Dynamic Modeling of an Overhead Valve Engine CAM-Follower System Using a Resistive Companion Dynamic Simulation Solver

A computer simulation model of the valve train of a Honda GX30 engine was modeled using Virtual Test Bed (VTB), a resistive companion dynamic simulation solver. Traditionally VTB has been exclusive to solving electrical system models but using the resistive companion equivalence of through and across variables, it can be applied to mechanical systems. This paper describes a dynamic simulation of an overhead valve engine cam-follower system using the VTB software application. The model was created to show valve train position, velocity and acceleration to aid in development of a camless engine being developed at the University of South Carolina. The mathematical model was created using governing dynamic equations. Using C++ programming, the mathematical model was transformed into a Virtual Test Bed model. The VTB model successfully shows valve train component position, velocity and acceleration. The significance of this work is its novelty in using the Virtual Test Bed environment to handle dynamic modeling of mechanical systems, whereas to date, VTB has been primarily focused on resistive companion modeling of power electronic systems. This work provides the foundation for using VTB to tackle more complex mechanical models.