Dynamic behaviours of piston rings and their practical impact. Part 1: Ring flutter and ring collapse and their effects on gas flow and oil transport

Abstract

This paper describes the physics of two major dynamic behaviours of the piston rings, namely ring flutter and ring collapse, and their effects on gas flow and oil transport. The analysis was conducted by applying a theoretical model in a spark ignition engine and a heavy-duty diesel engine. Parameters that have great influence on these dynamic behaviours are discussed for these two different types of engine and different rings. Specifically, the importance of ring twist, torsional stiffness and ring-groove clearance to ring flutter are discussed in detail. For ring radial collapse, the paper presents a simple formula that determines value of the critical parameters to eliminate ring radial collapse. Emphases are placed on the importance of mechanical designs in changing the performance of the piston ring pack in blowby and oil consumption.