Improving the Power Curve of an ICE Using Electromagnetic Valve Actuation

The race to advance the internal combustion to its limit of efficiency is showing no sign of slowing despite the barrage of alternative fuel vehicles being invented, tested, and introduced at a furious pace. At the forefront of this research is the use of infinitely variable timing systems.

To demonstrate the feasibility of using a camless Electromagnetic Valve Actuation (EVA) system for variable valve timing, experiments were conducted at the University of California, Riverside on a single cylinder, 4-stroke, 250 cc engine. This engine was modified to accept four electromagnetic valve actuators in place of the four-valve, camshaft driven system. While results of the experiments showed that the EVA system was capable of fully opening and closing the two exhaust and two intake valve at engine speeds in excess of 7,000rpm, the major benefit observed was the increase in the operational range at full load. The camshaft engine was limited to a full load lower engine speed of 4,150 rpm whereas as the EVA engine was able to operate down to an engine speed of 1,350 rpm at full load.