Pneumatic hybrid internal combustion engine on the basis of fixed camshafts

Method for the operation of an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine comprising:

• at least one combustion chamber bordered by a cylinder, in which a piston is arranged mechanically interconnected to a crank shaft via a piston rod and a cylinder head with an inlet valve and an exhaust valve both mechanically interconnected via a valve gear to the crank shaft;
• and at least one charge valve which is actuated by a charge valve actuator in a fully variable manner such that the engine is operated in a four stroke pneumatic mode,
• wherein in a four-stroke pneumatic pump mode, the combustion engine is propelled by the drive train, the method comprising:
• a. aspirating air via an inlet valve during an intake stroke
• b. compressing air during the compression stroke, whereby during compression the charge valve is opened and again closed near the highest position of the cylinder transferring air to a pressure tank,
• c. expanding air in the cylinder during an expansion stroke, and exhausting air via an exhaust valve during an exhaust stroke.