The value of the fast response measurement of Air-Fuel ratios (AFR) has long been appreciated in the study of both
fuel delivery systems and in-cylinder combustion processes.
The CUSSONS Lamdascan principle is a well established one. Exhaust sample gas is taken from a source, passed through a heated sample line and diluted with an accurately metered quantity of ‘dope’ gas, which is usually ambient air. The diluted sample is oxidised over a platinum catalyst and passed to a high temperature zirconia cell. Residual oxygen, which is directly proportional to the engine AFR and the known quantity of dope gas, is measured by the zirconia cell.
Bottled gases (oxygen and nitrogen) may be used in place of the dope air when it is considered that the ambient air is sufficiently contaminated with carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons to cause inaccurate measurement.
Heated sampling prevents condensation of any hydrocarbon compounds and water vapour, and so increases accuracy and durability.
Statistical functions (Average Value, Standard Deviation, and Peak to Peak), are obtained over a 30 second sampling
time, and are shown as the Equivalence Ratio (Lambda), or Air-Fuel Ratio, dependent upon display selected.
Automatic range change by dope gas switching ensures that the zirconium cell is operating at optimum oxygen concentration, and thus at best accuracy. AFR results from 5:1 to 50:1 may be obtained without loss of test data. Range changes may also be selected manually.
The GPIB (IEEE 488) is a standard feature which suits most forms of computer interface, and permits several Lamdascan sample handling units to be controlled from one master Lamdascan control unit. This feature is particularly useful for investigating transient mixture distributions.
Pre-set programs are selectable by positive action push button switches. The hinged front panel of the controller opens to allow access to switches for hydrogen/carbon (HC) and oxygen/carbon (OC) ratios of the fuel used, oxygen/nitrogen ratios of dope and reference gas - normally air, and external analogue signal zero and span settings.
Critical pressures are displayed on gauges on the sample handling unit to allow monitoring of correct operating conditions.