BorgWarner has introduced its next generation of cam torque actuators. The BorgWarner Intelligent Cam Torque Actuation (iCTA) delivers better fuel economy and reduced emissions by blending the best attributes of cam torque actuation (CTA) and torsional assist (TA) phaser technologies, according to the company.

“As global emissions regulations become more stringent, iCTA is an important advancement which enables manufacturers to tune engine calibrations for reduced emissions and improved fuel economy without sacrificing optimal performance,” said Joel Wiegert, Morse Systems president for BorgWarner Inc. “iCTA works with any engine architecture, and is an ideal solution for inline four-cylinder engines with low or varying cam torque energy. It’s a great addition to our industry-leading variable cam timing product portfolio.”

Technologies that make the airpath more efficient and tunable are key to meeting future emissions regulations, and iCTA is a key enabler, according to the company. BorgWarner’s iCTA technology allows the engine to be tuned for optimal opening and closing of the valves to maximize airflow when the engine needs it, and minimize it when it doesn’t. iCTA enables this across a variety of engine types and is especially effective when applied to inline four-cylinder engine applications with varying cam torque energy. By recirculating oil within the actuator, iCTA reduces oil demand and engine parasitic losses, resulting in increased fuel economy, lower emissions and improved vehicle performance, according to the company.

As the cam shaft spins, it oscillates, due to cam torque, the iCTA captures this cam torque and uses its energy to augment the energy from the engine oil pump. The technology partners with front-mounted variable force solenoid controls and a center-mounted spool valve contained within the bolt mounting the phaser to the camshaft. iCTA integrates all necessary features within the existing centerbolt architecture to allow interchangeability with an existing CTA or TA cam phaser, according to BorgWarner.

This technology is expected to first appear on a variety of vehicles from two major vehicle manufacturers in China and North America this year and in 2020.