FLARE: An Integrated Software Package for Friction and Lubrication Analysis of Automotive Engines - Part I: Overview and Applications

A comprehensive computer package, FLARE, has been developed for carrying out Friction and Lubrication Analysis of Reciprocating Engines. FLARE considers four major lubricated components in an automotive engine -- piston skirt, piston rings, bearings, and valve train. Hydrodynamic, mixed, and boundary lubrication models are used, as appropriate, to model the lubrication phenomena. All the analytical models are based on solution of governing equations. Three levels of analyses with varying degrees of detail have been developed. Availability of different levels provides the flexibility of matching the complexity and accuracy of the analysis with the objective of the analysis. An empirical engine friction model, which is based on experimental data, is also available.

Many user-friendly features are built into the FLARE system to make it easier to use for design engineers. This paper gives a brief overview of all the analysis sub-models incorporated into FLARE. As an example of FLARE's application, friction in a V8 engine and two equivalent V6 engines with different displacements is compared.