Method of reducing exhaust gas emissions during cold start conditions and an internal combustion engine in which the method is used

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a cylinder;
• a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position;
• at least one intake valve coupled to said cylinder;
• a fuel injector assembly coupled to said cylinder;
• an intake valve control means for controlling the opening and closing of said intake valve;
• and
• an engine control unit coupled to said intake valve control means and said fuel injector assembly wherein said engine control unit commands said intake valve to open after top dead center of said piston and commands said fuel injector assembly to inject fuel shortly after valve opening in a first fuel injection and wherein said to inject another amount of fuel shortly before a firing of said spark in a second fuel injection.

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a cylinder;
• a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position;
• at least one intake valve coupled to said cylinder;
• a fuel injector assembly coupled to said cylinder;
• an intake valve control means for controlling the opening and closing of said intake valve;
• an engine control unit coupled to said intake valve control means and said fuel injector assembly wherein said engine control unit commands said intake valve to open after top dead center of said piston and commands said fuel injector assembly to inject fuel shortly after said valve opening;
• and
• a spark plug coupled to said cylinder and electronically coupled to said engine control unit, said electronic control unit commanding said spark to fire such that 50% of the heat released of combustion occurs between 70 and 110 degrees after top dead center of said piston.