Piston Ring Dynamics and Its Influence on the Power Cylinder Performance

The motion of the top and second piston rings and pressures at the top land and intermediate land were recorded in an operating single cylinder engine. The parameters were measured on a tight top land piston (close clearance), cutback top land piston (wide clearance) and an IH balanced pressure piston. Each piston design was evaluated with two different second ring end clearances and at two different speeds. Test results are evaluated and discussed.