Improving the Efficiency of Spark-Ignition Internal Combustion Engine Using a Novel Electromagnetic Actuator and Adapting Increased Compression

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine with modifications made to increase its effectiveness. The modification was implemented bi-directionally in terms of changes to the compression ratio and changes to the engine’s valve train. The compression ratio was increased by 2.3 units by design and a hybrid intake valve opening control was used in the engine’s valve train. The hybrid control involved autonomous control of one of the inlet valves with a dedicated electromagnetic actuator. The designed electromagnetic actuator was mounted downstream of the single-cylinder engine’s intake system’s modified camshaft to control the effective compression pressure build-up. Field calculations were carried out for the electromagnetic actuator’s design variants and its current characteristics were determined. The multivariate calculations were carried out in order to find the quasi-optimal geometry of the actuator. The width and height of magnetic field coils and the dimensions of the stator poles were changed, while maintaining the same external dimensions of the actuator to enable its mounting in the cylinder head system. In the next step, the prototype of the actuator was made and placed on the combustion engine in order to conduct the experimental investigations. The work was aimed at improving the internal combustion engine’s efficiency at the low load range, as this is load range in which it has low efficiency despite it being the most often used during normal vehicle operation. The original measurement stand was prepared, and many tests were carried out in order to investigate the influence of the electromagnetic valve on the combustion engine characteristic. This improved the internal combustion engine’s efficiency at its low-load range by up to 25%. Both calculation and measurement results are presented in form of graphs.