Patent ID: 6314926
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a valve and a camshaft, the camshaft having an axis of rotation, a first lobe and a second lobe, the second lobe being angularly spaced-apart about the axis from the fist lobe, the first lobe extending further from the axis of rotation than the second lobe, the apparatus comprising:a follower operatively engageable with the camshaft and the valve, the follower being positioned to operatively engage the first lobe on each revolution of the camshaft and thereby open said valve a first time on each revolution on the camshaft; anda mechanism for selectively changing operative clearance between the follower and at least one of the camshaft and the valve, the mechanism selectively reduces said clearance on each revolution of the camshaft, from a first clearance where the valve is opened by the first lobe, after the valve is opened by the first lobe, the follower operatively engaging the second lobe and opening the valve a second time on each revolution of the camshaft when the first clearance is so reduced, and said mechanism increasing the clearance to the first clearance on each revolution of the camshaft after the valve is opened the second time and before the valve is fully opened by the first lobe again.