Feasibility Study of a New Fully Flexible Hydraulic Variable Valve Actuation System for Engines

Recently, due to stringent emission regulations such as US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CARB (California Air Resource Board), improvement in fuel economy and reduction in the exhaust gas emissions have become the two major challenges for engine manufacturers. To meet the new emission standards, new innovative technologies are needed to improve the performance of existing IC engines. Incorporating a reliable and cost effective fully flexible valvetrain in commercial IC engines is one of the most effective ways to improve the performance of these engines. This research project is intended to do a feasibility study on a new fully hydraulic variable valve system that could significantly improve the efficiency of combustion engines. The outcome of the research will enable the prototyping and implementation of the design on a real engine.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Amir Khajepour

Student:

Yanjun Huang

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Globalink Research Award