A Port in the Storm

Computer simulation of the inlet port is helping to provide improved fuel economy and emissions in up-coming Jaguar models. Jaguar engineers have long wanted to improve the inlet port design process by simulating flow in alternative inlet port designs. The engineers, however, experienced problems in modeling the complex internal contours of the inlet port and chamber. The dramatic improvement in modeling speed combined with the high accuracy of sin1.ulation has made it practical to integrate computational fluid dynamics into the inlet port and chamber design process. Jaguar engineers are now able to evaluate concept designs within one week compared to the month or more that was required in the past. Engineers have been able to make significant improvements in the performance of their most recent inlet port designs, increasing flow efficiency by an average of 10 percent, while maintaining turbulence at acceptable levels. These improvements will provide significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions in future Jaguar engines.