Date of Award

Spring 5-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors College

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Patrick F. Mensah

Second Advisor

Joyce W. O'Rourke

Third Advisor

Beverly Wade

Abstract

The disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering have been merging slowly over the last few decades. More specifically, the automotive industry has reaped the benefits of using electronics to improve upon the economics and ergonomics of business well as product. Although electronic systems have proved to be useful throughout consumer vehicles, the engine is arguably the area that benefits the most. Essentially, efficiency and power output of an internal combustion engine can be improved by optimizing the airflow of the cylinders. Since this airflow is controlled by the valve train, their manipulation affects the overall performance of an engine. Additionally, mechanical power losses can be reduced by simplifying the components of the valve train . The focus of this experimentation is to prove that electronic motors can utilized to mimic the function of timing and actuation devices such as belts, pulleys, and gears. Due to the absence of mechanical constraints, the potential for varying valve timing with motors, rather than a plethora of mechanical additions, is substantially greater. Coupled with the advantages of unconventional rotary valves, the technology of camless engines has new insight.

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