A multi-physics, multi-scale investigation of the piston ring pack

It is essential for the automotive industry to improve efficiency and mitigate frictional losses in IC engines. About 20-25% of these frictional losses arise as a result of the piston ring pack-liner assembly. By reducing the friction, there is potential to improve fuel consumption and emissions. This paper conducts a multi-physics, multi-scale investigation for the piston ring to cylinder liner conjunction, analysing the fundamental tribology, asperity interactions and boundary conditions. A 2D hydrodynamic model has been created based on Reynolds equation for a piston ring – cylinder liner conjunction. The model uses a finite difference method, calculating friction and the minimum film thickness over a 4-stroke engine cycle.