Valeo In Development Contracts for Camless Engine; Projections of Up To 20% Improvement in Fuel save

[hankthecrank]

In the picture they show springs to move the valve both directions. IHC was coming out with a camless engine but they had trouble when the valve shut. Without the cam the valve shut too fast and the valve didn't last long. You can get an engine that the valve timing is set for the RPM its at instead of having to adjust it over the whole rpm range. You could also shut down some of the cylinders not needed at the power level that you are pulling from the motor at the time.

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http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/12/valeo_in_develo.html#more

Valeo In Development Contracts for Camless Engine; Projections of Up To 20% Improvement in Fuel Efficiency
21 December 2006

Valeo’s camless Smart Valve Actuation technology. Click to enlarge.
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.

[JohnWxy]

1. Very interesting.

from the Autoweek article:

"Haub said Valeo's half-camless engine would improve fuel consumption 15 to 20 percent and provide 15 to 20 percent more low-end torque than a conventional gasoline engine."

With more low end torque you can get away with a smaller engine too - further reducing gas consumption.