Abstract: If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

Abstract: A crankshaft system is provided. The crankshaft has a main journal, a rod journal rotates around the main journal, a planet gear is attached to the rod journal and can rotate around the rod journal, the rotation of the planet gear is constrained by a constraining gear, the teeth number of the constraining gear is integer k times of the teeth number of the planet gear, a crankpin is mounted on the planet gear, one end of a connecting rod of a piston is attached to the crankpin, the constraining gear is a ring gear or a sun gear, the trajectory of the crankpin is noncircular. The combustion chamber volume keeps constant from 0° ATDC to 14° ATDC, or the minimum combustion chamber volume extends from TDC to 14° ATDC or after 14° ATDC.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a combustion chamber with a gas exchange valve which is movable between an open position and a first closed position. The gas exchange valve is movable on its path from the open position in a direction of the first closed position into an intermediate position located between the open position and the first closed position and is holdable in the intermediate position at least during a part of a compression cycle of the combustion chamber following the open position of the gas exchange valve and is movable into a second closed position following the intermediate position. The part comprises more than a half of the compression cycle and less than a whole of the compression cycle. The gas exchange valve is an inlet valve via which the combustion chamber is supplyable at least with air.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a combustion chamber with a gas exchange valve which is movable between an open position and a first closed position. The gas exchange valve is movable on its path from the open position in a direction of the first closed position into an intermediate position located between the open position and the first closed position and is holdable in the intermediate position at least during a part of a compression cycle of the combustion chamber following the open position of the gas exchange valve and is movable into a second closed position following the intermediate position. The part comprises more than a half of the compression cycle and less than a whole of the compression cycle. The gas exchange valve is an inlet valve via which the combustion chamber is supplyable at least with air.

Abstract: A method for determining the mass m of air trapped in each cylinder of an internal combustion engine comprises determining, a value for each quantity of a first group of reference quantities comprising at least intake pressure P measured inside the intake manifold, engine rotation speed n, mass of gases produced by the combustion in the previous operating cycle (OFF) and present in the cylinder, determining, the actual inner volume V of each cylinder as a function of the engine rotation speed n, of the lift H of the intake valve and of the closing delay angle IVC of the intake valve, and determining the mass m of air trapped in each cylinder as a function of the first group of reference quantities and of the actual volume V inside each cylinder, on the basis of the aforesaid quantities P, V, OFF.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an exhaust tuning valve during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled while the position of the exhaust is varied and an intake air flow is estimated at each position of the exhaust tuning valve. The exhaust tuning valve may be diagnosed based on a change in air flow with the variation in the position of the exhaust tuning valve.

Abstract: A valve control system is provided for an internal combustion engine, the engine having at least one cylinder with at least one set of at least two valves. All the valves in the set are either inlet valves or exhaust valves, and the system is configured to selectively operate the set of valves in a single valve mode of operation during which only one valve of the set is open at any time.

Abstract: A method for operating a combustion engine after a cold start, the combustion engine including a supercharger device, a plurality of combustion chambers, a fuel-injection device injecting into each of the combustion chambers, and a gas-exchange valve control device that controls gas-exchange valves in a variable manner. A rich fuel-air mixture is generated in the combustion chambers, and the combustion-chamber charges are ignited in a retarded manner. Following the cold start, the combustion engine is operated with first valve overlaps that are greater than in a warm combustion engine. A first exhaust valve of a first combustion chamber is initially closed at such a late point that its opening duration overlaps with the opening duration of a second exhaust valve of a second combustion chamber that directly follows the first combustion chamber in the ignition sequence and that discharges into the same exhaust manifold as the first combustion chamber.

Abstract: For example, during an acceleration transient period of time during which a demand load is raised, a supercharging pressure is raised before a mechanical compression ratio is lowered and an internal combustion engine falls in a high load state. At this time, there is a possibility that a generation of knocking and an excessive rise in a cylinder inner pressure occur. This possibility is a task to be solved. The internal combustion engine includes: a variable compression ratio mechanism which is capable of modifying the mechanical compression ratio; a turbo charger (2) which supercharges intake air utilizing an exhaust energy; and an exhaust bypass valve (7) which adjusts a supercharging pressure as a supercharging pressure adjustment mechanism. The mechanical compression ratio is detected by a control shaft sensor (34) and the supercharging pressure is limited on a basis of this mechanical compression ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation of a hybrid vehicle to increase power output and fuel efficiency. In one example, a method may include operating the engine using an Atkinson cycle during a lower than threshold engine torque demand and a lower than threshold battery state of charge, and operating the engine using an Otto cycle during a higher than threshold torque demand. During operation in the Otto cycle, an octane booster is injected to the fuel line to increase the octane level in the fuel, if desired.

Abstract: A compression ignition (diesel) engine uses two or more fuel charges during a combustion cycle, with the fuel charges having two or more reactivities (e.g., different cetane numbers), in order to control the timing and duration of combustion. By appropriately choosing the reactivities of the charges, their relative amounts, and their timing, combustion can be tailored to achieve optimal power output (and thus fuel efficiency), at controlled temperatures (and thus controlled NOx), and with controlled equivalence ratios (and thus controlled soot). At low load and no load (idling) conditions, the aforementioned results are attained by restricting airflow to the combustion chamber during the intake stroke (as by throttling the incoming air at or prior to the combustion chamber's intake port) so that the cylinder air pressure is below ambient pressure at the start of the compression stroke.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes during a first operating condition, operating two primary cylinders and two secondary cylinders to perform combustion, the two primary and secondary cylinders arranged in an inline configuration, the two primary cylinder adjacent to one another, the two secondary cylinders adjacent to one another, and the secondary cylinders positioned 175°-185° out of phase relative to the two primary cylinders and during a second operating condition, selectively deactivating the two secondary cylinders to perform combustion in only the two primary cylinders.

Abstract: Provided are a gear case flange in which a passage hole is provided, a spacer fixed on the gear case flange, a supply pump fixed on the spacer, and a pump gear fixed on the drive shaft of the supply pump, and the pump gear is passed through the passage hole of the gear case flange, whereby the supply pump in a state of being fixed on the spacer can be detached in a state where the pump gear is fixed on the drive shaft.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes: an NH3 generating catalyst which generates NH3 from NOx and H2 at a rich air-fuel ratio; an in-cylinder injection valve which injects fuel into a cylinder; and a control apparatus which, when setting a rich air-fuel ratio, sets a timing of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve to a second half of a compression stroke when a temperature of the NH3 generating catalyst is within a first prescribed range and sets a timing f of fuel injection from the in-cylinder injection valve to a first half of an intake stroke when the temperature of the NH3 generating catalyst is within a second prescribed range that is a higher temperature range than the first prescribed range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for regulating stable operation of an exhaust-gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine having a fresh-gas supply device, a switchover valve, a control device, a compressor for generating compressed air and an air-processing unit with a discharge valve. The compressor is operated in a suction intake mode in which the compressor is connected to an air inlet, and based on monitored operating parameters, the switchover valve switches the compressor from the suction intake mode into a pressure-charged in which the compressor is connected to an exhaust-gas turbocharger compressor. Based on monitored operating parameters when in the pressure-charged mode, the switchover valve switches the compressor from the pressure-charged mode into the suction intake mode.

Abstract: An engine body includes a cylinder with a geometrical compression ratio of 15 or higher, and is supplied with fuel containing at least gasoline. When an operating mode of the engine body is in a high load range, a controller (i.e., a PCM 10) drives a fuel injection valve (i.e., an injector) 67 to inject the fuel at a time within a retarded period between a terminal stage of a compression stroke and an initial stage of an expansion stroke in a low speed range. The controller drives the fuel injection valve to inject the fuel in an intake stroke until an intake valve 21 is closed in a high-load high-speed range.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a pumping loss may include an auxiliary runner formed in an air-intake unit supplying air to a cylinder, wherein intake air may be temporarily stored in the auxiliary runner by using a flow of an exhaust gas during an exhaust stroke, and the intake air stored in the auxiliary runner may be supplied to the cylinder together with the air introduced to the air-intake unit during an intake stroke.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split intake system coupled to a split exhaust system. Aircharges of differing composition, pressure, and temperature may be delivered to the engine through the split intake system at different points of an engine cycle. In this way, boost and EGR benefits may be extended.

Abstract: There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, an internal combustion engine system. In one example, the system comprises a controller configured to control an intake valve closing timing varying mechanism to vary a closing timing of the intake valve to regulate air charged in a combustion chamber in accordance with engine operating conditions and, in a first engine operating condition where a least volume of air is required to be charged into the combustion chamber, retard a closing timing of the intake valve to a most retarded crank angle which is after bottom dead center during a cylinder cycle and satisfies the following formulas: ???0.2685×?02+10.723×?0+15.815 and ?0?11.0, where ? is the most retarded crank angle and ?0 is a geometric compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a pumping loss may include an auxiliary runner formed in an air-intake unit supplying air to a cylinder, wherein intake air may be temporarily stored in the auxiliary runner by using a flow of an exhaust gas during an exhaust stroke, and the intake air stored in the auxiliary runner may be supplied to the cylinder together with the air introduced to the air-intake unit during an intake stroke.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode.

Abstract: A spark-ignited internal combustion engine includes a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes a mechanical compression ratio, and a variable valve timing mechanism that controls a valve closing timing at which an intake valve is closed, in which the amount of intake air that is supplied into a combustion chamber is controlled by changing the valve closing timing of the intake valve, and when an air-fuel ratio is increased from a first desired air-fuel ratio to a second desired air-fuel ratio, the valve closing timing of the intake valve is brought close to an intake bottom dead center until the air-fuel ratio becomes equal to the second desired air-fuel ratio, without changing a fuel injection amount.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine includes moving an exhaust valve to a first open position to enable an exhaust product to flow through an exhaust port of the internal combustion engine. The method also includes maintaining the exhaust valve at the first open position for a predetermined time period. The method also includes moving an intake valve to a second open position during the predetermined time period to enable an intake product to flow through an intake port of the internal combustion engine. Additionally, the method includes preventing at least a portion of the intake product from flowing through the exhaust port during the predetermined time period with a first blocking member and a second blocking member.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an exhaust arrangement comprises a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct. A valve arrangement preferably comprising separate first and second exhaust valves associated with each cylinder, to selectively direct exhaust from engine to the first exhaust duct during a first exhaust period, and to the second exhaust duct during a subsequent second exhaust period. A turbine having an inlet is connected to the first exhaust duct; and a compressor drivingly connected to and driven by the turbine, has an inlet connected to second duct. The compressor, driven by the turbine extracting energy from the exhaust, reduces the back pressure in the exhaust system reducing pumping losses, with the second duct bypassing the turbine in the second exhaust period such that the turbine also does not increase the exhaust back pressure at least during the main second exhaust phase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a twin flow supercharged engine are provided. The exhaust lines of engine cylinders are grouped into separate manifolds connected to respective inlet ducts of the twin-flow turbine. The inlet ducts of the twin-flow turbine are of different sizes, with different-sized cross sections and/or different-sized exhaust-gas volumes. The exhaust line of a manifold with a smaller exhaust-gas volume is connected to the larger inlet duct, and the exhaust line of a manifold with the larger exhaust-gas volume is connected to the smaller inlet duct.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system that converts thermal energy from an exhaust of an engine to mechanical energy includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to an exhaust from an internal combustion process. The heat exchanger receives a heat transfer fluid therein. A generator is coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat transfer fluid expands and evaporates in the generator in response to heat from the exhaust of the internal combustion process. The expansion of the heat transfer fluid vapor converts thermal energy of the heat transfer fluid to mechanical energy.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine having at least one cylinder acting as a compression cylinder and at least one cylinder action as a combustion cylinder. The method comprise compressing air in the compression cylinder, and in the combustion cylinder, opening and then closing an exhaust valve during an exhaust stroke to trap some exhaust gas, during a compression stoke immediately following the exhaust stroke, injecting a controlled amount of fuel into the combustion chamber to obtain compression ignition at or near a top dead center piston position without reaching combustion temperatures at which NOX is formed, and injecting compressed air and fuel during a power stroke immediately following the compression stroke to sustain combustion to burn the fuel with an equivalence ratio within a predetermined range around unity. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a control loop or a regulating loop in a system, in particular in an engine system in a motor vehicle, is described. A characteristic value is ascertained from a preset value and a system variable of the regulating loop or the control loop during one or more state changes, and an error is detected as a function of the ascertained characteristic value.

Abstract: An engine provided with a variable timing mechanism (B) able to control a closing timing of an intake valve (7) and a variable compression ratio mechanism (A) able to change a mechanical compression ratio. At the time of engine startup, the closing timing of the intake valve (7) is made the most delayed position so that the least intake air is fed to the inside of the combustion chamber (5) and the mechanical compression ratio is made the maximum compression ratio.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an internal combustion engine are provided. The method may include closing said intake valve at a timing in a first range, which is before a maximum charge closing timing with which an amount of air inducted into said cylinder from said air intake passage would be maximized at a given engine speed, during a cylinder cycle when a desired amount of air to be inducted into said cylinder is less than or equal to a predetermined air amount at the given engine speed. The method may further include closing said intake valve at a timing in a second range, which is after said maximum charge closing timing and separated from said first range during a cylinder cycle, when a desired amount of air to be inducted into said cylinder is greater than said predetermined air amount at the given engine speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an internal combustion engine are provided. One example method may include closing an intake valve later during a cylinder cycle than a timing with which an amount of air inducted into a cylinder from an air intake passage would be maximized, and earlier during the cylinder cycle as a desired amount of air to be inducted into the cylinder increases, while an engine is operating at a given engine speed. The method may further include closing the intake valve earlier during a cylinder cycle as the engine speed increases when the desired amount of air to be inducted into the cylinder is at a maximum.

Abstract: In a method for operating a spark ignition engine, wherein the inlet valves of the spark ignition engine are closed very early or very late, and a combustion air flow which is supplied to the spark ignition engine is compressed by means of a charger, and, under full load operation, the inlet valves are closed either early or late to avoid knocking of the engine, a partial flow of re-circulated exhaust gas is supplied to the combustion air flow supplied to the engine also during full load engine operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel self-supercharging internal combustion engine with two pairs of three pistons and cylinders. A self-supercharging internal combustion engine comprising: (a) a first piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to a crankshaft; (b) a second piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to the crankshaft; (c) a third piston and cylinder of a size which is at least double the size of the first and second pistons, the third piston having a valve which enables air and fuel to be drawn into the cylinder, the third cylinder being connected to the intake valves of the first and second pistons and cylinders, the third piston being connected to the same crankshaft as the first and second pistons, and a corresponding second set of three pistons and cylinders, the three pistons being connected to a second crankshaft, each crankshaft being interconnected by meshing gears.

Abstract: A method for use in generating power in an internal combustion engine from combustion of a fuel admixed with an oxidizing gas and operating cyclically with intentional ignition of a first fuel or with self-ignition of a second fuel which includes changing a volume of a combustion chamber from a fixed minimum volume to a fixed maximum volume wherein the maximum volume is greater than a critical volume. The critical volume includes a volume of the chamber filled with an oxidizing gas at an initial temperature and an initial pressure such that when the temperature is compressed from the critical volume to the minimum volume the gas reaches a maximum temperature and a maximum pressure causing detonation of a first fuel, or the gas exceeds a maximum temperature and a maximum pressure predetermined for self-ignition of a second fuel.

Abstract: A method for designing internal combustion engines can include selecting a compression ratio that produces a compression temperature just below the autoignition temperature of a fuel/air mixture, selecting a fuel equivalence ratio that produces a combustion temperature below the threshold temperature at which NOx formation or autoignition of the mixture occurs, and selecting an expansion ratio greater than the compression ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of scavenging residual burnt gas of a direct-injection internal-combustion engine, notably of diesel type, comprising at least one cylinder (10) including a combustion chamber (12), at least one exhaust means (14) with an exhaust valve (18) controlled by exhaust control means (42), at least one intake means (24) with an intake valve (28) controlled by intake control means (40) and a processing unit (44) receiving the values relative to the intake pressure (Pa) and to the exhaust pressure (Pe) of the engine. The method consists, when the engine runs under low speed and high load conditions, in carrying out a sequence of opening/closing of exhaust valves (18) during the exhaust phase of the engine, during this exhaust valve opening/closing sequence, in carrying out at least one sequence of opening/closing of intake valves (28) so as to achieve scavenging of the residual burnt gas.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coordination pressure management system for raising the maximum operational range of the eight-stroke engine; said coordination pressure management system includes a real-time control system for adjusting the phase-difference between the master piston and the slave piston according to the combustion condition of the master cylinder and the compression condition of the slave cylinder, so that the maximum compression pressure of the slave-compression-process is regulated within the range of 75% to 25% of the concurrent maximum combustion pressure of the master cylinder, thereby maintaining a high coordination-efficiency in any operational load and rpm condition.

Abstract: An engine block is disclosed in one embodiment having a cylinder shape bore, which forms the outside wall surface of a cylindrical air chamber. Radially outwards from the cylindrical air chamber there is an annular shape combustion chamber, which has a circular inner wall surface, circular outer wall surface, closed annular shaped top surface, and an annular shaped open end opposite of the top surface. The bottom end of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber and the bottom end of the outside wall surface of the cylindrical air chamber defines an annular shape surface. This surface fits inside the annular shape air chamber in the piston assembly. In one embodiment, in the lower part of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber there is a circular groove for an oil scraper ring of conventional design.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of banks; each having a cylinder provided to said banks comprising: an intake valve provided between said cylinder and an intake manifold a camshaft opening and closing said intake valve by means of mechanical power of said internal combustion engine; and a changing unit changing, according to an operating state of said internal combustion engine a phase angle of said camshaft said phase angle corresponding to a closing timing of said intake valve said banks differing from each other in most retarded phase angle changed by said changing unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber composed of a cylinder in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft. The engine further includes at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine can be operated in a four stroke hybrid mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable coordination volume type eight-stroke engine for increasing the fuel efficiency in the heavy load operation by regulating the maximum air-pressure in the charge-coordinate-channel and adjusting the initiation timing of the injection-process as the engine load changes; wherein the maximum air-pressure of the charge-coordinate-channel will be regulated with a buffer piston in the range of 25% to 75% of the concurrent maximum combustion pressure of the mastery cylinder. In addition the overall temperature of the master cylinder and the slave cylinder will be reduced in the heavy load condition by injecting a flow of high-density-air at lower temperature in the heavy load operation, thereby achieving better durability and higher fuel efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-stage-coordination type eight-stroke engine for controlling the air-flows of the eight-stroke-operation and preventing the backfiring in the coordinate-port during the injection-process, so the coordinate-valve and the coordinate-port can be kept within the operational temperature in the heavy load operation; the two-stage-coordination system will open the coordinate-valve twice during each round of the eight-stroke-operation, so the hot-combustion-medium of the master cylinder will be mixing with the flow of the high-density-air in a conceal environment after the coordinate-valve is shut with the pressure difference, thereby reducing the heat loss and preventing the irreparable damage due to the backfiring effect.

Abstract: A spark-ignition gasoline engine having at least a spark plug, the engine including an engine body having a geometrical compression ratio set at 14 or more, and an intake valve and an exhaust valve provided, respectively, in intake and exhaust ports connected to each of a plurality of cylinders of the engine body. The intake and exhaust valves are adapted to open and close corresponding respective ones of the intake and exhaust ports. The engine further includes an operation-state detector adapted to detect an operation state of the engine body and a control system adapted, based on detection of the operation-state detector, to perform at least an adjustment control of an ignition timing of the spark plug, the control system being operable, when an engine operation zone is a high-load operation zone including a wide open throttle region within at least a low speed range, to retard the ignition timing to a point within a predetermined stroke range just after a top dead center of a compression stroke.

Abstract: A pressure surface is propelled within an engine chamber. Air is introduced into the chamber. The air in the chamber is compressed with the pressure surface. The compressed air is charged with fuel. The fuel is combusted to propel the pressure surface within the chamber. The air and the combusted fuel are exhausted from the chamber. A turbocharger is powered with the exhaust to compress air to an extremely high level, 20+ atmospheres. The air compressed by the turbocharger is passed into the chamber to propel the pressure surface in the chamber without additional fuel. Since compressing the high pressure air in the chamber would cancel the gains of the previous cycle and possibly damage the engine, this invention proposes to open the exhaust valve at the bottom of the intake stroke to relieve the excess pressure, close the exhaust valve and compress the remaining air in the cylinder.

Abstract: An engine is operated with a first cylinder to provide a net flow of gases from the engine intake to the engine exhaust while a second cylinder returns combusted gases back to the intake to control a timing of auto-ignition combustion in the first cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine to which the inventive device for controlling an internal combustion engine is applied includes an intake control valve provided in an air-intake path at a position upstream from an intake valve, the intake control valve being controlled to be either in an operative state operating in relation to the operation of the intake valve or in an non-operative state maintaining the air-intake path always open, and, in the operative state, closed at least prior to the opening of the intake valve and opened after the opening of the intake valve to generate the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream from the intake control valve.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the operation of a cylinder assembly according to which the following phases are carried out during the same operating cycle: an exhaust opening phase (L1); a first inlet opening phase (L2) during a compression phase of the piston, and; a second inlet opening phase (L3) subsequent to the first. The second inlet opening phase (L3) begins once the piston reaches a position located in the second third of the travel thereof, in an expansion phase, and the first phase (L1) is carried out entirely during the exhaust opening phase (L1). The invention also concerns an internal combustion engine that operates according to the aforementioned method, and to a motor vehicle equipped with this engine.