Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Smart Valves? Performance part or bogus part?

I found this while brousing around the internet. It's supposed to be some form of "Smart" intake valve described below:

"Smart Valves, are called "smart" for good reason. They have the exceptional ability to track the cycle dynamics that define the appropriate valve timing across an endless array of throttle positions vs. load vs. speed vs. barometric pressures, etc., and to do so for each cylinder independently. This allows for seamless, instantaneous, on the fly, auto tuned variable valve timing.

Therefore, Smart Valves, not only create the effect of near instantaneous opening and closing, while lowering mechanical stress, an awesome trick in and of itself, but they do it at the right time every time, under all conditions, for each cylinder independently, all with a single replacement part. This sounds like something more akin to science fiction than reality, but there it is!"

Click on www.aatap.com for the whole story. Sounds a bit too good to be true to me, but I figured I'd open it up to some discussion.

Not new news, this research has been going on for years,the most 'smart' valve is the one in a camless engine,where the valves are operated by solonids..many engines have been built in R&D projects by people like Riccardo & Cosworth, Cosworh do have engines without conventional valve springs and use nitrogen bags.As the solonoids improve the realm of a camless engine gets closer...the camshaft is the last major compromise in the internal combustion engine.FWIW in the late '70's Ford,PolyMotor,DuPont etc were all doing research into this,I spent a few months on the PolyMotor project myself whilst at Ford R&D...so dont scoff too much,within a few years cams will be 'old tech'....

Think of the amount of Power you can gain back when you do get to this point. What was it about a 20% Torque loss to operate the conventional valvetrain on a V8 Engine.

Hmm...Computer Controlled Valves.

Customer- "Guys, I don't think this cam profile is working so well. It's just not tuned well with the new intake and exhaust."

Speed Shop- "O.K. Give us about 5 minutes and we'll come up with a more agressive one."

VTEC What's that?

I know that a company called Aura systems has been aggressively pursuing electromagnetic (sloenoid) valve actuation very aggressively in recent years for the US auto makers. The benefits of such a system are almost unimaginable.
Its too bad that solenoid technology just isn't quite up to the task for now.

F1 racing had them for many years, not sure the actual numbers?

Paul

So, that's why you don't see Mr. Coates cam/valves in cars yet. The auto companies will skip right over that and go to electric valves. Won't those cars go to 48V too?

The power draw to operate these valves should be very small compared to the HP loss generated by the current valvetrains.

I say, bring it on!!

nope, F1 has been using pneumatic valvetrains, but I'm sure they will go electromagnetic as soon as a suitable solenoid can be found.

One of the hang ups on developing "electronic cams" is the wiring to the solonoids. Many feel that this will be resolved when cars move to 42 volt electrical systems. An article in Auto News last week indicates that 42 volt systems are about 6 to 8 years away. I haven't heard any speculation about how soon we will here agout electronic cams though. It may be still further away, but it undoubtedly is coming.

Thnx Rara
The ole brain cells are dying faster everyday. Almost logarithmic
Nitrogen powered valves???? Poppets??? Must be extremely high PSI?
Paul

What about pnumatic valves for higher reving engines. Can u do anything with this