Piston Finite Element Modeling for the Estimation of Hydrodynamic and Contact Forces and Moments

Modeling the thermal and mechanical behavior of a piston is crucial, as it allows for the evaluation of piston performance including piston dynamics and friction. These characteristics directly affect the efficiency, reliability, and lifespan of an internal combustion engine. This work migrates from the conventional parameterized piston modeling approach and uses a full CAD finite element modeling simulation for the evaluation of the piston’s thermal and mechanical behavior as well as the resultant hydrodynamic and contact forces and moments experienced by it. The analysis is performed for two different piston to cylinder bore nominal clearances, and for one of them at two different engine speeds, while assuming the piston is moving at the center of the cylinder bore with no transverse or tilting motion.