Torque ratio concept for combustion phasing detection of a spark ignited engine
This paper presents a method for estimating combustion phasing of a five cylinder, four stroke, spark ignited engine, equipped with a crankshaft based torque sensor. A new measure for combustion phasing based on the torque signal is derived for a single cylinder engine. The measure is called 50% torque ratio. A validation of the measure is done by comparing to the related cylinder pressure based 50% pressure ratio measure. A method is also presented to apply the torque ratio measure to a multi-cylinder engine. A physical model for the instantaneous torque measurement is described handling the torque contributions from all individual cylinders in all combustion phases. The torque contribution from the combusting cylinder is isolated and analyzed by the torque ratio method to find the combustion phasing. The multi-cylinder algorithm is validated on torque and cylinder pressure data from a five cylinder Volvo V70 engine.
SI-Engine Spark Advance Control Using Torque Sensors
Abstract A controller concept regarding how a torque sensor can be utilised for self-optimising efficiency of a SI-engine is introduced. The first steps toward a controller for spark-advance control is presented which assumes perfect estimation of the peak pressure position (PPP) in each cylinder. The estimation procedure is presented in accompanying work. The resulting spark-advance controller is constructed based on a PI-controller. Its stability is analysed, the controller parameters are chosen based on a robustness measure and the final design is simulated with and without noise.
Protection of the Marine Environment: The International and National Regulation of Deep Seabed Mining Activities
This chapter provides an overview of the international and national regulatory framework pertaining to deep seabed mining activities. It begins by discussing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the backdrop for all marine activities – be they national or international – and examines the obligations of states to protect the marine environment from the harmful effects arising from deep seabed mining. Next, the chapter examines the international regime for deep seabed mining (i.e. “activities in the Area”), explaining the “common heritage of mankind” status of the Area (i.e. the international seabed); the functions of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the international organization established to govern deep seabed mining in the Area; and the concept of state sponsorship of non-state entities (i.e. private actors) for deep seabed mining in the Area. The chapter follows with a discussion of the development of national legislation to regulate deep seabed mining, examining efforts in the Pacific region where many prospective deep-sea mining sites are located. This includes a look at the legislative regimes of several Pacific Island nations, namely, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and the Cook Islands, for whom deep seabed mining may soon become a reality – as well as New Zealand and Japan, countries with comparatively developed rule of law and legislative regimes that have undertaken or considered deep seabed mining in their national waters. Overall, the chapter critically describes and evaluates the current regulatory status in the international and national seabed areas and highlights some salient gaps that require urgent attention in order to ensure marine environmental protection and mitigate impacts on humans.