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Also, I think it was Ford which put a head on a 4 cylinder Ranger a few years ago, in which the valves were actuated by electric solenoids. That gives you infinitely variable valve timing, but the problems with the prototype centered around accelerating the valves fast enough to get the cylinders filled and emptied on time. With big enough magnets/colis, you could do it.
Variable valve timing has developed pretty well with mechanical means, so there aren't too many applications for the electro-route, but...
The best spin off from this technology is the ability to eliminate the starter motor. The computer just checks which cylinder has passed TDC, squirts in some gas (with its high pressure direct injection), closes the valves on that one and gives it a spark. Voila! Who needs a starter?
Les
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Les
My train of thought has been replaced by a bumper car.
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