Conrod Bearings With an Optimized Narrow Circumferential Oil Groove: Simulated Durability Improvement for Heavy-Duty Applications

Under normal operating conditions, engine crankshaft bearings experience variations in oil film temperature due to shearing of the oil film. This can have a negative impact on the bearing operating life since the viscosity of the lubricant is temperature dependent. In the current study, a thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) analysis has been conducted using an in-house specialized simulation package called (software for analysis of bearings in reciprocating engines) SABRE-TEHL. This advanced simulation tool has been used to optimize a new bearing design feature leading to a significant temperature reduction, which in turn increases the robustness of the system.