There is room for improvement in traditional methods of misfire detection – especially for engines with a high number of cylinders. And, increasingly, team LRW is seeing automotive manufacturers use a more sophisticated method of misfire detection.
Enter ion sensing technology
Ion sensing technology works via a sensor in the combustion chamber which can detect ions (charged particles) which are created when combustion occurs. The sensor detects the number and pattern of ions during combustion which allows it to identify any misfiring in an individual cylinder - rather than looking for a blip in the engine speed.
What are the benefits?
The innovative technology is expensive but more robust than more traditional methodology, benefits include:
- No false passing or false detection
- Diagnostics work better and provide improved results
- Excellent for high cylinder engines such as V12s
- Early detection compared to methods reliant on engine response
- Cylinder specific data – each spark plug provides data for its specific cylinder making it possible to identify the misfiring cylinder
Dr Steven Higginson, LRW Engineering Associates Director and Calibration and Controls Testing lead, explains how the technology is working in practice:
‘Ion sensing technology is the way forwards for misfire diagnosis on engines with multiple cylinders. The technology is costly right now, but I’m pleased to say that some vehicle manufacturers are embracing it and we’re really seeing the value in how it performs.
We’ve used the technology on a couple of client projects so far and we’re integrating it into client’s applications with excellent results.’
How LRW can help
Our engineers are highly experienced in working with manufacturers on specialist diagnostic and calibration projects. To find out more, please get in touch at [email protected].
