kamervolume

Kamervolume is a term used in Dutch to describe the volume of a chamber, most commonly the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, at a specified piston position. In practice the kamervolume refers to the space above the piston when the piston is at or near top dead center, and it can influence how air and fuel are compressed and ignited.

In engine terminology, the kamervolume is a key component in determining the compression ratio. The compression ratio is the total cylinder volume at bottom dead center (Vd) divided by the kamervolume (Vc) at top dead center: CR = (Vd) / Vc, where Vd is the swept or displacement volume. A larger kamervolume lowers the compression ratio, while a smaller kamervolume raises it. The exact Vc depends on the cylinder head design, piston shape, gasket thickness, valve reliefs, and any chamber features such as bowls or squish areas.

Measurement and estimation of kamervolume can be done by geometric calculation from bore, stroke, and piston geometry, by direct volume measurement after disassembly, or by 3D scanning and numerical integration to account for complex chamber shapes. In practical engineering, precise knowledge of the kamervolume is essential for tuning, fuel efficiency, and emissions, as it interacts with intake and ignition characteristics.

Beyond engines, the term can also refer to the volume of any fixed chamber in engineering or science, such as a reaction chamber or a vacuum chamber, though it is most commonly encountered in automotive contexts in Dutch literature. See also compression ratio, combustion chamber, engine displacement.