FRICTION REDUCTION IN PISTON RING LINER INTERFACE

PROJECT IMPRACTICALITIES
Friction reduction strategies adopted
1. Skewered barrel profile

2. Top ring groove upward tilt


Calculation of Difference in friction force
F
f
= [(P1-P2)B2 + W]
Where a
asp
is the coefficient of friction between the ring and the liner, and W is the ring load
due to tension.
of honed surface = 0.15
Diameter of top ring = 50mm
Thickness of piston ring = 1.5mm
Stock piston ring axial contact height (l1) = 0.75mm
Modified piston ring axial contact height (l2) = 0.5mm
Stock piston ring contact area (b1) = 2rl1 = 1.17 sq.mm
Modified piston ring contact area (b2) = 2rl2 = 0.78 sq.mm

P1V1

= P2V2

Compression ratio = 9:1
P2/P1 = (V1/V2)


Conservatively assuming P1 to be atmospheric pressure (10
5
Pa)
P2 = 9

* 10
5

P2 = 2.167 * 10
6
Pa
F1 - F2 = [[(P1-P2)b1 + W]] [[(P1-P2)b2 + W]]
= [(P1-P2)b1 + W (P1-P2)b2 W]
= [P1b1 P2b1 P2b2 + P2b2]
= [P1(b1-b2) P2(b1-b2)]
= 0.15 [(2.167 * 10
6
* 0.39 *

10
-6
) (10
5
* 0.39 *

10
-6
)]
= 0.1209 N
Although this is a conservatively approximate value, it is still too low.
Test rig required
Dynamometer setup to measure change in FMEP
Inter-ring pressure transducers 2 nos.
SFC measuring rig
For upward tilting of the groove, a prototype piston has to be casted.
Cost Estimation
Engine Cost = Rs.8000
Honeywell Pressure transducer = (2* 21700) + Import duties = Rs.43400 + Import duties
Modification of piston (Die and casting) = Rs.15000
Total(With misc) = Rs.75000.