While on-engine testing is more challenging to perform, significant advantages are noted; on-engine testing provides a more realistic life estimate for turbine stages than can be obtained using hot gas stand data alone.
SCHWARZ, JORDAN, Goodheart, Rachel, Tappert, Peter, DePaoli, Dominic, Longacre, Christian
Development and Preliminary Combustion Experiments of a Prototype Engine with Sleeve Valves Based on the Focusing Compression Principle2026-01-02954/7/2026
Our laboratory has proposed the focusing compression principle which employs pulsed super-multi jets of gas colliding around the chamber center. This principle aims to achieve high thermal efficiency by reducing both exhaust and cooling losses. Exhaust loss is minimized due to relatively-silent high compression. Cooling loss is reduced due to thermal insulation caused by fuel-air mixture being confined to the chamber center and the compressible flow effect. In previous studies, we conducted fundamental gasoline combustion experiments on a proof-of-concept opposed-piston engine which incorporated this principle. This engine featured eight intake nozzles in an octagonal configuration and utilized non-sinusoidal and strongly asymmetric piston movements. The results indicated the possibility of high thermal efficiency based on less knocking under high compression, and the potential for stable combustion under lean-burn conditions. As a next step towards practical application with durability, we have developed a new opposed-piston engine with a small displacement of 123 cc which maintains intake ports of octagonal configuration, featuring a unique valve system. This unique valve system is characterized by setting a cylindrical-shaped sleeve-valve in between the inner and outer- cylinders. On operation, these sleeve-valves move along the central axis of cylinders, opening or closing all eight ports on the cylinder walls simultaneously. In this paper, we first show details of the present new engine developed and its preliminary experiments including non-combustion motoring experiments, and also combustion experiments using gasoline. The engine was successfully motored up to 750 rpm with no gas leakage around the sleeve-valve at compression process. Combustion experiments were initially tested from slightly-lean conditions.
Nishizawa, Tomohiko, Naitoh, Ken, Baba, Shotaro, Ukegawa, Hiraku, Yamada, Sota, Ozono, Yuka, Abiko, Mirei, Suzuki, Yosuke, Hara, Namito, Ito, Yoshikuni, Matsubara, Kosaku, Uenoyama, Kazuyuki
Experimental Evaluation of After-Treatment Solutions for Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Vehicles to Meet Future CNVII Regulations2026-01-03764/7/2026
The heavy-duty truck market in China has seen a significant increase in the adoption of natural gas-powered engines over the past two years. Simultaneously, the anticipated release of the China VII emissions regulation proposal by the end of 2025 is expected to impose stricter emissions limits on all heavy-duty engines, including new particulate number (PN10) thresholds analogous to those in the Euro 7 regulation. While tailpipe oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and methane (CH4) emissions from natural gas engines can be mitigated through tighter lambda control and adjustments to catalyst volume and precious metal (PGM) loading, addressing NOx and particulate number (PN) emissions necessitate more advanced after-treatment solutions. Although natural gas combustion is virtually soot-free, the entrainment of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber, especially during cold-start conditions, poses a challenge, leading to potential exceedance of the proposed future China VII limits. Additionally, PN emissions from natural gas vehicles are highly dependent on duty-cycles and the state of the actual engine, with applications involving frequent stop/go operation experiencing increased piston ring wear, and thus, higher oil consumption, and elevated PN emissions. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of different after-treatment solutions for natural gas engines in meeting future China VII emissions standards, with a particular focus on the efficacy of particle filters for controlling PN10 emissions. Three different after-treatment configurations, comprising close-coupled and underfloor three-way catalysts, as well as bare and coated filters, were tested on a 15L China VI commercial natural gas engine in a controlled laboratory environment. Emissions and PN10 data were collected over regulatory cold and hot World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC) test cycles, and analyzed for light-off behavior, conversion efficiencies, system pressure drop, and filtration effectiveness for particles as small as 10nm. The relative advantages and challenges of each configuration are discussed. The results indicate that natural gas engines will likely require the integration of particle filter devices to comply with future China VII PN10 limits. The results also show that NOx compliance is challenging and fine-tuning of the lambda calibration is essential for CNVII.
Gao, Jiahui, Besch, Marc, Ding, Ning, He, Suhao, Zhao, Yuxin, Yixiao, Li, Shen, Ye
Accelerated Computed Tomography for Spray Characterization2026-01-03414/7/2026
Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable diagnostic technique for visualizing spray plume direction and assessing mixture quality within combustion chambers under engine-relevant conditions. High-speed extinction imaging followed by tomographic reconstruction enables temporally and spatially resolved measurements of liquid volume fraction and plume evolution in multi-plume sprays. Traditionally, tomographic reconstruction requires capturing multiple angular views by rotating the injector and averaging over numerous injections to ensure statistical convergence. This process is time-intensive, particularly due to the large volume of data acquisition and the corresponding delays in data saving, particularly when acquiring many injections per view angle. In this study, we investigate the minimum number of injections required to achieve sufficient CT image quality, thereby significantly reducing experimental time. Two injectors are evaluated: a symmetric 8-hole Spray M injector from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN), and an asymmetric 6-hole injector (THN206) designed for lateral mounting in the cylinder. For Spray M injector, methanol is injected at ambient temperature (20°C) and a backpressure of 0.5 bar. For the asymmetric THN206 injector, the methanol injection is performed at 60°C with a backpressure of 1 bar. In both cases, the injection pressure is 200 bar and 73 different viewing angle are acquired. We analyze how the number of averaged shots influences the convergence of optical thickness and the resulting CT image quality. Key metrics include optical density shot-to-shot variation, centerline profiles and plume direction angles. By comparing these parameters across both injector configurations, we identify an optimized injection count for rapid tomographic imaging. Our results demonstrate that using a two-shot strategy can reduce the total acquisition time by 86% compared to the previous 27-shot averaging approach, while maintaining 3D tomographic image quality sufficient for comparisons to computational fluid dynamic predictions of plume direction, growth, and interaction. These findings highlight the potential for broader and more accessible application of fast CT techniques in spray characterization, without the need for excessive experimental resources.
Yi, Junghwa, Wan, Kevin, Pickett, Lyle
Challenges to Ranking Diesel Fuels for NO x Emissions Using a Constant-Volume Combustion Chamber2026-01-03484/7/2026
The market is witnessing an unprecedented proliferation of low-emission fuel components. To effectively evaluate the suitability of these novel fuels for engine applications, fuel blenders and original equipment manufacturers require rapid and reliable assessment methodologies. Traditionally, such evaluations rely on comprehensive engine testing, which, while thorough, is both time-intensive and costly. In response to the growing diversity of emerging fuel options, this work aims to establish a streamlined screening approach capable of effectively replicating the outcomes of full-scale engine testing. We examined the use of a constant volume combustion chamber for the measurement of fuel effects on NOx emissions, with the goal of developing a method to rapidly screen or rank fuels in a small - volume experiment. A small amount of fuel was injected into air at 650°C and 20 bar, where it ignited and burned. The chamber was sampled post-combustion using a chemiluminescence NOx analyzer. Extensive sampling method development was required to obtain repeatable results. Seven hydrocarbon fuels and two biodiesel fuels were tested, all of which have shown difference in NOx emissions in past engine studies. When using a single injection event to deliver the same amount of fuel energy, the test method could not clearly demonstrate the difference in NOx emissions between the hydrocarbon fuels as reported in engine combustion studies. Heat release rate analysis suggested this was caused by large differences in ignition delay and premixed burn fraction for the fuels tested. To improve this, a dual-injection strategy was used. It included a small “pilot” injection followed by a main injection, timed based on each fuel’s ignition delay to coincide with the pilot heat release. This strategy helped reduce differences in heat release caused by how quickly each fuel ignites. For hydrocarbon fuels, this approach revealed the expected relationship between NOx emissions and fuel type. Two soy biodiesel samples did not show higher NOx as observed in engine studies. This suggests that the current test method may not fully reflect engine conditions where biodiesel tends to produce more NOx. Further improvements in test method and setup are recommended to better align constant volume chamber conditions with engine conditions under which biodiesel shows increased NOx emissions.
Luecke, Jon, Rahimi, Mohammad, Mohamed, Samah, Naser, Nimal, Chausalkar, Abhijeet, McCormick, Robert
Flame Velocity and Combustion Behaviour of Ammonia–Hydrogen Blends: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study2026-01-03204/7/2026
Ammonia is emerging as a promising energy vector for decarbonising the maritime sector. However, its low flame speed can lead to incomplete combustion, reduced engine efficiency, and increased emissions of unburned ammonia (NH3). Blending hydrogen with ammonia helps to address these issues, but the fundamental combustion characteristics of such mixtures remain insufficiently understood. This study examines the combustion dynamics of an NH3–H2 blend containing 30% hydrogen at 3 bar initial pressure. Experiments were performed in a 1.2 L optically accessible constant-volume combustion chamber fitted with a wall-mounted surface spark plug. High-speed shadowgraph imaging with 6,000 fps captured the flame evolution throughout the combustion process. The pressure and temperature values were monitored using piezoresistive pressure transducers and K-type thermocouples. Combustion times and flame extensions were extracted via post-processing of flame images using custom MATLAB algorithms. The combustion process was examined from the initial start to a diameter of 60mm. Complementary CFD simulations were carried out in CONVERGE using the C3MechV3.5 chemical mechanism. To match the experimental conditions, the numerical studies were conducted at an ambient pressure of 0.3 MPa and an equivalence ratio of 1.0. The model predicted flame propagation times accurately, achieving an average relative error of 2.95% and an R2 value of 0.991. A third-order polynomial correlation was derived to predict instantaneous flame diameter as a function of time, enabling interpolation for intermediate combustion stages for both simulation and experimental results. Error analysis indicated that the model achieved its best performance for medium-sized flames (30–45 mm) but exhibited larger discrepancies at the smallest and largest diameters. Nevertheless, within the 20–60 mm range, deviations remained between −9.5% and +3.4%.
Bodur, Tuna Murat, Bowling, William, La Rocca, Antonino, Cairns, Alasdair
Investigation of CDI and TCI Ignition Characteristics for Lean Hydrogen-Air Mixtures in a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber2026-01-03274/7/2026
The discharge characteristics of ignition systems critically influence flame kernel formation and ignition stability under lean-burn conditions. This study experimentally compares a transistor coil ignition (TCI) and a capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system in a constant-volume combustion chamber using hydrogen–air mixtures. The electrical behavior of both systems was first characterized through synchronized measurements of voltage, current, and high-speed imaging under various operating conditions with a resistive spark plug. The CDI system exhibited high-current (≈750 mA), short-duration (≈250 μs) discharges with strong instantaneous power but limited total spark-gap energy (≈5 mJ), while the TCI system produced lower-current, longer-duration (≈3 ms) discharges with higher cumulative energy (≈30 mJ). Flow-field tests revealed that the TCI discharge duration and energy release were strongly influenced by airflow, whereas CDI discharge behavior remained largely unchanged at flow velocities around 20 m/s. Ignition experiments with lean H₂–air mixtures (λ = 2.5–4.0) demonstrated that both systems can reliably ignite the mixture under quiescent and moderate-flow conditions, but the CDI system failed to sustain ignition near the lean limit. The results highlight the distinct energy-transfer mechanisms of the two ignition concepts and provide guidance for optimizing ignition design in future hydrogen internal combustion engines.
Cong, Binghao, Jin, Long, Yu, Xiao, Zhou, Qing, Tjong, Jimi, Zheng, Ming
Development and Testing of a Concentric Tube Camshaft for Continuous Adjustment of Intake Valve Duration and Timing in Otto and Miller Cycle Operations03-19-02-00104/1/2026
The development of technologies capable of expanding the operational flexibility of internal combustion engines—particularly through advanced valve actuation strategies—has become essential for improving energy efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions. This work presents the design, manufacturing, and experimental evaluation of a novel, mechanically simple, and low-cost valve control system intended for spark-ignition engines originally designed to operate under the Otto cycle. The proposed innovation, designated VVT-D (Variable Valve Timing—Duration), introduces continuous and independent control of intake valve opening duration using a concentric tube camshaft architecture. Unlike conventional variable valve timing systems limited to phase control, the VVT-D concept enables continuous transition between Otto- and Miller-equivalent operating conditions by modulating intake valve duration as a function of engine load. This approach allows engine load control via Late Intake Valve Closing (LIVC), partially or fully eliminating intake throttling (dethrottling) and thereby reducing pumping losses, particularly under low- and medium-load conditions. The system was implemented in a Volkswagen EA211 1.0 TSI engine and evaluated on an engine dynamometer under torque-matched operating conditions. Experimental results demonstrated proper system functionality, mechanical robustness, and effective load modulation capability through intake valve duration variation. Under Miller-equivalent operation, a reduction of approximately 15.6% in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was observed relative to conventional throttled Otto cycle operation at partial load. These results indicate that the proposed VVT-D system provides meaningful improvements in overall engine efficiency while preserving the original engine architecture and offering a cost-effective alternative to fully variable or purely hydraulic valve actuation systems.
Alvares, Gabriel Coelho Rodrigues, Woiski, Emanuel Rocha, dos Santos, Paulo Sergio Barbosa, Kashani, Masoud Ghanbari, Gasche, José Luiz
Development of BYD Flat Engine for Luxury Hybrid Vehicles03-19-02-00072/24/2026
To meet the requirements of luxury hybrid vehicles regarding engine power, torque, size, and NVH performance, BYD independently developed a 2.0 T flat engine. Designs such as increased intake valve lift, widened intake valve profile, swept piston bowl, and extended exhaust backflow region optimized in-cylinder airflow, enabling the BYD flat engine to achieve a maximum power of 180 kW and a peak torque of 380 N·m. This engine is 820 mm in length, 430 mm in width, and 420 mm in height, saving approximately 45% in volume compared to a competitor engine. The lubrication challenges of the flat engine were addressed through the coordinated implementation of a dry sump system, a multifunctional oil pump, and piston ring orientation design. A novel parameterized modal analysis methodology (considering phase and amplitude) was used for optimizing NVH performance. In synergy with the sandwich-type soundproof plates and four-sided acoustic encapsulation, the noise level (1-m sound pressure level, four-point averaged) of the BYD flat engine is 2.2~2.9 dB(A) lower than the lower limit of AVL’s scattering band. Owing to its desirable performance in power output, packaging compactness, and NVH characteristics, the BYD flat engine has been integrated into the powertrain of the Yangwang U7 model.
Pan, Shiyi, Zhang, Nan, Wang, Qiang, Liu, Jun, Liu, Jing, Xu, Zhiqin, Zheng, Junli, Li , Cunshuo
Control Strategy and Dynamic Characteristics of a Hydrogen Opposed-Cylinder Free-Piston Engine Generator2026-01-50172/23/2026
Free-piston engine generator (FPEG), as a novel energy conversion device, has the advantages of good fuel adaptability and high energy utilization. Combustion variation between cycles poses a significant challenge to the running control of an FPEG. A hierarchical control strategy, including motion, combustion, and generation power controllers, is designed in this paper to achieve the stable and efficient running of a hydrogen-fueled opposed-cylinder FPEG prototype. Piston motion is controlled by adjusting the generation current, which is adjusted through iterative learning using piston displacement feedback and adaptive control using piston velocity feedback. Generating power is regulated by controlling the throttle opening angle, which is adjusted through iterative learning. A multidisciplinary joint mathematical model is developed to simulate the dynamic characteristics and verify the control strategy. The simulation results reveals that the dead center position accuracy can be maintained within ±0.3 mm when accounting for 25% combustion variation between cycles and misfires. The power generation can be adjusted between 20 kW and 30 kW, with the adjustment error maintained within ±0.3 kW. The prototype achieved an indicated power of 30.5 kW and an indicated thermal efficiency of 43.4% during the standard cycle. Hardware-in-the-loop testing was conducted for cold start, stable operation, and misfire conditions, confirming that the electronic controller meets the control requirements of the FPEG system.
Wang, Jiesheng, Liu, Liang, Xu, Zhaoping
The Membrane Engine: Concept, Model, and First Results03-19-01-00032/12/2026
This study investigates the feasibility of a novel internal combustion engine (ICE) architecture, termed the membrane engine, in which the conventional piston is replaced by a flexible elastic membrane. Although the concept appears in several patent documents proposing reduced friction, improved sealing, and lower heat losses, no empirical data has been published to support these claims. To the authors’ knowledge, this work presents the first membrane engine built and experimentally tested. The primary aim is to verify whether such an engine can operate as a functional ICE, regardless of its current efficiency or performance level. To support concept validation, a simplified mathematical model was developed to describe the membrane’s deformation and its effect on combustion chamber volume. Unlike conventional piston engines, the membrane introduces a pressure-dependent geometry, enabling a variable compression ratio. The model is not intended to predict performance but to assist in interpreting experimental results and assessing feasibility. It combines geometric and pressure-induced volume changes and was constructed conservatively to avoid overestimating deformation effects. A single-cylinder spark-ignition prototype was built by modifying an existing piston engine. Experimental tests were conducted under motored and fired conditions, with comparative measurements taken against the unmodified engine. Results confirmed that the membrane engine can sustain combustion and produce torque. Notably, the exhaust stroke exhibited a steeper pressure drop, suggesting improved scavenging, and the torque trace showed a distinct positive spike post-combustion. These findings support the hypothesis that the membrane’s dynamic behavior influences combustion and gas exchange. While some patent claims remain unverified, the study demonstrates that the membrane engine is a viable concept. The results provide a foundation for further development and refinement, including material selection and advanced modeling. Future work will focus on improving durability, expanding the operating envelope, and exploring hybrid configurations for waste heat recovery.
Allmägi, Roland, Ilves, Risto
Computational Fluid Dynamic and Fatigue Analysis of Turbocharger Turbine Wheel2026-28-00702/12/2026
Turbochargers are essential for improving engine efficiency by compressing air and delivering it to the engine at higher pressure, thereby increasing power output. The turbine wheel in a turbocharger operates under severe mechanical and thermal stresses, making it highly susceptible to fatigue failure, which can occur even under conditions below the rated operating load. To ensure long-term reliability, detailed analysis of the turbine’s fatigue life is essential. This study combines computational fluid dynamics with fatigue analysis to predict the performance and lifespan of a turbocharger's turbine wheel, with a focus on Inconel alloys known for their durability in extreme conditions. A numerical mesh analysis, employing 1,165,610 nodes, was conducted to achieve convergence for both temperature and stress evaluations, leading to the selection of a 2 mm mesh size. Pressure contours at the turbine-fluid interface revealed a pressure range between 1.09 and 1.05 bar, with most of the turbine maintaining a temperature of 700°C, indicating an isothermal condition. Fatigue life predictions using the Geber model, effective for ductile materials, highlighted localized reductions in life expectancy around the blade tip, while most components maintained a factor of safety between 3 and 4, with a maximum of 15. Considering creep effects at 700°C, the turbine's safe operational life was estimated at 591 days. These findings were used to recommend critical design modifications to enhance the turbine’s durability and performance.
Chelladorai, Prabhu, Balakrishnan, Navaneetha Krishnan, G, Naresh, T J, Sreejaun
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