A simple parametric simulator for inline engines

This study’s objective is the definition of the response of an inline-six engine under the forcing of its own inertial forces, produced by the crank and slider mechanism present in each cylinder of the engine. To do so, a theoretical model of the forcing action and of the engine mounts is developed, and its numerical implementation is performed in MATLAB. Additionally, in order to further expand the scope of the study and provide tools for future works on the same matter, a parametric and modular system of classes is developed, allowing for studies on any engine characterized by an inline configuration, given a set of arbitrary parameters through a purpose-built graphic user interface. Finally, testing of the model is carried out both in steady forcing conditions and over speed ramps, highlighting the amplitude and frequency of the response of the system by analysing the time domain and spectra of the resulting signals, both in the case of an ideal engine and of an engine built with real dimensional tolerances.