Patent attributes
A method for controlling the output of an internal combustion engine includes opening an intake valve on a cylinder; receiving air from an intake manifold into the cylinder during an intake stroke of a piston in the cylinder; returning excess air from the cylinder back into the intake manifold during the initial portion of the compression stroke of the piston, wherein a quantity of combustion air or air/fuel mixture necessary for a desired engine power output remains in the cylinder; and then closing the intake valve. A control device includes a control camshaft rotatively coupled to the crankshaft having a control cam with lobes that engage the intake valves for holding one or more intake valves open; a cam phaser to vary the phase of the controlled cam relative to the main camshaft; and a cam phase controller linked to the cam phaser, wherein advancing the phase of the control cam increases the power output of the internal combustion engine.
