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Title: Low-tension piston rings and roller cam follower for engine friction reduction - costs of retooling and fuel-economy benefits. Final report

Abstract

Automobile manufacturers recognize that two major sources of friction losses in automobile engines are the cam-lifter interface and the piston-ring interface in each cylinder. In city driving, friction may consume 20 to 30% of the available fuel energy. Perhaps 50% or more of the engine friction in city driving is from the piston rings and 25% is from the conventional valve train containing a flat face follower. Some recent gasoline-engine designs have incorporated roller lifters and lower-tension rings resulting in energy reduction and improved fuel economy. A methodology for estimating these improvements is presented by two case studies. For the range of conditions assumed in the study, the composite fuel-economy gains for both roller followers and low-tension rings ranged from about 3.25% to 5.16%. The low tension rings have no cost penalty, but they must be designed for adequate sealing, low blowby and good oil consumption. The roller followers and required cam improvements vary in cost depending on the valve-train design. The cost to the customer will be about $25 to $35 for a four-cylinder and $45 to $50 for a six-cylinder engine. The details of the methodology and costing are discussed in the report.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Chi Associates, Inc., Arlington, VA (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
5121139
Report Number(s):
PB-90-115676/XAB
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; AUTOMOBILES; INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; FUEL ECONOMY; PISTONS; TRIBOLOGY; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS; DESIGN; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; FRICTION; FUEL CONSUMPTION; PROGRESS REPORT; DOCUMENT TYPES; EFFICIENCY; ENERGY CONSUMPTION; ENGINES; HEAT ENGINES; VEHICLES; 330700* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Emission Control; 320303 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes

Citation Formats

Thur, G M, Paterson, D J, and Reilly, D. Low-tension piston rings and roller cam follower for engine friction reduction - costs of retooling and fuel-economy benefits. Final report. United States: N. p., 1988. Web.
Thur, G M, Paterson, D J, & Reilly, D. Low-tension piston rings and roller cam follower for engine friction reduction - costs of retooling and fuel-economy benefits. Final report. United States.
Thur, G M, Paterson, D J, and Reilly, D. 1988. "Low-tension piston rings and roller cam follower for engine friction reduction - costs of retooling and fuel-economy benefits. Final report". United States.
@article{osti_5121139,
title = {Low-tension piston rings and roller cam follower for engine friction reduction - costs of retooling and fuel-economy benefits. Final report},
author = {Thur, G M and Paterson, D J and Reilly, D},
abstractNote = {Automobile manufacturers recognize that two major sources of friction losses in automobile engines are the cam-lifter interface and the piston-ring interface in each cylinder. In city driving, friction may consume 20 to 30% of the available fuel energy. Perhaps 50% or more of the engine friction in city driving is from the piston rings and 25% is from the conventional valve train containing a flat face follower. Some recent gasoline-engine designs have incorporated roller lifters and lower-tension rings resulting in energy reduction and improved fuel economy. A methodology for estimating these improvements is presented by two case studies. For the range of conditions assumed in the study, the composite fuel-economy gains for both roller followers and low-tension rings ranged from about 3.25% to 5.16%. The low tension rings have no cost penalty, but they must be designed for adequate sealing, low blowby and good oil consumption. The roller followers and required cam improvements vary in cost depending on the valve-train design. The cost to the customer will be about $25 to $35 for a four-cylinder and $45 to $50 for a six-cylinder engine. The details of the methodology and costing are discussed in the report.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5121139}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988},
month = {Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988}
}

Technical Report:
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