An apparatus is provided to test valves. The apparatus includes a sensor and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to control an external camshaft that is coupled to a valve train of an engine head. The apparatus controls the driving mechanism to control a rotation of the external camshaft that further controls an activation of each valve of the valve train associated with the engine head. The apparatus further controls the sensor to acquire information associated with the activation of each valve of the valve train based on the rotation of the external camshaft. The apparatus further compares the acquired information with pre-stored information, to determine an abnormality in each valve of the valve train, and generates a notification based on the comparison.

An apparatus is provided to test valves. The apparatus includes a sensor and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to control an external camshaft that is coupled to a valve train of an engine head. The apparatus controls the driving mechanism to control a rotation of the external camshaft that further controls an activation of each valve of the valve train associated with the engine head. The apparatus further controls the sensor to acquire information associated with the activation of each valve of the valve train based on the rotation of the external camshaft. The apparatus further compares the acquired information with pre-stored information, to determine an abnormality in each valve of the valve train, and generates a notification based on the comparison.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

An electronic valve train assembly for performing intake and exhaust duties of an internal combustion engine includes a housing that is mounted to a head of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of valves is each movably integrated into the housing and extends into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A plurality of magnets is each attached to a respective one of the valves. A plurality of first electromagnets is each positioned within the housing to magnetically attract a respective one of the magnets when the first electromagnets are turned on thereby urging the valves into a closed condition. A plurality of second electromagnets is each positioned within the housing to magnetically attract a respective one of the magnets when the second electromagnets are turned on thereby urging the valves into an open condition.

An electronic valve train assembly for performing intake and exhaust duties of an internal combustion engine includes a housing that is mounted to a head of an internal combustion engine. A plurality of valves is each movably integrated into the housing and extends into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A plurality of magnets is each attached to a respective one of the valves. A plurality of first electromagnets is each positioned within the housing to magnetically attract a respective one of the magnets when the first electromagnets are turned on thereby urging the valves into a closed condition. A plurality of second electromagnets is each positioned within the housing to magnetically attract a respective one of the magnets when the second electromagnets are turned on thereby urging the valves into an open condition.

An engine includes at least one cylinder, a first intake valve and a second intake valve associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct and a second intake duct, respectively. The two intake ducts communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve is activated, while the second intake valve remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve is activated, while the first intake valve remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy, to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.

An engine includes at least one cylinder, a first intake valve and a second intake valve associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct and a second intake duct, respectively. The two intake ducts communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve is activated, while the second intake valve remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve is activated, while the first intake valve remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy, to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.

In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.

In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.