Cargine Technology in F1

[Wayne DR]

I was checking out some Koenigsegg video clips on Youtube and came across this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3fSfBQ ... detailpage
http://www.cargine.com

So I checked the 2014 Technical Regulations to see if it would be allowed. There is nothing that specifically says that "valves must be lifted/controlled/actuated by the camshaft", only the following two clauses would really apply are:

"5.9.2 Variable valve timing and variable valve lift profile systems are not permitted."
So you set the value timing in the ECU and don't vary it. You could possibly try to get cute around locking in valve actuation events/durations at specific engine speeds to optimise efficiency. They are not being "varied".

and

"8.2.5 Pneumatic valve pressure may only be controlled via a passive mechanical regulator or from the ECU and its operation will be monitored by the ECU."
Valve activation "pressure" (i.e. "on" or "off") is controlled by the ECU.

It would need FIA approval (as per everything in the Tech Regs).

Even without variable valve timing, the increase in efficiency from reduced rotating mass (i.e. no camshafts) would seem to make sense.

Am I missing something? Is this something the engine manufacturers could consider?

[Ted68]

Camless engines have been explored by most major auto manufacturers for years. Lotus had a system about ten years ago that was licensed by Eaton (google it). Ford has been investigating the technology for about 25 years and holds several patents. I remember in the early '90s, Ford had a small fleet of 2.3 litre Rangers with solenoid actuated valves controlled by the ECU. If I remember correctly, this was in conjunction with the Electromotive company. The solenoids worked well at low and mid range rpm, but proved too slow at high rpm. Ford continues work on this and here is a link to a SAE paper from 2011.

http://www.sae.org/dlymagazineimages/10 ... 26_ACT.pdf

As for F1 applications, I think the teams would go for rotary valves over poppet if given a choice. Mclaren was rumored to have a rotary valve V10 ready to go before the FIA stepped in and changed the rules.