2D Mapping of Piston Skirt Lubricant Film Thickness Using Ultrasound
The sliding contact formed between the piston skirt and cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine is fundamental to its operation. Optimal lubrication to reduce both frictional losses and component wear is a key requirement. Though numerical analyses considering the mechanics of the piston are being developed to model the tribological conditions within the contact (e.g. [1,2]), there is a lack of literature focused on measuring the thickness of the lubricant film during operation.