Mech. Engineering Thesis

[Vizz]

G'day

Coming up soon is my undergraduate mechanical engineering thesis project. At the uni I have access to an engine dynamometer with a Toyota 2AZ-FE Camry 4cyl engine and I would like to use this in some way for my thesis project. The rig is pretty well setup and can allow for exhaust gas analysis amoung other things.

Previous students have done things like testing different commercially available fuels eg regular, premium etc. Another student is testing a range of fuel additives.

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions as to what would be interesting to test for a thesis project?

Im currently thinking about testing different engine oils to see if there are any variations in frictional power. Also considering testing different air filter material, and anything else that people here might suggest.

[ke70dave]

hey man

i did my thesis last year (mechanical engineering)

as for thesis ideas for you,

i reckon variable intake lengths would be a great idea. see where peak power is with different lengths of intake, then maybe create a varying intake? like what the R1 motorbike and some bmw engines already do.

its what i wanted to do, but never got around to it and ended up doin a group thesis where we designed a chassis for an open wheeler racer.

[greeneyes]

Yes, & there is some advertising research around with aftermarket products to compare with.

I saw a site last year (lost it immediately!) where the guy measured the vacuum at many points along the inlet system and re-designed the filter box/hoses/plenum to get 'free' power.

How about the systems where they split water electrolytically then feed the H/O gas into the inlet and claim increased power. I'd love to see that one sorted on a dyno! There are plenty of sites on the web that have designs of the gear, not too complicated, and flow rates of gases measured etc.

..or muffler design for 4cyl engines.. got a decibel meter around as well? I can think of four different internal designs off the top of my head.

[driftke70]

efficiency range, show that efficiency isnt how little fuel the engine can consume, and that it actually occurs at wot

[Vizz]

I could do an analysis on the intake including length and filter material. As im not sure air filter material alone would be enough work.

The electrolysis idea is interesting to. hmmm good thoughts guys.

[greeneyes]

Shitloads about the electrolysed water, either HOH or HHO or Browns Gas. Some very slick companies making the units now for cars right down to backyard ferals running their 'trucks' on it.

Norinco Corp in this one are an armanents manufacturer in China. Norinco rifles are well-known.