Local Optimization of Parametrized Cam Profiles Applied to the Dynamic of Valvetrains

Over the years, internal combustion engines have been researched and improved in the search for more power and for lower fuel consumption. An automotive subsystem that directly affects the performance of the engine is the valve train system. This system allows for the control of the admittance and release of gases from the combustion chamber. This system operates in all phases, ensuring that the valves open and close properly and ensuring the sealing of the cylinder. Several researchers have studied the kinematics and dynamics of the valve actuation system to improve engine performance. As the actuation of the valves occurs usually by cams, every movement and timing of the system is dictated by the design characteristics of the profile of the cams: it has a predominant action on the dynamics of the system. Many phenomena, such as the vibration of the drive system, impacts on the valve seat, and loss of physical contact between cam and follower can be understood and optimized by manipulation of the profile. One can minimize unwanted effects with concise understanding of the computational manipulation of the curve representing the cam profile. In industry, there are few institutions holders of such structured knowledge, which makes it difficult and costly to develop and optimize projects. Thus, the objective of this work is to present an efficient computational way to manipulate the curve representing the profile of cams, aiming their application in computer simulations and optimization routines.