Modeling of Axial and Circumferential Ring Pack Lubrication

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail A. Ejakov
Keyword(s):  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Contact Boundary ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Friction Forces ◽  
Crank Angle ◽  
Ring Pack

Abstract The ring-pack lubrication is a complicated physical process involving multiple physical phenomena. This paper presents an attempt to model the ring-pack lubrication in three-dimensional space, considering the ring-bore structure interaction, bore distortion, ring-twist, piston secondary motion, non-Newtonian lubricant behavior, and ring/bore asperity contacts. The physics of the model includes the interface between the structure of the ring, oil lubricant, and the structure of the cylinder liner. The ring is modeled as a three-dimensional FEA model with the nodes along the ring circumference. The ring face orientation changes circumferentially depending on ring geometry as well as piston tilt angle and three-dimensional ring twist angle at every crank angle degree. The oil lubrication is modeled with the Reynolds equation with shear thinning and temperature dependent oil viscosity and with or without the flow factors. The cylinder liner description allows three-dimensional bore distortion and ring/liner asperity contact to be modelled. The key of the analysis is solving simultaneously at every crank angle increment a set of coupled linear and non-linear equations of ring structure, ring face lubrication, bore distortion, and asperity contact. The model predicts variations of the ring-pack lubrication in the axial and circumferential directions. Using the hydrodynamic lubrication model coupled with the asperity contact model allows calculations of the friction forces due to asperity contact (boundary and mixed lubrication) and oil film interactions (hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication). The transition from hydrodynamic lubrication to boundary lubrication through mixed lubrication is determined interactively based on ring / liner surface properties, ring loads, and lubrication properties. The new friction sub-module calculates axial and circumferential variation of both types of friction forces as well as total friction. The asperity contact induced friction forces and asperity contact pressure can further be used for ring wear calculations. The developed model has been applied to determine the performance of a production engine ring-pack. The influence of different phenomena affecting the ring-pack performance has been analyzed and compared.

Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis of Cylinder Liner-Piston Ring

2013 ◽  
Vol 871 ◽  
pp. 27-31
Author(s):  
Shi Feng Zhang ◽  
Shu Hua Cao ◽  
Jiu Jun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Piston Ring ◽  
Reynolds Equation ◽  
Variable Viscosity ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Crank Angle ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Friction Analysis

This paper constructs a three-dimensional transient hydrodynamic lubrication model for cylinder liner-piston ring based on the three-dimensional transient average Reynolds equation and asperity contact model. A computer program was written with FORTRAN to calculate hydrodynamic lubrication, in which the surface roughness, the variable viscosity effect and the deformation of the circumferential direction of the cylinder liner are taken into account. The film pressure distribution in different crank angle during the stroke, minimum film thickness and friction are computed and analyzed with this program. This three-dimensional transient hydrodynamic lubrication model provides a design basis for the friction analysis of cylinder liner-piston ring.

Piston Ring-Cylinder Bore Friction Modeling in Mixed Lubrication Regime: Part I—Analytical Results

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgen Akalin ◽  
Golam M. Newaz
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Friction Force ◽  
Piston Ring ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Friction Modeling ◽  
Crank Angle ◽  
Cylinder Bore

An axi-symmetric, hydrodynamic, mixed lubrication model has been developed using the averaged Reynolds equation and asperity contact approach in order to simulate frictional performance of piston ring and cylinder liner contact. The friction force between piston ring and cylinder bore is predicted considering rupture location, surface flow factors, surface roughness and metal-to-metal contact loading. A fully flooded inlet boundary condition and Reynolds boundary conditions for cavitation outlet zone are assumed. Reynolds boundary conditions have been modified for non-cavitation zones. The pressure distribution along the ring thickness and the lubricant film thickness are determined for each crank angle degree. Predicted friction force is presented for the first compression ring of a typical diesel engine as a function of crank angle position.

Analyzing the Effects of Three-Dimensional Cylinder Liner Surface Texture on Ring-Pack Performance With a Focus on Honing Groove Cross-Hatch Angle

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Jocsak ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Tian Tian ◽  
Victor W. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Piston Ring ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Oil Consumption ◽  
Surface Textures ◽  
Liner Surface ◽  
Piston Ring Pack ◽  
Ring Pack

Frictional losses in the piston ring-pack of an engine account for approximately 20% of the total frictional losses within an engine. Although many non-conventional cylinder liner finishes are now being developed to reduce friction and oil consumption, the effects of the surface finish on ring-pack performance is not well understood. The current study focuses on modeling the effects of three-dimensional cylinder liner surface anisotropy on piston ring-pack performance. A rough surface flow simulation program was developed to generate flow factors and shear stress factors for three-dimensional cylinder liner surface textures. Rough surface contact between the ring and liner was modeled using a previously published methodology for asperity contact pressure estimation between actual rough surfaces. The surface specific flow factors, shear stress factors, and asperity contact model were used in conjunction with MIT’s previously developed ring-pack simulation program to predict the effects of different surface textures on ring-pack behavior. Specific attention was given to the effect of honing groove cross-hatch angle on piston ring-pack friction in a stationary natural gas engine application, and adverse effects on engine oil consumption and durability were also briefly considered. The modeling results suggest that ring-pack friction reduction is possible if the liner honing cross hatch angle is decreased by reducing the feed-to-speed ratio of the honing tool. Reducing the cross-hatch angle increased oil flow blockage and increased the lubricant’s effective viscosity during mixed lubrication. This allowed more load to be supported by hydrodynamic pressure, reducing ring-pack friction. However, there appeared to be a potential for increased oil consumption and scuffing tendency corresponding to a decrease in honing cross-hatch angle.

Analysis of the Piston Ring/Liner Oil Film Development During Warm-Up for an SI-Engine

2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Froelund ◽  
J. Schramm ◽  
T. Tian ◽  
V. Wong ◽  
S. Hochgreb
Keyword(s):  
Piston Ring ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Lubrication Regimes ◽  
Ring Pack ◽  
Film Development

A one-dimensional ring-pack lubrication model developed at MIT is applied to simulate the oil film behavior during the warm-up period of a Kohler spark ignition engine. This is done by making assumptions for the evolution of the oil temperatures during warm-up and that the oil control ring during downstrokes is fully flooded. The ring-pack lubrication model includes features such as three different lubrication regimes, i.e., pure hydrodynamic lubrication, boundary lubrication and pure asperity contact, nonsteady wetting of both inlet and outlet of the piston ring, capability to use all ring face profiles that can be approximated by piece-wise polynomials, and, finally, the ability to model the rheology of multigrade oils. Not surprisingly, the simulations show that by far the most important parameter is the temperature dependence of the oil viscosity.

scholarly journals The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) Diesel Prototype: Reducing Internal Engine Friction by about 40% under Idle Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 779
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Dardalis ◽  
Amiyo Basu ◽  
Matt J. Hall ◽  
Ronald D. Mattthews
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Contact Boundary ◽  
Metal Contact ◽  
Load Testing ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Brake Mean Effective Pressure ◽  
Economy Benefit

The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) concept is a design concept for internal combustion engines, where the cylinder liner rotates at a surface speed of 2–4 m/s in order to assist piston ring lubrication. Specifically, we have evidence from prior art and from our own research that the above rotation has the potential to eliminate the metal-to-metal contact/boundary friction that exists close to the piston reversal areas. This frictional source becomes a significant energy loss, especially in the compression/expansion part of the cycle, when the gas pressure that loads the piston rings and skirts is high. This paper describes the Diesel RLE prototype constructed from a Cummins 4BT and the preliminary observations from initial low load testing. The critical technical challenge, namely the rotating liner face seal, appears to be operating with negligible gas leakage and within the hydrodynamic lubrication regime for the loads tested (peak cylinder pressures of the order of 100 bar) and up to about 10 bar BMEP (brake mean effective pressure). Preliminary testing has proven that the metal-to-metal contact in the piston assembly mostly vanished, and a friction reduction at idle conditions of about 40% as extrapolated to a complete engine has taken place. It is expected that as the speed increases, the friction reduction percentage will diminish, but as the load increases, the friction reduction will increase. The fuel economy benefit over the US Heavy-Duty driving cycle will likely be of the order of 10% compared to a standard engine.

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication: A Gateway to Interfacial Mechanics—Review and Prospect

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Zhu ◽  
Q. Jane Wang
Keyword(s):  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Interfacial Mechanics ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Film Lubrication

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL) is commonly known as a mode of fluid-film lubrication in which the mechanism of hydrodynamic film formation is enhanced by surface elastic deformation and lubricant viscosity increase due to high pressure. It has been an active and challenging field of research since the 1950s. Significant breakthroughs achieved in the last 10–15 years are largely in the area of mixed EHL, in which surface asperity contact and hydrodynamic lubricant film coexist. Mixed EHL is of the utmost importance not only because most power-transmitting components operate in this regime, but also due to its theoretical universality that dry contact and full-film lubrication are in fact its special cases under extreme conditions. In principle, mixed EHL has included the basic physical elements for modeling contact, or hydrodynamic lubrication, or both together. The unified mixed lubrication models that have recently been developed are now capable of simulating the entire transition of interfacial status from full-film and mixed lubrication down to dry contact with an integrated mathematic formulation and numerical approach. This has indeed bridged the two branches of engineering science, contact mechanics, and hydrodynamic lubrication theory, which have been traditionally separate since the 1880s mainly due to the lack of powerful analytical and numerical tools. The recent advancement in mixed EHL begins to bring contact and lubrication together, and thus an evolving concept of “Interfacial Mechanics” can be proposed in order to describe interfacial phenomena more precisely and collaborate with research in other related fields, such as interfacial physics and chemistry, more closely. This review paper briefly presents snapshots of the history of EHL research, and also expresses the authors’ opinions about its further development as a gateway to interfacial mechanics.

A Deterministic Mixed Lubrication Model for Mechanical Seals

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Minet ◽  
Noël Brunetière ◽  
Bernard Tournerie
Keyword(s):  
Flow Model ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Mechanical Seals ◽  
Optimal Point ◽  
Lubrication Regimes ◽  
Face Seals ◽  
Stribeck Curves

Mechanical seals are commonly used in industrial applications. The main purpose of these components is to ensure the sealing of rotating shafts. Their optimal point of operation is obtained at the boundary between the mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes. However, papers focused on this particular aspect in face seals are rather scarce compared with those dealing with other popular sealing devices. The present study thus proposes a numerical flow model of mixed lubrication in mechanical face seals. It achieves this by evaluating the influence of roughness on the performance of the seal. The choice of a deterministic approach has been made, this being justified by a review of the literature. A numerical model for the generation of random rough surfaces has been used prior to the flow model in order to give an accurate description of the surface roughness. The model takes cavitation effects into account and considers Hertzian asperity contact. Results for the model, including Stribeck curves, are presented as a function of the duty parameter.

The Effects of Cylinder Liner Finish on Piston Ring-Pack Friction

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Jocsak ◽  
Victor W. Wong ◽  
Tian Tian
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Probability Density ◽  
Piston Ring ◽  
Cylinder Liner ◽  
Probability Density Functions ◽  
Density Functions ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Piston Ring Pack ◽  
Ring Pack ◽  
Non Gaussian

This paper presents enhancements to a previously developed mixed-lubrication ring-pack model that has been used extensively in the automotive industry in predicting piston-ring/liner oil film thickness, friction and oil-transport processes along the liner. The previous model considers three lubrication regimes, shear thinning of the lubricant, and the unsteady wetting conditions of the rings at the leading and trailing edges. The model incorporates the effects of surface roughness by using Patir and Cheng’s average flow model and the Greenwood and Tripp statistical asperity contact model, assuming a Gaussian distribution of surface roughness. However, as a result of the methods used to machine a cylinder liner and the wear-in process observed in engines, the cylinder liner finish is highly non-Gaussian. The purpose of this current study is to understand the effects of additional surface parameters other than Gaussian root-mean-square surface roughness on piston ring-pack friction in the context of a natural gas reciprocating engine ring/liner interface. In general, the surface roughness of a cylinder liner is negatively skewed. Applying similar methodology published in the literature, a wide variety of non-Gaussian probability density functions were generated in terms of the skewness of the cylinder liner surface. These probability density functions were implemented into the Greenwood and Tripp asperity contact model, and subsequently into the traditional MIT ring-pack friction model. The effects of surface skewness on flow were approximated using Gaussian flow factors and a simple truncation method. The enhanced model was studied in conjunction with results from an existing ring-pack dynamic model that provided the dynamic twists of the rings relative to the liner and inter-ring pressures. In this manner, a detailed analysis of the effects of engineered cylinder liner finish on reducing friction losses was performed.

Effects of Lubricant Viscosity on Ring/Liner Friction in Advanced Reciprocating Engine Systems

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind Takata ◽  
Victor W. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Shear Rate ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Hydrodynamic Friction ◽  
Piston Speed ◽  
Ring Pack ◽  
Lubricant Viscosity

The piston ring-pack contributes a large portion of the mechanical losses in an internal combustion engine. In this study, the effects of lubricant viscosity are evaluated with the goal of reducing these mechanical losses. Oil viscosity affects friction directly in the hydrodynamic regime, where hydrodynamic friction increases with viscosity. It also influences boundary friction indirectly via oil film thickness — higher viscosity causes oil films to be thicker, which reduces asperity contact. At the optimum viscosity (the viscosity at which minimum friction losses are incurred) there is a balance between these hydrodynamic and boundary effects. As piston speed, ring loading, and other parameters change during the engine cycle, the optimum oil viscosity also changes. If the variation of viscosity could be controlled during the cycle, it could be maintained at an optimum at all times. In this study, several theoretical and realistic cases were studied to quantify the friction benefit that could be obtained if this were possible. Idealized cases with low viscosity near mid-stroke (to reduce hydrodynamic friction) and high viscosity near end-strokes (to reduce boundary contact) were considered, as were several more realistic cases based on temperature and shear-rate dependencies. It was found that, for the oil control ring studied, the effect on friction of keeping viscosity high near end-strokes is very small, and does not provide a substantial benefit (in terms of friction) over allowing viscosity to vary naturally with temperature and shear rate. Two mechanisms lead to the relatively small size of the friction benefit: the contribution to total cycle ring friction from the dead-center area is small, because of low piston speeds there; and any reduction in asperity contact due to increased viscosity is accompanied by an increase in hydrodynamic friction, which cancels out some of the benefit. Oil viscosity near mid-stroke, where most of the ring/liner friction is generated, is the dominant viscosity that controls the overall friction losses for the ring. Although its contribution to friction reduction is not large, maintaining high lubricant viscosity near dead-centers can lead to a reduction in wear in that region, because asperity contact decreases. For the ring-pack studied, a friction reduction of ∼7% is predicted when viscosity is reduced in the mid-stroke region (based on OCR effects alone). If end-stroke viscosity is also kept high, the end-stroke regions, where current engines experience the most wear, will see a reduction in asperity contact (although there will still be a slight wear increase in the mid-stroke). An end-stroke wear reduction of up to 25% is predicted by the current model.

Profile Design for Misaligned Journal Bearings Subjected to Transient Mixed Lubrication

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Gu ◽  
Q. Jane Wang ◽  
Shangwu Xiong ◽  
Zhong Liu ◽  
Arup Gangopadhyay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Hydrodynamic Pressure ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Asperity Contact ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Profile Design

Misalignment between the shaft and the bearing of a journal bearing set may be inevitable and can negatively impact journal bearing performance metrics in many industrial applications. This work proposes a convex profile design of the journal surface to help counteract the negative effects caused by such a misalignment. A transient mass-conserving hydrodynamic Reynolds equation model with the Patir–Cheng flow factors and the Greenwood–Tripp pressure–gap relationship is developed to conduct the design and analysis. The results reveal that under transient impulse loading, a properly designed journal profile can help enhance the minimum film thickness, reduce mean and peak bearing frictions, and increase bearing durability by reducing the asperity-related wear load. The mechanism for the minimum film thickness improvement due to the profile design is traced to the more even distribution of the hydrodynamic pressure toward the axial center of the bearing. The reason for the reductions of the friction and wear load is identified to be the decreased asperity contact by changing the lubrication regime from mixed lubrication to nearly hydrodynamic lubrication. Parametric studies and a case study are reported to highlight the key points of the profile design and recommendations for profile height selection are made according to misalignment parameters.

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