Non-Intrusive In-Cylinder Pressure Sensor for Gasoline Combustion Engines

Abstract:
Gasoline Combustion Sensor(TM) is a non-intrusive pressure sensor integrated into a spark plug which has direct access to the combustion chamber. It answers thereby the automotive integration constraints performance and reliability. A piezoelectric sensing element is firmly accommodated in the upper portion of the spark plug's primary shell and pre-loaded in order to operate in a dynamic mode. The said sensor allows in-cylinder pressure measuring up to 200 bars in the combustion chamber, as well as knock detection (premature combustion of an air/fuel mixture, which can damage the engine by generating vibrations on the cylinder head). This fundamental engine parameter provides the most direct information for advanced control and monitoring systems of internal combustion engines allowing thereby for a pressure closed loop engine control system and combustion management, including new combustion strategies such as Combustion Auto Ignition (CAI). The present paper relates to a new concept of sensor device for in-cylinder pressure measurement of internal combustion engines.