FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR SPARK-IGNITION ENGINE DESIGN AND RESEARCH

The design of future spark-ignited engines will be driven by three main factors: emission compliance, vehicle fuel efficiency and vehicle design. These three drivers present significant challenges to the engine designer and research engineer. Achieving an engine design which adequately meets the requirements for emission control, fuel efficiency and vehicle styling will require engineering compromises. These compromises will test the knowledge of the engine design team and it will be the most knowledgeable team that effectively optimizes the engine design to meet the vehicle requirements. This paper outlines the major research and design challenges that confront engineers and researchers who are striving for improved engine function. The paper is organized in four parts. An introductory section which presents the constraints and demands being placed on the engine system. This is followed by two sections devoted to emissions and fuel efficiency. The issue of styling friendly design is interwoven into the section on fuel efficiency and focuses on power density. Finally, the fourth section restates the major engine design issues required to meet the future emission and fuel efficiency constraints and recommends areas for future research. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 874988.