Electronic valve actuators

[tgmcg]

We want to build a prototype engine for development purposes while providing maximum control over intake and exhaust valve timing. It would seem that electronic intake and exhaust valve actuators would provide maximum flexbility.

We are looking for suppliers of actuators and electronic controls for intake and exhaust valves, preferrably as a complete kit. However, we woul settle for the electonic control module and electronic actuators, and integrate the system from there.

We be grateful for any leads you may provide or other advice.

 

[reidh]

FEV designed an electro mechanical valve system similar to what you described. We did a technology survey of their concept a few years ago while it was still an in-mature design. They didn't have all of the bugs worked out at the time, so we did not pursue it any further. I assume it has progressed since then, and it may be capable of meeting your needs.

Reidh

 

[WGJ]

Why not try an SAE paper search for literature and see which companies have published stuff?

Bill

 

[tgmcg]

neigh & WGJ,

Thank you.

I'll contact FEV to see where they stand.

I'm gathering from your replies that electronically controlled valves might still be primarily in the realm of R&D. For a prototype we could consider a technology in it's latter stages of development, but would seek an alternative approach rather than lumber our project with a early-stage technology.

Our application is relatively low speed 300-1000 rpm and stationary, so we might be able to live with a few bug.

Will keep looking for a while and see what we turn up.

Regards,

Tom

 

[amorrison]

Googling electronic valve timing got some hits like

http://www.che.sc.edu/centers/RCS/bonivel/Rcs.htm

A Prof/engineering student project here

http://rbowes1.11net.com/dbowes/

Wiki has some variable valve timing material here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_Control_Unit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Valve_Timing

Interesting topic.

 

[tgmcg]

amorrison,

Excellent links! They provide lots of great info to follow up on.

Looks simple enough. We might well try it in our prototype. The benefits of EVT seem worth pursuing. Our engine cycle could significantly benefit from this technology.

My colleague is a EE, so I'll turn over the electronic valve timing and engine controls to him.

Thank you,

Tom

 

[tbuelna]

Lotus has had a lab quality electro-hydraulic VVT system available for over 15 years:

http://www.grouplotus.com/eng/track_record.php?section=17&page=25&id=62

 

[j2bprometheus]

TCMCG-

One company that tried & failed to develop such a system was AURA. Here's a link:

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9510/cleaner_engine/

 

[tgmcg]

j2bprometheus,

Thanks for the link.

Our primary focus is engine development and, if it's not too difficult to implement EVT on the test stand, we'd prefer to have full control over valve timing instead of grinding a bunch of cams. And while were at it, if we like what we see with EVT, maybe we proceed with that approach instead of cams. Efficiency is a top priority in our project.

Best regards,

Tom

 

[Majik]

1000 RPM. Unless it's a gigantic amount of lift, I find it hard that any efficiency will be gained over a cam/lifter setup. You could use the EVT to test stand a tried and true setup so you wouldn't have to grind a bunch of cams. Mechanically speaking it's hard to beat cam and lifters with solenoids and computers.

 

[reidh]

An efficiency gain can be had if this is a throttle-less configuration, which wouldn't be much more of a challenge once the EVT is integrated.


Reidh

 

[patprimmer]

Maybe the EVT is only for the test engine to speed up cam profile development as EVT can be changed with a few keystrokes, possibly on the run, rather than grinding new cam profiles to try.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[TStaples]

I agree with Pat, the post indicates to me that it is only for development purposes.

Valeo is working to adapt the Renault Formula 1 derived Electromagnetic Valve Actuation technology for commercial application. Perhaps you can source the needed hardware through them.

http://www.valeo.com/automotive-supplier/Jahia/lang/en/pid/1468

-Tony Staples

http://www.tscombustion.com

 

[turbocohen]

A few colleagues I worked closely with at Siemens developed sensorless evt for an oem high rpm application. They started with some Aura and others knowhow then redesigned from scratch. The results were state of the art but mechatronics are expensive, weigh a lot and cost far more than cam and infinitely variable actuation hardware.

 

[tgmcg]

Yes, the EVT is primarily to quickly optimize valve motion programming. For production we could then go either cam or EVT. It's potentially a throttless application, and maybe we'll want to completely unload some cylinders.

I'm sensing it may be worthwhile to dabble with EVT as it appears to be a quickly emerging technology and we'll be that much further along to implement it having monkeyed with it a bit.

 

[EdDanzer]

We experimented with electro-hydraulic valves on a prototype engine in 2002 at low speeds using off shelf parts. We used a DAC board with I/O in a PC to run the whole engine.

http://www.dehyds.com

has some information about the engine. Feel free to contact me for more information.

 

[dgallup]

TStaples - They were working on that system when I was living in Pontoise back in 97-98. I don't think it is in any way related to Renault F1 engineering. EVT has serious speed limitations and at that time serious power consumption and reliability limitations. With todays F1 engines turning 18,000+ RPM I am quite certain that cams & pneumatic springs are the order of the day.

 

[gt6racer2]

Hi. Sturman Industries have had a camless motor running up to 12k rpm using hydraulics. See

http://www.sturmanindustries.com/main/hydraulicValveActuation.htm

 

[TStaples]

dgallup,

I was told that SAGEM worked with Renault to develop that system for F1 application, during one of my visits to Pontoise in late 98. I saw some physical hardware while I was there, and it looked amazingly like the pictures they have now released ot the public. I was only told of the F1 link up. I don't know if it ever made it into a race engine, or was killed off during development. I suspect that it was originally started a a research project for F1, but as engine RPM kept advancing in the 90's, it probably became obsolete before it was raced, if it ever was raced.


-Tony Staples

http://www.tscombustion.com

 

[malak2]

Just curious- but what kind of charging system are you planning on ?? If I remember right the electro-valve systems failed because of the high voltage requirements, they simply couldn't be accurately be driven on a 12 volt system.

Then there's the weight of the system- wouldn't multiple solenoids outweigh a conventional system ??