Sources and Destinations of Oil Leakage through TPOCR Based on 2D-LIF Observation and Modeling Analysis

The Three-Piece Oil Control Ring (TPOCR) is becoming a viable option for heavy duty gas and hydrogen engines due to the low particle concentration in these engines. Although direct oil leakage from the gap is not likely to happen with the misalignment of the upper and lower rail gaps, there exist other less-apparent oil leaking mechanisms through the TPOCR. This work is targeted at understanding the oil leakage’s source and destination through the rail and liner interfaces across the whole cycle. The 2D Laser Induced Fluorescence technique was applied on an optical engine to study the oil transport behavior. Combined with a TPOCR model for dynamics and lubrication, the mechanisms that cause rail twist and oil scraping by the upper rail were analyzed. It was found that the symmetrical rail can scrape the oil up in the up-strokes. The scraped oil first accumulates in the clearance between the upper rail and groove, as well as at the upper corner of the rail Outer Diameter before being transferred to both the third land and liner when the piston changes direction at Top Dead Center. Rails with an asymmetrical profile can reduce or enhance these effects depending the orientation of the rails. This study provides findings that could help design the engine to better control Lubricate Oil Consumption and properly lubricate the Top Dead Center’s dry region at the same time.