Device and method configured to control valve operation in a piston engine

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• an exhaust valve configured to move to a first open position to enable an exhaust product to flow through an exhaust port of the internal combustion engine;
• an intake valve configured to move to a second open position to enable an intake product to flow through an intake port of the internal combustion engine;
• and
• a valve controller configured (i) to position the exhaust valve at the first open position during a stroke of a piston of the internal combustion engine, (ii) to position the exhaust valve at the second open position, during the same stroke of the piston, (iii) to maintain the exhaust valve at the second open position for a predetermined time period, and (iv) to move the intake valve to a third open position during the predetermined time period,
• wherein a lift of the exhaust valve at the first open position is greater than a lift of the exhaust valve at the second open position.

A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising:

• moving an exhaust valve to a first open position to enable an exhaust product to flow through an exhaust port of the internal combustion engine;
• moving the exhaust valve to a second open position, a lift of the exhaust valve at the first open position being greater than a lift of the exhaust valve at the second open position;
• and
• moving an intake valve to a third open position to enable an intake product to flow through an intake port of the internal combustion engine, a lift of the intake valve at the third open position always being less than the lift of the exhaust valve at the first open position.