warrenm2

As a Mech Eng graduate, I found this pretty interesting. Its a development of an air operated poppet valve. I was under the impression that F1 cars had independently operated valves already, so maybe not entirely new but I was pretty surprised at the magnitude of the performance gains that are claimed.

Enjoy

http://www.wimp.com/combustionengine/

daz031178

iTrader: (1)

The motogp bike engines have them to buddy

dpb

SIAL. I'm Fraid ole boy

Just like your politics

Tidgy

seriously cool stuff wether around already or not

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Prototype pneumatically or electrically actuated valve trains have been around for ages - the trick is making them economic and reliable enough for production use. I really hope someone cracks it, the benefits are really worthwhile.

Variable compression ratio is another improvement that's at a similar state of development; really worthwhile, prototyped, demonstrated, but nowhere near production.

CrisPDuk

There was a period when some MotoGP bikes ran with pneumatic valve springs, but they all (except Ducati, obviously) run conventional springs now. None have yet run air actuated valves, as far as I'm aware.

warrenm2

Yeah, thought Id seen the idea around before. cheers

CrisPDuk

Turns out I was wrong, according to HRC Top Dude Livio Suppo's interview with the BBC, the factory RC213Vs still run with pneumatic springs. I don't think the Gresini bikes do though

CREWJ

They banned this in F1 eons ago. It's the Drive channel too which, I expect, a large amount of members subscribe to.

Where did you get your Mech Eng degree from?

Leslie

I found that very interesting. Thanks for that.

Les

warrenm2

Liverpool Uni, it was my love of tuning cars that made me choose Mech Eng. Then I went off and had a career in IT...