Patent ID: 7318395

Claim:
An internal combustion engine ( 1 ) including a cylinder block ( 4 ) and a cylinder head ( 3 ) and having a coolant circuit ( 2 ) comprising a first coolant line ( 6 ) extending to the cylinder block ( 4 ) and a second coolant line ( 5 ) leading to the cylinder head ( 3 ), the cylinder head ( 3 ) having at least one engine intake valve ( 12 ) and at least one engine exhaust valve ( 11 ) per cylinder, an additional cooling duct ( 9 ) arranged in the cylinder head ( 3 ) in close proximity to the engine valves ( 11 , 12 ) and connected to the second coolant line ( 5 ), at least one junction ( 10 ) between the cylinder head ( 3 ) and the cylinder block ( 4 ) providing for communication between the cylinder block ( 4 ) and the additional cooling duct ( 9 ) via said junction ( 10 ), at least said one of junction ( 10 ) being on opening ( 4 ′) in a cylinder head gasket ( 3 ′) disposed between the cylinder block ( 4 ) and the cylinder head ( 3 ).