Patent ID: 6889639

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling gas exchange valves in combustion cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising a plurality of hydraulic valve actuators ( 11 ) each assigned to one gas exchange valve ( 10 ), each valve actuator ( 11 ) having one adjusting piston ( 13 ) acting on the gas exchange valve ( 10 ) and two hydraulic work chambers ( 121 , 122 ) defined by the adjusting piston ( 13 ), the first work chamber ( 121 ), acting on the gas exchange valve ( 10 ) in the closing direction and being constantly filled with a fluid that is under pressure, the second work chamber ( 122 ) acting on the gas exchange valve ( 10 ) in the opening direction, can be filled with and relieved of a fluid that is under pressure in alternation via a first and second electrical control valve ( 24 and 25 ; 26 and 27 ), two valve actuators ( 11 ) at a time are triggered by the same first control valve ( 24 and 26 , respectively) and the same second control valve ( 25 and 27 , respectively), and the switchover of the first and second control valves ( 24 and 25 ; 26 and 27 ) from one valve actuator ( 11 ) to the other is performed during the closing state of the two gas exchange valves ( 10 ) actuated by these valve actuators ( 11 ).