The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. Various embodiments of the teachings may include a method for adjusting an actuator element for a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the actuator element is coupled to the camshaft to adjust a camshaft setting. The method may include determining a torque imposed by a component of the engine, based on an operating parameter and controlling an adjuster of the actuator to counteract the determined torque and resist adjustment of the actuator element and the camshaft setting. Without controlling the adjuster, the torque is transmitted from the camshaft to the actuator element and can bring about an adjustment of the actuator element and of the camshaft setting. The magnitude of the adjustment corresponds to the torque imposed by the component.

A high efficiency variable cutoff uniflow steam engine with piston operated valves has an exhaust valve that is held open by a spring during the exhaust stroke but is closed at an end of the exhaust stroke by the piston compressing steam in a compartment associated to act on the exhaust valve. The piston continues to move in the same direction a short distance toward top dead center (TDC) compressing a small residual quantity of steam in the cylinder above the piston during the remaining fraction of the exhaust stroke with sufficient pressure to open the steam inlet valve by steam pressure without an impact caused by physical contact with the piston.

A high efficiency variable cutoff uniflow steam engine with piston operated valves has an exhaust valve that is held open by a spring during the exhaust stroke but is closed at an end of the exhaust stroke by the piston compressing steam in a compartment associated to act on the exhaust valve. The piston continues to move in the same direction a short distance toward top dead center (TDC) compressing a small residual quantity of steam in the cylinder above the piston during the remaining fraction of the exhaust stroke with sufficient pressure to open the steam inlet valve by steam pressure without an impact caused by physical contact with the piston.

An electromagnetic adjusting device having a first, second and third plug contacts for operating the adjusting device on an operating voltage source having a first and second voltage pole. The device can include an actuator coupled to the plug contacts. The actuator can have a magnet coil with a first terminal connected to the first plug contact, a second terminal connected to the second plug contact, where either the first or the second plug contact is connected to the first voltage pole. The magnet coil can also have a first transistor with a first control electrode connecting the first terminal to the third plug contact, a second transistor having a second control electrode connecting the second terminal to the third plug contact, a first resistor connecting the first control electrode to the second plug contact and a second resistor connecting the second control electrode to the first plug contact.

A rocker arm assembly includes an outer arm having first and second low lift lobe contacting surfaces, an inner arm, and a latch assembly. The inner arm includes first and second opposed sidewalls extending between a first end and a second end, and a high lift lobe contacting surface disposed between the first and second opposed sidewalls. The first end is pivotably secured to the outer arm and operably associated with an engine valve, and the second end is operably associated with a lash adjuster and defining a latch bore. The latch assembly is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the latch assembly engages the outer arm such that the outer arm rotates with the inner arm, and in the second configuration, the latch assembly disengages the outer arm such that the outer arm rotates independently from the inner arm.

A multiple variable valve lift apparatus disposed at an intake part and an exhaust part of an engine includes: a moving cam rotating together with a camshaft, being movably disposed in an axial direction of the camshaft, and forming a plurality of cams for realizing valve lift to be different from each other and a cam guide protrusion; an operating unit selectively guiding the cam guide protrusion so as to move the moving cam in an axial direction of the camshaft; a controller controlling an operation of the operating unit; and a valve opening/closing unit opened/closed by contacting any one among the plurality of cams.

A variable valve lift (VVL) system for an internal combustion engine is provided that utilizes hydraulic fluid supply pressure feedback to provide noise free operation. The VVL system includes a high pressure pump, a solenoid valve, a pressure translating device, a one-way valve, and a hydraulic fluid pressure sensor. The high pressure pump is fluidly connected to the solenoid valve and pressure translating device by at least one fluid gallery that forms a high pressure chamber. The solenoid valve selectively fluidly connects the high pressure chamber to a middle pressure chamber formed by at least one fluid gallery that fluidly connects the one-way valve to the solenoid valve. The hydraulic fluid pressure sensor is arranged to detect a hydraulic fluid supply pressure of the one-way valve and provides feedback to an electronic controller that determines a proper fluid intake opening timing of the solenoid valve.

An engine may include an electric continuously variable valve timing apparatus for adjusting opening timing of an intake valve provided at a cylinder head, and a continuously variable valve duration apparatus for adjusting duration of exhaust valve provided at the cylinder head.

Disclosed is a method and system for intermittently operating poppet valves in an internal combustion engine when desired by the selective locking or unlocking of one or more cam lobes with the camshaft. One or more cam lobes, with a small radial clearance, ride on a camshaft such that an engagement mechanism may be activated as desired to lock the cam lobe to the camshaft, thereby activating the respective poppet valve. The cam lobe is prevented from moving axially to ensure correct alignment with a follower. A suitable holding device may be used to ensure the non-activated cam lobes are restrained at a suitable orientation relative to the cam follower.

A method for starting an internal combustion engine, having which has at least one cylinder, a controllable starter and a controllable fuel injection device, at least one cylinder, in particular every cylinder, of the internal combustion engine being assigned at least one decompression valve for reducing the compression which takes place during the operation of the internal combustion engine in the case of a compression stroke. A defined starting rotational speed is predetermined in the control unit, that, in the case of a controlled activation of the starter, the at least one decompression valve is opened in an automatically controlled manner by means of a control unit, and that the control unit detects the current rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and, when the defined starting rotational speed is reached, closes the at least one decompression valve and activates the fuel injection device.