Torque modulation for internal combustion engine

A control system, comprising:

• an electronic control unit having a processor and a memory associated with the processor, the processor being configured for electronically commanding an active tappet of an inlet valve of a cylinder of an engine according to a torque demand parameter contained in the memory, the cylinder having a combustion chamber, the processor being configured for continuous modulation of torque output of the engine, comprising
• for each successive combustion event in said combustion chamber:
• a) determining a change of torque demand relative to an immediately preceding combustion event, b) controlling said active tappet to provide a change of air charge in said combustion chamber in dependence on each change of torque demand relative to the immediately preceding combustion event, said change of air charge being commensurate to said change of torque demand relative to the immediately preceding combustion event, wherein if the change of torque demand is an increase said active tappet is controlled to increase the air charge and if the change of torque demand is a decrease said active tappet is controlled to decrease the air charge, wherein the active tappet is individually commanded by the electronic control unit to change a charge of air available for combustion in the cylinder on a combustion event by combustion event basis, wherein said active tappet is controlled to increase the air charge to said combustion chamber at least by increasing valve lift when said change of torque demand is an increase of torque demand, to cause, at least in part, the torque output of the internal combustion engine to increase to continuously track said increase of torque demand, and
• c) commanding a selected type of combustion appropriate to said air charge in said combustion chamber by adjustment of timing of commencement of combustion, wherein a timing of an ignition spark is advanced when the change of torque demand is an increase of torque demand to speed up an increase in the torque output to track said increase of torque demand.

A reciprocating piston gasoline engine, comprising:

• a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having a combustion chamber;
• an inlet valve for each cylinder;
• and
• an active tappet for each said inlet valve, said engine being adapted for operation according to a method of continuous modulation of torque output of the engine, the method comprising:
• for each successive combustion event in said combustion chamber:
• a) determining a change of torque demand relative to an immediately preceding combustion event,
• b) controlling said active tappet to provide a change of air charge in a respective said combustion chamber in dependence on each change of torque demand relative to the immediately preceding combustion event, said change of air charge being commensurate to said change of torque demand relative to the immediately preceding combustion event, wherein if the change of torque demand is an increase said active tappet is controlled to increase the air charge and if the change of torque demand is a decrease said active tappet is controlled to decrease the air charge, wherein each active tappet is individually commanded by an electronic control unit of said engine to change a charge of air available for combustion in a respective cylinder on a combustion event by combustion event basis, wherein said active tappet is controlled to increase the air charge to said combustion chamber at least by increasing valve lift when said change of torque demand is an increase of torque demand to cause, in part, the torque output of the engine to increase to continuously track said increase of torque demand, and
• c) commanding a selected type of combustion appropriate to said air charge in said combustion chamber by adjustment of timing of commencement of combustion, wherein a timing of an ignition spark is advanced when the change of torque demand is an increase of torque demand to speed up an increase in the torque output to track said increase of torque demand.