Control of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Engine Dynamics

Abstract

The Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustionconcept lacks direct ignition timing control, instead the autoignition depends on the operating condition. Since auto ignition of ahomogeneous mixture is very sensitive to operating conditions, a fastcombustion timing control is necessary for reliable operation. Hence,feedback is needed and the crank angle of 50% burnt (CA50) has provedto be a reliable feedback indicator of on-going combustion inpractice. CA50 or other methods for detecting on-going cylinderpressure used in the feedback control of a HCCI engine all rely onpressure sensors. This paper presents a newcandidate for control of HCCI engine by using the electronicconductive properties in the reaction zone. This phenomenon is calledion current. This paper perform combustion timing control based on ioncurrent and compare it with control based on pressure sensor. Thecombustion timing control is performed on cycle-to-cycle basis and the engine is a one-cylinder version of a heavy duty engine equipped with a port injection system using dual fuels.