Calculation of mixed lubrication at piston ring and cylinder liner interface

Abstract

This paper reports on the theoretical analysis of mixed lubrication for the piston ring. The analytical model is presented by using the average flow and asperity contact model. The cyclic variations of the nominal minimum oil film thickness are obtained by numerical iterative method. The total friction is calculated by using the hydrodynamic and asperity contact theory. The effects of the roughness height, pattern, and engine speed on the nominal minimum film thickness, friction force, and frictional power losses are investigated. As the roughness height increases, the nominal oil film thickness and total friction force increase. Also, the effect of the surface roughness on the boundary friction is dominant at low engine speed and high asperity height. The longitudinal roughness pattern shows lower mean oil film pressure and thinner oil film thickness compared to the case of the isotropic and transverse roughness patterns.