The analyses of frictional losses and thermal stresses in a diesel engine piston coated with different thicknesses of thermal barrier films using co-simulation method

This study comparatively presents the thermal and mechanical effects of different Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) and their thicknesses on the performance of aluminum diesel engine piston by combining Finite Element Analyses (FEA) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methods. The piston structure of MWM TbRHS 518S indirect injection six-cylinder diesel engine was modeled. The clustered TBCs (NiCrAlY–Gd2Zr2O7, NiCrAlY–MgO-ZrO2, NiCrAl–Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia (YPSZ), and NiCrAlY–La2Zr2O7) were implemented to the related surface of aluminum alloy piston and then static, thermal, and transient structural FEA were conducted for each model. Based on both of the temperature and equivalent stress distributions, NiCrAlY–Gd2Zr2O7 coated model displayed the best performance. Additionally, the effects of top coating thicknesses of TBCs were investigated in the range of 0.1–1.0 mm with 0.1 mm increments in FEAs. The thermally effective top coating thickness was predicted as 0.95 mm for the selected TBC using ANN method. Then the effects of coating thickness on frictional performance were revealed by generating transient structural FE models and utilizing stribeck diagram. The uncoated and 0.95 mm NiCrAlY–Gd2Zr2O7 coated models were adjusted as transient and the related crank angle – dependent in-cylinder combustion pressure data was implemented. The friction force was reduced by at least 15% in NiCrAlY–Gd2Zr2O7 coated model.

Numerical Thermo-Mechanical Strength Analysis of an IC Engine Component

This research investigates a thermo-mechanical strength of three geometrical shape designs of an internal combustion (IC) engine piston by a finite element analysis (FEA). FEA was performed using Solidworks software for modelling geometrical piston designs, and the models were imported into ANSYS software for thermo-mechanical fatigue simulation. The work focused on predicting high stress intensity and indicated the fatigue critical regions and life of the piston shape design. AL7075-T6 aluminium alloy was used as a piston material and thermo-mechanical fatigue simulation was conducted based on the experimental stress-number of cycles recorded data from literature. Analytical results showed the similarity of the critical failure positions to some real failures in the IC engine piston, and the shape design modification of the piston. Hence, this concept can be used to satisfy the IC engine design needs at low cost.

Possibility of using gas lubricant in the cylinders of internal combustion engines of transport vehicles

The prospects of using the gas-static suspension of the internal combustion engine piston in transport vehicles and power plants are considered. The diagram of the piston and the method for calculating the stiffness and bearing capacity of the gas layer surrounding the piston are presented, as well as the results of experiments that showed the relevance of this method. The possibility of gas and static centering of the engine piston is confirmed. Keywords: internal combustion engine, piston, gasstatic suspension, stiffness, bearing capacity, gas medium. [email protected]

System optimization demonstrator for aircraft propulsion technology using fuel cells

In order to help accelerate transition to sustainable and eco-friendly personal transportation in a single engine piston aircraft category we’ve developed a simulation software platform of hydrogen powered aircraft for further research and development. Measurements were carried out on a real reference airplane Cessna 172 R and were crosschecked with an airplane flight manual as well as a computer flight simulation. We also focused on a software-based safety and economy optimization by components usage ratio improvement and inflight energy production and transfer limitations.

Numerical calculation and experimental study on friction and lubrication of Stirling engine piston ring

To solve the practical problem of Stirling engine piston ring, numerical model on friction and lubrication were established based on average Reynolds equation theory. Numerical calculation results show: piston rings are in the mixed lubrication state which gas lubrication film and micro-convex body contact existing simultaneously; contact pressure is 2 orders of magnitude less than gas film pressure; contact pressure is approximately linearly related to mean gas pressure. Simulated test rig was built and experimental results show: high-pressure working gas leak to intermediate chamber through piston rings, and the pressure of intermediate chamber drops sharply at lowest pressure of circulation; piston ring wear increases when rotational speed or working pressure increase. The accuracy of numerical model was proved by experimental phenomena and test data.