METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING VALVE OPERATION IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling valve operation in an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft driving a cam (8) for opening and closing an intake or exhaust valve (5) which is spring-biased in a closing direction. The method comprises the steps of varying the angular phase of the crankshaft and the camshaft (8) to control the timing of the opening of the valve (5) and releasing the force applied by the cam (9) to open the valve (5) while it is being opened to control the timing of the closing of the intake or exhaust valve (5). The apparatus includes a phase control mechanism (10) disposed between the crankshaft and the camshaft (8) and a lift control mechanism (11) disposed between the cam (9) and the intake or exhaust valve (5). Both mechanisms are hydraulically operated and controlled in response to engine operating conditions.