A linear motor actuated valve assembly in which a linear motor enables electrical actuation and control of intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine.

A rotary electromagnetic actuator includes a biasing assembly for applying a torque to its rotor. Such an actuator may be used to operate a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine. The rotor defines a cam surface and the biasing assembly includes a cam follower in engagement with the cam surface, and the magnitude of the torque exerted on the rotor by the biasing assembly is dependent on the magnitude of the displacement of the cam follower by the cam surface. The cam surface defines at least one detent for receiving the cam follower.

A novel cylinder head arrangement for an in-line four cylinder or eight cylinder engine. A modified arrangement allows additional space for installation of wider rocker arm assemblies used for variable valve lift (VVL), cylinder deactivation (CDA) and other types of variable valve actuation (VVA). In one embodiment, cam towers adjacent the end two cylinders are not used. At least one end support is used, which may be an outboard bearing on a camshaft for each end. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed. In another embodiment, cam towers adjacent the inner two cylinders are eliminated and a single camshaft support piece with a support bearing is installed between the inner cylinders to provide support for the camshafts. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed on at least one of the middle cylinders. A novel oil control valve operates latches in switching rocker arm assemblies.

A method for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed. Either a start mode for starting the reciprocating engine is activated via the driving vehicle wheel, or a coasting mode is activated for driving the reciprocating engine via the driving vehicle wheel. At least one volume-reducing stroke is executed that follows an intake stroke for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine with at least intermittently open cylinder. Alternately at least one volume-enlarging stroke is executed for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine, which is followed by a compression stroke of this cylinder, and at least one volume-reducing stroke of this cylinder, which follows an expansion stroke that follows the compression stroke, with a cylinder that is closed, if possible, in this operating mode.

A rotary electromagnetic actuator includes a biasing assembly for applying a torque to its rotor. Such an actuator may be used to operate a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine. The biasing assembly is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the biasing assembly stores a higher amount of potential energy in its second configuration than in its first configuration. The apparatus includes a latching mechanism for selectively latching the biasing assembly in its second configuration.

An internal combustion engine (10) with variable valve timing has one or more valve shafts (38, 44) connected to stepper motors (54) for angularly positioning the one or more valve shafts (38, 44) relative to an engine block (12). Flow passages (50, 52) are formed into the one or more valve shafts (38, 44) for passing intake air and exhaust gases into and from the engine (10). Sensors (58, 60 and 62) are located adjacent a crankshaft (28) and the one or more valve shafts (38, 44) for determining crankshaft positions and valve shaft positions relative to the engine block (12). An engine control unit (56) receives crank shaft and valve shaft position signals and emits control signals to the stepper motors (54) to selectively operate the engine in two stroke, four stroke, six stroke, eight stroke, and ten stroke modes. Electrically controlled clutches (74 and 76) are mounted to respective ones of the crankshaft (28) and the valve shafts (38, 44), and connected by a timing chain (72) for actuating to provide backup valve shaft.

A desmodromic valve train (20) for an engine (40), comprising a valve actuator (100) arranged to actuate a valve (400) independently of the crank angle of the engine (40), wherein the desmodromic valve train (20) comprises: a load path arrangement comprising an input arranged to receive actuating force from the valve actuator (100), an output arranged to provide the actuating force to the valve (400), and mechanical advantage means arranged such that a first displacement, of the input, causes a second displacement, of the output, wherein the second displacement is a multiple of the first displacement, the multiple being within the range 1.3 to 1.95.

A system that provides adjustable actuation timing of one or more valve(s) (16) in a piston engine includes a position sensor (12) and a variable valve actuation assembly (10). The valve(s) (16) can be intake and/or exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The position sensor (12) takes position readings of the valve(s) (16) as the valve(s) (16) actuate in the piston engine. The variable valve actuation assembly (10) controls actuation timing of the valve(s) (16). Actuation timing of the valve(s) (16) is adjustable based, in part or more, upon one or more position reading(s) of the position sensor (12). The variable valve actuation assembly (10) can be a lost motion assembly (10).

An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head, a poppet valve having a seat within the cylinder head, a cam shaft on which is mounted an eccentrically shaped cam, and a rocker arm assembly comprising a rocker arm, a cam follower, and an electromagnetically actuated lash adjuster. The lash adjuster provides a continuously variable length fulcrum for the rocker arm. The actuator may be a piezoelectric stepper motor. The lash adjuster may be operative to vary a rate of internal exhaust gas recirculation and without requiring crank angle data.

An apparatus includes a valve and an actuator. The valve has a portion movably disposed within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head of an engine. The valve is configured to move relative to the cylinder head a distance between a closed position and an opened position. The portion of the valve defines a flow opening that is in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine when the valve is in the opened position. The actuator is configured to selectively vary the distance between the closed position and the opened position.