Popular Marine Engine Manufacturer Uses MTI Capacitive Sensors to Precisely Measure Engine Oil Film Thickness

Marine engine manufacturers are faced with the constant and difficult challenge of designing and building engines to operate under the most severe environments, engines that must be long lasting, extremely reliable and perform flawlessly even under less than ideal operating conditions. Unlike an automobile engine, marine engines are constantly under strain, even when cruising at low speeds. Harsh exposure to the elements such as salt spray, heat and cold, as well as constantly changing loads and operating conditions contribute to the problem. MTI was challenged by a top marine engine manufacturer to design a non-contact sensor to measure the microscopic oil film layer between the engine cylinder wall and the piston ring. Oil film thickness is an important parameter in engine development, and directly relates to oil consumption and engine life as well as efficient engine performance and emissions reduction. Engine testing is typically performed at high RPM's with piston linear speeds approaching 500 inches/second. A measuring system with high frequency response and small sensor size was required to keep engine machining to a minimum, and not change the engine operating characteristics along with the ability to obtain dynamic measurement data as the piston ring passes the sensor face.