Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: briofuel88 on 18/06/2012 17:07:29
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I'm trying to build an alternative fuel engine, and was wondering if the SPARKPLUG
is the TRANSDUCER in the Internal Combustion Engine?
[If not what IS the Transducer?]
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A spark-plug is a type of transducer. It converts electrical energy into high frequency electromagnetic radiation.
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A transducer changes one form of energy or information into another.
Modern, low-pollution engines are controlled by a computer, which reads real-world signals via transducers, rapidly performs some complex calculations and then controls the operation of the engine via another set of transducers.
An engine typically has many types of transducers, eg:
- Position: Detecting the position of the pistons, so the fuel and spark can be applied at the right time
- Speed: Can often be derived from the position transducer
- Temperature: Feeds information into a computer about the air temperature, coolant temperature, perhaps exhaust temperature, so it can optimise the air/fuel mixture, detect when the engine has warmed up, and prevent the engine overheating.
- Vibration: When the fuel is too volatile, it can pre-ignite. This detector can be used to adjust the spark timing.
- Fuel/Oil/Water Level: To detect when it is safe to run the engine
- Fuel Injection: Inject a precisely measured amount of fuel into the combustion chamber
...but in the end, the number and type of transducers you need will depend on what type of engine it is, and how alternative is the fuel.
Transducers can often be purchased "off the shelf", but the computer software to read the values and control the engine must be carefully customised to provide the best fuel economy and to conform to anti-pollution legislation. Automatically adjusting to the characteristics of different fuels adds another layer of complexity.
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I'm trying to build an alternative fuel engine, and was wondering if the SPARKPLUG
is the TRANSDUCER in the Internal Combustion Engine?
[If not what IS the Transducer?]
Briofuel88, I think that we have not yet understood what you mean by "transducer". Could you explain what a transducer is or describe its purpose? Thanks.