Methods and apparatus to use engine valves as both intake and exhaust valves

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to selectively use engine valves as both intake and exhaust valves and to selectively operate the engine as a 2 cycle or as a 4 cycle engine. In a disclosed embodiment, the intake valves and the exhaust valves, are manifolded together through a small manifold, with the manifold being connectable to the intake manifold or the exhaust manifold through two-way valves. In preferably a camless engine, the engine valves may be controlled to operate the intake valves as intake valves only or to operate as both intake valves and exhaust valves, and to operate the exhaust valves as exhaust valves only or to operate the exhaust valves as both intake valves and exhaust valves. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 775,387 filed Feb. 21, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of the operation and control of engine valves in piston engines. [0004] 2. Prior Art [0005] The present invention is based on the fact that at higher engine speeds and higher power outputs, engines have more difficulty breathing, that is, their volumetric efficiency goes down. Typically modern engines may include, by way of example, two intake valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder to attempt to increase the volumetric efficiency. However, there is a limit as to how much this can achieve, as all four valves must generally fall within a circle of a diameter approximately equal to the piston diameter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section through an engine head illustrating one emb...

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However, there is a limit as to how much this can achieve, as all four valves must ge

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