Abstract: A four-stroke cycle, multi-cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine has a camshaft phaser or phasers for adjusting the timing of the intake and exhaust camshafts with respect to the rotational position of the crankshaft so that some of the cylinders of the engine may be deactivated such that the intake and exhaust valves for each deactivated cylinder open and close at points which are approximately symmetrical about a rotational position of the crankshaft at which the direction of motion of the pistons change.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of air entering the intake manifold of a multicylinder variable displacement internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle having a driver-operable accelerator control includes an accelerator control position sensor for determining the operating position of the accelerator control and for generating an accelerator control position signal indicating such position, as well as an engine speed sensor for determining the speed of the engine and for generating an engine speed signal indicating such speed. The present system further includes an engine cylinder operator for deactivating and reactivating at least some of the cylinders and an electronically controlled throttle valve positioned in the intake manifold of the engine so as to control the amount of air entering the engine's cylinders.

Abstract: A system for synchronously activating cylinders of a multicylinder, fuel injected, four stroke cycle internal combustion engine, includes a valve operator for deactivating intake and exhaust valves associated with the cylinders and a controller for selecting a cylinder to be deactivated, as well as a timing mechanism for determining when the selected cylinder is operating during intake events. The controllers directs the valve operator to begin deactivating the valves of a selected cylinder during a predetermined intake event, with the valve operator completing the deactivation by a time not later than the beginning of the next exhaust event.

Abstract: A system for selecting the number of cylinders to be operated in a multi-cylinder variable displacement internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle having a driver operable accelerator control includes an accelerator control position sensor for determining the operating position of the accelerator control and an engine speed sensor for determining the speed of the engine, as well as a processor containing stored values for engine load as functions of engine speed and accelerator position and also engine load at wide open throttle. The processor infers engine load based on the accelerator control position and engine speed then selects the number of cylinders of the engine to be operated based at least in part of a comparison of the inferred engine load and the maximum possible load at the same engine speed.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for maintaining equal air flow among cylinders and independently controlling the air/fuel ratio of each individual cylinder, in an internal combustion engine having variable valve control. An air fuel controller generates valve control signals for each individual cylinder by sampling the exhaust gas oxygen sensor, and correlating the samples with corresponding combustion events. The valve lift for each variable lift valve is corrected to operate each cylinder at the desired air flow and air/fuel ratio. The variable valve lift can be accomplished in a camshaft type system incorporating a lost motion mechanism or similar device, or a system incorporating direct electrohydraulic or electromechanical valve actuation without a camshaft. The system and method can provide further flexibility in cylinder to cylinder air/fuel ratio control by combining it with a variable pulse width electronic fuel injector capability.

Abstract: Several concepts/methods and apparatuses are described and illustrated for enhancing/supplementing the natural bidirectional torsional pulses produced by an engine during its operation for use as an actuating force, for example, in a self-energizing engine phaseshifter; one method consisting of adding additional cam-lobe spring pairs providing the desired retarding or advancing torque impulses; or, selectively increasing the loads for the valve train springs by providing stiffer springs and fewer or greater coils or changing the weight of the spring or, using coaxial camshafts with independent phaseshifter mechanism to permit mounting of selected ones of the cam/spring pairs on one shaft with the remaining on the other shaft, in accordance with the desired net positive/negative producing torque pulses produced by the respective pairs

Abstract: A modular hydraulic valve actuating assembly for use in association with a single combustion chamber in a multicylinder internal combustion engine cylinder head. The assembly includes a housing having a mounted surface to attach to the cylinder head immediately above a poppet valve. The housing includes a first cavity spaced from and oriented non-parallel to the poppet valve, a second cavity coaxially aligned with the poppet valve, and a fluid passageway extending between and hydraulically coupled to the first and second cavities. A master piston within the housing co-operates with a camshaft to define a first enclosed fluid chamber which varies in displacement as the master piston is reciprocally oscillated by the camshaft. A slave piston within the housing co-operates with the poppet valve to define a second enclosed fluid chamber hydraulically connected to the first and varying in displacement as the slave piston oscillates.

Abstract: An engine valve control system for controlling engine valve lift during an automatic transmission shift. A plurality of engine valve actuation systems are each coupled to an individual engine valve for electronically controlling valve lift. Each valve actuation system includes a hydraulically operated piston coupled to each of the engine valves, and an electronically actuated supply valve responsive to a supply signal and coupled between the hydraulically operated piston and a source of hydraulic fluid, and an electronically actuated drain valve responsive to a drain signal and coupled between the piston and source of hydraulic fluid. A controller responsive to a shift command from a transmission controller, provides the supply and drain signals in appropriate timing and phase relationship to reduce valve lift during the automatic transmission shift.

Abstract: An intake valve lift control system for optimizing both rotational movement and inducted flow of a mixture inducted into the chambers of an internal combustion engine. The combustion chamber includes a mask partially surrounding the intake valve seat thereby imparting rotational movement to the inducted mixture. During light load engine operating conditions, maximum valve lift displacement is limited to the height of the mask such that rotational movement of the inducted mixture is maximized during the entire intake stroke of the intake valve. During heavy load engine operating conditions in which optimal flow is desire, maximum valve lift displacement is extended beyond the mask such that flow, rather than rotational movement, is optimized. Commencement of valve lift is also delayed during normal engine operations such that rotational movement of the inducted mixture is further optimized.

Abstract: An ignition system providing both spark ignition and a hot surface for surface ignition of a stratified fuel charge. The ignition system includes a novel hot surface spark plug designed to maximize heat retention in the center electrode and surrounding insulator for enabling surface ignition over a portion of the operating cycle of the engine. Ignition power is applied only when the center electrode temperature is below a threshold temperature. When the center electrode temperature is above a threshold temperature, ignition power is applied in inverse relation to the center electrode temperature.