Numerical simulation of stress field for laser thermal loading on piston

Abstract

To investigate the laser thermal loading on diesel engine piston, the employed Gaussian laser beam was transformed into concentric multi-circular patterns of specific intensity distributions with the aid of diffractive optical elements (DOEs), the time duration of laser thermal loading was controlled by computer with air cooling on the top surface of piston, and water cooling of oil tunnel and bottom surface of piston. Numerical simulation model of stress field of laser thermal action was established with the consideration of experimental conditions and the temperature dependent of thermal physical properties of the piston materials. Results show that the stress fluctuation rate at the concave pit site of top surface of piston is larger than that of laser irradiated region due to concave pit region near oil tunnel. Meanwhile, the regions of concave pit, oil tunnel and inner chamber near the top surface of piston are most vulnerable sites to form thermal cracks due to their direct contact with the cooling medium. Results of experimental and numerical simulation have good agreement, which validates the numerical simulation mode.