Use of langmuir probe in diesel engine diagnostic research. Part I measurement technology

In the paper, the basic assumptions of diesel engine cylinder system's diagnosing method, based on observation of emerging and moving electric charges of ionized gas in the combustion workspaces, using Langmuir's probe. In the first part of the paper, only the technology of the measurement and results of the preliminary diagnostic tests of laboratory engine Farymann Diesel D10 were presented. The primary purpose of the research was confirmation of susceptibility of a control diesel engine to a completely original measurement method that enables a precise determination of the angle of fuel's self-combustion. To verify the diagnostic utility of the obtained measurement data, simultaneously, the measurement of the cylinder pressure and generated vibrations coming from injection system and engine valve train (measured on the cover of the head or its tie bolt) were carried out. The reaserch were financed as a part of a Reaserch Task No 4 "Elaboration of integred technologies of fuel and energy production using biomass, agricultural waste and other" under a strategical programme of scientific research and development works "Advanced technologies of energy production", co-financed by NCBiR and ENERGA S.A. The solution of the measurement of the angle of fuel's self-combustion presented in the article was applied to Polish Patent Office. The application number is P.402669, titled:„Układ monitorowania kąta samozapłonu paliwa, zwłaszcza w cylindrze silnika o zapłonie samoczynnym z zastosowaniem sondy Langmuira”. (The monitoring system of the angle of fuel's self-combustion, in the cylinder of a diesel engine using Lagmuir's probe").