LUBRICATION TRANSFER MECHANISMS IN THE PISTON RING/LINER INTERFACE

There is increasing focus on lubricant transport through the engine ring pack into the combustion chamber due to concerns over its impact on low speed pre-ignition (LSPI), particle emissions, as well as oil consumption. In addition, the friction in this region accounts for the largest proportion of total mechanical loss.
The project will try to offer a quantitative understanding of lubricant viscosity and blow-by interactions within the ring pack region through:

- Development of the ability to measure inter-ring pressures simultaneous with lubricant film thickness or flows to quantify lubricant transfer mechanism
- Development of optical techniques to quantify the interaction of ring dynamics with lubricant and gas flows, and offer validation data for CFD model
- Development of understanding combustion gas interaction with lubricant films and transport mechanisms into the combustion chamber
- Develop understanding of key lubricant formulation parameters leading to propensity for cavitation within piston ring liner contact zones