Patent ID: 6386179
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: F01L,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
A valve timing system for use with an internal combustion engine of the type including a cylinder having at least one intake valve, said system comprising:at least one actuator which selectively actuates said at least one intake valve; a torque monitoring sensor which is operatively disposed within said cylinder and which is effective to measure a torque output of said cylinder and to generate a signal representing said measured torque output; and a controller which is communicatively coupled to said torque monitoring sensor and to said at least one actuator, said controller being effective to receive said signal and to cause said at least one actuator to actuate said at least one intake valve according to a predetermined timing profile, said controller being further effective to selectively alter said predetermined timing profile based upon said received signal, thereby selectively altering said torque output of said cylinder; wherein said at least one actuator is effective to actuate said intake valve for a certain duration of time in which a certain amount of air and fuel enters said cylinder and wherein said controller is further effective to determine whether said torque output is greater than a certain value and to selectively shorten said certain duration of time in response to said determination, effective to decrease said certain amount of air and fuel, thereby reducing said torque output of said cylinder.