Patent ID: 8667938

Claim:
An apparatus for opening and closing one or more cylinder valves of an internal combustion engine comprising: a valve actuating shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis; at least one cam assembly positioned along the length of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft about the shaft axis rotates the cam assembly, the cam assembly comprising a cam body portion and a cam adjustment portion, the cam adjustment portion being coupled to the cam body portion for movement in a first direction outwardly from the cam body portion to increase the distance around the cam body portion and cam adjustment portion and for movement in a second direction inwardly toward the cam body to reduce the distance around the cam body portion and cam adjustment portion; a cam actuator coupled to the cam adjustment portion and positioned within the valve actuating shaft, the cam actuator being operable such that movement of the cam actuator in one direction moves the cam adjustment portion in the first direction and movement of the cam actuator in another direction allows the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the second direction; the cam assembly comprising a band comprising at least one spring portion of an expandable and retractable length, the band surrounding the cam body portion and cam adjustment portion, the spring portion expanding in length in response to the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the first direction and contracting in length in response to the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the second direction; the cam body portion further comprising at least first and second wedging surfaces that at least partially underlay and face the band, the first wedging surface leading in the direction of rotation of the cam assembly and the second wedging surface lagging in the direction of rotation of the cam assembly; the cam assembly comprising a first wedge coupled to the cam adjustment portion and positioned at least partially between the first wedging surface and the band, the cam assembly also comprising a second wedge coupled to the cam adjustment portion and positioned at least partially between the second wedge surface and the band, the first and second wedges being movable with the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the first and second directions; the first wedge and first wedging surface and the second wedge and second wedging surface being configured to adjust the shape of the band to cause the opening of the valve to commence earlier in the rotational position of the cam assembly with the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the first direction and to cause the opening of the one or more valves to commence later in the rotational position of the cam assembly with the movement of the cam adjustment portion in the second direction; and a valve actuator coupled to the cam assembly and operable to open and close one or more cylinder valves as the cam assembly rotates.