Advanced Computational Analysis of Connecting Rod of an Aircraft Engine

摘要

Development of internal combustion engine's components is based on the use of advanced computational models in order to compare and verify the individual design proposals. Connecting rod, which performs a general planar motion, is exposed to the gas pressure forces, inertia, contacts, and hydrodynamic pressure during the engine operation cycle. To incorporate all these aspects, Finite Element Method (FEM) is extended by Finite Difference Method (FDM) simulating a slide bearing of connecting rod's end. It includes different properties of lubricating oil (pressure and temperature dependent viscosity and density) and elastic deformations, so the pressure distribution in an oil film can be evaluated. The computational process concludes with an estimation of the endurance safety factor of the connecting rod. The four-cylinder inverted aircraft engine is used as an example.