Technical Paper
Performance Improvements for Connecting Rod Bearings with “End-Relief”
2002-05-06
2002-01-1729
The constant engine development requirements of increased durability with lower cost, size and power loss need innovations in technology from designers and manufacturers of critical components such an engine bearings. A detailed experimental program has shown that a connecting rod bearing with “end-relief” grooves can give surprising and unexpected benefits in reducing bearing temperature. Bearing shells with “end-relief” resulted in an effective bearing width reduced by 6mm or 30%, yet still gave benefits in temperature reduction. The depth of the “end-relief” was too large for any hydrodynamic oil film to generate pressure to support the applied load.
