Multi-Channel Optical Probe for Combustion Flame Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visualizing combustion processes in internal combustion engines lack the ability to determine the exact position of flame formation within detection volumes, making it difficult to evaluate the combustion process effectively and identify irregularities such as misfires or emission issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a multi-channel optical measuring probe and a mathematical evaluation algorithm to form hypotheses about flame positions and propagation modes, providing information on the most probable hypothesis and contributing influencing variables, which is then graphically visualized in a three-dimensional animation to simplify the evaluation of combustion processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light intensities are measured in a detection volume within the combustion chamber, then combustion process information can be obtained, but the exact position of flame formation within the detection volume cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The detection volume is divided into multiple smaller sub-volumes or spatial zones. By measuring light intensities in each segmented region and analyzing the distribution pattern, the system can determine which specific sub-volume contains the flame formation, thereby recovering the spatial position information that would otherwise be lost in a single integrated measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from measuring only light intensity (one dimension) to measuring light intensity distribution across multiple spatial dimensions within the detection volume. By adding spatial dimensionality to the measurement, the system can locate flame positions while maintaining intensity information, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and information loss.
2Ease of operation
If two-dimensional diagrams are used to visualize combustion data, then light intensity and directional information can be displayed, but the location within the detection volume where the flame was located is not revealed
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization system transitions from two-dimensional diagrams to three-dimensional representations that incorporate spatial position information. By adding the third dimension (spatial location within the detection volume) to the existing two-dimensional intensity and directional data, the system maintains ease of evaluation while recovering the lost flame location information.
3Loss of information
If a multi-channel optical measuring probe is used to detect flame light signals in several detection volumes, then more combustion information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measuring probe is designed with multi-functional capabilities where a single integrated system performs multiple measurement functions simultaneously. By making the probe universal in its functionality (detecting light intensities across multiple volumes, determining flame positions, providing directional information), the system reduces overall complexity compared to using separate specialized devices for each measurement function.
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
Enables the determination of flame positions along longitudinal axes, providing missing information for improved evaluation and visualization of combustion processes, allowing for easier identification of irregularities and optimization of engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
flame light signals generated during the combustion of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber are detected in several detection volumes by means of a multi-channel optical measuring probe
Implementation Method 2
The oxidation of methane molecules in the combustion chamber generates intermediate and final products that undergo various molecular excitation states. The resulting light radiation is called chemiluminescence.
Implementation Method 3
Soot luminescence is thermal radiation from soot particles, generated in diffusion flames, and is visible to the human eye due to its spectral wavelength.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for visualizing a combustion process of a fuel-air mixture within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, wherein flame light signals generated during the combustion of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber are detected in several detection volumes (20) by means of a multi-channel optical measuring probe (2), and wherein the light intensities of the flame light signals are evaluated and graphically visualized by an evaluation and visualization device (5), wherein information about the position of the flame is provided by flame light signals within the detection volumes (20) and by the formation of hypotheses and by the selection of a most probable hypothesis by means of a mathematical evaluation algorithm implemented in the evaluation and visualization device (5), and is graphically visualized by the evaluation and visualization device (5).