Piston Ring Research

The goal of this research was to optimize piston ring configurations and cooling fin dimensions for improved thermal performance in combustion chambers. I began by designing a virtual combustion chamber with a simulated coolant flow, mimicking a real engine’s cooling jacket. Through computational analysis, I examined how varying piston ring land protrusion, ring land thickness, and spacing between rings affected heat transfer between the piston and cylinder wall.

My simulations revealed complex thermal dynamics: while thinner rings reduced the total heat transferred to the combustion chamber walls—thanks to their reduced contact surface—they also caused elevated temperatures at the ring edges. These higher edge temperatures were offset somewhat by the reduced friction during combustion, indicating a nuanced trade-off between thermal control and mechanical wear.

In a parallel study, I analyzed the application of cooling fins—commonly used in radiators and air-cooled systems—to determine how fin protrusion, thickness, and spacing impact heat dissipation. Through parametric simulations, I quantified how variations in fin geometry affected thermal conductivity within an air-cooled environment. The results of both studies contribute actionable insights for enhancing the thermal performance of engine components by balancing geometry and functionality.