Throttle To Boost Engines: Nissan, BMW or Fiat?

What is the first question which comes in our mind when we talk of engines?  It is of course throttle. Throttle plate has always the lungs of an engine. However, even though being an important part, the contribution to the development of throttle valve was almost negligible.

The work load of engine is increased by the throttle plate hence we say that the ordinary throttle plate has a tendency to decrease the efficiency of engine, because we are nothing but applying an obstruction to the free flow of air. The function of the throttle valve is nothing but to apply obstruction to air sucked through it. You may compare the throttle valve by a pipe through which a liquid is suck. But if you try to obstruct it means you are applying the throttle plate. So to prevent this loss in efficiency, this time we have an improved version of throttle, brought in by BMW, Fiat and Nissan independently.

BMW calls it the ‘valvetronic technology’. The mechanism uses levers to control the movement of valves from their positions. The eccentric shaft is kept computer controlled through a motor, so that the valves lifts whenever the motor pushes the levers in between the gaps within camshaft and valve plate. This is managed by varying each time the closing and opening point of valve. The BMW used this technology in a four cylinder engine.

In other words, the valve opening is less when the engine is running idle and can be increased when we accelerate the vehicle. The technology with BMW is becoming so popular that almost every other car by BMW is equipped with it. In my opinion, the problem with any supercharged engine is that, the inlet manifold always operates at atmospheric pressure. Hence the valve throttling is unable to show any miracles. Tom Plucinsky, a BMW spokesman said, “It does improve throttle response because the time it takes for the turbo to pressurize the intake tract is reduced.”

Nissan has a similar technology as the valvetronic of BMW. They call it ‘Variable Valve Event and Lift technology’. Nissan launched that way back in the year 2007 with the launching of Infiniti G37 coupe.

If it is Nissan and BMW then don’t think that there is no one other race of valvetronics. Fiat also, developed a technology which uses a computer controlled solenoid and a hydraulic chamber. When we accelerate the valve is opened to its maximum extent at that precise moment the chamber expands and the cam guides the intake valve so that the fluid flow in the chamber is increased.

There are quite a few areas where this technology can do wonders. But according to me, more innovation is possible in this field. We will have to see which car maker excels over the others because the technology is more or less same. Will it be Nissan, BMW or Fiat? Only time has answers.

News Source:For Better Engine Efficiency, a Different Kind of Throttle - The New York Times Image Source: #-Link-Snipped-#