Railplug Ignition System for Enhanced Engine Performance and Reduced Maintenance

[摘要] During the first 18 months of this project, four experimental subtasks were to have begun but only one of these was to have been completed. Additionally, five modeling subtasks were scheduled to begin, four of which were to have been completed. We are on schedule for all but one of these subtasks. All four experimental tasks are progressing on schedule. Initial durability tests were completed. The conclusions drawn from this first round of durability tests are being used to design the next set of tests. Initial baseline engine data were acquired and showed that the engine selected for this task behaves as hoped. However, the dyno controller is inadequate. The engine will be moved to another dyno during the near future. The modeling tasks are also progressing well. A model for the dynamic response of the ignition circuit was developed and validated. Two technical papers resulting from this model were submitted for publication. Development of a model for the railplug ignition process was begun but was not scheduled for completion. Progress on this task consisted of two subtasks. First, a railplug circuit model was also developed and validated. Second, a model was developed for the physics that govern railplug performance. This initial model incorporated only the effects of the Lorentz force on arc movement. From this model, it is concluded that thermal expansion is important to the performance of railplugs. Thermal expansion, and other physical effects, will be added to the model in the near future. We delayed the development of a 3D model for the ignition process, until near the end of the project because of the computational time requirements. We can learn most of the important lessons from the 2D model. Delay of this subtask will not affect the timely completion of the project.

[发布日期] 2003-09-19 [发布机构] University of Texas at Austin

[关键词] Engines;Computerized Simulation;Thermal Expansion;33 Advanced Propulsion Systems;Maintenance