Camcon Automotive has developed a new technology called Intelligent Valve Actuation (IVA).
While many advance technologies have creeped into present day engines, the valve train system still retains the century old archaic ‘analog’ design which had been limiting the drivability of engines. The valves are still actuated mechanically which means the engine is operated only within the limits of valve train design.
Now, Camcon Automotive, a technology firm based out of UK, has developed a new digital valve train drive system by the name Intelligent Valve Actuation (IVA). This technology basically allows engines to breathe more freely and increases the drivability of petrol engines while making diesel engines more efficient while still making them pollute the air within more acceptable levels.
Though the technology had been under development for the past six years, it has been only recently that the research had reached sufficient stage of development for it to be tested in road trials to begin with. Now the company is approaching many automobile manufacturers and component suppliers to coordinate in the development so as to make their regular and hybrid engines more efficient for normal use.
According to Mr.Roger Stone, Camcon technical director, who has pioneered in the development of this technology, the system allows valve lift, valve timing and valve duration to be controlled independently and infinitely. Usually, while the valves are operated by the crankshaft wherein the crankshaft and the valve operations are interlinked mechanically, this technology completely decouples the valve actuations and in fact even eliminates the necessity of a crankshaft which has been a necessity in engine design since 100 + years.
With the flexibility of independent valve actuations, there is a high possibility that the engine can be configured as per the needs of the driver- meaning an engine delivering flexible power – lesser power for lesser loads and maximum power for high load situations.
The technology also is very adaptable to sophisticated cylinder deactivation. “IVA allows incredible control,” says Stone. “We can achieve full lift by rotating the camshaft through 360deg, or achieve any intermediate lift we like by rotating it part of the way and rotating it back again. It’s designed to fit pretty much any engine.”
The company says Jaguar Land Rover which is very close to the company’s location is keeping a close tab on its developments. Camcon also plans to do rigorous tests of its technology to check its durability and real world results despite the technology proving itself multiple times in the tests.
If everything goes well, the IVA technology should take around two three years to find itself inside a regular IC engine!
Meanwhile, you can watch the video of the technology here:
