PIV analysis of in-cylinder flow structures over a range of realistic engine speeds

In-cylinder PIV measurements have been performed in a four-valve single cylinder optical gasoline direct injection engine, motored at speeds of 750, 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. Mean vector flow fields have been produced during the latter half of the intake stroke in the symmetry plane between the valve pairs. The flow fields show the development of the in-cylinder flow structures at 1.6, 2.4 and 3.2° crank angle steps for a time period of approximately 5 ms at each of the three engine speeds, respectively. Tumble ratios have been calculated for the available field of view showing a change in the flow structure between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. This is believed to be caused by an increase in the flow of air traveling underneath the recirculation vortex at the higher engine speed. This translates the vortex position upwards and further to the right when compared to the lower engine speeds.