The V engine has been a cornerstone of automotive engineering for over a century, offering a blend of power, efficiency, and compactness that has made it a favorite among car enthusiasts and manufacturers alike. Despite the rise of electric vehicles, V engines continue to be relevant, especially in high-performance and luxury segments. This article delves into the history, design challenges, and ongoing improvements of V engines, highlighting their dynamic nature and the quest to reduce their inherent vibration and noise issues.
Internal combustion engines have been propelling vehicles for over 150 years, with the designs proposed by Nikolaus Otto and Rudolf Diesel—both four-stroke engines—dominating the field due to their robustness, reliability, economy, and adaptability. These engines have been pivotal in the advancement of modern technology and the automotive industry, which remains a global economic powerhouse, directly and indirectly supporting billions of jobs.
V engines, characterized by their two banks of cylinders arranged in a V-shaped configuration, have been lauded for their dynamic performance and mechanical efficiency. However, they also face significant challenges related to vibration and noise, primarily because the crankpin is acted upon by two pistons simultaneously, leading to complex forces and movements within the engine.
A comprehensive study on V engine dynamics was conducted by Florian Ion T. Petrescu and Relly Victoria V. Petrescu, who explored ways to optimize these engines' performance. Their research, spanning from 1980 to 1986, revealed excessive vibration and noise levels that exceeded international limits. Various types of rubber shock absorbers were tested, with only a few models, such as those from Dunlop and ARO four-wheel-drive vehicles, showing promise.
Ultimately, the research led to a significant decision: the replacement of V engines with inline configurations or pseudo V engines, which offered lower efficiency but met the required standards for noise and vibration. This marked a decline in the use of V engines in passenger vehicles, although they continued to be used in tractors, trucks, locomotives, and high-tonnage ships.
The key to improving V engines lies in adjusting the constructive angle, alpha, which determines the kinematics and dynamics of the engine. By optimizing this angle, it is possible to balance the dynamic coefficients of the coupled pistons, leading to smoother operation with reduced noise and vibration. The ideal values for the alpha angle have been identified through dynamic analysis, offering a path to the synthesis of an optimal V engine.
Despite the challenges, V engines remain a symbol of power and performance, particularly in the racing world. High-performance vehicles, including those in Formula 1, often feature V engines due to their desirable characteristics.
As the automotive industry gradually shifts towards electric vehicles, the role of internal combustion engines, including V engines, is evolving. While electric motors are becoming more prevalent, the majority of engines in use today are still internal combustion types, especially diesel and Otto engines. The transition to electric vehicles is constrained by the current methods of electricity generation, which often rely on the burning of fossil fuels, leading to continued pollution and high energy consumption.
Therefore, there is an ongoing need to improve thermal internal combustion engines, aiming to reduce fuel consumption and noise levels while maintaining their dynamic qualities. This pursuit ensures that V engines will continue to have a place in the automotive landscape, even as the industry embraces electrification.
The study of V engines, particularly their vibration and noise characteristics, has led to significant advancements in their design and application. While the shift towards inline engines was a response to the limitations of the time, ongoing research and development have opened the door to more refined and efficient V engines that can meet modern standards without sacrificing performance.
The research into V engine dynamics was supported by a contract with the Romanian National Center for Science and Technology and involved collaboration with various international partners, including the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, and Romania. Preliminary contracts were also established with BMW Group Germany and Mercedes Benz Daimler AG, Germany, highlighting the industry's interest in this field.
For those interested in the technical details and historical context of V engines, a wealth of literature is available, including works by Christensen et al. (1999), Dahl et al. (2013), and many others. These studies provide insights into the evolution, challenges, and potential of V engines, contributing to our understanding of this enduring engine design.
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