Thermal analysis of multiple layers steel(MLS) cylinder head gasket via test

Engine new design has leaded to decreasing weight and material so cylinders get near together and cylinder bridges become thinner. In this design the function of the cylinder head gasket (CHG) could be important more than before. In CHG design, the thermal load is one of the important loads and its analysis is necessary. The extensive use of finite element method (FEM) and its low cost, directs more of the cylinder head analysis to this method. In this paper thermal analysis of the CHG of a 4 cylinder bi-fuel engine was done via experimental method and 7 thermocouples was installed on different position of CHG. The effects of engine speed, load, coolant temperature and fuel type (gasoline or CNG) on CHG temperature has been investigated. The results shown that temperature of cylinder bridges increased with increasing engine speed and load but at the around of cylinders, CHG temperature is stable. This result was repeated with both fuels and both coolant temperatures (90 °C and 115 °C). The CHG temperature was increased about 10 °C with switching fuel from gasoline to CNG. The maximum temperature of CHG was between cylinders 2 and 3.