Early exhaust valve opening control system and method

Abstract

An exhaust valve system for an internal combustion engine including a turbocharger is provided for effectively increasing the turbocharged boost pressure at low load engine conditions thereby effectively improving engine transient response. The exhaust valve system includes an exhaust valve control device operable in a normal timing mode for permitting normal opening of one or more exhaust valves at a normal opening crank angle, and in an advanced timing mode for advancing the timing of the opening of the exhaust valve to an advanced opening crank angle prior to the normal opening crank angle while maintaining the timing of normal closing of the exhaust valves at a normal closing crank angle. In one embodiment, the exhaust valve control device includes a tappet and an actuating fluid supply which operate to move the tappet between expanded and collapsed states to advance the opening of the exhaust valve while permitting normal exhaust valve lift to be introduced prior to peak exhaust valve lift thereby maintaining the normal peak lift and the normal timing of exhaust valve closure. In a second embodiment, the exhaust valve control device includes a dedicated advanced timing mode rocker lever capable of selectively actuating one of a pair of exhaust valves to create an early opening exhaust event prior to a normal exhaust event.