Michigan-based Federal-Mogul Powertrain, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation, has developed a simplified transient dynamic simulation model of valve closing action that predicts dynamic loading on engine valves. By improving the accuracy of calculated deformation and stress under load, the technique enables valve fatigue life to be estimated more reliably and helps to ensure optimum material selection from the early stages of a new engine design.
In the design of intake and exhaust valves for combustion engines, especially those with a high degree of forced induction by supercharging or turbocharging, particular attention is paid to the loading conditions during valve closing.
During the closing event, one side of the valve usually contacts the valve seat first, which can introduce heavy loading of the valve stem. The dynamic simulation model of the closing event, as developed and tested by Federal-Mogul Powertrain, enables precise calculation of these loads that in turn allows components to be configured optimally from the concept stage and life span to be determined more accurately.