Study of the periodic thermal contact between exhaust valve and its seat in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

The focus of internal combustion engine development for urban vehicles is shifting towards reducing materials by making them lighter. In order to maintain thermal and flow levels, a model was developed to study the thermal behavior of valve seats during periodic contact, which can also help improve engine performance and fuel efficiency. The model, composed of two cylindrical bars in periodic contact, takes into account the evolution and topography of the contact surface. The model's performance was evaluated through various experimental studies and showed a maximum difference of 5.05% with experimental values, in good agreement with previous literature. The results showed that heat flux increases with increasing contact frequency and thermal diffusivity affects conductive transfer. This model can be used by manufacturers to evaluate cylinder head temperature and by the automotive industry to improve heat transfer in engines.