What are low tension piston rings?

What are low tension piston rings?

In order to reduce frictional drag energy loss and increase fuel efficiency, gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines use thinner and lighter piston rings, called low tension piston rings. Piston ring spring force in older port fuel injection (PFI) engines used to be as high as 30 psi.

What is the function of the compression ring?

The primary role of the top compression ring is to seal off the majority of the combustion gases to ensure you get the maximum power output from your engine. Any failure or weakening of the piston ring in this area means your engine is working less efficiently than it should.

Is there piston rings in 2-stroke engine?

In 2-stroke large engines, compression type piston rings are used to seal the combustion chamber and wiper rings are installed below them to wipe the deposits from the liner and distribute oil on the liner surface.

Do low tension oil rings reduce friction and improve fuel economy?

The LKZ ring is so effective in pulling oil away from the combustion chamber and in reducing oil consumption that we are able to improve ring tension and reduce friction. Reduced ring friction requires less energy, which means better fuel economy and less CO2 emissions.

Why are piston rings used?

The piston rings act to carry heat away from the hot piston into the cooled cylinder wall/block of the engine. Heat energy flows from the piston groove into the piston ring and then into the cylinder wall, where it eventually will be transferred into the engine coolant.

What causes worn piston rings?

During engine operation, combustion faults often result in an accumulation and condensation of fuel on the cylinder wall. In this case, the oil film is thinned or washed off. The resulting mixed friction causes the piston rings to wear completely within a few thousand kilometres.

How do piston rings reduce friction?

Model predictions indicated that the top ring friction could be reduced by implementing a skewed barrel profile design or an upward piston groove tilt design, and oil control ring friction could be reduced by decreasing ring tension.