Theoretical and Experimental Work Examining the Piston-Assembly Frictional Losses

Principal Investigator
Nabil Chalhoub (Wayne State U.)

University Researchers
Naeim A. Henein, Walter Bryzik (Wayne State U.)

Industry
Hassan Nehme (Ford Motor Co.)

Government
Peter Schihl (TARDEC)

Students
Giscard Kfoury, Shadi Fadel, Wael Edelby (Wayne State U.)

Our objective is to examine the piston-assembly frictional losses by accounting for the solid-fluid interaction occurring between the piston secondary motions and the lubricating oil film.

The experimental phase of this project will be conducted on the WSU test rig. This work will provide instantaneous engine friction data that are associated with the piston-assembly/liner interface. The study will focus on different types of oil under different operating conditions and engine loading. It will also examine the effects of oil contamination due to soot, fine sand, diesel or bio-diesel fuels on the frictional losses of the piston assembly.

The theoretical model generated in this work will help designers to understand the interaction between the piston secondary motions and the lubricating oil film. It will also serve to identify conditions under which metal-to-metal contact and piston slap will occur.