title: Stereo photography of neutral density He-filled bubbles for 3-D fluid motion studies in an engine cylinder.
abstract: A new technique has been developed for studies of fluid motion within the cylinder of a reciprocating piston engine during the air induction process. Helium-filled bubbles, serving as neutrally buoyant flow tracer particles, enter the cylinder along with the inducted air charge. The bubble motion is recorded by stereo cine photography through the transparent cylinder of a specially designed research engine. Quantitative data on the 3-D velocity field generated during induction is obtained from frame-to-frame analysis of the stereo images, taking into account refraction of the rays due to the transparent cylinder. Other applications for which this technique appears suitable include measurements of velocity fields within intake ports and flow-field dynamics within intake manifolds of multicylinder engines.
authors.affiliation: Ford Motor Company, Research Staff, P.O. Box 2053, Dearborn, Michigan 48121, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Eaton