Abstract: An engine is operated in accordance with a plurality of operation modes obtained by combining one of a 4-cycle mode and a 2-cycle mode with one of a combustion ignition control where an ignition is performed with an ignition unit and a self ignition priority control including the ignition performed without the ignition unit. Upon switching of the operation mode, a transition cycle is performed once between a first operation mode before switching of the operation mode and a second operation mode after switching of the operation mode. Timing for operating an intake valve or an exhaust valve in the transition cycle is different from that in the second operation mode. The combustion ignition control is executed in one of the combustion chambers where the single operation of the transition cycle is completed until a single cycle of each transient cycle in the rest of the combustion chambers is terminated.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with a variable valve timing system is provided. While the piston descends just after the combustion in the cylinder, the intake valve is opened by the variable valve system for the intake valve such that the intake air is supplied into the cylinder from the engine intake system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having an electromagnetically driven valve for driving one of an intake valve and an exhasut valve, at least a lubricating oil passage to a head section including a lubricating oil passage to the electromagnetically driven valve is provided independently from other lubricating oil passage such that the lubricating oil for the electromagnetically driven valve is not mixed with the other lubricating oil. A lubricating device is allowed to have a portion where the lubricating oil is commonly used so long as the lubricating oil for the electromagnetically driven valve and the lubricating oil for the other elements are not mixed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing the opening and closing timing and/or a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed . A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an electromagnetic valve driving mechanism adjusts an amount of magnetizing current to be applied to the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism in accordance with a temperature or viscosity of a lubricant used in the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism. Accordingly, intake and exhaust valves can be driven with an electromagnetic force corresponding to a viscosity of the lubricant. Therefore, changes in opening-and-closing operation speeds of the intake and exhaust valves resulting from a temperature or viscosity of the lubricant that is supplied to a sliding portion of the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism can be reduced.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes two intake side solenoid driving valve mechanisms for opening and closing intake valves by cooperation of an electromagnetic coil and a spring, and/or two exhaust side solenoid driving valve mechanisms for opening and closing exhaust valves provided on each cylinder. A controller commands a driving circuit to cause the valve-opening timing of the exhaust valves or the intake valves to be different.

Abstract: A solenoid valve device includes an engine valve which can move in an axial direction thereof, an armature which moves with the engine valve, an electromagnet which attracts the engine valve so that the engine valve moves in the axial direction, and a zero-lash adjuster mechanism which is interposed between the engine valve and the armature. Thus, the solenoid valve can positively actuate an engine valve between a fully closed position and a fully opened position without formation of a clearance between the engine valve and the armature. A current supplied to the electromagnet may be set in accordance with a value which is related to a relative position of the armature and the electromagnet.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an electromagnetic valve driving mechanism adjusts an amount of magnetizing current to be applied to the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism in accordance with a temperature or viscosity of a lubricant used in the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism. Accordingly, intake and exhaust valves can be driven with an electromagnetic force corresponding to a viscosity of the lubricant. Therefore, changes in opening-and-closing operation speeds of the intake and exhaust valves resulting from a temperature or viscosity of the lubricant that is supplied to a sliding portion of the electromagnetic valve driving mechanism can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing the opening and closing timing and/or a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes two intake side solenoid driving valve mechanisms for opening and closing intake valves by cooperation of an electromagnetic coil and a spring, and/or two exhaust side solenoid driving valve mechanisms for opening and closing exhaust valves provided on each cylinder. A controller commands a driving circuit to cause the valve-opening timing of the exhaust valves or the intake valves to be different.

Abstract: In control apparatus and method, an ECU detects the positions of intake valves of cylinders when an ignition switch is turned off. Then, the ECU continues supplying exciting current to first electromagnetic coils corresponding to completely closed intake valves to hold those intake valves in the completely closed state. The ECU brings to the intake valves that are not in the completely closed state at the time of determining the turning-off of the ignition switch, to the completely closed state. At the elapse of a predetermined time following the determination of turning-off of the ignition switch, the ECU stops supplying exciting current to the first electromagnetic coils of the intake valves to bring the intake valves to a held-open state.

Abstract: A control method and apparatus of an engine for driving a generator. When a weight W of a charcoal canister is greater than a predetermined value W.sub.1 ` and a vehicle runs, the engine is actuated. As the result of the actuation of the engine, when a gasoline vapor within a fuel tank is purged and the weight W of the charcoal canister is lower than a second predetermined value W.sub.2, a vacuum switching valve for purging the canister is turned off and the engine is stopped. Even when the vehicle runs while a battery is frequently charged by an external charger, the occurrence of a certain amount of the fuel vapor which can not be caught and collected by the charcoal canister can be prevented and a low pollution vehicle can be obtained. In place of the vehicle running state, a vehicle running distance, or a vehicle running time can be used. In place of the predetermined value W.sub.2, a fuel purge amount can be used.