Development of an Ultrasonic Sensing Technique to Measure Lubricant Viscosity in Engine Journal Bearing In-Situ

Michele Schirru graduated as Mechanical Engineer at the University of Cagliari (Italy) in 2012. The same year, he joined the Leonardo Center for Tribology at the University of Sheffield for a PhD course in Tribology and graduated in 2016. His research focuses on the development of novel ultrasonic viscometer techniques and instrumentations for in-situ monitoring of lubricant performances in engines. He obtained the first circumferential viscosity measurement in an operating journal bearing using a novel matching layer viscometer. This technique is now employed by different lubricant manufacturers to design novel fully formulated engine oils. He won the 23rd Mission for Tribology IMechE Prize for the novelty of his research and also he won the "Innovation in Tribology Prize" 2016 of the Institute of Physics Tribology Group.

Introduction.- Background on Viscosity and Lubrication.- Background on Ultrasound.- Literature review.- A Novel Ultrasonic Model for Non-Newtonian Fluids.- Viscosity Measurement at an Aluminium-Oil Boundary.- The Matching Layer Method.- Viscosity Measurement in a Journal Bearing.- Conclusions.