| WARF: P04260US |  |
| Engine Testing Device That Simulates Dynamic Gas Exchange |
| INVENTORS | • | John Moskwa, John Lahti, Matthew Snyder |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing an air intake simulator that draws air from the intake manifold in a manner that simulates airflow supplying the missing cylinder(s) of a single-cylinder test engine, allowing the single-cylinder test engine to experience the air exchange characteristics of a multi-cylinder engine.
OVERVIEW
The single-cylinder test engine (1CTE) is widely used in the engineering and development of internal combustion engines. To make the 1CTE behave more like a multi-cylinder engine (MCE), UW-Madison researchers previously developed a dynamometer (see WARF reference number P00389US) for simulating the inertial contribution of additional “virtual” cylinders. However, the previous device did not enable the 1CTE to accurately simulate the gas exchange characteristics of an MCE.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have now developed an air intake simulator that draws air from the intake manifold in a manner that simulates airflow supplying the missing cylinder(s) of a single-cylinder test engine. Thus, the device allows the single-cylinder test engine to experience the air exchange characteristics of a multi-cylinder engine. In the system, the test engine receives air through the interior passage of an air intake adapter. Valves in the adapter separate the interior passage from a positive or negative pressure source. A processor actuates the valves, allowing air to be pulled from the passage to simulate the effect of air intake into additional virtual cylinders and/or to simulate the effect of forced air induction.
APPLICATIONS
- Engineering and development of internal combustion engines
KEY BENEFITS
- Makes the 1CTE’s gas exchange characteristics, including pressure, velocity, volumetric flow, and flow profile of engine air intake, more similar to those of the MCE
- Works with the dynamometer described in WARF reference number P00389US, allowing testing of the 1CTE under conditions nearly identical to those experienced by individual cylinders of an MCE
- Makes more detailed hardware development possible early in the development program when representative MCEs may not be available
- Reduces engine development time
- Allows the transition to MCE hardware to proceed with fewer design changes and less cost
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Intellectual Property Status
Tech Fields
Engines & Power Electronics - Testing & monitoring
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
