Internal Combustion Engine with Electronic Valve Actuators and Control System Therefor

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• an engine block having a cylinder formed therein;
• a piston having a piston head for reciprocal movement in the cylinder;
• a cylinder head connected to the engine block and having a primary intake port and a primary exhaust port;
• an electrically operated intake valve movable between open and closed positions to thereby open and close the primary intake port, respectively;
• an electrically operated exhaust valve movable between open and closed positions to open and close the primary exhaust port, respectively;
• and
• a secondary exhaust port located at a predetermined position in the cylinder such that when the piston head is above the predetermined position the secondary exhaust port is closed and when the piston head is below the predetermined position the secondary exhaust port is open for expelling exhaust gases from the cylinder.

A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an engine block with a cylinder formed therein, a piston with a piston head for reciprocal movement in the cylinder, and a cylinder head connected to the engine block and having a primary intake port and a primary exhaust port, the method comprising:

• providing an electronically controlled intake valve to open and close the primary intake port;
• providing an electronically controlled exhaust valve to open and close the primary exhaust port;
• and
• providing a secondary exhaust port at a predetermined position in the cylinder.