Neat gearless valve train design from the Wright Bros.

[Dave Otto]

That's pretty cool Bill

If you don't mind; I curious how you did the animation?

Dave

[BillTodd]

I use a combination of a 3d modeller and a photo manipulator/ gif editor.

it's really just a typical stop frame process: moving parts to where they should be for each frame . the modeller does some tweening but is ofte more of a hindrance than a help.

bill

[BronxFigs]

Bill Todd-

Perfect!  Computer animations are great.  A moving picture is worth a thousand drawings!

Thanks, Myrickman and Bill Todd....for clarifying this simple mechanism.


Frank

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QUESTION: 

When building this mechanism, what surfaces should be hardened to prevent wearing, if any? .....flipper-cam, follower?

[BronxFigs]

As I am sitting here becoming hypnotized by the demo-video and animated version of this mechanism...some thoughts:

Can valve timing be varied, i.e. advanced, retarded?  How would this be done?  Lobe shape of the flipper-cam? 

Is this mechanism only really practical to use for controlling  the exhaust valve on an engine that has an atmospheric intake valve?

[BillTodd]

I'm working on a design that would operate both valves and have a realistic timing; for instance, a typical cam has a 120° lifting period , this would equate to 240° of the crankshaft. Similarly, the inlet and exhaut cams are typically 90° apart ,to use one crank cam requires followers at 180° ,making it tricky to get the flip mechanism to work.

I think it can be done. I'll post an animation if it works:)

Bill

[BillTodd]

Oh well

Doesn't look like a dual follower will work

Here's an animation with a cam of 240 degree duration.