Cobalt-free laser-clad valve seat in fuel-flexible hybrid electric vehicles
Established in 1963, the R&D 100 Awards is the only S&T (science and technology) awards competition that recognizes new commercial products, technologies and materials for their technological significance that are available for sale or license. The R&D 100 Awards have long been a benchmark of excellence for industry sectors as diverse as telecommunications, high-energy physics, software, manufacturing, and biotechnology. This 2021 R&D 100 winner is listed below, along with its respective category.
Category: Mechanical/Materials
Developers: Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc.
Co-Developers: Toyota Motor Corporation
Japan
Product Description:Toyota Central R&D Labs and Toyota Motor Corporation have co-developed a new cobalt-free Cu alloy, a new angled LMD process and a dedicated inline quality inspection method for a laser-clad valve seat (LCVS). These three technologies have enabled the world's first full-scale mass production of a LCVS with unprecedented new functions, including corrosion and wear resistance and weldability. The developed LCVS ensures sufficiently high durability for use with 100% ethanol (E100) fueled engines and has realized the commercialization of the world’s first fuel-flexible HEV (Toyota Corolla in October 2019). These technologies contribute to decreasing automotive CO2 emissions by achieving the highest thermal efficiency to date of 41% and the use of carbon neutral E100 fuel. The Toyota group is currently expanding the application of the LCVS to the next-generation engine family as a fundamental high-speed combustion technology. The LCVS will be expanded to approximately 60% (about 4.8 million) of Toyota's annual sales model by 2021. In the future, the LCVS has the potential to become a global standard for valve seats.
Developers: Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc.
Co-Developers: Toyota Motor Corporation
Japan
Product Description:Toyota Central R&D Labs and Toyota Motor Corporation have co-developed a new cobalt-free Cu alloy, a new angled LMD process and a dedicated inline quality inspection method for a laser-clad valve seat (LCVS). These three technologies have enabled the world's first full-scale mass production of a LCVS with unprecedented new functions, including corrosion and wear resistance and weldability. The developed LCVS ensures sufficiently high durability for use with 100% ethanol (E100) fueled engines and has realized the commercialization of the world’s first fuel-flexible HEV (Toyota Corolla in October 2019). These technologies contribute to decreasing automotive CO2 emissions by achieving the highest thermal efficiency to date of 41% and the use of carbon neutral E100 fuel. The Toyota group is currently expanding the application of the LCVS to the next-generation engine family as a fundamental high-speed combustion technology. The LCVS will be expanded to approximately 60% (about 4.8 million) of Toyota's annual sales model by 2021. In the future, the LCVS has the potential to become a global standard for valve seats.
Cobalt-free Laser-clad valve seat (LCVS)