A Short Review of Internal Combustion Engine Frictional Losses: Specific Studies of Piston Skirt

Energy savings by reducing the thermal and mechanical losses in machines is of major concern due to continuous depletion of energy resources. Frictional losses of engine components cause energy losses leading to high fuel consumption. In piston assembly, piston skirt and liner interaction contribute as much as a frictional loss as the piston rings but more studies have been focused on piston ring friction. This research provides a review of the numerical and experimental studies related to frictional losses by piston skirt and liner interaction. Possible solutions are discussed to reduce piston skirt mechanical losses at different running conditions.