Quote:
Originally posted by Hudson
Valve float is eliminated with electro-magnetic valves. Formula 1 engines have used them and they run speeds much higher than you'll find in street cars. If you want to eliminate the traditional "valve" itself, that, too, can be done with an electro-magnetic system, again taking up less space than the system you're discussing.
This idea has been tossed around for decades. I know I've seen the design atleast ten years ago...and if I saw it then, it had to be around well before that time.
Nowhere on the site does it go into how the valves are lubricated. My money's on this engine either a) needing a lubrication system to work properly over the long haul or b) having such a gap (or wearing one away) that you would lose compression well before 50k miles. I know the site says that one prototype engine went over 150,000 miles, but until someone properly explains how you can have a low-tolerance moving part without any lubrication, I will not believe it.
Besides, since this idea's been around for over ten years, why hasn't it been put into production? Engineers are not "married" to the idea of the traditional engine design. They will, and have, taken dramatic steps in new directions when a better idea comes along. I don't think this is all you believe it to be.
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F1 engines doesn't have electro-magnetic valves, they have a pneumatic valve train and they use camshafts (the pneumatics replace the valve springs since springs are too slow).
Electro-magnetic valves are today way too slow and takes too much power.