Andrew M. Wright

Fully Flexible Electromagnetic Valve Actuator: Design, Modeling, and Measurements

Design, modeling, and measurements are discussed for a new direct-drive, electromagnetic valve actuator (EVA) for internal combustion engines. The actuator offers greater dynamic performance than previous designs and achieves fully flexible valve timing and lift, which provides great benefits in engine performance including increased engine efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved low-end performance. The innovative actuator consists of simplified stationary permanent magnets, stationary coils, and a moving steel plunger that transmits significant bi-directional forces to the valve throughout the stroke. Single- and double-actuator magnetic configurations, non-linear electromagnetic finite element analyses, system bond graphs, Simulink® simulations, and performance measurements of the actuator controlling intake valves on a cylinder head will be discussed. Future work, including on-engine dynamometer testing and an actuator design variant for exhaust valves, is briefly discussed.

Electromagnetic Fully Flexible Valve Actuator

An electromagnetic fully flexible valve actuator (FFVA) for internal combustion engines is described which offers the potential for significant improvements in fuel economy, emissions, and performance, especially at low end torque, in internal combustion engines. The FFVA offers variable lift and timing combined with controllable seating velocity. It operates on a design principle distinct from existing actuators: the electromagnetic actuator exerts appreciable bidirectional force throughout the device stroke mitigating the need for mechanical spring-derived resonance. The FFVA is a direct drive device with a unique magnetic structure that combines high bandwidth and strong forces to meet the engine performance requirements. This paper presents the innovative electromagnetic design, simulation, and bench testing of the actuator on a single cylinder engine.