An Optimization Approach to Valve Train Design

A valve train design procedure was developed which made valve spring design an integral part of cam profile design. This design procedure also incorporated the dynamic behavior of the valve train, by using a 21 degree of freedom computer model. The design goal was to maximize the area under the cam profile, limited by several design constraints, such as maximum cam-tappet velocity. The cam profile was free to take nearly any form, since it was composed of eight Bezier curves. This extremely complex design problem was handled via commercially available optimization software.