Intake holes at the opposite ends are opened and closed by first intake valves. The middle intake hole is opened and closed by a second intake valve. A control device includes an intake variable valve device. First branch channels are connected to the intake holes and produce a normal tumble flow. A second branch channel is configured such that the flow rate of intake air passing through the middle intake hole is relatively greater on the side closer to the outer periphery of the combustion chamber. Where increasing the flow coefficient is given a higher priority, a three-valve drive mode is selected. Where the strength of the normal tumble flow is enhanced, a two-valve drive mode is selected. Where production of the normal tumble flow is reduced, a one-valve drive mode is selected.

An intake cam is positioned between first and second shaft supports that support an intake camshaft. An exhaust cam is positioned between third and fourth shaft supports that support an exhaust camshaft. An ignition plug unit extends between the intake camshaft and the exhaust camshaft and inward of the intake cam and the exhaust cam with a cylinder axis defining a reference position. A cylinder head includes a joint plane that is joined to a cylinder body. In a case where a virtual plane is defined by the joint plane and is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis, a distance between a portion, closest to the virtual plane, of the intake camshaft and the virtual plane is less than a distance between a portion, farthest from the virtual plane, of the intake port and the virtual plane.

A continuous variable valve duration apparatus may include a camshaft, a first and second cam portions, first and inside brackets transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first and second cam portions respectively, a slider housing of which the first and second inside brackets are rotatably inserted thereto, cam caps of which each cam cap engaging portion is rotatably connected thereto, a connecting bracket connecting the cam caps and of which a guide opening for the guide protruded portion to be inserted thereto for guiding movement of the slider housing is formed thereto, a slider pin rotatably inserted into the first sliding opening and slidably inserted into the camshaft, a cam pin of which a cam opening for the cam to be slidably inserted thereto is formed and rotatably inserted into the second sliding opening and a controller selectively changing a position of the slider housing.

A multiple variable valve lift apparatus may include a moving cam formed in a hollow cylindrical shape into which a camshaft is inserted. In particular, the moving cam rotates together with the camshaft, moves in an axial direction of the camshaft, and includes a cam guide protrusion and a plurality of cams realizing different valve lift with each other. Moreover, the apparatus includes: an operating unit selectively guiding the cam guide protrusion; a controller controlling the operating unit; a valve opening/closing unit contacting with any one cam of the cams; and at least two pins disposed at the operating unit so as to guide the cam guide protrusion. The cam guide protrusion includes an inserted portion being selectively inserted between the pins and a shift portion.

A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which works to control an electric motor to start the engine through a belt transmission system. The control apparatus restricts rotation of the electric motor so as to keep a speed of the electric motor below a speed at which the electric motor is capable of producing a maximum torque until a given period of time passes since the electric motor is actuated to start in the motor mode. This enables the electric motor to generate the maximum torque when it is required to crank the engine.

Provided is a novel valve timing control apparatus capable of reducing an axial length and of reducing a thickness of a housing. A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a timing pulley to which a rotational force is transmitted from a crankshaft via a timing belt, a housing configured to be rotated by the timing pulley and including a plurality of shoes provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a vane rotor relatively rotatably contained inside the housing and configured to be rotated in synchronization with a camshaft. The vane rotor includes a vane forming a retard angle oil chamber and an advance angle oil chamber inside the housing in cooperation with the plurality of shoes. A predetermined interval is provided between an outer peripheral portion of the housing and an inner peripheral portion of the timing pulley. An outer peripheral portion of a housing main body of the housing and the inner peripheral portion of the timing pulley are coupled with each other via a plurality of coupling beam portions with intervals in a circumferential direction. The housing main body, the timing pulley, and the plurality of coupling beam portions are integrally formed.

An outboard marine engine comprises a vertically aligned bank of piston-cylinders; an intake camshaft that operates a plurality of intake valves for controlling inflow of air to the bank of piston-cylinders; an exhaust camshaft that operates a plurality of exhaust valves for controlling outflow of exhaust as from the bank of piston-cylinders; and a cam-to-cam connector that connects the intake camshaft to the exhaust camshaft such that rotation of one of the intake and exhaust camshafts causes rotation of the other of the intake and exhaust camshafts. The cam-to-cam connector is located vertically above a lowermost intake valve in the plurality of intake valves, vertically above a lowermost exhaust valve in the plurality of exhaust valves, vertically below an uppermost intake valve in the plurality of intake valves and vertically below an uppermost exhaust valve in the plurality of exhaust valves.

A cam follower for operable attachment to a valve lifter assembly for use with a variable cam lobe camshaft in a variable valve timing system includes a housing with a central cavity and a mushroom head with a stem pivotably connected to the housing in the central cavity, the mushroom head having a radiused surface for contacting a cam lobe surface. The cam follower is used in combination with a variable cam surface of an axially displaceable camshaft to obtain improvements in idling speed and volumetric efficiency.

An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve timing mechanism. The variable valve timing mechanism includes a first member configured to rotate according to rotation of a crankshaft, a second member configured to be displaced relative to the first member between a most retarded angle position and a most advanced angle position, and a lock pin configured to engage with the first member and the second member. When displacing the second member from an initial angle, the variable valve timing mechanism supplies oil pressure such that the lock pin moves to a position where the lock pin disengages from the first member and the second member. A valve rest mechanism is capable of performing a rest operation when a displacement angle of the second member relative to the first member is equal to or more than a prescribed waiting angle displaced relative to the initial angle.

A control method using a continuous variable duration apparatus provided to adjust opening duration of an intake valve of an engine may include: setting a desired deceleration speed when a vehicle starts decelerating, determining a pumping loss by the engine that is required for the desired deceleration speed, setting desired duration for the required pumping loss by the engine, and controlling duration of the intake valve on the basis of the set desired duration.