Submitted for MAE 442

(sec 001)
Dr. Klang

May 4, 2007

Chris Dirito
Taylor Hobgood
Dawn Glover
Advanced Valve Control
Outline
Valve Basics
Advantages of Variable Valve Control
Operation Characteristics
Types of Variable Valve Control
Lift
Duration
Phase
Manufacturers and Examples
Future Possibilities

Variable Valve Timeline
VVT- Variable Valve Timing
It can be seen that according to the trend VVT will reach ~ 90 percent of
vehicles in 2010 (according to Prof. Dr. Peter Walzer)








Variable Valve Introduction
Why Use Variable Valve Timing and Lift?
Most basic form of a push rod valvetrain is shown in the
adjacent picture.

This systems Valvetrain characteristics cannot be changed
once the engine is started


Limitations:
Fuel Economy and Power are only
optimized at one particular RPM, Throttle
Position
Broad torque curves are sacrificed







VVT Advantage
It can be seen from the graph the
increases in torque across the power
range of the VVT engine
Advantages of Variable Valve Engine
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000
Engine Speed (rpm)
B
r
a
k
e

T
o
r
q
u
e

(
N
*
m
)
Convential Engine
Varable Valve Engine
Variable Valve Types
Valve Lift
Specified Amount the Valve Opens to Allow Air and/or Fuel Air Mixture Into Combustion
Chamber
Controlled by Camshaft Lobe Height, Maximum at the Cam Nose
Typically Specified as Height Valve Lifts Away From Valve Seat
Variable Valve Types
Valve Duration
Specified Time the Valve is Open
Controlled By Camshaft Profile Geometry, Length of Lobe
Measured in Degrees of Rotation, Either from Camshaft or Crankshaft

Variable Valve Types
Valve Timing
Changes Point at which Valve Opening
begins with respect to crankshaft position.
Typically attained by controlling an interface
between the timing belt or chain, and the
camshaft itself.
Allows for finer tuning of Combustion chamber
cross flow, and coupled with variable ignition
timing can be adjusted to increase
Combustion Efficiency.

Operation Characteristics

Intake Opening
Intake valves are opened before TDC (~10-25degrees)
Higher engine speed have shorter time for air/fuel ingestion
Higher Speeds decrease volumetric flow rate
Time delay for valve to open fully
At higher engine speeds intake valves must open earlier

Intake Closing
closed after BDC (~40-50degrees)
The intake flow momentum is greater than pressure created by
upstroke of piston
This momentum is greater at higher engine speeds
thus at higher engine speeds intake valve will close later in cycle.


Operation Characteristics
(cont)
Valve Overlap
Definition: Valve overlap occurs when both intake and
exhaust valves are opened



At higher engine speeds exhaust from other cylinders
in exhaust manifold will pull more air into cylinder

Increased valve overlap is desired at higher engine
speeds

Decreased valve overlap at lower engine speeds
increases effective compression ratio which in turn
increases torque.





Variable Valve Types and Common
Manufacturers
Valvetronic
Offers continuously variable valve timing and
valve lift on the intake cam only. Relies
on amount of valve lift to throttle engine
BMW
VANOS
Varies the timing of the valves by moving the
position of the camshafts in relation to
the drive gear.
BMW
VTEC
Utilizes two camshaft profiles and
electronically selects between the profiles
Honda
VarioCam
Varies intake timing by adjusting the tension
of a cam chain
Porche
AVCS/AVLS
AVCS - varies timing (phase) with hydraulic
pressure
AVLS - Varies duration, timing and lift by
switching between two different sets of
cam lobes
Subaru
Mitsubishi MIVEC
similar to AVLS
Variable Valve Types and Common
Manufacturers
VVT-i / VVTL-i
VVT-i varies timing of intake
valves by adjusting the
relationship between camshaft
drive and intake camshaft
VVTL-i alters valve lift and
timing
Toyota - Avalon,
RAV4, Camry,
Corolla, Celica
Pontiac - Vibe
VVC Varies timing with eccentric disk Rover
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:VVTLi.jp
g
Toyota Schematic of VVTL-i
Valvetronic
Variable Valve Control which uses variable valve Lift
(lift can be altered in 300 milliseconds)

Under high loads valve lift will increases
During low load situations valve lift will decrease

Advantages:
Fuel consumption reduced by 10 %
No need for throttle butterfly (increased throttle response) (Due to no throttle
butterfly pumping loss is reduced )
No timing belt or chain required) (Belt/chain only required to spin cam shafts)

Disadvantages:
Low valve spring rates are required (stepper motor needs to be able to compress
valve springs), thus high engine speeds are not able to be achieved.

Valvetronic
Simplified Explanation: Valvetronic varies valve lift by adjusting the fulcrum
point of the rocker arm.

The eccentric shaft is turned by an electric stepper motor which is controlled
by the engine control unit.
This will influence how much the cam can push down on the valve

Valvetronic in Action
http://youtube.com/watch?vrEELtXVTymU

The Mystical Vtec
Explained
Vtec
Variable valve Timing and Electronic lift Control
Variable in that two or more camshaft profiles can be utilzed
Electronic due to the fact that an electronic solenoid controls
the oil flow used to activate and deactivate the system
Standard Vtec
Varies Valve lift and/or duration by utilizing multiple
camshaft profiles.
Two Camshaft Profiles can be used. Each cam lobe has its
own rocker arm.
Desired cam profile is then locked together with the rocker
arm controlling the valve on which desired effect is to take
place.
Locking is accomplished with oil pressure and a sliding pin
mechanism. A solenoid triggers at the specified kick-in speed
and allows oil flow to the sliding pin mechanism.
Advantages are better fuel economy and smoother engine
operation at low speeds, while at higher speeds more
aggressive camshaft profile allows more power to be utilized.
System shown varies both valves the same. Both valves are
either at low speed profile or high speed profile

Vtec in Action
Vtec-e
Vtec-e
Vtec system where a extremely low cam profile
is used at low rpm for one valve. And a standard
cam profile is used for the other valve at low rpm
and the standard cam profile is used for both
valves at higher rpm speeds.
This effectively closes one valve on a 16 valve
cylinder head. Allowing a lean mixture to be used
through the one open valve.
Lean mixture is swirled through the open valve
creating a more efficient distribution of the fuel in
the combustion chamber.
Leads to increased fuel mileage, increased
engine efficiency, and decreased emissions.
Does not create more power, is purely for
efficiency reasons.
Interestingly the one closed valve is slightly
opened to allow any residual fuel that may pool
in the closed intake passage to be used, but this
lift is miniscule.
Example Head

3 Stage Vtec
3 Stage Vtec
Vtec system which combines the standard Vtec and Vtec-e concepts to create a high power,
fuel efficient valvetrain.
Utilizes 3 separate Camshaft Profiles. This system operates like Vtec-e closing one valve at
low speeds and then opening both valves at a standard lift and duration at a midrange rpm. It
then has a high rpm cam which opens both valves aggressively as in standard Vtec.
Like standard Vtec one rocker arm, usually on the highest lift profile, is not attached to a
valve so that the highest lift is only used when the system is in operational Vtec range.
In the illustration below the three significant camshaft profiles can be seen. And the sliding
pins for each stage are shown as well
Vanos
Valve Timing Control
Method of adjusting cam sprocket relation
to camshaft position. Allows for advanced or
retarded valve timing to be used.
Typical System
Typically phase angle is adjusted with oil
pressure radially. Most Japanese and
American Manufacturers use this method.
Usually only intake camshaft is adjusted.
Vanos
BMW utilizes Vanos which adjusts relation
between camshaft and sprocket by using
two concentric pitched gears. A oil fed cup
pushes one sprocket through the other
axially thereby adjusting their relative phase
angle.
This allows for more precise movement,
and a more controllably linear motion as
opposed to the radial motion of other
systems.
Oil Flow is Controlled by electronic
solenoid.
Double Vanos controls both intake and
exhaust camshafts

Other Phase Changers
i-Vtec
Utilizes Oil actuated cam
sprocket and follower.
Angle is adjusted using oil
pressure as in Vanos but is
actuated in a rotational
method, as opposed to
BMWs linear actuation.
Oil pressure controlled with
electronic solenoid Typically
Other manufacturers use
similar technology
Japanese Continuous Lift
Modification
A-Vtec
Stands For
Advanced Vtec
Utilises a
Intermediate
Rocker Arm
between the
Camshaft and the
Valve Rocker.
This is housed in
a rotating housing,
allowing for
camshaft lift to be
mechanically
adjusted from no
lift to maximum lift.
Aftermarket Adjustments
Infinite Adjustability
Almost all systems controlled electronically. Either directly by solenoids
or stators, or by electronically actuated oil flow.
These electronic components can be tapped into and controlled by
remappable software.
This allows for updates to be implemented without major tear down and
rebuild.
In car capabilities
A laptop with correct software can be used to continuously analyze
engine performance.
Ignition Timing and Phase Timing can be measured and changed to
optimize performance.
Multi-stage systems such as Vtec can be changed to engage at
different RPM settings.
Benefits
Can readily change engine tuning from a useful efficient street setting to
an aggressive racing setting at the push of a button.
Allows for changes to be made on site to experiment with the most
useful settings without extensive R&D.
Personalized Engine performance, Not just what the Pros think is right,
whatever You think is right.

Future
Pneumatic Valves
The valve spring pocket is
replaced with a chamber
pressurized with a gas
(usually nitrogen because it is
less temperature-sensitive
than O
2
)
Still use traditional camshafts
The system has been used in
Formula 1 racing since 1980s
Allows higher RPMs valve
springs have to be very stiff to
allow high RPMs which
creates more engine drag and
slower valve timing

Future
Electrical Solenoids
Presently only used in the most modern systems
Open and close valves without using valve springs as the main
mode of valve closer. Solenoids accomplish this either directly or
through electromechanical or electro-hydraulic connections.
Soft closings less destructive force can allow for use of
ceramic valves which can withstand higher temperatures
Can potentially have infinite variability in controlling valve timing,
duration, and lift
Drawback large size of components may be impractical for
some vehicles with standard 12-volt system
Instead can use 42-volt electrical system with smaller
components which also eliminates camshafts and thus reduces
engine friction and increases mechanical efficiency

Future
Camless Valve Actuation

Future
Solenoids Camless Valve
Actuation
1. Current flows through the coil
and a magnetic field forms
around the coil
2. The magnetic field attracts
the armature toward the
center of the coil
3. As the armature moves
upward, the spring collapses
and the valve opens
4. When current stops flowing to
the coil, the magnetic field
collapses and the spring
expands and shuts the valve
References:
Delphi Variable Cam Phasers. 2006. 1 May 2007
http://www.delphi.com/manufacturers/auto/powertrain/gas/valvetrain/vcp/

VANOS. 2007. 1 May 2007. http://www.bmw.dk/teknisk/en_artikkel.asp?id=5

Different Types of VVT. 2005. 3 May 2007.
http://www.autozine.org/technical_school/engine/vvt_2.htm

US Patent # 6,968,819. USPTO. 4 May 2007. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-
Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnu
m.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,968,819.PN.&OS=PN/6,968,819&RS=PN/6,968,819

Honda Worldwide. 2003. 1 May 2007. http://world.honda.com/motorcycle-
technology/vtec/img/p3_04.jpg

VTEC. 2004. 1 May 2007. http://www.luk-korbmacher.de/Autos/Technik/vtec.htm

BMW Valvetronic. 2007. 4 May 2007. http://youtube.com/watch?v=rEELtXVTymU






References:
Hope A. Bolton and Jay M. Larson. Valvetrain System Design and Materials.
Materials Park, OH, 1997

Willard W. Pulkrabek. Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion
Engine, 2
nd
Edition. Pearson Education, Inc, NJ, 2004

BMW World. 2005. 2 May 2007.
<http://www.bmwworld.com/technology/valvetronic.htm>

Ford Muscle. 2004. 1 May 2007.
<http://www.fordmuscle.com/fundamentals/pistontovalve/images/overlap.gif>

Honda Engines. 2007. 2 May 2007.<http://www.honda-engines-
eu.com/en/images/249.gif >

Prof. Dr. Peter Walzer. Technology Highlights and R and D Activities. 2002
http://www.fev.com/data/documents/spectrum20.pdf
References
Wikipedia: Variable Valve Timing. 2007. 1 May 2007.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_valve_timing>

RACER MAGAZINE: F1 Engine Power Secrets. 2000. 3 May 2007.
<http://www.pureluckdesign.com/ferrari/f1engine/>

Motorcycle Daily. The Sportbike Engine of the Future: Other Valvetrain Options.
2006. 3 May 2007.
<http://www.motorcycledaily.com/12february06_valves.htm>

Smart Valve Actuation: The Camless Engine Becomes a Reality. 2005. 3 May 2007.
<http://www.valeo.com/automotive-supplier/Jahia/lang/en/pid/1317>

Engineers Edge. 2007. 3 May 2007.
<http://www.engineersedge.com/hydraulic/electric_solenoid_actuator.htm>