Cylinder Head Sensor Port Layout for Acoustic Ringing Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing approaches for installing in-cylinder pressure sensors in internal combustion engines face challenges related to ease of manufacture, reliability, accuracy in sensing pressure conditions, maintenance accessibility, compatibility across engine platforms, and compatibility with different types of sensors.

Innovation Solution

The design of a sensor port in the cylinder head that includes a housing portion for the in-cylinder pressure sensor and a passage portion to fluidly connect it with the combustion chamber, configured to attenuate acoustic ringing and increase resonance frequency, allowing for accurate pressure measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a simple passage is used to connect the sensor to the combustion chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but acoustic ringing and resonance occur that degrade measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor port structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A non-collinear passage portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the combustion chamber and sensor housing. This passage includes a first portion and a second portion that are non-collinearly arranged, creating a zigzag or elbow configuration that disrupts acoustic wave propagation and reduces resonance while maintaining fluid communication for pressure sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The passage portion transitions from a simple linear (one-dimensional) configuration to a non-collinear multi-dimensional arrangement. By introducing angular deviations and changing the spatial orientation of the passage segments, the design disrupts acoustic resonance patterns while maintaining the functional connection between the combustion chamber and sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the sensor is positioned close to the combustion chamber for accurate measurement, then measurement precision improves, but accessibility for maintenance and service deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensor accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The non-collinear passage portion acts as an intermediary that extends the physical distance between the sensor housing and combustion chamber while maintaining acoustic coupling. This allows the sensor to be positioned in a more accessible location on the cylinder head periphery while still accurately sensing combustion chamber pressure through the extended passage pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a collinear passage is used from the combustion chamber to the sensor, then the passage is simpler to manufacture, but acoustic ringing interference increases reducing measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidpassage fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-collinear passage portion serves as an intermediary structure that introduces acoustic damping through its angular configuration. While slightly more complex to manufacture than a straight passage, the non-collinear arrangement with its specific angles and segments provides inherent acoustic filtering that improves measurement precision by reducing resonance interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the ability to measure in-cylinder pressure by reducing interference from acoustic ringing and improving resonance frequency, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of pressure sensing.

Implementation Method 1

The passage portion is configured to attenuate acoustic ringing detected by the in-cylinder pressure sensor caused by resonance in the passage portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic ringing: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The passage portion is configured to attenuate acoustic ringing detected by the in-cylinder pressure sensor caused by resonance in the passage portion, and/or to increase the resonance frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance frequency: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4707572A1Internal combustion engines and cylinder heads configured for in-cylinder pressure sensors
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CUMMINS INC
  • EP4707572A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4707572A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4707572A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head configured for a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The cylinder head includes a sensor port with a housing portion configured to house an in-cylinder pressure sensor. The sensor port includes a passage portion that extends from the housing portion to a combustion side of the cylinder head to fluidly connect the in-cylinder pressure sensor with the combustion chamber.