Diesel engine combustion process optimization has become increasingly important as environmental and economic issues are setting more strict conditions on engines. Best efficiency and lowest emission are not reached at the same time, and compromise between these is required. The more flexible the control of the combustion is, the more effective operation of the diesel engine is gained with required emission levels.
Variable gas exchange valve actuation is one effective method of adjusting the combustion process, and it has already been successfully used for years in passenger cars. Variable actuation can be implemented either by a mechanical, electric or electro-hydraulic device. All constructions have pros and cons, and it depends on the application which is best suited for the case in question. The large bore diesel is a very challenging application where masses and forces are high, and required movement distances long.
An electro-hydraulic actuation gives a benefit where almost full flexibility of the valve events is reached and full potential of the variable valve actuation can be used. Electro-hydraulic valve actuation is investigated in this study via simulations and measurements. The used hydraulic circuit and actuator construction has a strong effect on the performance of the valve actuation system. A 3-way controlled actuator gives the lowest energy consumption, and the control valve characteristic has a major role in overall performance. Right dimensioning of the gas exchange valve return spring is important. An energy consumption decrease of up to 20% could be achieved if the actuator was optimized.
Because the actuation system is not mechanically linked on the engine piston position and the dynamics of the valve actuation system are challenging, a reliable and accurate control system is needed. Pure P-control is not good enough, and a state controller is too complex to use when environment variables change. An iterative learning feature can adapt automatically in different working points and it can also execute good tracking error through the whole gas exchange valve lift
