SOFT-ENGINE dynamometers and engine simulation software production. Our flow benches presentation.

INTRODUCTION

The flow bench is a machine to measure the flow of the inlet or exhaust gas in a cylinder head. Some available formulas allow to transform the flow into the flow coefficient, a quantity depending on the gas flow, the environment factors and the valve lift and diameters (sometimes bore also). Usually, for these kind of tests, the flow bench is a gasseous machine. SOFT-ENGINE flow bench is called "FLUX" and it is available in three models, according the flow it can measure: FLUX 500, FLUX 800, FLUX 1600.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

SOFT-ENGINE flow bench is a gaseous- type machine: an hi reslution flow sensor stores the gas flow data. A fan system give air (exhaust test) or takes away the air (inlet test) in the head, while the air pressure is keeped to a constant value (by an inverter and a pressure sensor). Then, a new flow value is stored, for each imposed valve lift value, and the conresponding value pf the flow coefficient is computed by software.All this process is automatic and no human intervention isw necessary. The user must only to select the valve lift value both in the software and in the head using an appropriate accurated instrument. At the end, the flow and flow coefficient curves are displayed, there is a curve for each pressure. In-fact it is possible to store the flow data for different pressures. It's possible also to operate in direct and inverse flow regime, operating with the software.

THE TEST

The test is made always in the same way: after basic data and pressure data input, the different valve lift value are communicated to the software: these are the values the user foresees to measure the flow, but the valve lift sequence can be changed also in a second time, immediately before the acquisition. Later, swich on the flow bench and select the value of the valve lift both in the head (using a suitable instrument) and in the software (click "OK" button when done). The follownigs are the available tests:

INLET TEST: in this case the air is inhaled by the fan, at the same pressure value(s) input in the software;

EXHAUST TEST: in this case the air is introduced in the head by the fan syste, at the same pressure value(s) input in the software;

QUICK TEST: you have to use this kind of test to read directly the flow value at the imposed pressure value(s) without the valve lift selection and without generating a diagram.

For both INLET and EXHAUST test the DIRECT FLOW and the INVERSE FLOW is possible.

FIELD OF APPLICATIONS AND USERS

The flow bench is used by people having to test the heads of the cylinders to measure the flow and the engine fluid-dynamics. In-fact the shape of the flow curve keeps in cosideration the conduits geometry validity: a regular (always crescent) curve means the good conduits geometry / engine performances ratio. The flow quantity's peak value is strongly linked to the peak horse-power value the engine can have: if the flow's peak value increases after a conduit modification, the horse-power's peak value will increase too. The Flow Coefficient quantity (the same flow curve development) must have a peak value less than 1. If this fact does not happen, there are surely some anomalies (for exhample, the valves diameter is too big etc...). So, the flow bench can be used by mechanicians to find head anomalies or to test the validity of head modifications or repairing. This enriches the professional image of machine-shops. This system is used by tuners too to improve and modify engine performances. We supply customised solutions to companies.

The Soft-Engine flow bench. The PC is not included.

	SOFT-ENGINE FLOW BENCHES