Camless Hydra

Ricardo Advanced Research Engines – Single cylinders
Ricardo Single Cylinder Research Engines
Camless Hydra
The Ricardo Hydra is a light-duty single cylinder research engine
ideal for combustion system studies or advanced research as well
as component and product development.
Ricardo have designed and developed a
camless engine which is the result of a unique
combination of technical expertise and
experience from many different areas of the
Ricardo business. This has produced a world
leading technology product, the capabilities
of which will be of significant benefit to future
engine development programmes. The camless
engine uses a Ricardo ECU r-Cube developed
by the Ricardo Controls and Electronics Group
to control the electrohydraulic valve actuation
(EHVA)
Camless operation enables greater flexibility over
individual valves
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•
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Continuously variable lift and timing
Variable opening/closing rate
Variable valve profile
Multiple events/Port deactivation
Ricardo electro-hydraulic valvetrain system
Delivering Value Through Innovation & Technology
www.ricardo.com
Ricardo Advanced Research Engines – Single cylinders
Advanced combustion strategies
Advanced combustion strategies such as CAI/HCCI and EGR control further increases the need for a more
flexible valvetrain. Camless systems are attractive because of their flexibility and potential for reducing fuel
consumption and emissions.
The key benefit of camless valvetrains is the complete flexibility to
control valve timing events
• Unthrottled part-load operation by early intake
valve closing
• Cylinder and valve deactivation
• Altered firing order
• 2/4 stroke operation
• Alternative operating cycles, such as Miller and
Atkinson cycle
Fuel consumption reduction of up to 15% and
lower engine-out emissions in the NEDC drivecycle are possible. Camless valvetrains can enable
improvements in transient response and increased
engine torque can also be achieved, particularly at
low engine speeds.
Ricardo Reports on
Camless Benefits
Ricardo Camless Market
Projection Reports
• OEM’s view / perception of benefits of camless
technology compared to engine size and
displacement.
• Market potential
• Potential benefits of camless technology from the
view point of fuel consumption and emissions
reduction.
• The most likely customers and suppliers
• 2, 3 or 4 valve operation
• Asymmetric valve lift can be used to increase air
motion and improve combustion
• Assembly issues of camless technology in
comparison with a conventional VVA valvetrain.
• Servicing benefits and issues.
• Identification of secondary benefits of camless
valvetrains for both the OEM and the final customer
• Technologies affected by the possible introduction
of camless valve actuation.
• Factors affecting cost
• Forms of introduction of camless technology
• Type of powerplants to introduce camless
technology
If your company is interested in camless technology
then please contact us for further information.
Engine Specification
Bore
81.6 mm
Maximum speed
6,500 rev/min
Stroke
66.8 mm
Minimum speed
1000 rev/min
Number of cylinders
1
Maximum power
27.5 kW
Capacity
349 cc
Maximum torque
78 Nm
Compression ratio
11:1
Fuel injection system
Direct Injection Gasoline
Valves / cylinder
4
Valve actuation system
Combustion system
Gasoline DI (2stroke
/4stroke switching)
Ricardo hydraulic VVA
system
ECU
rCube NVC Unit
Aspiration
Boosted
If your company is interested in Ricardo research engines then please
contact us for further information:
Glen Hall
Projects Coordinator Engineer
T: +44 (0)1273 794469
F: +44 (0)1273 794111
Email: Glen.Hall@ricardo.com
Ricardo UK Ltd
Shoreham Technical Centre
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
BN43 5FG
Email: ResEng@ricardo.com
Delivering Value Through Innovation & Technology
www.ricardo.com