Abstract: A method of mitigating axial loads on a plunger of a fuel pump is disclosed. The fuel pump includes a compression chamber. The compression chamber receives a supply of fuel while the fuel pump is in an operational state and correspondingly facilitates exertion of an axial load on the plunger. The method initiates with receiving a change in voltage of the strain gauge circuit while the fuel pump is in operation. The change in voltage corresponds to the axial load exerted by the compression chamber on the plunger. Thereafter, the axial load on the plunger is determined by use of the change in the voltage of the strain gauge circuit. The axial load on the plunger is compared with a threshold value. If the axial load breaches the threshold value, the supply of fuel to the compression chamber is altered.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston assembly includes a piston crown including an upper surface defining a bowl region, a side portion and a lower surface, a piston skirt depending from the side portion of the piston crown, a sensor, at least partially coated by a visualization material, disposed within the piston crown at a location proximate to the bowl region, and a sensor data telemetry system coupled to the sensor. Methods for manufacturing a piston assembly for an internal combustion engine are also provided.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston assembly includes a piston crown including an upper surface defining a bowl region, a side portion and a lower surface, a piston skirt depending from the side portion of the piston crown, a sensor, at least partially coated by a visualization material, disposed within the piston crown at a location proximate to the bowl region, and a sensor data telemetry system coupled to the sensor. Methods for manufacturing a piston assembly for an internal combustion engine are also provided.

Abstract: A piston sensor data acquisition system is provided. The system includes a piston for an internal combustion engine, a data acquisition computer and a data telemetry system. The piston includes a crown and a sensor. The piston crown includes an upper surface defining a bowl region, a side portion and a lower surface. The sensor is at least partially coated by a visualization material, and is disposed at a location within the piston crown. The data acquisition computer includes a processor and a memory to store the sensor location, determined by a visualization process, and sensor data received from the sensor. The data telemetry system is coupled to the sensor and the data acquisition computer, and may be wired or wireless. A modeling computer may be coupled to the data acquisition computer over a network.