Apparatus and method for controlling internal combustion engine

摘要

A controller restricts an operation amount of the variable valve actuation mechanism of a fluid pressure operated type such that increase in the valve overlap amount of an engine is restrained when the engine is in a transient operation state in which the output of the engine increases. When the controller determines that the variable valve actuation mechanism is in the locked state, the controller relaxes the restriction imposed on the operation amount of the variable valve actuation mechanism. Hence, a decrease in follow-up performance of valve properties to desired properties is restrained while restraining temporary stagnation of increase in engine rotational speed caused by vehicle acceleration.