Abstract
Keywords: Internal combustion engine, LDA, CFD.
The paper aims to analyze the flow field within the filter housing of a production fourcylinder, spark ignition engine during the intake phase. To this purpose an experimental analysis was carried out at the unsteady flow rig using the Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) technique. The measurements were performed under steady and unsteady conditions in order to evaluate the influence of the dynamic effects on the flow field. Furthermore, the analysis was carried out with and without the air filter to evaluate the influence of the porous medium on the flow distribution. The experimental analysis showed that the engine speed and the filter have a notable effect on the velocity distribution and on the velocity fluctuations. Finally, the comparison between experimental results and numerical data, obtained by a finite volume CFD code, was carried out, registering a good agreement.