Solenoid valves

[Simpler=Better]

I think Cervan was mentioning these once; would it be possible to fit an engine with solenoid valves(assuming it's a non-interference engine).

I was just thinking that with on-the-fly controllable valves you could get a very efficient engine:

Pushbutton jacob's brake,
Kill the fuel and open valves for coasting,
Adjust overlap on the fly for performance driving vs. cruising,
etc.

Pipe dream or possible with expensive off the shelf components?

[LUVMBDiesels]

There was a guy who patented a system like this a few years back. Last I heard he was in talks with "DUM DAH DUM"... GM

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2009/0031970.html?query=valvetrain&stemming=on

Title:
SWITCHABLE VALVETRAIN SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

Document Type and Number:
United States Patent Application 20090031970 Kind Code:
A1



Abstract:
A switchable valvetrain system is provided having a control unit and a pressure regulator valve responsive to control signals from the control unit. A pressurized fluid source is provided in communication with the pressure regulator valve. A switchable valvetrain component having a latching mechanism and lubrication circuit in selective communication with the pressurized fluid source through the pressure regulator valve is also provided. The pressure regulator valve is operable to selectively and variably communicate fluid pressure from the pressurized fluid source to the latching mechanism and the lubrication circuit in response to control signals from the control unit. A method of operating the switchable valvetrain system is also provided.









Inventors:
Moon, Joseph J. (Clawson, MI, US)
Albertson, William C. (Clinton Township, MI, US)
Mcdonald, Mike M. (Macomb, MI, US)
Plaque It!



Application Number:
11/832327

Publication Date:
02/05/2009

Filing Date:
08/01/2007

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Export Citation:
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Assignee:
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. (Detroit, MI, US)


Primary Class:
123/90.33


Here is another one...
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2007/0125329.html?query=valvetrain&stemming=on

Title:
System for variable valvetrain actuation

Document Type and Number:
United States Patent Application 20070125329 Kind Code:
A1



Abstract:
An electromechanical VVA system for controlling the poppet valves in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The system varies valve lift, duration, and phasing in a dependent manner for one or more banks of engine valves. A rocker subassembly for each valve or valve pair is pivotably disposed on a control shaft between the camshaft and the roller finger follower. The control shaft may be displaced about a pivot axis outside the control shaft to change the angular relationship of the rocker subassembly to the camshaft, thus changing the valve opening, closing, and lift. A plurality of control shafts for controlling all valvetrains in an engine bank defines a control shaft assembly. The angular positions of the individual control shafts may be tuned to optimize the valve timing of each cylinder. The system is applicable to the intake and exhaust camshafts of diesel and gasoline engines.







Inventors:
Rohe, Jeffrey D. (Caldeonia, NY, US)
Roe, Richard B. (Henrietta, NY, US)
Lee, Jongmin (Pittsford, NY, US)
Gutterman, Jeffrey (Hilton, NY, US)
Plaque It!



Application Number:
11/294223

Publication Date:
06/07/2007

Filing Date:
12/05/2005

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Export Citation:
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Primary Class:
123/90.160

Other Classes:
123/90.440, 123/90.270

International Classes:
F01L1/34; F01L1/02; F01L1/18




Mercedes already has the KDI EVT engine with no camshafts. Is it in the Euro C-class yet? It was supposed to come out last year...

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Pipe dream or possible with expensive off the shelf components?

Pipe. If multi-billion dollar R&D budgets of engine designers can't even make it work in the real-world, I seriously doubt a few home-engineers could.

[compress ignite]

Honda

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Honda

R&D Budget for 2008 alone: $5,750,000,000
And thats only 2/3 of what dying GM set aside for their R&D.

[clm]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

I think Cervan was mentioning these once; would it be possible to fit an engine with solenoid valves(assuming it's a non-interference engine).

I was just thinking that with on-the-fly controllable valves you could get a very efficient engine:

Pushbutton jacob's brake,
Kill the fuel and open valves for coasting,
Adjust overlap on the fly for performance driving vs. cruising,
etc.

Pipe dream or possible with expensive off the shelf components?

And what is your screen name? LoL!
Major pipe dream man.
Bmw has been toying with this from what I heard-
There again- millions in r&d
I am sure that it is the future, but not for a while.

Look for it in F1, LeMans or WRC first. Once you see it there, it will only be a decade or two away from production cars.

Semi-trucks may be first to get it on the road though, only because of their large engine size and low RPM.

[ConnClark]

I would be happy with just a centrifugal cam advance.

[KarTek]

That patent info looks like they use something like a HUEI system to actuate the valves.