Using the Arduino Platform in the Research of Internal Combustion Engines

Modern measuring systems used in the study of internal combustion engines require significant investments. The universal Arduino platform offers ready-made powerful hardware modules for data collection (shields) and control, which work in a wide range of frequencies and signal amplitudes, provide their analysis and processing, allow to implement equipment management, and have a relatively low cost and free software with standard libraries. These facts testify to the high relevance of the use of the Arduino platform in the study of internal combustion engines. The purpose of this work is to determine the possibilities and features of using the Arduino hardware and software platform in the study of processes occurring in energy power plants with internal combustion engines, early prototyping of their control and diagnostic systems. The paper considers the possibility of hardware and software connection of sensors for measuring basic physical quantities to the Arduino platform: crankshaft rotation frequency (based on induction sensors and Hall sensors), pressure, air and fuel flow, temperatures (resistance sensors and thermocouples). In addition, the characteristics (dependence of the measurement parameter on the output value) of some popular sensors used in the study of internal combustion engines are given. It is important to consider that the equipment used for the study of processes in the ICE must meet the certification requirements. In the case of Arduino, this certification may not be available. However, the recommendations for the use of various sensors, shields and Arduino boards can be applied if the measured quantity is not the determining factor. It is important to consider these limitations and use Arduino with an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the platform. The use of Arduino in the educational process in the training of specialists in the field of power engineering and in the research of energy installations of vehicles will allow students to apply the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired in the learning process at the hardware and software levels, which will create additional motivation for further study devices and principles of operation of automated and automatic vehicle control systems.