Optical diesel rapid decompression machine (Ricardo Proteus)

The principle role of the optical Proteus is to improve the fundamental understanding of the fuel spray formation, combustion and emissions formation processes by experimental measurement. The characteristics of differing injector types and fuelling strategies within a representative pressure and temperature environment can be analysed.

It's two-stroke, closed-loop scavenge reciprocating motion ensures that fuel spray and combustion products are effectively purged from the optical chamber during skip fired and motored operation. This effectively allows extensive studies to be carried out without the need to purge and re-prime the charge-limiting factors in a conventional 'combustion bomb' operation.