Elastodynamics of the compression ring for evaluation of ring-liner conformance

The piston ring pack accounts for a disproportionate amount of the total engine losses (up to 25% of parasitic, with the compression ring accounting for approximately 5% of engine losses) [1], especially when considering the size of the component. Certain challenges posed by a low carbon future, coupled with the multitude of vehicles currently utilizing the internal combustion engine and the expected global increase in vehicle demand, motivates engineers to improve engine efficiency. The paper aims to investigate the effect of piston ring pack dynamics on the frictional losses. The ring dynamic behaviour determines the contact in terms of ring-liner conformability, applied load and kinematics. These are used as key input parameters in tribological models which predict contact pressure distribution, film thickness and generated friction.