Fuel Consumption Reduction Free Valve Technology The Pneumatic Hybrid Hedman Combustion Cycle Internal Cooling Exhaust Heat Regeneration
Free Valve Technology
The Free Valve Technology is originally a spin-off from another combustion engine idea, the Hedman combustion cycle.
 
SAE papers 2006-01-0041 and 2006-01-0042 describe the Free Valve Technology in more detail.
System characteristics
  • Pneumatically driven actuators.
  • Fully variable valve lift.
  • Fully variable lift duration.
  • Low valve seating velocity.
  • High opening force, capable of opening at high residual pressure.
  • Low energy consumption, less than 4 kW power requirement at 6000 rpm to run a 16 valve 2 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. Normal driving consumption much less. This is well in line with the electromagnetic systems and well below the hydraulic. On driving cycle less than regular camshaft driven systems.
  • Cost competitive, well suited to mass production, with relatively few moving parts and relatively low demands on precision, compared to hydraulics.
  • Robust, since air leaks are less crucial than oil leaks and air is fluid at all relevant temperatures, as opposed to hydraulics where viscosity changes pose major problem which require special oils to work.
  • Designed to withstand 100 000 000 + cycles.
  • Does not require 42 V systems or generate potentially dangerous electric fields.
  • Compact packaging, require significantly less space than current camshaft arrangement and well in line with push-rod space requirement.
  • Weight reduction, reduces cylinder head weight typically 2-5 kilo per 4 cylinders.
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