Re: The Future of the Internal Combustion Engine - Inside Koenigsegg Quote:
Originally Posted by grules A very interesting innovation in IC engine design using a free valve concept from Cargine. |
Actually something like this already exists. FIAT's Multi-Air techonology allows complete control over all valve operational parameters.
The FIAT system does not eliminate the cam, but cam now becomes more of a pure timing device which no longer has direct control over the valve actuation. Just like Koenigsegg there are quite a few other companies working on completely cam-less systems too, but I think the major challenge will be creating a perfect timing device for the engine which can keep rotating at different speeds in a pretty wide rev range.
The main advantage of a camless system compared to FIAT's cam-driven electronic valve control system is that in a cam less system you lose the weight of the cam-shaft, as well as the engine no longer needs to lose some energy towards rotating camshafts.
But as of now FIAT's system will be more reliable and safe in nature. In FIAT's cam-driven electronic control system, if the valve control electronics have an issue the engine can return to a default mode as the camshaft is still there to keep opening and closing the valves and let the engine keep running like a simple old non-VVT engine. But in a cam-less system if the electronics controlling the valves fail for some reason, it can lead to complete engine destruction with valves colliding with each other or with the piston.
Last edited by julupani : 24th June 2013 at 07:07.
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