TOPIC

12

Engine Friction and

Lubrication
Sections: 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13,4, 13.8

Background and definitions

Wtf W p Wrf Wa

imep g imep n pmep

tfmep pmep rfmep amep
bmep imep g tfmep
bmep imep n rfmep amep

Friction fundamentals

Friction losses are classified into two groups, depending on the

type of dissipation which occurs
One type is friction between two metal surfaces in relative
motion, with a lubricant in between (rubbing friction)
The other type is turbulent dissipation

Lubricated friction

Schematic of a lubricated journal and a slider bearing

Lubricated friction
f fs 1 f L

Turbulent dissipation

Part of the total friction work is spent in pumping fluids

through flow restrictions
This work is dissipated in turbulent mixing processes
Pressure difference required to pump these fluids is
proportional to v2

Total friction

Work per cycle for each component i of the total friction

W f ,i Ff ,i dx
Total friction work per cycle (and thus tfmep) for a given engine
geometry will vary with speed

Wtf or tfmep C1 C2 N C3 N 2

Measurement methods

1.

Measurement of fmep from imep

2.

Direct motoring tests

3.

Willans line

4.

Morse test

Measurement of fmep from imep

imepg is obtained from pdV over the compression and
expansion strokes for four-stroke engine and over whole cycle
for a two-stroke engine, and pressure and volume data
pmep for four-stroke engines is also obtained from p-V data
Total friction mean effective pressure is

tfmep imep g bmep

Combined rubbing friction plus auxiliary requirements are

rfmep amep imep g bmep pmep

Direct motoring test

Engines temperatures are maintained as close to normal
operating temperatures as possible
This can be done either by heating the water and oil or by
conducting a grab motoring test where the engine is switched
rapidly from firing to motored operation
The power required to motor the engine equals total friction
power (including pumping power)
Motoring test on a progressively disassembled engine can be
used to identify the contribution that each major component of
the engine makes to the total friction losses

Willans line
Willans line is an approximate equivalent of the direct
motoring test for diesel engines

Morse test
Individual cylinders in a multicyhlinder engine are cut out from
firing, and the reduction in brake torque is determined while
maintaining the same engine speed
Remaining cylinders drive the cylinder cut out

Functions of lubricating system

Reduce frictional resistance of the engine to a minimum to
ensure maximum mechanical efficiency
Protect the engine against wear
Contribute to cooling the piston and regions of the engine
where friction work is dissipated
Remove all injurious impurities from lubricated regions
Hold gas and oil leakage (especially in the ring region) at an
acceptable minimum level

Lubricating system

Lubricant requirements
Oxidation stability
Detergency
Wear reduction
Viscousity

Lubricant requirements

Lubricant requirements

Motoring losses vs. firing losses

Motoring losses vs. firing losses