Cylinder Sensors cut costs and emissions.
An engine management system that works on cylinder pressure has
been developed by a two-year, £1.5 million research project.
The groundbreaking research is said to offer improved fuel economy,
reduced emissions and lower manufacturing costs.
The work was carried out by the Aeneas consortium (Application and
Evaluation of a Novel Engine management system based on intelligent
control Algorithms and utilising innovative Sensor technology).
Aeneas was led by automotive consultant Ricardo alongside carmaker
DaimlerChrysler and Swiss sensor manufacturer Kistler. Marc Vigar,
who managed the project on behalf of Ricardo's technical centre in
Shoreham, West Sussex, said the availability of sensors that can
function in the harsh environment of a cylinder head was crucial to
the development of the system.
"The drawback has previously been the absence of low-cost, robust
sensors that can supply the right signal to an engine management
system," he said. The system uses piezoresistive pressure sensors
in the top of the cylinder head as well as intelligent engine control
algorithms to achieve a superior performance in petrol and diesel
engines.
Tests have shown that fuel consumption is reduced by an average
of 1.4%, cylinder imbalance is cut from 8% to 2% resulting in a more
comfortable drive, and catalyst light-off time is slashed by 10%,
leading to lower overall emissions.
Cost savings could be up to £7 per unit, based on production of
750,000 four-cylinder engines. Although fitting the new system will
cost £34, it should replace £41 worth of sensors. It is expected to
be in high-volume production within five years.
The project was 40% financed by the European Commission and
4% funded by the Swiss government with the remainder coming
from the industrial partners.
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For more information contact:-
Kistler Instruments Ltd.
Telephone: +44(0)1256 741550
Fax: +44(0)1256 741551
E-mail: sales@kistler.co.uk
Website: www.kistler.com
August 2001
