Fiats MultiAir VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) System

With the solenoid valve closed, actuation of the intake valve follows the contour of the intake lobe on
the camshaft. When the solenoid valve opens, oil pressure is quickly reduced, varying intake valve
timing or lift. The intake valve is fully open only when the solenoid valve is closed and the oil pump
completes a full stroke (link to animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK3CLMr8qwg ).
SOLENOID VALVE

OIL PUMP

3. Diverts oil
according to
computer inputs,
reducing oil
pressure as needed
to vary intake valve
timing and lift.

2. Actuated by the
camshaft to
pressurize the
intake valve
actuators via the
solenoid valve.

CAMSHAFT
VALVE
ACTUATOR

1. Directly
actuates exhaust
valves. Indirectly
actuates intake
valves with oil
pressure via 2, 3,
and 4.

4. Opens the valve

in response to
varying oil pressure
supplied by the
solenoid valve.
VALVE SPRINGS
(not shown)

FULLY OPEN

OPENING

LIMITED
VARIABILITY

CLOSING

POTENTIAL VARIABILITY
(NOT USABLE)

CLOSED

Intake valve actuation follows the intake cam lobe profile when
the solenoid valve stays closed (normal system pressure).
Intake valve actuation varies according to when and how long the
solenoid valve is open (less than normal system pressure at times).
The intake valve stays closed when the solenoid valve stays open
(system pressure is less than intake valve spring pressure).

LIM Technologys FVVA (Fully Variable Valve Actuation) System

Our patented intake and exhaust valves are actuated by compressed air, eliminating the camshaft(s)
and all related parts. The valves can be programmed to open-and-close, or stay open, or stay closed
for any duration, at any time within a 4-stroke or 2-stroke cycle. This allows variable timing and dwell,
but not lift. The effect of variable lift is achieved by fast, fully-open-and-close cycling of intake valves,
together or overlapping, as needed to allow the same air flow as partially opening conventional valves.

LIMs FVVA system = maximum variability

LIM valves are fully variable. All other variable
valve systems are only partially variable because
their actuation is based on the fixed profile of a
mechanically driven camshaft. Compare this LIM
diagram to the one on the previous page for
Fiats MultiAir single-cam VVA system.
NO
CAMSHAFT

360 CRANK
ROTATION

How a LIM valve works

A small compressor, powered by the engine or
regenerative braking, provides compressed air to
an accumulator which feeds a PCM-managed
piezoelectric (or solenoid) micro-valve that
alternately meters compressed air to the space
above and below the collar on a LIM valve.
Intake air

CLOSED

Compressed air
OPEN

FULLY VARIABLE VALVE

ACTUATION POSSIBLE
THRU ENTIRE CYCLE

Collar separates
upper and lower
control volumes.
FULLY OPEN
CLOSE

Cylinder head

LIM valves in a 4-stroke gasoline engine.

For an animated view, including a schematic of
the valve controls, click on this link or copy it into
your browser:
http://limtechnology.com/pneumodromic.html

Compare LIM FVVA to Fiat MultiAir VVA

System/valve function

LIM

MultiAir

Vary timing
Vary lift
Vary dwell
Rapid open-close cycle
Repeat rapid open-close
cycles in quick succession
Open fully at any point
before or after intake stroke
BDC
Stay fully open
Close fully at any point
Stay closed
Valve springs and
camshaft eliminated

YES
NO
YES
YES

YES
YES
NO
NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES
YES
YES

NO
YES
YES

YES

NO