Internal combustion engine with means for uniforming the amount of intake air in different cylinders, and method therefor

A multi-cylinder combustion engine, comprising:

• at least one inlet valve for each cylinder, equipped with respective elastic means of return that push the valve towards a closed position, for controlling the respective inlet port,
• at least one camshaft for operating each inlet valve of the cylinders of the engine via the respective valve lifters, each inlet valve being controlled by a respective cam of said camshaft,
• in which each of said valve lifters commands the respective inlet valve against the action of said elastic means of return via the interposition of hydraulic means including a pressurized fluid chamber,
• the pressurized fluid chamber associated with each inlet valve being suitable for connection via a solenoid valve to an discharge channel for the purpose of decoupling the valve from its respective valve lifter and provoking rapid closure of the valve under the effect of the elastic means of return, and
• electronic means of control for controlling each solenoid valve to vary the time and opening travel of the respective inlet valve in function of one or more of the engine's operating parameters,
• wherein the inlet ports controlled by said inlet valves communicate with a single inlet duct in which sensors for detecting the air flow through said inlet duct are situated, and in that said electronic means of control are capable of receiving an output signal from said air-flow sensors indicating the quantity of air aspirated by each cylinder during the respective induction phase and for controlling said solenoid valve in a compensated manner for the purpose of minimizing the differences in the amount of air aspirated by the various cylinders, controlling the time and opening travel of the respective inlet valves in a differentiated manner.