Operating conditions using spark assisted HCCI combustion during combustion mode transfer to SI in a multi-cylinder VCR-HCCI engine

The Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) operating range in terms of speed and load does not cover contemporary driving cycles, e.g. the European driving cycle EC2000, without increased engine displacement, supercharging, or without excessive noise and high NOx emissions. Hence, the maximum achievable load with HCCI is too low for high load vehicle operation and a combustion mode transfer from HCCI to spark ignited (SI) has to be done. At some operating conditions spark assisted HCCI combustion is possible, which makes a mixed combustion mode and controlled combustion mode transfers possible. The mixed combustion region and the operating conditions are investigated in this paper from lean SI limit to pure HCCI without SI assistance. Parameters as compression ratio, inlet air pressure, inlet air temperature, and lambda are used for controlling the mixed combustion mode. A strategy for closed-loop combustion mode transfer is discussed. The test engine is an, 1.6dm³, four-stroke, 5-cylinder engine with port fuel injection, Fast Thermal Management (FTM) of inlet air temperature, and Variable Compression Ratio (VCR). HCCI is achieved and combustion phasing is controlled by adjusting inlet air temperature and compression ratios up to 30:1.