Method of controlling electronically controlled valves to prevent interference between the valves and a piston

An engine assembly, comprising:

• an engine block having a piston cylinder defined therein;
• an engine head secured to said engine block;
• a piston which translates within said piston cylinder, wherein said engine block, said engine head, and said piston cooperate to define a combustion chamber;
• a crankshaft mechanically coupled to said piston;
• a conduit in fluid communication with said combustion chamber;
• an engine valve which is movable between an open position which places said combustion chamber in fluid communication with said conduit and a closed position which isolates said combustion chamber from fluid communication with said conduit;
• a crankshaft sensor for sensing position of said crankshaft and generating a frequency signal in response thereto;
• and
• an engine control unit which is operable to (i) calculate a crankshaft speed and a crankshaft acceleration based on said frequency signal (ii) calculate a future piston position based on said crankshaft speed and said crankshaft acceleration, (iii) calculate a future engine valve position, (iv) compare said future piston position to said future engine valve position to determine if said future valve position interferes with said future piston position, and (v) cause said engine valve to be located in said closed position in response to determining that said future engine valve position interferes with said future piston position.

A method of operating an engine having a crankshaft, a piston, an engine valve, a combustion chamber, and a conduit, wherein (i) the engine valve is movable between an open position and a closed position, (ii) the engine valve allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the conduit when the engine valve is positioned in the open position, and (iii) the engine valve prevents fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the conduit when the engine valve is positioned in the closed position, comprising the steps of:

• calculating a future piston position of the piston;
• calculating a future engine valve position of the engine valve;
• comparing the future piston position to the future engine valve position to determine if the future engine valve position interferes with the future piston position;
• and
• moving the engine valve toward the closed position in response to determining that the future engine valve position interferes with the future piston position.