Simulation of microwave resonant field in an ICE cylinder for a potential microwave ignition system

Chen, Wei (2009) Simulation of microwave resonant field in an ICE cylinder for a potential microwave ignition system. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Green technology is desired by modern automotive industry because of the legislative economic and environmental trends. A Microwave Ignition (MI) system would offer a new engine technology aimed at overcoming the more and more crucial environmental and natural resources. In such a MI system, a real-time controlled microwave resonance turns the air-fuel mixture into plasma and ignites it in volume. This should be the most significant part to be investigated. In designing this MI system, many factors and components involved are simulated, in order to save the potential number and cost associated with otherwise physical experiments.
This thesis first addresses the specifications of a MI system for an engine cylinder and coaxial cable. Microwave resonance in the engine cavity is then analysed. Antenna works as one of the most important component in microwave transmission and resonance. Various electromagnetic parameters are studied in the design of the antenna. Simulations on the performance of various antenna types are then carried out. They start from an ordinary spark-plug shape. Modifications to this shape are fully investigated. Following this, the length of antenna and radius and thickness of the coaxial cable are all chosen as design parameters for designing various antenna types, in order to meet practical requirements of the microwave resonance.
A simple model of the cylinder head and an EM antenna connected to a coaxial cable is first made as a platform for all the design simulation work to build an MI system. The antenna shape is considered to be one crucial factor to couple maximal microwave energy into the engine cylinder. Various types of microwave electric fields are simulated for coupling maximal energy. Electric field intensity and distribution for each antenna type are presented in 2-D and 3-D figures. Simulations are carried out for non-vacuum air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinder and results obtained are analysed. There are 42 antenna types investigated. The one with a normal spark-plug shape, three flexures and a 2mm length offers the best performance in terms of the achieved electric field intensity from the simulation. Simulation results also show that the highest electric field intensity is achieved for a reasonable geometrical range, which makes it relatively easy for timing control method. The electric field intensity reaches 1.164×106 V/m in the mentioned antenna type, which is known to be strong enough to turn the air-fuel mixture into plasma.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Energy, Engine, Microwave, Microwave Ignition(MI)
• Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Li, Dr. Yun
• Date of Award: 2009
• Embargo Date: 12 February 2012
• Depositing User: Mr Wei Chen
• Unique ID: glathesis:2009-574
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 Feb 2009
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:19
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/574