Revisiting Mobility-Based Predictions of Cyclic Minimum Film Thickness in Big-End Connecting Rod Bearings

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Boedo ◽  
Travis M. Blais
Author(s):  
H Hirani ◽  
K Athre ◽  
S Biswas

The trend towards high power output, high speed and low power loss in engines requires a better understanding of bearing behaviour. Research in this area is directed more towards different aspects involved in bearing analyses, rather than providing a comprehensive guideline on design of bearing. This effort compiles the design methodology for selection of diametral clearance and bearing length by limiting the minimum film thickness, maximum pressure and temperature. The design procedure is summarized on the basis of the existing rapid bearing analyses for evaluation of the journal trajectory, minimum film thickness and maximum pressure and simplified thermal analysis. A flow chart is provided for step-by-step bearing design. Finally, two case studies of engine bearings are described: one investigates the VEB bigend connecting-rod bearing for a large industrial reciprocating engine and the other a main crankshaft bearing for an automotive engine. The methodology translates into easy-to-use expressions and the overall procedure is outlined, using practical data to demonstrate how this can be employed effectively by users.


1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Fantino ◽  
Jean Frene

The method developed in an earlier work describing the dynamic behavior of an elastic connecting-rod bearing was used to compare the performance (minimum film thickness, torque and flow rate) of two different bearings which belong respectively to a petrol and a diesel engine. Results show that of all the mechanical factors considered (load, speed, viscosity . . . ), the most significant parameter is the load diagrams, which through the elastic deformation governs the film thickness distribution.


Author(s):  
M B Aitken ◽  
H McCallion

The elastohydrodynamic analysis developed in Part 1 of this work is ratified against previous Ruston and Hornsby big-end studies. Sufficiently close correlation with published in situ film-thickness measurements allows big-end bearing performance to be determined with some confidence; significant new insight was obtained. Elasticity body forces from connecting-rod motion were found to be an integral component of the big-end representation; it is a prevalent misconception that these forces can be neglected from theoretical as well as experimental test-rig works. Film collapse mechanisms, likened to vapour cavitation, were observed in the dynamically loaded elastic bearing; these were not detected in equivalent rigid bearing simulations. Cyclic minimum film thickness was observed during inertial loading, irrespective of gas force loading. Two separate minimum-film conditions were identified: one in the connecting-rod's neck and a second, at higher load, in the rod's cap. The second condition is critical from a design standpoint; significantly thinner films are predicted than by rigid bearing theory.


1966 ◽  
Vol 181 (1) ◽  
pp. 749-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Martin ◽  
J. F. Booker

In the design of dynamically loaded bearings, the journal eccentricity will vary in magnitude and direction throughout the loading cycle. One of the designer's interests is in the trends of maximum eccentricity ratio and the corresponding oil film thickness for various bearing and engine conditions. From experience with journal eccentricity predictions for big-end bearings it has been found that the eccentricity ratio in the bearing due to the peak firing load seldom exceeds that due to the inertia load alone (although this load is smaller). Therefore, as an approximation, it is thought justifiable to neglect the gas forces. The maximum eccentricity ratio for numerous inertia load cycles was computed based on the numerical mobility method of solution (1)†; because of its simplicity and as only trends were required, the short bearing solution was used. The results of this study applied to big-end bearings show how the reciprocating and rotating masses affect the maximum eccentricity ratio. Also the effect of the ratio of crank radius to con-rod length is investigated, as is the effect of change in bearing clearance. A useful general-purpose graph is presented which will enable the designer to estimate comparative values of minimum oil film thickness over a practical range of bearing operating conditions. It is emphasized that the value of oil film thickness by itself may not be very helpful if used in absolute terms, as its correctness will depend on the assumptions made. The general results will, however, be useful if used as a comparator, and should give some guidance on how to improve the performance of connecting-rod big-end bearings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5513-5527
Author(s):  
J. W. Tee ◽  
S. H. Hamdan ◽  
W. W. F. Chong

Fundamental understanding of piston ring-pack lubrication is essential in reducing engine friction. This is because a substantial portion of engine frictional losses come from piston-ring assembly. Hence, this study investigates the tribological impact of different piston ring profiles towards engine in-cylinder friction. Mathematical models are derived from Reynolds equation by using Reynolds’ boundary conditions to generate the contact pressure distribution along the complete piston ring-pack/liner conjunction. The predicted minimum film thickness is then used to predict the friction generated between the piston ring-pack and the engine cylinder liner. The engine in-cylinder friction is predicted using Greenwood and Williamson’s rough surface contact model. The model considers both the boundary friction and the viscous friction components. These mathematical models are integrated to simulate the total engine in-cylinder friction originating from the studied piston ring-pack for a complete engine cycle. The predicted minimum film thickness and frictional properties from the current models are shown to correlate reasonably with the published data. Hence, the proposed mathematical approach prepares a simplistic platform in predicting frictional losses of piston ring-pack/liner conjunction, allowing for an improved fundamental understanding of the parasitic losses in an internal combustion engine.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. ten Napel ◽  
R. Bosma

In contradistinction to the commonly used segmented three-lobe bearing, another type of bearing, i.e., the sinusoidal three-lobe bearing has been investigated in this paper. The main advantage of this bearing is that it can very easily be manufactured. Special attention has been paid to problems of optimization with regard to minimum film thickness and friction, respectively. Stiffness and damping coefficients have been calculated as well as stability regions and stability parameters. Additionally, the optimum position of the oil grooves has been investigated.


1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Desbordes ◽  
M. Fillon ◽  
C. Chan Hew Wai ◽  
J. Frene

A theoretical nonlinear analysis of tilting-pad journal bearings is presented for small and large unbalance loads under isothermal conditions. The radial displacements of internal pad surface due to pressure field are determined by a two-dimensional finite element method in order to define the actual film thickness. The influence of pad deformations on the journal orbit, on the minimum film thickness and on the maximum pressure is studied. The effects of pad displacements are to decrease the minimum film thickness and to increase the maximum pressure. The orbit amplitude is also increased by 20 percent for the large unbalance load compared to the one obtained for rigid pad.


2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wang ◽  
C. H. Venner ◽  
A. A. Lubrecht

The effect of single-sided and double-sided harmonic surface waviness on the film thickness, pressure, and temperature oscillations in an elastohydrodynamically lubricated eccentric-tappet pair has been investigated in relation to the eccentricity and the waviness wavelength. The results show that, during one working cycle, the waviness causes significant fluctuations of the oil film, pressure, and temperature, as well as a reduction in minimum film thickness. Smaller wavelength causes more dramatic variations in oil film. The fluctuations of the pressure, film thickness, temperature, and traction coefficient caused by double-sided waviness are nearly the same compared with the single-sided waviness, but the variations are less intense.


1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Etsion ◽  
D. P. Fleming

A flat sector shaped pad geometry for gas lubricated thrust bearings is analyzed considering both pitch and roll angles of the pad and the true film thickness distribution. Maximum load capacity is achieved when the pad is tilted so as to create a uniform minimum film thickness along the pad trailing edge. Performance characteristics for various geometries and operating conditions of gas thrust bearings are presented in the form of design curves. A comparison is made with the rectangular slider approximation. It is found that this approximation is unsafe for practical design, since it always overestimates load capacity.


Author(s):  
Marius Wolf ◽  
Sergey Solovyev ◽  
Fatemi Arshia

In this paper, analytical equations for the central film thickness in slender elliptic contacts are investigated. A comparison of state-of-the-art formulas with simulation results of a multilevel elastohydrodynamic lubrication solver is conducted and shows considerable deviation. Therefore, a new film thickness formula for slender elliptic contacts with variable ellipticity is derived. It incorporates asymptotic solutions, which results in validity over a large parameter domain. It captures the behaviour of increasing film thickness with increasing load for specific very slender contacts. The new formula proves to be significantly more accurate than current equations. Experimental studies and discussions on minimum film thickness will be presented in a subsequent publication.


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