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Single–cycle air–fuel ratio (AFR) and residual gas content of the fresh charge have been measured in a firing spark ignition engine with direct fuel injection. Various engine parameter sets concerning mixture formation have been compared. The measurement setup is sensitive enough to resolve cyclic deviations of spatial air–fuel ratio gradients. This has been achieved by Linear Raman Scattering (LRS), that is performed along a line (1D LRS) in the combustion chamber of the IC engine using a spatially resolving optical multichannel analyzer as the detector. The present work aims to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of such measurements under approximately realistic conditions. The combustion chamber of the engine has been slightly modified for optical access, so that its shape is still very similar to realistic engines. The engine has been operated at homogeneous load conditions with a multi–component model fuel.

One dimensional Spontaneous Raman Scattering measurements (RS) have been performed in a spray (standard gasoline, one-component and multi-component model fuels) which was operated in a high-temperature, high-pressure chamber, so that realistic engine conditions have been simulated. The present work investigates under what conditions 1D-RS can be employed for fuel/air-ratio measurements in realistic DI gasoline sprays. The distance from the spray axis has been determined, til that, coming from the outside, quantitative Raman measurement are possible. The equivalence ratio has been quantified for the one component fuel close to the spray. It turns out that the measurement error depends strongly on the type of fuel. These problems are caused by the PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) content of the fuel, which leads to interfering laser-induced fluorescence signals.

It is demonstrated that the cycle-by-cycle variations in the IMEP of a realistic automobile engine with port fuel injection are dominated by the cyclic fluctuations of the equivalence ratio and residual gas content of the initial charge at least for certain operating conditions. A new spontaneous Raman scattering technique yields simultaneously the densities of fuel, O2, N2, and H2O prior to ignition. In-cylinder equivalence ratio and residual gas content are determined quantitatively with high precision by ratios of densities. Prior-cycle effects are observed and explained by the properties of the initial charge. The results show that cyclic variability can be explained and may he consequently reduced by the help of the new measurement system.