An application of close range photogrammetry to combustion engine air intake modelling

Sometimes engine parts geometries in which flow is simulated are hard to define. Engine head ports or other intake parts have complex shape. Here with helps comes modern scanning three-dimensional (3D) technology such as photogrammetry. Thanks to the computer, science development photogrammetry is available for the regular engineer. One of the new, easy, user-friendly software is Autodesk 123D Catch, which takes photography straight from camera card and renders geometry in cloud. It makes engine improvement easiest. Ducts could be tested in virtual reality without destroying to check them on flow benchmark machines or dynamometer. First part of that study describes geometry-scanning process of engine air intake part using Autodesk 123D Catch software. Investigated part is a duct, which connect air filter with intake manifold. That is aftermarket pipe, which is designed to use in motorsport. This intake unit has a controversial shape, which is quite hard to measure. Obtained geometry shows useful accuracy. Second part of article shows investigation of flow in that duct using achieved geometry model. The analysis is done in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Software Ansys Fluent. In opinion of author intake geometry is not proper. However finally conclusion is that showed process of testing engine ports is easy, useful and possible to done.