• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

This paper describes a new test rig for identification of rotordynamic force coefficients of squeeze film dampers (SFDs) in automotive turbochargers (TCs). Prior studies have mainly concentrated on relatively large-sized SFDs used in aircraft engines, turbocompressors, and turbopumps. The main objective of the current study is to propose a test rig for identification of dynamic force coefficients of small-sized SFDs (a journal diameter of ~11 mm). The current test rig consists of a journal, a SFD cartridge, four support rods, an upper structure, a data acquisition (DAQ) system, and an oil circulation unit. The annular gaps between the journal outer surface and SFD cartridge inner surface create SFD film lands. The damper has two parallel film lands separated by a central groove, having an axial length and depth of 3 mm. Each film land has a length of 4 mm with a $40{\mu}m$ radial clearance. The static load and dynamic impact tests identify the structural characteristics (i.e., stiffness and natural frequency) of the journal and assembled test rig. The measurements show good agreement with predictions. The SFD performance data from this test rig will be used to develop innovative TC rotor systems with improved NVH and reliability characteristics incorporating advanced SFD technology.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.11-18
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• 2021

Since hydrogen has the lower minimum ignition energy than that of gasoline, hydrogen could be also appropriate for the IC engine systems. However, due to the low ignition energy, there might be a 'back-fire' and 'pre-ignition' problems with hydrogen SI(Spark-ignition) combustion. In this research, cooling effects of intake gas mixture on the improvement of the maximum power output were evaluated in a 2.4 L SI engine. There were two ways to cool intake gas mixtures. The first one was cooling intake fresh air by adjusting inter-cooler system after turbocharger. The other one was cooling hydrogen fuel before supplying by using heat ex-changer. Cooling hydrogen was performed under natural aspired condition. The result showed that cooling fresh air from 40 ℃ to 20~30 ℃ improved the maximum brake power up to 6.5~8.6 % and cooling hydrogen fuel as -6 ℃ enhanced the maximum brake power likewise.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.90-96
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• 2019

Natural gas has been regarded as one of major alternative fuels, because of the increment of mining shale gas and supplying PNG(Pipeline Natural Gas) from Russia. Thus, it needs to broaden the usage of natural gas as the increasing its supplement. In this situation, application of natural gas on the transport area is a good suggestion to reduce exhaust emissions such as CO₂(carbon dioxides) and soot from vehicles. For this reason, natural gas can be applied to SI(spark ignition) engines due to its anti-knocking and low auto-ignitibility characteristics. Recently, since turbocharged SI engine has been widely used, it needs to apply natural gas on the turbocharged SI engine. However, there is a major challenge for using natural gas on turbocharged SI engine, because it is hard to make natural gas direct injection in the cylinder, while gasoline is possible. As a result, there is a loss of fresh air when natural gas is injected by MPI (multi-point injection) method under the same intake pressure with gasoline-fueled condition. It brings the power reduction. Therefore, in this research, intake pressure was increased by controling the turbocharger system under natural gas-fueled condition to improve power output. The goal of improved power is the same level with that of gasoline-fueled condition under the maximum torque condition of each engine speed. As a result, the maximum power levels, which are the same with those of gasoline-fueled conditions, with improved brake thermal efficiency could be achieved for each engine speed (from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm) by increasing intake pressure 5-27 % compared to those of gasoline-fueled conditions.