Pneumatically actuated valve for internal combustion engines

A pneumatically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a pneumatic valve comprised of a hollow cylindrical body having an open upper end, a lower end closed and circumscribed by an annular valve seat, a plurality of radially-spaced ports adjacent said lower end and in fluid communication with the open upper end, and an annular collar above said plurality of ports;
• a valve housing formed in a cylinder wall of said internal combustion engine, said housing comprising a larger diameter upper section for slidably receiving said valve collar, and a smaller diameter lower section for slidably receiving the cylindrical body of said pneumatic valve and for engaging said valve collar to limit further sliding of said valve, said lower section opening to a combustion chamber of the engine;
• whereby when said pneumatic valve is in a downward position said valve collar abuts said smaller diameter lower section and said ports remain open to the combustion chamber of the engine to allow gas flow, and when said pneumatic valve is in an upward position said ports are closed to prevent air flow to the combustion chamber of the engine.