A Model of Piston Secondary Motion and Elastohydrodynamic Skirt Lubrication

A model of elastohydrodynamic lubrication of piston skirts in reciprocating engines was developed in the context of a simulation of piston secondary motions. The piston secondary dynamics, skirt lubrication and skirt elastic deformation problems are simultaneously solved in the calculation. The model can represent both conventional and two-piece articulated pistons and also includes a treatment of wristpin lubrication. Skirt deformations are calculated using a skirt compliance matrix derived from a finite element model of the piston. The model was exercised by calculating piston secondary motions and skirt deformations for a heavy-duty truck diesel piston at various operating conditions. Results show that peak skirt radial deformations can exceed the skirt-liner radial clearance and strongly depend on load. Articulated piston skirt deformations were shown to be significantly larger than those in conventional piston skirts. Consideration of skirt elastic deformations significantly affected (rigid piston) motion and skirt friction predictions, highlighting the importance of an elastohydrodynamic model.