The roller bearing engine

Abstract

Fuel consumption is influenced to a large extent by engine friction. Thus, an optimization of the mechanical losses offers a huge potential for improvement.The fact that the associated advantage in consumption can be realised additionally and independent of optimisations with regard to the combustion process is particularly appealing about friction reduction. A significant share of the friction losses of the engine is due to the plain bearings normally used nowadays for con rod and crank shaft. Substituting the plain bearings by roller bearings offers a considerable chance for improvement. Researchers of FEV Motorentechnik have analyzed the potential for reduction of fuel consumption and the general feasibility of a roller bearing crank train in an internal combustion engine.