The Flow of Lubricant as a Mist in the Piston Assembly and Crankcase of a Fired Gasoline Engine

Abstract The tribological performance of the piston assembly an automotive engine is highly influenced by complex flow mechanisms that supply lubricant to upper rings. As well as affecting friction and wear, oil consumption emissions are strongly these mechanisms. There a significant body work seeks model flows effectively. However, models not able fully describe through assembly. Some experimental studies indicate droplets carried in gas may account for some this. This describes investigation into nature misting fired gasoline engine. Previous laboratory simulator showed tendency form mist dependent on viscosity type concentration modifier. higher surface area-to-volume ratio if more formed or smaller hypothesised increase degradation rate lubricant. key was measure size distribution crankcase Droplets were extracted from passed laser diffraction particle sizer. Three characteristic droplet ranges observed: Spray sized (250–1000 μm); Major (30–250 Minor (0.1–30 μm). Higher base tended reduce proportion mist-sized droplets. viscoelasticity contributed polymeric modifier reduced droplets, especially at high load.