Patent ID: 7762220

Claim:
An internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase; a crankshaft disposed in the crankcase; a cylinder block connected to the crankcase; first and second cylinders disposed in the cylinder block, the first cylinder having a first exhaust port, the second cylinder having a second exhaust port; a first piston movably disposed within the first cylinder and a second piston movably disposed within the second cylinder, the first and second pistons being operatively connected to the crankshaft; a valve assembly operatively connected to the cylinder block, the valve assembly comprising: at least one valve actuator comprising a first actuator and a second actuator; a first valve operatively connected to the at least one valve actuator, the first valve being movable between a first position wherein the first valve extends a first distance in the first exhaust port and a second position wherein the first valve extends a second distance in the first exhaust port, the second distance being less than the first distance, the first valve being actuated by the first actuator; a second valve operatively connected to the at least one valve actuator, the second valve being movable between a first position wherein the second valve extends a first distance in the second exhaust port and a second position wherein the second valve extends a second distance in the second exhaust port, the second distance being less than the first distance, the second valve being actuated by the second actuator; and a valve connecting member connected to the first and second valves and movable therewith; a position sensor having first and second portions, the first portion of the position sensor being connected to the cylinder block, the second portion of the position sensor being connected to the valve connecting member; and an electronic control unit (ECU) electrically connected to the position sensor, wherein the engine operates on a two-stroke principle.