Posted on 12/26/2006 7:21:59 AM PST by Red Badger
AutoWeek reports that Valeo SA has several development contracts with automakers for its camless engine. Although Valeo would not confirm the contracts, a spokesperson said the supplier is working with several global automakers on camless engines.
Camless technology is projected to deliver as much as 20% better fuel economy over a conventional engine.
Valeo presented its camless Smart Valve Actuation (SVA) at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. In a camless engine, each engine valve is operated individually by an actuator that is placed on the upper surface of the cylinder head, directly above the valve guides. Each actuator is linked to an engine-mounted Valve Control Unit (VCU) that ensures the optimal positioning of all valves and performs the power drive function.
The SVA system thus replaces the conventional mechanical cam belt, camshaft and hydraulic cam followers.
By controlling residual gases, minimizing pumping losses and deactivating cylinders and valves, this technology reduces fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by up to 20%. Consumers will also benefit from enhanced performance and driving comfort, due to an increase in low-end engine torque.
Valeo is working on two different camless systems, each one including the actuators, the Valve Control Unit (VCU), the wiring rail and the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) with the specific strategies dedicated to these new concepts.
The full-camless system manages the valves on both the intake and exhaust side of the engine. The half-camless system manages the inlet valves only.
Martin Haub, Valeo board member for R&D, told Automotive News Europe that Valeo is focusing on the half-camless system, which delivers 80% of the performance of the full-camless system, but at half the cost.
If I was guaranteed a steady supply of E85, I would convert in a heartbeat. But once you convert, you can't burn gas, unless you can find 110-120 octane.
The illustration shows springs of different lengths and probably strengths; likely, the design is intended to damp oscillations inherent in coil springs at high deflection speeds.
Still, you bring up a good point.
As an old time drag racer, valve float is remembered all too well.
You left out the picture:
The part where he has two parents and a child on a swing;
each parent, in turn, grabs the seat and lifts it and then lets go - just like the electromagnets pull and release.
Can't you just see that lovely child, her hair being blown back and forth in the ever freshening breeze her proud mother and father have created for her?
They were even running a prototype Kenworth at Pikes Peak a couple years ago.
NOHC- No Over Head Cam
Nice!
No Underhead cam, either!......I truly hope this is a real invention and not a pie in the sky toy. If applied, it could truly revolutionise the internal combustion engine. Complete digital control of the valves and injectors (piezo electrics)! The engine could be gasoline or diesel and run on 2,4,6 or 8 cylinders as needed!...........
Good one
Unfortunately, that is true. But one must separate the wheat from the chaff to get the grain..........
I think Sturman patented his digital valve sometime in the 70's or 80's, originally for irrigation systems
In the early 90's they got a contract with Navistar to install their valves in the injector systems on a number of their truck engines. As I recall, they were talking of thousands of engines.
The valve allowed for a microsecond burst of a very small amount of fuel, a slight pause to allow ignition to begin, and then the injection of the 'power' shot of fuel. That increased fuel efficientcy, and cleaner burning.
Pretty amazing when that all happens everytime the piston reaches the begining of the power stroke.
I thought the same thing but the wastegate had been untouched from the factory. The increase in power was pretty significant, coupled with the fact that the Borg-Warner auto trans wasn't set to handle that increase (as well as the torque improvement) is what led to me spinning off of I-610. It was a pretty weird feeling losing complete control of such a heavy car like that.
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