An analytical study of tribological parameters between piston ring and cylinder liner in internal combustion engines

This paper presents a model to study the effect of piston ring dynamics on basic tribological parameters that affect the performance of internal combustion engines by using dynamics analysis software (AVL Excite Designer). The paramount tribological parameters include friction force, frictional power losses, and oil film thickness of piston ring assembly. The piston and rings assembly is one of the highest mechanically loaded components in engines. Relevant literature reports that the piston ring assembly accounts for 40% to 50% of the frictional losses, making it imperative for the piston ring dynamics to be understood thoroughly. This analytical study of the piston ring dynamics describes the significant correlation between the tribological parameters of piston and rings assembly and the performance of engines. The model was able to predict the effects of engine speed and oil viscosity on asperity and hydrodynamic friction forces, power losses, oil film thickness and lube oil consumption. This model of mixed film lubrication of piston rings is based on the hydrodynamic action described by Reynolds equation and dry contact action as described by the Greenwood-Tripp rough surface asperity contact model. The results in the current analysis demonstrated that engine speed and oil viscosity had a remarkable effect on oil film thickness and hydrodynamic friction between the rings and cylinder liner. Hence, the mixed lubrication model, which unifies the lubricant flow under different ring-liner gaps, is needed via the balance between the hydrodynamic and boundary lubrication modes to obtain minimum friction between rings and liner and to ultimately help in improving the performance of engines.