The connecting rod bearing, which is subjected to periodical dynamic loading, is an important component of the reciprocating engine. In the operation of this bearing, significant parameters are the oil film thickness and the film pressure. Peak film pressure of 20-30 MPa are not uncommon. So the elastic deformation of the bearing surface can have a significant effect on the bearing performance.
In this study, a numerical analysis of connecting rod bearing is investigated. Elastic deformation of the bearing housing is considered in the analysis. Separate hydrodynamic and structural analyses are coupled through a direct iterative process. It is shown that as the result of the elastic deformation of the bearing housing, the eccentricity ratio and the minimum film thickness are increased, and the maximum film pressure is decreased. The variation of angular velocity of engine and gas loading affects the minimum film thickness and the maximum film pressure of the connecting rod bearing. Temperature variation in connecting rod bearing is also dealt with using uncoupled adiabatic model.
