Magnetic Valves & Laser Ignition

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

This is pretty interesting:


(click on image for link)

Will Igniting Fuel With Lasers Make Spark Plugs Obsolete?

[Joenavy85]

i wouldn't trust a solenoid operated(basically) valve in my engine. as far as using lasers for ignition, i honestly don't see them replacing sparkplugs anytime soon, and even if they did, it would be extremely difficult (most likely) to adapt them to an older car, and therefore spark plugs would still be needed

[ngrimm]

I've been thinking about electronically controlled valves like that for a long time. Maybe some hurdles remain but I think in the long run it could lead to some efficiency improvements.

[Peter7307]

Neil,
Thanks for the post.
An interesting thought to be sure.
Operating in an environment where there is a lot of heat and vibration may not be the best long term operating conditions for an electronic device.

Maybe some development work may make the concept viable but it may be along way off as well.

Peter.

[Frank Lee]

I remember in the early '80s when electronic valve actuation was right around the corner... perhaps it's getting about time that it is for real?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Joenavy85

i wouldn't trust a solenoid operated(basically) valve in my engine.

Why not ?
If they make the valves clear the pistons in case of malfunction, it'll throw a warning and you can get it fixed.
They could maybe even make the valves close on failure.

The possible advantages are huge.
No more cam belts or chains, and no more cams to start with.
That's a fair bit of mechanical drag gone.

Extremely variable valve timing without all the fuzz that it takes now.

[cleanspeed1]

Isn't the BMW Valvetronic similiar in concept along with the Caterpillar ACERT system on the twin turbo C13 and C15s? But they still have camshafts.

Neil, is this the Sturman Enterprises unit?

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by euromodder

They could maybe even make the valves close on failure.

The possible advantages are huge.
No more cam belts or chains, and no more cams to start with.
That's a fair bit of mechanical drag gone.

Extremely variable valve timing without all the fuzz that it takes now.

Make them close with a spring, as they already are. Soleniod opens, spring closes.
I think the fiat twin air system is not too dissimilar to this. I like it!

[NeilBlanchard]

I think they use electromagnets for both directions:

[Joenavy85]

IMHO the more you change something the more likely it is to fail. The Engineroom i worked in had quite a few solenoid valves for various different functions, when one burns out (about once every 2-3 months) the function is lost for that piece of equipment until it gets fixed. So on a car engine you make them spring shut, now when the coil burns up (probable when you figure at 1700 RPM it opens 850 times a minute (~14 times per second)) your exhaust valve is stuck shut, and that cylinder is now making no power, not to mention pumping losses (i figure a 15-20% loss of power on a V8, more so with fewer cylinders). burning out a coil would be the equivalent of breaking a push rod.

NOTE: I am in no way at all doubting the FE gains of this type of system, only pointing out potential issues with it. I personally don't want the gains at the risk of burning out a solenoid coil and then having to pull the head to repair it. Yes i know, if it's new it's under warranty, but how many of us dispose of a car as soon as the warranty is up?