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The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) is a design concept for internal combustion engines, where the cylinder liner rotates at a surface speed of 2-4 m/s in order to assist piston ring lubrication. The metal-to-metal contact/boundary friction that exists close to the piston reversal area becomes a significant source of energy loss when the gas pressure that loads the piston rings and skirts is high. Reduction in mechanical friction has a direct impact on brake thermal efficiency. This paper describes fuel consumption measurements of our prototype single cylinder engine, compared to a baseline at idle. The reduction in fuel flow is of the order of 40% when extrapolated to a complete engine. The margin in friction reduction is expected to grow at increasing load, but reduce at increasing speeds. Our earlier models estimated idle fuel consumption reduction to about 25%, at full load about 3.5%, for a Heavy-Duty FTP 6.8 %, and may have been conservative.

The Rotating Liner Engine (RLE) concept is a design concept for internal combustion engines, where the cylinder liner rotates at a surface speed of 2-4 m/s in order to assist piston ring lubrication. Specifically, we have evidence from prior art and from our own research that the above rotation has the potential of eliminating the metal-to-metal contact/boundary friction that exists close to the piston reversal areas. This frictional source becomes a significant energy loss, especially in the compression/expansion part of the cycle, when the gas pressure that loads the piston rings and skirts is high. This paper describes the Diesel RLE prototype constructed from a Cummins 4BT and the preliminary observations from initial low load testing. The critical technical challenge, namely the rotating liner face seal, appears to be operating with negligible gas leakage and within the hydrodynamic lubrication regime for the loads tested (peak cylinder pressures of the order of 80 bar).

In order to detect degradation of engine oil lubricant, bench testing along with a number of diesel-powered Ford trucks were instruments and tested. The purpose of the bench testing was primarily to determine performance aspects such as repeatability, hysteresis effects and so on. Vehicle testing was conducted by designing and installing a separate oil reservoir along with a circulation system which was mounted in the vicinity of the oil pan. An innovative oil sensor was directly installed on the reservoir which can measure five (5) independent oil parameters (viscosity, density, permittivity, conductance, temperature). In addition, the concept is capable of detecting the oil level continuously during normal engine operation. The sensing system consists of an ultrasonic transducer for the oil level detection as well as a Tuning Fork mechanical resonator for the oil condition measurement.

Proper lubrication of moving parts is a critical factor in internal combustion engine performance and longevity. Determination of ideal lubricant change intervals is a prerequisite to ensuring maximum engine efficiency and useful life. When oil change intervals are pushed too far, increased engine wear and even engine damage can result. On the other hand, premature oil changes are inconvenient, add to vehicle maintenance cost, and result in wasted natural resources. In order to determine the appropriate oil change interval, we have developed an oil condition sensor that measures the electrical properties of engine oil, and correlates these electrical properties to the physical and chemical properties of oil. This paper provides a brief background discussion of the oil degradation process, followed by a description of the sensor operational principles and the correlation of the sensor output with physical and chemical engine oil properties.