Following Combustion in the Gasoline Engine by Chemical Means

Photographic Flame Studies in the Gasoline Engine

“…The flame records, in general, substantiate the results of experiments made with the auxiliary sampling valve (10), which indicated that a narrow combustion zone within which the combustion reaction completed itself moved across the combustion chamber. For the sake of clarity it might be well to state at this point that we mean by the combustion zone that region in which oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the fuel takes place, and we do not include the reactions of the products of combustion which are brought about by changes of temperature and pressure.…”

“…These records clearly show the relation between the rates of flame travel and the resulting rates of pressure rise in knocking and in non-knocking explosions. This information supplements the data secured with the auxiliary sampling valve (10): which proved to be inadequate for differentiating between the rates of flame propagation in knocking explosions and those in non-knocking explosions during the combustion of the last portions of the charges.…”

“…It is believed that the shape of the flame front is convex to the direction of the flame travel as it moves away from the spark plug and passes through the charge. Some evidence for the validity of this belief has been pointed out in the study of the motions of the combustion zone with the sampling valve (10). With tins instrument it was found that the combustion zone moved more rapidly through the middle portions of the combustion chamber than along the side walls.…”

“…Engine-The engine and auxiliary apparatus required to insure proper control of the conditions of engine operation did not differ appreciably from that described in a previous publication from this laboratory (10). The following improvements were made, however: First, in order to keep the inlet and outlet jacket water at a constant temperature of 100°C ., the old evaporative cooling system was replaced with another which was equipped with a circulating pump; second, to make it possible to change quickly from one fuel to another, the conventional carburetor was replaced with a Venturi tube and a jet that was fed from either of two float bowls; third, in order to synchronize the flame and pressure records, a special form of ignition system was used.…”

"Oxidizing Agent" and Peroxide in an Otto Cycle Engine Cylinder

“…The apparatus went into operation early in 1929 and was then believed to be unique in enabling samples to be taken both at different times during the cycle and from different parts of the compression space. Not until September, 1930, (12) did the literature consulted contain reference to a valve with similar scope, though accounts of sampling devices fixed in position in the cylinder áre to be found prior to 1929.…”