A new kind of engine is being showcased by Freevalve, a subsidiary of supercar maker, Koenigsegg. The company has released a video of its engine that comes without camshafts. The result of this is increased low end torque and power, decreased fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions.
The Freevalve concept is also known as fully variable valve actuation. As mentioned, it has no camshafts but instead uses electronically-controlled pneumatic valve actuators controlled by air pressure or springs to open and close each valve.
Said system allows each valve to be controlled individually, giving it variable valve lift that differs from standard camshaft-driven engines. That said, cylinder deactivation is also possible, and is much easier compared to conventional mills.
The system, which offers full control of both valve timing and lift, utilises proprietary valve position sensors. These sensors allow the system to know the valve position within 1/10 of a millimetre in real time.
Should the actuator fail, the company says that the engine will still run as normal, albeit with slightly reduced high rpm power. Furthermore, in this case, Freevalve says that the engine will still be able to provide limp-home capability even if 75% of the actuators fail.
Uniquely, the company claims that should the system fail entirely, the engine will stop without any damage done to the engine. Regular camshaft engines, meanwhile, are likely to suffer significant damage or may even be wrecked should the timing belt or chain break.
As for fuel consumption, Freevalve states that it offers “diesel-like” fuel consumption. It’s said to be 30% more fuel efficient than a comparable conventional engine. Power-wise, the engine is said to make 30% more power and torque as well. It’s still a work in progress, as the company is still looking into noise, reliability and refinement aspects of the engine.
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“Pneumatic Spring” label but I still see coil spring. For backup perhaps?
VVT-i is the best la
Not it’s not..with or without shaft, the valve spring is necessary to close back the cam valve after it opened.
I did not say shaft? You are confusing pneumatic actuation with pneumatic spring. Please google image a Renault F1 engine diagram (grandaddy of pneumatic spring operation). There are no steel coil springs to return the poppet valves back to closed position.
This technology is actually from F1. They have been using this for the past few year already.
I disagree. F1 has been using pneumatic valve springs. Not camless valvetrain. Very few ‘F1 Tech’ gets to the road these days. In fact typically it is innovation from the automotive industry that goes into F1
Similar to Fiat’s Multi-Air camless engine, wonders how soon it will be commercialize?
Currently, there is distrust that non-mechanical methods to open valves could offer almost 100% mechanical reliability. There’s always fear that the valve timing would go wrong and valves end up clashing with the pistons. With mechanical cams, you never need to worry about this. I guess it’s just a matter of time. I mean, it wasn’t too long ago that nobody trusted NGV tanks, fearing explosions, but look at us now…….
Obvious worry that you articulated so well, sarled.
Meanwhile here we have proton just about to catch up with valve lift tech with their campro cps.and bye2 vtec too