It's a beautifully simple concept, I'm surprised that no one's done it sooner. Although as has been mentioned, there is the possibility for it to go VERY wrong. All you need is a single relay/actuator to fail and there goes your engine.
It's probably taken this long due to the actuators both speed and reliability.
But yep opens up a massive new potential.
Certaily don't have it ATM and as far as I'm aware, no ones run it.I thought F1 had this tech? ...years ago...?
Nothing like what people seem to think F1 uses on the valvetrain.
Notably, Formula One cars do not use camless valve trains, but pneumatic valve springs together with conventional camshafts and followers instead, this is however primarily due to the regulations teams must follow for engine development.
Thanks for the quick explanation, I don't think you can blame people for not knowing about all the intricacies of F1 especially those hidden deep down in the engine bay, they don't really go out there to make it public knowledge do they
I knew I'd heard of something similar to this tech in F1 previously.
It's not similar though.
It's a beautifully simple concept, I'm surprised that no one's done it sooner. Although as has been mentioned, there is the possibility for it to go VERY wrong. All you need is a single relay/actuator to fail and there goes your engine.
well no more catostophic than a belt failing, in fact better if one actuator goes it'll only be one valve damaged and a dent in the piston, with a belt several valves will of had an interface with the pistons when it failed.
the possiblities from engine tuning and economy are very high. you could basicly have a two stroke, four stroke or six or eight stroke engine. it could be tuned it have high torque and high rpm. or a V8 that properly shuts down 2/4/6 cylinders when not needed, so really high economy and fun in one package. and the power saving from not having to turn a cam shaft. its the future.
bullit
Lotus engineering have had a camless design for ages
Someone mentioned renault aswell. Are the big car firms not interested in this then?