Experimental measurement of big-end bearing journal orbits

Abstract

This paper describes a novel experimental approach to the measurement of big-end bearing journal motion in reciprocating machinery. The procedure is based upon measurements recorded from inductive displacement transducers mounted in the crankshaft, which measure the instantaneous clearance between crankshaft journal and the big-end bearing surface of the connecting rod. The results of the work demonstrate that the procedure is a feasible way of collecting experimental data for comparison with the output from theoretical models. Experimental data are presented for a single-cylinder four-stroke compression ignition engine operating under various load conditions.

Reciprocating machinery bearing analysis: Theory and practice

“…Holmes concluded that pressure variation was in agreement with theoretical predictions, and that a temperature rise of about 15 K above the supply temperature occurred. (a) an inductive transducer mounted in the connecting rod bearing to measure oil ®lm thickness (and also incorporating a dummy transducer to offset transducer sensitivity to temperature) as used by Goodwin and Holmes [11]; (b) an inductive transducer mounted in the crank journal to measure oil ®lm thickness and extracting the signals via slip rings, as used by Goodwin et al [53] Experimental rigs were used to simulate the load conditions in a big-end bearing by both Hashizume and Kumada [51] and Masuda et al [37] (see Fig. 5c) in independent studies.…”

“…Experimental measurements of big-end bearing journal orbits were published by Goodwin et al [53] on the basis of measurements made on a single cylinder fourstroke diesel engine. Measurements were made using inductive transducers located in the crankshaft journal, and signals were extracted using slip rings (see Fig.…”

“…Goodwin et al [53] Measurement of con-rod journal orbits on a singlecylinder engine test rig 4 1.5 Slip rings…”

“…Fig. 4 Details of mounting arrangements for sensors used to extract signals from reciprocating machinery:(a) an inductive transducer mounted in the connecting rod bearing to measure oil ®lm thickness (and also incorporating a dummy transducer to offset transducer sensitivity to temperature) as used by Goodwin and Holmes[11]; (b) an inductive transducer mounted in the crank journal to measure oil ®lm thickness and extracting the signals via slip rings, as used by Goodwin et al[53] …”

Comparison between experimental film thickness measurements and elastohydrodynamic analysis in a connecting-rod bearing

“…In 2000, G oodwin et al [11] developed a procedure based upon measurements from inductive transducers mounted in the crankshaft so that the instantaneous position of the crankshaft relative to the bearing shell can be measured. The cables from the two transducers (with their axes perpendicular to each other) are guided inside and along the axis of the crankshaft through the oil feed.…”