What do you think of FreeValve and Similar Technology? Basically this is an pneumatic controlled valves instead of cam controlled valves. Will we see this in mainstream cars? Or are electric cars going to make this unnecessary?
we've been using pneumatic stuff for centuries. If it worked in ICE engines, you'd think they'd have already tried that ages ago.
Yeah, I was wondering why it took so long to do this to an engine. It seems like the next logical step for an ICE.
maybe because it doesn't work.
You could ask the same question about electrically controlled solenoid valves
because auto industry is slow usually doesn't make groundbraking changes and in the past chips were not fast enough to control those solenoids effectively.
Camless engines sound good on paper, but like most new technologies will take time to have the issues ironed out and sometimes they never are (depending on the manufacturer). Personally, I’ll go with the true and tried cam engines and let others be guinea pigs for this technology.
With more investment by all companies in electrification and less on internal combustion engines, I don’t see this ever becoming main stream.
It looks like Koenigsegg will be using this technology on their first ever 4-seat PHEV GT Hypercar called the Gemera. Available starting this year (supposedly) and only 300 units planned.
https://www.koenigsegg.com/gemera/
We now have this under the Cylinder Deactivation sticky under the Koenigsegg section (including some cool videos).
This tech is well tested on old Saab with retrofitted freevalve https://jalopnik.com/what-its-like-to-ride-in-a-car-with-the-camless-engine-1529865968
It's also been in low-mid sedan qoros3 https://www.koenigsegg.com/qoros-debuts-driveable-freevalve-qamfree-engine-at-2016-guangzhou-motor-show/
Main advantages - cold start, no throttle body (losses), unparalleled flexibility across the whole range of load, cylinder deactivation, 2stroke mode "at will". Then there's durability/maintenance - changing actuator quite easy, unlike camshaft, rocker arm or worse damaged engine. One valve fail - no problem there's 2nd, it just reduces power or efficiency. It drastically reduces moving parts in engine, makes it lighter shorter and smaller, huge adv esp comparing to 4 cams in V engine or boxer.
It's ~50% less emissions 30 more power and torque 20%+ better fuel efficiency, 50%+ thermal eff from petrol engine is holy grail for ICE.
And another bonus there's possibility of pneumatic hybrid - pressurized tank storing air pumped from exhaust valve during engine breaking. Recoup eff roughly the same as with electric hybrid, but simpler (cheaper) and lighter.
