Improving diesel engine efficiency at high speeds and loads through improved breathing via delayed intake valve closure timing

Valve train flexibility enables optimization of the cylinder-manifold gas exchange process across an engine’s torque/speed operating space. This study focuses on the diesel engine fuel economy improvements possible through delayed intake valve closure timing as a means to improve volumetric efficiency at elevated engine speeds via dynamic charging. It is experimentally and analytically demonstrated that intake valve modulation can be employed at high-speed (2200？r/min) and medium-to-high load conditions (12.7 and 7.6？bar brake mean effective pressure) to increase volumetric efficiency. The resulting increase in inducted charge enables higher exhaust gas recirculation fractions without penalizing the air-to-fuel ratio. Higher exhaust gas recirculation fractions allow efficiency improving injection advances without sacrificing NOx. Fuel savings of 1.2% and 1.9% are experimentally demonstrated at 2200？r/min for 12.7 and 7.6？bar brake mean effective pressure operating conditions via this combined strategy of delayed intake valve closure, higher exhaust gas recirculation fractions, and earlier injections