Valve Trains — Design Studies, Wider Aspects and Future Developments

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on valve trains. The computer program is capable of analyzing the kinematic and tribological performance of all types of cam and follower combinations in common use in automobile engines. A parametric study of a cam, acting directly against a flat faced follower, is presented in the chapter, and the results are summarized in a tabular form. The parametric study reveals that small changes in a design may reproduce significant improvement on the tribological performance of the cam and follower system. Theoretical studies are carried out to predict the lubricant film thickness and friction, the cam and follower with consideration of transient effects and mixed lubrication. The squeezing action of the lubricant film and the surface roughness play an important role in the tribological performance of the valve train. Quasi-static elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis of a cam and flat faced follower indicate the typical variation of film thickness during a cycle.