Accelerometer Based Methodology for Combustion Parameters Estimation

Due to increasingly stringent emission regulations and the need of more efficient powertrains, obtaining information about combustion process becomes a key factor. Low-cost in-cylinder pressure sensors are being developed, but they still present long-term reliability issues, and represent a considerable part of the engine management system cost. Research is being conducted in order to develop methodologies for extracting relevant combustion information using standard sensors already installed on-board. The present work introduces a methodology for combustion parameters estimation, through a control-oriented analysis of structure-borne sound. The paper also shows experimental results obtained applying the estimation methodology to different passenger car engines.