A Digital Engineering Framework for Piston Pin Bearings via Multi-Physics Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic Modeling
Name
systems-14-00077-v2.pdf
Size
6.88 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
43c7b5a9cbeedb4d19831bd262de9a81
Author(s)
Shu, Zhiyuan
Tian, Tian
Date Issued
January 10, 2026
Journal
Systems
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Citation
Shu, Z.; Tian, T. A Digital Engineering Framework for Piston Pin Bearings via Multi-Physics Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic Modeling. Systems 2026, 14, 77.
Version
Final published version
Abstract
The piston pin operates under severe mechanical and thermal conditions, making accurate lubrication prediction essential for engine durability. This study presents a comprehensive digital engineering framework for piston pin bearings, built upon a fully coupled thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) formulation. The framework integrates: (1) a Reynolds-equation hydrodynamic solver with temperature-/pressure-dependent viscosity and cavitation; (2) elastic deformation obtained from FEA (finite element analysis)-based compliance matrices; (3) a break-in module that iteratively adjusts surface profiles before steady-state simulation; (4) a three-body heat transfer model resolving heat conduction, convection, and solid–liquid interfacial heat exchange. Applied to a heavy-duty diesel engine, the framework reproduces experimentally observed behaviors, including bottom-edge rounding at the small end and the slow unidirectional drift of the floating pin. By integrating multi-physics modeling with design-level flexibility, this work aims to provide a robust digital twin for the piston-pin system, enabling virtual diagnostics, early-stage failure prediction, and data-driven design optimization for engine development.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/systems14010077
