Ricardo Awarded Patent That Will Improve Fuel Economy for Larger Engines

    BELLEVILLE, Mich., May 30 Ricardo, Inc., today announced
it has received a United States Patent, No. 6,227,154, for a valvegear for
engines of reciprocating piston type.

    This variable valve actuation mechanism, using electrohydraulic control of
the motion produced by the engine camshaft, is expected to provide performance
improvements in the areas of volumetric efficiency, intake pumping losses,
internal EGR, and combustion stability.  This mechanism is an improvement over
prior art in hydraulic valvetrain controls in its wider range of authority,
its minimization of mechanical energy consumption, and its ability to control
valve motion adaptively with changing engine operating conditions.  These and
other advanced control strategies will be important tools for calibrating
engines to meet stringent emission and fuel economy standards in the future.