This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Development of Engine Lubricant Film Thickness Diagnostics Using Fiber Optics and Laser Fluorescence
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
An apparatus was designed and applied to measure the oil-film thickness in a production engine using the principle of laser-induced fluorescence. The apparatus incorporated fiber optics technology in its design with an aim to improve the ease of installation, portability, durability, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of previous designs using conventional optics, which hitherto have been used almost exclusively in studying oil-film characteristics in detail.
Bench tests and engine tests were conducted to study the optimum combination of system components and to evaluate the performance of the design. These tests indicate that the goals of the design have been achieved. The increased spatial resolution enabled more precise identification of important lubricant features around the piston rings. Since the level of fluorescence decreases with temperature, the improved signal-to-noise ratio is expected to extend the applicability of the technique to engines operating at higher temperatures. The accuracy of the technique is presently equivalent to that of the Talysurf method for dry surfaces. The current system is sufficiently robust for further extensive measurements of lubricant-film characteristics in engines.
Recommended Content
Authors
Citation
Shaw, B., Hoult, D., and Wong, V., "Development of Engine Lubricant Film Thickness Diagnostics Using Fiber Optics and Laser Fluorescence," SAE Technical Paper 920651, 1992, https://doi.org/10.4271/920651.Also In
References
- Smart, A.E. Ford, R.A.J. “Measurement of Thin Liquid Films by a Fluorescence Technique,” Wear 29 41 47 1974
- Ford, R.A.J. Ford, CA. “Laser Based Fluorescence Techniques for Measuring Thin Liquid Films,” Wear 51 289 1978
- Ting, L.L. “Development of a Laser Fluorescence Technique for Measuring Piston Ring Oil Film Thickness,” J. of Lubrication Technology 102 165 171 1980
- Hoult, D.P. Rifai, M. “Measurement of Oil Film Thickness on Piston Lands,” Third Symposium on Energy Engineering Sciences October 8-10 1985 Pennsylvania State University
- Hoult, D.P. Lux, J. P. Wong, V. W. Billian, S.A. “Calibration of Laser Fluorescence Measurements of Lubricant Film Thicknesses in Engines” SAE Paper # 881587 1988 SAE Transactions 97
- McElwee, M.R. “Comparison of Single-Grade and Multi-Grade Lubricants in a Production Diesel Engine” Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT January 1990
- Bliven, M. D. “Oil Film Measurements for Various Piston Ring Configurations in a Production Diesel Engine” Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT June 1990
- Lux, J.P. Hoult, D.P. Olechowski, M.J. “Lubricant Film Thickness Measurements in a Diesel Engine Piston Ring Zone,” STLE 45th Annual Meeting Denver, CO May 7-10 1990 Lubrication Engineering 47 5 353 364
- Wong, V.W. Hoult, D.P. “Experimental Survey of Lubricant Film Characteristics and Oil Consumption in a Small Diesel Engine,” SAE Paper 910741 SAE International Congress and Exposition Detroit, MI Feb 25 Mar 1 1991
- Ingles, E.N. “Instrumentation of a Diesel Engine for Oil Film Thickness Measurements Using Fiber Optics and Laser Fluorescence,” Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT June 1991
- Richardson, D.E. Borman, G.L. “Using Fiber Optics and Laser Fluorescence for Measuring Thin Oil Films with Application to Engines,“ SAE Paper 912388 SAE International Fuels and Lubricants Meeting Toronto, Ontario, Canada Oct 7-10 1991
- Hoult, D.P. Takiguchi, M. “Calibration of the Laser Fluorescence Technique Compared with Quantum Theory,” ASME/STLE Tribology Conference Toronto, Ontario, Canada Oct 8-10 1990 Tribology Transactions 34 3 440 444 1991