Performance evolution of a worn piston ring

摘要

Reducing the fuel consumption of a combustion engine has been an important design issue. Engine friction has to be reduced and the piston ring - cylinder liner contact is a major source of friction. However, the piston ring geometry can evolve due to wear, and the ring can acquire a flat part. The current work analytically studies the hydrodynamic friction and load carrying capacity of a twisted parabolic - flat (worn) piston ring. The outcome is presented as a function of twist angle, total width and flat width.