Novel method of measuring tappet rotation and the effect of lubricant rheology

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One of the main drivers for developing lubricant technology is engine durability. Researchers and scientists are using new technologies, materials and advanced lubricant formulations to reduce overall engine friction and wear. One of the main engine tribological components is the valve train. This is one of the most challenging components to lubricate effectively because of the higher contact loadings and accounts for 10–20% of the total engine friction loss. The two main factors affecting the performance of engine valve trains are wear and friction, and a wide range of mechanical configurations are used to improve these. For example, direct-acting overhead camshaft valve train configurations use a rotating tappet design. Normally, the tappet is slightly offset from the cams and the cam is slightly conical to match the domed tappet to facilitate tappet rotation for even wear and to reduce slippage. In this paper, a novel innovative technique has been described to monitor tappet rotation in a real production engine having a direct overhead cam–tappet arrangement. The monitoring technique was applied to a VW Tdi engine head, and tests were carried out under different operating conditions. Lubricant compositions, oil temperature, pressure and camshaft speeds on tappet rotation were measured and all are shown to have an effect. The balance of forces between the cam–tappet and tappet-bore was found to be interlinked and the design of the hydraulic lash adjuster had a significant effect. This unique tappet rotation monitoring system can be used on most of the direct overhead camshaft engines, with minor engine modifications, to measure lubricant and hardware effects under both motored and fired conditions.