new "free valve" system

[stensg]

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Mind blown...

 

[netty2424]

Interesting how the largest automobile manufacturing companies in the world are so far behind innovations like these of smaller companies. This technology will probably get bought out by a big name auto mfr and never see the light of day in any production model.

 

[rah7777777]

Very interesting! A couple months ago, as I was thinking about the timing belt I was going to be replacing on the wifes car, I thought to myself.. " How much longer will cams be around? Certainly they'll be replaced with a valve of sorts sooner or later"

Guess I know its in the works.. haha.

 

[stamen]

they are not behind but stuff like this at this point can not be high volume and reliable.. which is how big companies make money.. All big companies spend money on prototyping research, but it takes time to develop such a technology to the point where you can employ it on every vehicle you roll out the door and guarantee it will not break... Companies have to keep their reputations of reliability along with other attributes in order to be successful. but I will agree that this is definitely very very cool and interesting.. And maybe Koenigsegg just but the other companies to the punch.. just like honda was one of the first to mass employ the variable valve timming and "cam switching" technologies in their engines

 

[rah7777777]

Good point....

An old cam setup is very solid and reliable...

Your adding valves, air pumps, air lines, computers to control it all, i'm sure extra sensors.... these are additional weak points.

 

[stensg]

Thus has got me thinking why not use electro magnets to move the valves? No need for pumps, lines, valves and all the mechanical week points. I'm sure allot of computer work.

 

[stamen]

inefficiency... I believe is the weakness there..You need to have magnetic material valves.. need to have more electronics to control valves... need to create more electrical energy to power these magnets depending on how strong the need to be.. will need expensive electronics to keep up with such high frequencies. answer is super conducting magnets :O

 

[TACPBuell]

Very interesting article and a promising concept.. this would be interesting to see in a motorcycle application like he mentioned.. I'd imagine the weight saving and mileage/ torque and HP positives would be a great addition... Erik Buell get on it lol

 

[cb750]

I was always wondering why not use electromagnetic solenoids to actuate the valves. you could free up a lot of friction by eliminating the valvetrain, and make an infinitely variable cam timing profile. You could use a valve with a magnetic stem, and reverse polarity of the winding to close the valve and hold it closed.

This idea, I'd like to see more of how it works, I bet one could make a similar valve without needing air pressure, just running off oil pressure. You would need good oil pressure at all times, so that would be one drawback.