In past RET-Monitors for this keyword we have taken a general overview of oil additive technology, but it is worth looking at some additives in more detail, in this case molybdenum disulphide, often referred to as just moly. With the chemical symbol MoS2, this black crystalline compound occurs as the mineral molybdenite, the principal ore from which molybdenum metal is extracted. It is commonly used as a solid lubricant, thanks to its low-friction properties, which are similar to those of...
In last month’s article we looked at the work by the Honda Formula One team in developing the pressure feed pump for its V8 engine. However, this was only half the challenge when it came to developing a reliable oil supply system for its car, so it is worth examining the development of the scavenge side of the system as well. As its name suggests, the primary role of the scavenge system is to scavenge oil from the engine and pump it to the oil tank, ready to be pumped back into the...
All Formula One cars, including the current generation with 1.6 litre turbocharged engines as well the previous V8s, feature dry-sump lubrication. The demands placed on the lubrication system in a Formula One car are extreme, with high temperatures and g-loadings making consistent oil supply a challenge. It is therefore worth looking at some of the methods used to ensure an optimal oil supply, while also ensuring maximum efficiency to minimise unnecessary losses. Taking as an example the...
All engines suffer from a degree of ‘blow-by’, where combustion gas escapes past the piston rings into the crank case. While the movement of pistons and other reciprocating components contributes to crank case pressure, the biggest single culprit is blow-by, and the resulting pressurisation needs to be vented from the engine. If this pressure isn’t relived, it can cause oil to be pushed past the various crank case seals, notably the main crank seal; it will also impact the...
Electric and hybrid electric/internal combustion technology is finally starting to make headway in the racing world. Such powertrain solutions present a host of challenges relating to electrical energy storage and motor technology, and they also require a reassessment of lubrication and cooling systems. Electric motors and energy stores need both lubrication and cooling, with the two tasks increasingly being combined through the use of shared lubricating oil/coolant. While not yet common...