Patent ID: 7975662

Claim:
An internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve control system in which a rocker arm is disposed between an engine valve and first and second cams for the engine valve, wherein the rocker arm is pivotally supported by a rocker arm shaft and is slidably movable in an axial direction of the rocker arm shaft; and the rocker arm is axially slidable in response to a movement of the rocker arm shaft to selectively engage with one of said cams, whereby control of the engine valve is switchable between said cams; the internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder head in which the rocker arm shaft, a camshaft and the engine valve are installed, the camshaft having said first and second cams thereon; a hydraulic actuator operable to slidably move the rocker arm shaft in an axial direction thereof, the hydraulic actuator being disposed on one side of the cylinder head where one end of the rocker arm shaft is arranged; wherein the hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder which is disposed with its axis parallel to the axis of the rocker arm shaft, and is disposed so as to extend across a timing chamber formed in said one side of the cylinder head; and wherein an operation element extends out of a sidewall of a plunger of the hydraulic cylinder, said operation element engageable with the rocker arm shaft to activate the rocker arm shaft.