Updating a Didactical Piston Engine Test Bench, from Analogue Instrumentation to Digital

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the transition of a didactic piston engine from analogue instrumentation to digital. The T81M piston engine, paired with the T82M dynamometer, both manufactured by Didacta Italia, underwent supplementary instrumentation to facilitate the experimental campaign. Additional sensors, including a speed sensor, thermocouples for exhaust and intake, and pressure sensors for intake and cylinder, were incorporated. A graphical interface was developed using LabView software to capture and store data obtained from experiments conducted with bioethanol fuel. The T81M piston engine features a quartz cylinder for visualizing different stages of the combustion process, and its piston operates without the need for lubrication due to the specific materials used in its construction. The experimental campaign involved starting the engine, maintaining it in idle mode for a few minutes, and gradually increasing the throttle needle while keeping the control lever fully open to reach the maximum regime step by step for data collection. The concluding phase of the experiment involved visualizing the combustion process in the cylinder for various piston positions and studying the flame's color. The digitalization of the T81M piston engine enhances its suitability for modern teaching experiments.

Keywords

• analogue to digital
• experiment
• instrumentation
• piston engine
• quartz cylinder