Advanced Cylinder Head, Valve Train, Combustion and Fuel Systems for High Power-Density Truck Diesel Engines Part One: Background, Modern Designs, Opportunities

This paper reviews the evolution of vehicular diesel engines, with particular attention to the major components affecting the power density, fuel economy and emissions, such as the cylinder head, valve train, combustion and injection systems. The operational inter-relationship between these systems is analyzed, with examples of present engines. Recent design improvements with gasoline engines are discussed, pointing-out certain aspects applicable to diesels. The paper concludes that by combining further-advanced systems with some of the best existing technologies, the next generation of “300 and 400 Series” engines intended for mid-range truck applications in Classes 4 to 6 could become a major export item.