Torque modulation for internal combustion engine

A method of continual modulation of torque output of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, each cylinder having a combustion chamber, at least one inlet valve for each chamber and an active tappet for each inlet valve for activating a respective said inlet valve, the method comprising:

• a) determining a change of torque demand,
• b) controlling said active tappet to provide a commensurate air charge in a respective said combustion chamber, wherein each active tappet is individually commanded by an electronic control unit of said engine to change a volume of air available for combustion in a respective cylinder for successive combustion events in the respective cylinder,
• c) commanding a selected type of combustion appropriate to said commensurate air charge in said combustion chamber by adjusting a timing of commencement of combustion,
• d) repeating steps a), b) and c) for successive combustion events in said combustion chamber.

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 any inlet valve of a cylinder of an engine according to a torque demand parameter contained in the memory the processor being configured for
• a) determining a change of torque demand,
• b) controlling said active tappets to provide a commensurate air charge in a respective said combustion chamber, wherein each active tappet is individually commanded by an electronic control unit of said engine to change a volume of air available for combustion in a respective cylinder for successive combustion events in the respective cylinder,
• c) commanding a selected type of combustion appropriate to said commensurate air charge in said combustion chamber by adjusting a timing of commencement of combustion,
• d) repeating steps a), b) and c) for successive combustion events in said combustion chamber.

A reciprocating piston gasoline engine, comprising:

• a plurality of cylinders;
• 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
• a) determining a change of torque demand,
• b) controlling said active tappets to provide a commensurate air charge in a respective said combustion chamber, wherein each active tappet is individually commanded by an electronic control unit of said engine to change a volume of air available for combustion in a respective cylinder for successive combustion events in the respective cylinder,
• c) commanding a selected type of combustion appropriate to said commensurate air charge in said combustion chamber by adjusting a timing of commencement of combustion,
• d) repeating steps a), b) and c) for successive combustion events in said combustion chamber.