Camless valve operation

[Begle1]

The cars of today and tomorrow aren't "reliable" in the traditional sense.

Old cars, like our trucks, break stuff but are easy to fix. So you can keep them running forever.

Today's cars are designed to run without a problem until the warranty is gone, then they start falling apart and become prohibitively expensive to fix. German cars are especially so; the crap they have on new Audi's and Volvo's is crazily dumb-complex. There's no way that anybody's going to be able to restore a 2004 Audi in 20 years.

Hydraulic valves fit perfectly into the modern mold of complex, high-performing and disposible automobiles. If systems like this are functional enough to justify the cost and complexity, hydravalves can't be too far off.

[Redneckintraining]

how about this.

http://www.coatesengine.com/index.html

[done_my way]

I had heard of the Coates Spherical Rotary Valve many (12-15) years ago. Read about it in some silly car mag, while still a teenager. When I read it then, they were having problems with finding a material capable of sealing the "valve" from leaking. Had no idea they were even around anymore. No valve float, thats for sure!

[dpuckett]

Wasnt Navistar working on camless valves a few years ago? more hydraulically actuated stuff . I also seem to recall some European maker working on camless valve operation.

It WOULD be the epitome of efficiency to run without a cam, but like others have said, it wouldnt be easy nor cheap to repair. I'll take safety and reliability over the latest and greatest any day. Even if I only ever see 18-19mpg hwy.

Daniel

[1991cummins]

dont quote me on this, but i believe infiniti is working on an engine that does not have a camshaft... or a throttle plate for that matter, it has variably opening valves that control the amount of air being let in...
i believe the are controlled electomagnetically...

i dont remember where i heard this, but me and my dad were discussing it the other day, REALLY cool...

but, i have to agree with the earlier statements, i like being able to get my hands greasy and fix what broke... even though thats not the way the future is going at all... begle is right... you cant do jack sthi to now a days cars without a computer to read everything... its all in the marketing...

[Begle1]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.h ... A9659C8B63

I don't see why these systems would necessarily be that hard to repair. The computer could sense when a solenoid craps out, stop the engine almost immediately to prevent damage (or just shut off that cylinder and limp home), and then all you'd have to do is pull off a valve cover and unbolt/ bolt in a new solenoid.

No cams to replace, no cam bearings or bushings to wear, no valve adjustments, no slipping timing or timing belts, less wear on the oil...