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Increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines is mandatory to meet ever more stringent regulations. The implementation of very high compression ratio (> 15:1) is the key to take full advantage of the association of Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) and Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) in the implementation of Miller-Atkinson cycle, leading to higher thermodynamic efficiency and thus better fuel consumption benefits. VVA systems allow differentiating geometric compression ratio and effective compression ratio. They theoretically permit to maximize expansion ratio (i.e. geometric compression ratio) while keeping an effective compression ratio in accordance with the constraints of the knocking limits, but with a limitation on the reachable maximum Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP) at low compression ratio and the associated downsizing.

Combustion simulations and single cylinder engine tests show a clear potential when coupling the Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) engine with the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technologies. Simulations demonstrate the thermodynamic benefit from increasing the geometric Compression Ratio (CR>18:1) in combination with VVA compared to VVT strategies, thanks to the use of Atkinson / Miller Cycles. 3D combustion simulations of high compression ratio combustion chamber geometries used with Early or Late Intake Valve Closing strategies have been carried out with IFP-C3D™. They show an indicated efficiency increase up to 12 or 13% between compression ratio 10:1 and 18-20:1 at low loads (BMEP < 8 bar).