Experimental facilities

The testing of internal combustion engines is an important part of research, development and teaching of the subject. Engine test facilities vary widely. The facilities used for research can have very comprehensive instrumentation, with computer control of the test and computer data acquisition. On the other hand, a more traditional test cell with the engine controlled manually, and the data recorded by the operator, can be better for educational purposes. This second type of test cell is covered in some detail by Greene and Lucas (1969), and is dealt with first in this chapter. A more recent treatment of engine testing by Plint and Martyr (1995) also includes substantial coverage of the building and infrastructure requirements for engine testing.