Camless Engine

Most of us are aware of the advantages served by the Variable Valve Timings, and we have been using them since quite a time. But this is still a compromise as these employ 2 different profiles, one for the low speeds and other for the high speed.

While using the Camless technology,
We can achieve infinitely variable valve timing across the whole RPM range where lift and valve timing can be adjusted freely from valve to valve and from cycle to cycle.

Link to the one such project with electrically actuated valves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRBhqy4LpnQ

BMW has been working on this for some time.

The technology has been around for a while. If I recall, its not to a cost vs power/mpg payoff yet.

The system is quite heavy, too. You've got the magnets, spring dampers, and coils above each valve, which have to be fairly stout to generate the forces needed to open and close them without also destroying them. And all that weight is above the car's CG, affecting handling.

It sounded great when it first came out, but as in all new breakthroughs, the devil is in the details.

I suppose that makes sense. A solenoid capable of popping valves open at 7000 RPM would likely beat the valve and valve seat to bits in short order. Like a cam with a fast ramp rate.

That's pretty interesting at the same time not practical so more than likely it will never become into production if so many decades from now.