Keywords: medium-speed diesel engine, cylinder head, material strength criteria.

The article deals with cylinder heads of medium-speed diesel engines. Two marginal states of material strength criteria are considered. One marginal state is characterized by thermal fatigue of material. Another one is caused by alternating-sign plastic deformation in quasi-elastic range. Cylinder head durability is evaluated as applied to locomotive/marine engine type 16CHN26/26.

Keywords: internal combustion engine, torsional vibration damper, damping ratio, stiffness.

The article discusses methods and algorithms of analyses of torsional vibration dampers. Presented are the results of torsional vibration analyses applied to type ЗМЗ 405.10 car engine featuring rubber or liquid silicone dampers (alternatively).

Keywords: low-speed marine engine, fuel injection rate, fuel injection system, diagnostics.

The article discusses test results of fuel injection equipment featured by low-speed marine engine type 6S50MC-C (Russian-built under a license of «MAN Diesel»). Method is offered for evaluation of fuel injection rate based on pressure pulse profile downstream of high pressure feed pump. Integral and differential characteristics of fuel injection process are derived to be used in diagnostics of marine engine fuel injection equipment.

Keywords: locomotive engine, identification theory, injector, diagnostics.

Standard test stand for fuel injectors was added with equipment to record fast pressure transients. New method of injector maintenance check based on identification theory is offered. Results of implementation of the method are discussed.

Keywords: constructional materials, gas-flow hardening, stress condition.

The investigation in question was dedicated to effects of subsonic gas flows on properties of metal exposed to unsteady gas jet (with no pre-heating). Gas-impulsive treatment is demonstrated as decreasing residual stress in thin-walled titanium alloy pipes.

Keywords: diesel engine, lube oil, piston design, piston/cylinder tribounit.

Piston–cylinder tribounit of type CHN13/15 engine was analyzed and tested with a variety of commercial lube oils differing in rheological properties. Hydromechanical characteristics of piston/cylinder tribounit are demonstrated as improvable without any constructional changes. Methods are offered to lower lube oil consumption based on solution of optimization problem.

Keywords: liquefied natural gas, cryogenic machinery, alternative motor fuels, gas engines.

The article discusses international experience in production and use of liquefied natural gas as a universal energy carrier and motor fuel. It is noted that gas engine industry is thriving, as well as production of cryogenic machinery to feature networks of gas filling stations.

Keywords: marine diesel engines, failure statistics, fuel delivery system, functional reliability.

A peer review has been carried out of engine reliability as a function of availability of its systems' components, based on failure statistics. Marine engine reliability is shown as primarily determined by fuel system failures. Failure data are presented in the form of infallibility and repairability factors, as well as integrated reliability indicators.

Keywords: gas engines, detonation, combustion process, lean combustion, design development, reduction of noxious emission.

This section contains slightly abridged papers concerning gas engine development presented at CIMAC-2007 Congress (Vienna, May 2007). Current bias towards gas engines results in a change in worldwide pattern of energy resource consumption in favor of fuel gas.