Numerical study of the effect of first ring profile type on hydrodynamic performance of the lubricant in diesel engine

Abstract

For different operating conditions of an internal combustion engine, the piston-ring-liner compartment represents one of the largest sources of friction and power losses. The present paper is a contribution to evaluate the effect of the compression ring profile on the main tribological performance of the lubricant in a four-stroke diesel engine. A one-dimensional analysis was developed using GT-Suite software for the hydrodynamic lubrication between the compression piston ring and the cylinder wall. A numerical method was applied to analyze the influence of different ring geometrical designs during the working cycle on oil film thickness, frictional force, power losses. The Takigushi simulation model was used to validate and verify the developed numerical model. The results obtained showed a relatively good qualitative and quantitative compatibility between the two applied models. The developed numerical model allows the investigation of the influence of ring design parameters to improve the tribological performance of piston engines.