Lost motion valve control apparatus

A valve control device for an internal combustion engine with an engine valve and a camshaft having a cam profile including a first lift profile and a second lift profile, the valve control device comprising:

• a first body having an end portion that includes first one or more raised sections and first one or more recesses;
• and
• a second body having an end portion that includes second one or more raised sections and second one or more recesses;
• wherein the valve control device is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration;
• when the valve control device is in the first configuration, the second one or more recesses respectively face the first one or more raised sections, thereby enabling relative movement between the first body and the second body, caused when said first lift profile engages a cam engagement surface, to inhibit a valve actuating linkage from actuating said engine valve, and when said second lift profile engages the cam engagement surface, the valve control device allows initial relative movement between the first body and the second body before the end portions are brought into contact to prevent subsequent relative movement and enable the valve actuating linkage to actuate said engine valve;
• when the valve control device is in the second configuration, the second one or more raised sections respectively face the first one or more raised sections, thereby preventing relative movement between the first body and the second body, caused when the first lift profile engages the cam engagement surface, to enable the valve actuating linkage to actuate said engine valve;
• and the respective end portions of the first body and the second body are arranged such that substantially all of the force exerted thereon as the valve is actuated is compressive.