Combustion
A combustion and propulsion test cell contains a 300-hp eddy current dynamometer linked to either the FSAE engine or a DC motor/battery-electric powertrain. A custom-built 7-hp AC dynamometer allows students to research the combustion stability limits of a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine. In this lab, students get the chance to disassemble, analyze, and reassemble a series of Briggs & Stratton engines; a small gas turbine engine has also been under development for several years. Fundamental combustion studies are performed in fume hoods to determine the effects of fuel-air flow rate and equivalence ratio on laminar flame speed. A research engine outfitted with a quartz cylinder liner gives students the ability to watch the combustion process of a running engine while taking in-cylinder pressure data in real-time.