Patent ID: 7909017

Claim:
Apparatus for modifying engine valve lift to produce an engine valve event in an internal combustion engine, the engine including at least one exhaust valve and an exhaust valve lifter for cyclically opening and closing the at least one exhaust valve, said apparatus comprising: (a) an actuator for operating the at least one exhaust valve to produce said modified engine valve lift, said actuator having an inoperative position and an operative position; in said inoperative position said actuator being disengaged from the operation of the at least one exhaust valve, and in said operative position said actuator opening the at least one exhaust valve for said engine valve event; said actuator comprising a mechanical linkage for transmitting a load generated by said engine valve event, said actuator further comprising a lash adjusting system for setting a lash between said actuator and the at least one exhaust valve, and (b) a controller for moving said actuator between said inoperative position and said operative position.