New from the USA-- Desmodromic valves

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From Wikipedia...

Desmodromic valve systems are first mentioned in patents in 1896 by Gustav Mees, and in 1907 the Ariès is described as having a V4 engine with "desmodromique" valve actuation, but details are scarce. The 1914 Grand Prix Delage used a desmodromic valve system (quite unlike the present day Ducati system).[3]

Azzariti, a short lived Italian manufacturer from 1933 to 1934, produced 173 cc (173 ml) and 348 cc twin cylinder engines, some of which had desmodromic valve gear, with the valve being closed by a separate camshaft.[4]

The Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula One racing car of 1954-55, and the Mercedes-Benz 300SLR sports racing car of 1955 both had desmodromic valve actuation.

In 1956, Fabio Taglioni, a Ducati engineer, developed a desmodromic valve system for the Ducati 125 Grand Prix, creating the Ducati 125 Desmo.

Now, from the USA we have the latest and greatest thing to hit the Infernal Combustion Machine.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXIdOTkJhEY&feature=fvw

[conrod]

very cool, thanks for posting that! Quite a project to undertake, I hope they can get it through the development stage okay and can get it to production. Enormous potential for aftermarket sales there!

Conrad

[JJMclure]

ducati have used this for ages as the wiki bit says, radical valve timing!

[conrod]

quite different in operation to Ducati's Desmo system.

[stevieturbo]

Perhaps. But how does it cope with thermal expansion ?

Surely tolerances will change a lot between a cold engine, and hot engine ?