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From: jackh@zehntel.UUCP (jack hagerty)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: Camless valve operation
Message-ID: <1743@zehntel.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 16:46:50 EST
Article-I.D.: zehntel.1743
Posted: Mon Jan 14 16:46:50 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 15-Jan-85 02:32:25 EST
References: <6848@watdaisy.UUCP> <1737@zehntel.UUCP> <6852@watdaisy.UUCP> <522@amdcad.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Zehntel Automation Systems Inc, Walnut Creek CA
Lines: 32

>                                                          I was
> actually thinking about using a rotating sphere with a cylinderical
> hole perpendicular to the axis of rotation as a valve. I can see
> problems with lubrication, however. Any comments on this?
> -- 
> 
>  Phil Ngai (408) 749-5790
>  UUCP: {ucbvax,decwrl,ihnp4,allegra}!amdcad!phil
>  ARPA: amdcad!phil@decwrl.ARPA

This sounds like a variation on the sleeve valve. This is an arrangement
where the intake and exhaust ports are not in the cylinder head, but rather
are holes near the top of the cylinder wall. A slowly rotating sleeve with
matching holes surrounds each cylinder, hence the name. As the sleeve rotates,
the holes are alternately covered and uncovered providing the valving action.
This, as someone has already pointed out, is very similar to the way the
valving on a rotary (Wankle) works.

Advantages of this design are quiet operation (no valve clatter), low valve
actuation energy (no recipricating masses and, since the sleeve can have many
holes, it can rotate at only a fraction of engine speed) and fewer moving
parts. Disadvantages are uneven cooling (water jackets can go only part way
up the cylinder), poor sealing between the cylinder/valve sleeve/intake-
exhaust ports causing a high amount of blow by and lubrication problems.

The design was used by several high powered aircraft engines during WWII.
The only automobile of any significance to use it was the Knight in the
teens and twentys. Due to its quiet operation, the engine was called, I
kid you not, the Silent Knight.

                          -- Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Automation Systems
                             ...!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh