APPLICATION OF NUMERICAL-SIMULATION FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF VALVE TRAIN SYSTEMS

A computer program is presented which allows the numerical analysis of the dynamic behaviour of finder follower valve train systems with alternative hydraulic or mechanical lash adjustment. The valve train is reduced to a discrete-oscillation model and described by a set of differential equations. The solution is found by adaptive numerical integration method. The program has proved to be a powerful tool for the initial stage of product development or the concept phase, when no hardware or measurement results of the new valve train design are available. In addition, its ability to perform tasks such as fine tuning and optimization of system parameters, and the revealing and assessment of malfunctions, make the program well suited to analysis at the final stage before and during mass-production.