Federal-Mogul Powertrain’s Hollow Stem Valve Technology Meets the Challenges of Higher Engine Temp

July 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Wiesbaden, Germany, 23 July 2015… Federal-Mogul Powertrain, a division of Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation , will exhibit its newly acquired engine valve technology for the first time at the 2015 IAA show in Frankfurt in September. Among the components produced by the company’s Global Valvetrain business are sodium-cooled valves with exceptionally small stem diameters that deliver both reduced weight and greater resistance to the high temperatures that can be a limiting factor in highly rated downsized engines.

“As vehicle manufacturers continue to pursue reduced CO2 emissions with more efficient engines that are often downsized and turbocharged, cylinder temperatures and pressures are increasing,” said Guido Bayard, Director, Global Valvetrain Technology, Federal-Mogul Powertrain. “Our sodium-cooled, hollow stem valves allow the temperature of the valve heads to be reduced using a wide range of steel materials, and also enable a reduction in valvetrain mass that cuts friction.”

Unlike a conventional valve with a solid stem, which conducts almost 75 percent of its heat away through the head and seat, Federal-Mogul Powertrain’s hollow stem technology reduces the heat flow through the valve head to around 50 percent of the total by transmitting a greater share through the stem and guide. This allows the valve head to run between 80°C and 150°C cooler. Primarily applied to exhaust valves to facilitate temperature reduction, the hollow valves can also be used on the intake side to save weight. Federal-Mogul uses different material combinations to provide maximum corrosion resistance or high temperature durability and the technology is also fully compatible with established treatments for wear resistance such as nitriding, chrome plating and hard facing.

Cutting-edge, high-precision deep hole drilling combined with friction welding manufacturing techniques enable Federal-Mogul Powertrain to produce the hollow stems in sizes as small as 5mm diameter. This means that even engines with small cylinder bores, such as downsized units or high performance motorcycles, can be accommodated.

Although already established for many years in motorsport applications, making this technology available for volume production passenger cars required particular manufacturing expertise in order to combine the necessary quality and robustness levels into a cost-effective product. The use of a single weld to close the hollow cavity was key to achieving a state-of-the-art design solution for series production.

“Hollow valve stems are both an enabling technology and a direct contributor to the reduction of CO2 emissions; by lowering the valve head temperature they allow more efficient downsizing strategies and by reducing mass they cut the energy absorbed through friction,” commented Gian Maria Olivetti, Chief Technology Officer, Federal-Mogul Powertain. “Federal-Mogul's expertise in applying this technology to 5mm diameter stems demonstrates the company's leadership position in valve stem technology for highly loaded gasoline engines.”

Further details of Federal-Mogul Powertrain’s hollow valve stem technology and other valvetrain developments will be available during the IAA show at stand E21 in Hall 4.1, from 15-18 September.

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation  is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world’s manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company’s products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.

Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.

Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.

Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world’s most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, chassis, wipers and other vehicle components.  The company’s aftermarket brands include ANCO^® wiper blades; Champion^® spark plugs, wipers and filters; AE^®, Fel-Pro^®, FP Diesel^®, Goetze^®, Glyco^®, Nüral^®, Payen^® and Sealed Power^® engine products; MOOG^® steering and suspension parts; and Ferodo^®, Jurid^® and Wagner^® brake products.

Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 50,000 people in 34 countries. For more information, please visit www.federalmogul.com.

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CONTACT:

Paul Chadderton
Market Engineering
+44 (0)1295 277050
paul.chadderton@meng.com

Ursula Hellstern
Federal-Mogul Corporate Communications EMEA
+49 (611) 201 9190
ursula.hellstern@federalmogul.com