Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies

Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

95

DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
Pranay Navale
1
, Pranit Pabalkar
1
, Vishal Harmalkar
1
, Anirudha Devadkar
1
, Nilaj Deshmukh
2
, Deepak Devasagayam
3

1
Student,
2
Associate Professor,
3
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Sector- 9A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
1
pranaynaval@gmail.com,
2
nilajdeshmukh2000@yahoo.com

Abstract:
A data acquisition system is a device designed to measure various parameters. The purpose of the data acquisition system is
generally the analysis of the data and the improvement in accuracy of measurements. The data acquisition system is normally
electronics based, and it is made of hardware and software. The hardware part is made of sensors, signal conditioners & data
acquisition card and computer. The data acquisition system increases efficiency of measurement and lowers the cost for test, through
easy to integrate software like LabVIEW. With this system, Engineers can use graphical representation to meet their specific needs
very different from the conventional and traditional measurements. Additionally, data acquisition system capitalized on the ever-
increasing performance of personal computers. In test, measurement, and control, the system experiences up to a 10 times increase
in efficiency at a fraction of the cost, in a fraction of time, of traditional measurement system. This Dissertation work involves
testing of internal combustion engine using data acquisition system. For this the data is acquired from internal combustion engine
and send to computer after required conditioning. The parameters of internal combustion engine which can be measured are
speed, load, temperature ,air flow rate , fuel flow rate . The graphical display on the computer screen can be made by using any
software like LabVIEW. This is an attempt to develop a Computerized Test Rig for measurements of speed, load, temperature, air
flow rate, fuel flow rate using Software like LabVIEW.

KEYWORDS: Data Acquisition System, Signal Conditioning, Sensors, NI DAQ Hardware.

1.0 INTRODUCTION:
The project involves testing of internal combustion engine with measurement of various parameters using software.
For this the data is acquired from internal combustion engine and sent to computer after required conditioning. The
entire system is called as data acquisition system.
The parameters which can be measured are speed, load, temperature, and pressure, and vibration, flow of air, water and
fuel by suitable sensors. The essential components of the data acquisition system are sensors, signal conditioner, ADC
card and computer. The display forms on the computer monitor can be made by using software like LabVIEW. The data
acquisition system increases efficiency of measurement and lower the cost for test by using LabVIEW software.
With this system engineers can use graphical representation to meet the specific needs. In test measurement and control,
engineers are using DAQ system to experience up to 10 times increase in efficiency at a fraction of the cost in a fraction
of the time of traditional measurement system.
Advantages of DAQ System
1. Reducing the time and errors in measurement.
2. Reliability and accuracy in measurement.
3. Remote monitoring possible.
4. Various parameters can be co-related graphically.
5. Assurance of safety for operator in hazardous environment.

Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

96

Applications of DAQ in ICE
1. Temperature measurement
2. Strain measurement
3. Flow measurement
4. Sound and vibration measurement
5. Data Logging

2.0 DAQ APPROACH:

Figure 2.1 DAQ Approach
[2]
2.1 Transducers and Sensors
Transducers and sensors provide the actual interface between the real world and the data acquisition system by
converting physical phenomena into electrical signals that the signal conditioning and/or data acquisition hardware can
accept. Transducers available can perform almost any physical measurement and provide a corresponding electrical
output. For example, thermocouples, resistive temperature detectors (RTDs), thermistors, and IC sensors convert
temperature into an analog signal, while flow meters produce digital pulse trains whose frequency depends on the speed
of flow.
The various sensors used are:
1. For temperature measurement- RTDs.
2. For load measurement- S-type load cell.
3. For speed measurement- proximity sensor.
4. For water flow measurement- mini turbine flow sensor.
5. For fuel flow measurement- ultrasonic fuel flow sensor.
2.2 Field Wiring
Field wiring represents the physical connection from the transducers and sensors to the signal conditioning hardware
and/or data acquisition hardware. When the signal conditioning and/or data acquisition hardware is remotely located
from the PC, then the field wiring provides the physical link between these hardware elements and the host.
2.3 Signal Conditioning
Electrical signals generated by transducers often need to be converted to a form acceptable to the data acquisition
hardware, particularly the A/D converter which converts the signal data to the required digital format. In addition, many
transducers require some form of excitation or bridge completion for proper and accurate operation.
The principal tasks performed by signal conditioning are:
a. Filtering
b. Amplification
c. Linearization
d. Isolation
Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

97

e. Excitation
2.4 Data Acquisition Hardware
Data acquisition and control (DAQ) hardware can be defined as that component of a complete data acquisition and
control system, which performs any of the following functions:
a. The input, processing and conversion to digital format, using ADCs, of analog signal data measured from a
system or process the data is then transferred to a computer for display, storage and analysis.
b. The input of digital signals, which contain information from a system or process.
c. The processing, conversion to analog format, using DACs, of digital signals from the computer the analog
control signals are used for controlling a system or process.
d. The output of digital control signals.
The various input output modules used are:
1. CDAQ-9172 It is the main chassis on which other modules are mounted.
2. NI-9219 It is used for temperature measurement and load measurement.
3. NI-9401 It is used for speed measurement of engine crankshaft.
4. NI-9934 It forms the sub connector for the module NI-9401.
2.5 PC (operating system)
The PC used in a data acquisition system can greatly affect the speeds at which data can be continuously and accurately
acquired, processed, and stored for a particular application.
2.6 Data acquisition software
Data acquisition hardware does not work without software, because it is the software running on the computer that
transforms the system into a complete data acquisition, analysis, display, and control system.
The software we used is LabVIEW
1. LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) is a graphical programming language that
uses icons instead of lines of text to create applications.
2. LabVIEW uses dataflow programming, where the flow of data through the nodes on the block diagram
determines the execution order of the VIs and functions.
3. LabVIEW programs are called virtual instruments, or VIs.
4. A VI consists of: Front panel and Block diagram.


Figure 2.2 Front Panel
[3]
Figure 2.3 Block Diagram
[3]


Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

98


3.0 METHODOLOGY
Parameters selected for analysis
1. Temperature
2. Load
3. Speed
4. Water flow
5. Fuel consumption
6. Air consumption


Figure 3.1 Actual Layout of System
[1]



Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

99

Procedure:
1. First the engine is started thus air & fuel is consumed.
2. Water is circulated in the calorimeter to cool exhaust gas.
3. To measure fuel flow sensor is inserted in between fuel tank & engine.
4. To measure cooling water flow, Mini Turbine Flow Sensor is incorporated.
5. To measure air flow a fan & proximity sensor arrangement is used
6. RTD sensors are used to record the temperatures.
7. Load on the system is varied by using hydraulic dynamometer.
8. Load is measured by strain gauge connected to the dynamometer.
9. Proximity sensor is used to calculate speed of engine.
10. The output of all the sensors is given to the DAQ modules.
11. According to different parameters obtained performance characteristics are plotted using LABVIEW
interface.


Figure 3.2 LabVIEW Layout of System (Front Panel)



Proceedings of the NCNTE-2012, Third Biennial National Conference on Nascent Technologies
Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Feb 24-25, 2012
Department of Mechanical Engineering

100



Figure 3.3 LabVIEW Layout of System (Block Diagram)


4.0 CONCLUSION:
Various internal combustion engine parameters can be measured and can be used for future reference which is the main
objective of the system second objective of the system to bring automation to system in order to reduce the human
effort and errors due to human interference is also satisfied. Various characteristic graphs can be computerized
generated which also increases system efficiency as no human effort.

References:
[1] Project Report on DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE by 2010-2011
Batch.
[2] John Park & Steve Mackay Practical Data Acquisition for Instrumentation and Control System, Newness
Publications, 1
st
Edition 2003, pg. 01-66.
[3] LabVIEW help file (LabVIEW software 2009).
[4] www.ni.com (DAQ modules, flow measuring techniques).