September 22, 2010

MARSHALL, Mich . . .  Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced it has developed a range of next-generation variable valvetrain systems for today’s high-speed overhead camshaft engines. The company’s new cylinder deactivation and variable valve lift systems will debut with multiple global automakers over the next three years.

Eaton’s cylinder deactivation system is designed specifically for engines with overhead camshaft valvetrains and works seamlessly with the engine management system to efficiently reduce engine displacement when full power is not needed. The system is comprised of a deactivation rocker arm and oil control valve. When engine conditions are right, for example in highway cruise, the engine computer gives a command to the oil control valve and the unneeded cylinders shut down to save fuel.

“Cylinder deactivation has a proven record in V8 pushrod engines, with millions of vehicles on the road saving fuel,” said Dave Genise, director of engineering for Eaton’s Valvetrain business. “We optimized the system in response to the growing consumer demand for overhead cam, multi-valve engines.”

Eaton’s new variable valve lift systems eliminates the common trade-off between fuel economy and power by providing the ability to switch valve lift profiles to deliver both when required. The system can provide a fuel economy benefit of up to 7 percent when combined with existing cam phaser technology. The variable valve lift system switches modes in the same manner as the cylinder deactivation rocker arm and can be designed as interchangeable to enable the manufacturers maximum flexibility to utilize a family of engines in diverse markets simply by changing the valvetrain components.

Eaton’s Vehicle Group is a global technology leader in truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety with products ranging from engine valves to hybrid drive systems. The group serves Automotive and Truck businesses with $2.7 billion sales in 2009, and is organized by global regions.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.  
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