The minimum oil film thicknesses(MOFT) in the connecting-rod bearings of a 1.5 liter, L-4, gasoline engine are measured up to 5500 rpm and calculated to study the dynamically loaded engine bearings.
Short bearing approximation and Mobility methods are used for theoretical analysis of oil film characteristics. Also cylinder pressure, crank-pin surface temperature and bearing temperature are measured and used as the input data of theoretical analysis.
The MOFT are measured by the total capacitance method(TCM). To improve the reliability of the test results, a reasonable determination method of bearing clearance is introduced and used, and the effects of cavitation and aeration on the test results are neglected. Also the crankshaft is grounded by means of a slip ring. A scissor type linkage system was developed to measure the MOFT and bearing temperature.
The effects of engine speed, load and oil viscosity on the measured and calculated minimum oil film thicknesses are investigated at 1500 to 5500 rpm. From the comparison between the measured and calculated MOFT, it is found that a qualitative similarity exists between them, but in all cases, the measured MOFT are smaller than those calculated.