Variable Valve-Timing Unit Suitable for Internal Combustion Engines

As the specific power output of I.C. engines is increased, the range of engine speed over which useful torque is available is reduced. This ‘power band’ can be widened by having automatically varying valve timing, with the timing being a function of engine speed and/or load. A prototype cyclic phasing unit has been tested which successfully varies the timing of a poppet valve with opening, closing points, and the form of valve lift curve being readily varied independently. The unit is simple mechanically, but ideally one unit is needed for each valve, so principal application is likely to be on engines with a small number of cylinders. In addition to flattening the torque curve, such a unit is likely to give improved fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions, particularly hydrocarbons.