System and method for valve timing

A valve timing system for use within a camless engine of the type including a first cylinder having a first valve and a first compression ratio, and a second cylinder having a second valve and a second compression ratio, said valve timing system comprising:

• a first actuator which selectively actuates said first valve;
• a second actuator which selectively actuates said second valve;
• and
• a controller which is communicatively coupled to said first and second actuators, said controller being effective to selectively communicate a first signal to said first actuator effective to actuate said first valve and a second signal to said second actuator effective to actuate said second valve, said controller being further effective to vary said first signal based upon said first compression ratio and to vary said second signal based upon said second compression ratio, thereby causing said first cylinder and said second cylinder to have a substantially similar susceptibility to knock.

A method for valve timing for use with a camless engine of the type including a plurality of cylinders each having a certain valve timing profile, and a knock sensor which is effective to detect knock in each of said plurality of cylinders, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining a unique one of said plurality of cylinders in which said sensor can most easily detect knock;
• measuring a compression ratio for each of said plurality of cylinders;
• and
• selectively altering said certain timing profile of said unique one of said plurality of cylinders based upon said measured compression ratios, said alteration being effective to cause said unique one of said plurality of cylinders to be most susceptible to knock, thereby substantially preventing undetected knock within said engine.