Variable cam timing system and method for operation of said system

A method for operation of a variable cam timing system comprising:

• cyclically actuating a valve coupled to a cylinder using a valve cam rotationally coupled to a camshaft;
• deactivating the valve through operation of a valve deactivation device including a delatchable roller finger follower;
• and
• responsive to deactivation of the valve, activating a null follower including a null spring exerting a return force on a null cam coupled to the camshaft during interaction between the null cam and the null follower.

A variable cam timing system in an engine comprising:

• a camshaft receiving rotational input from a crankshaft, the camshaft including:
• a valve cam lobe rotationally actuating a valve coupled to a cylinder;
• a null cam actuating a null follower including a null spring exerting a return force on the null cam during interaction between the null cam and the null follower, where the null follower is independent from the cylinder;
• a null cam deactivation device including a latch, the null cam deactivation device activating and deactivating the null follower, where deactivating the null follower includes moving the null follower into an inactive position inhibiting interaction between the null cam and the null follower during rotation of the null cam;
• a torque actuated cam phaser rotationally coupled to the camshaft;
• and
• a controller including code stored in memory executable by a processor to activate the null follower via the null cam deactivation device while the valve is deactivated, the deactivation triggered via a valve deactivation device including a delatchable roller finger follower coupled to the valve.