EFFECTS OF PISTON LATERAL DYNAMICS ON THE HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION OF A NON-AXISIMMETRIC TOP RING

Adolfo SENATORE

a.senatore@unisa.it

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Salerno – Fisciano, Italy

Abstract. The lubrication of the piston ring plays a crucial role in the effort toward the reduction of friction losses in internal combustion engine. This paper considers the influence of the piston secondary motions on the friction force acting on the piston rings taking into account the ring approach motion to the cylinder liner by solving the two-dimensional Reynolds equation. This model is applied to the geometry and operating condition of the piston top ring of a spark ignited engine.

Keywords: engine lubrication, lateral dynamics, friction loss, mechanical efficiency