NISSAN INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE ENGINE VALVE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY - Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) delivers significant improvements in dynamic and environmental performance -
TOKYO (March 29,
2007)--Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced a new engine technology
that delivers a balance of responsiveness and power, fuel efficiency
and low emissions. The new system combines the technologies behind
Nissan's newly developed Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL)*1
and continuous valve timing control (C-VTC) to deliver significantly
enhanced performance. This advanced technology will be available to
customers worldwide through the Nissan and Infiniti product lines.
Nissan announced plans to install the VVEL system, which contributes up to a 10%*2
reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions, on its products worldwide
starting from FY07 under the Nissan Green Program 2010. The first
product to feature the VVEL technology is the Infiniti G37 coupe,
scheduled to be unveiled at the upcoming New York International Auto
Show in April, 2007.
While conventional
engines control air intake using a throttle valve, VVEL-equipped
engines do this directly at the intake valves, continuously controlling
their valve events and lifts. C-VTC and VVEL together control the valve
phases and its valve events and lifts, allowing free-control of the
valve timing and lift. This results in more efficient airflow through
the cylinder and significantly improves responsiveness, optimizing the
balance between power and environmental performance.
The new engine offers the following advantages depending on driving range:
* Higher fuel efficiency
-
- At low-to-mid load
ranges, the system controls air intake at the intake-valve, immediately
before it enters the combustion chamber, in contrast with conventional
engine air intake via a throttle valve, leading to increased efficiency
by easing airflow through the cylinder.
- In the low- and medium-rpm ranges*3, intake-valve lift is kept low to reduce camshaft friction and improve fuel efficiency.
* Better response
-
- Controlling air
intake at the intake-valves improves acceleration response by allowing
more dense air into the cylinders from the start of acceleration.
* More power
-
- In the low-rpm
range, the intake-valves open for a shorter period, preventing blowback
of the air-fuel mixture and improving torque.
- In the high range, greater intake-valve lift allows increased air intake to deliver greater torque outputs.
* Cleaner emissions
-
- Intake-valve
timing is optimized on startup, when the engine is still cool, to
quickly raise the temperature of exhaust gases and more quickly
activate the catalytic converter.
- Hydro-carbon
emissions are reduced in the low-to-medium range by keeping
intake-valve lift low, speeding intake flow and dispersing the fuel
into a finer mist, resulting in more efficient full combustion.
The VVEL improves
fuel efficiency most effectively in the low-to-medium operating range,
thus it is best matched to the multiple-cylinder and higher
displacement engines, that typically operate within that range.
Under the Nissan Green Program 2010, Nissan has announced plans to develop gasoline-powered engines with CO2
emissions reduced to levels comparable with diesel engines, to be
available globally by 2010. For multiple-cylinder, high-displacement
engines, Nissan will combine VVEL technology with the direct-injection
system.
| *1: |
VVEL: Variable Valve Event & Lift |
| *2: |
This percentage improvement is measured by Nissan by comparing an engine with the VVEL system to an identical engine without it. |
| *3: |
The accelerator pedal is pressed halfway or less. |
|