Light load air delivery system for an internal combustion engine

An internal combustion engine configured to selectively receive intake air from an intake duct, the internal combustion engine comprising:

• a cylinder head defining at least one intake port selectively openable by at least one poppet valve, wherein said poppet valve is biased against a valve seat area of said cylinder head;
• a controllable valve;
• a light load air intake passage operable to communicate intake air from the intake duct to said controllable valve;
• a light load air intake manifold configured to selectively receive intake air from said controllable valve;
• a plurality of feed passages at least partially defined by said cylinder head and extending through said cylinder head into said at least one intake port substantially adjacent to said valve seat area;
• and
• wherein said plurality of feed passages are operable to receive intake air from said light load air intake manifold and to communicate said intake air to said at least one intake port.

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• an intake duct operable to communicate intake air to the internal combustion engine;
• a cylinder head defining at least one intake port selectively openable by at least one poppet valve, wherein said poppet valve is biased against a valve seat area of said cylinder head;
• a controllable valve;
• a light load air intake passage operable to communicate intake air from the intake duct to said controllable valve;
• a light load air intake manifold configured to selectively receive intake air from said controllable valve;
• an intake manifold having a plenum volume and at least one intake runner operable to communicate intake air from said plenum volume to said at least one intake port;
• a throttle body operable to selectively communicate intake air from said intake duct to said plenum volume of said intake manifold;
• wherein said throttle body is in downstream intake air flow relation to said light load air intake passage;
• at least one feed passage at least partially defined by said cylinder head and extending through said cylinder head into said at least one intake port substantially adjacent to said valve seat area;
• and
• wherein said at least one feed passage is operable to receive said intake air from said light load air intake manifold and communicate said intake air to said at least one intake port.