Patent ID: 7231892

Claim:
A method of extending the load range of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition in an internal combustion engine including an engine cylinder having a piston, the method comprising: detecting a current state of the engine; detecting a load demand placed on the engine; determining if the load demand is beyond a power generating capacity of a four-stroke engine cycle based solely on the current state of the engine and the load demand; and switching from the four-stroke engine cycle mode to a two-stroke engine cycle mode when it is determined that the load demand is beyond the capacity of the four-stroke engine cycle, by modifying a timing of actuating an intake valve and an exhaust valve independently of the position of a corresponding cylinder piston; wherein each cylinder in the engine has a single overhead intake valve assembly; and wherein the step of switching from the four-stroke engine cycle mode to a two-stroke engine cycle mode includes: opening an exhaust valve early during an expansion of the piston through the engine cylinder; and introducing a new charge into the cylinder via the single overhead intake valve assembly coupled to an intake manifold by boosting pressure in the intake manifold to higher than atmospheric pressure.