Internal combustion engine valvetrain

Abstract

An internal combustion engine valvetrain for an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine Includes one or more cylinders with one or more intake valves, one or more blowdown exhaust valves, and one or more scavenge exhaust valves. In one example, the internal combustion engine valvetrain includes a first valve actuation mechanism to open and close the blowdown exhaust valves, and Includes a second valve actuation mechanism to open and close the scavenge exhaust valves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product comprising:
 an internal combustion engine valvetrain for an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder having at least one intake valve, at least one blowdown exhaust valve, and at least one scavenge exhaust valve, the internal combustion engine valvetrain comprising a first valve actuation mechanism constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one blowdown exhaust valve, and including a second valve actuation mechanism constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one scavenge exhaust valve, wherein the first valve actuation mechanism is a separate and distinct component than the second valve actuation mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first valve actuation mechanism comprises a camshaft and a rocker arm that are constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one blowdown exhaust valve and that are constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one intake valve. 
     
     
         3 . A product as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the second valve actuation mechanism comprises a second camshaft that is constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one scavenge exhaust valve, and wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain further comprises a variable valve timing mechanism operatively equipped to the second camshaft. 
     
     
         4 . A product as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the variable valve timing mechanism comprises a variable camshaft phaser. 
     
     
         5 . A product as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain further comprises a second variable valve timing mechanism operatively equipped to the first camshaft. 
     
     
         6 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first valve actuation mechanism comprises a first camshaft, and the second valve actuation mechanism comprises a second camshaft, and wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain further comprises a third valve actuation mechanism with a third camshaft constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one intake valve. 
     
     
         7 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first valve actuation mechanism comprises a camshaft, and the second valve actuation mechanism comprises a first camless valve actuation mechanism, and wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain further comprises a second camless valve actuation mechanism that is constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one intake valve. 
     
     
         8 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first valve actuation mechanism comprises a first camshaft, wherein the second valve actuation mechanism also actuates the at least one intake valve, wherein the second valve actuation mechanism comprises a second camshaft, and wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain further comprises a variable valve timing mechanism operatively equipped to the second camshaft, the variable valve timing mechanism comprising an oil chamber and a solenoid valve that selectively interacts with the oil chamber during valve actuation. 
     
     
         9 . A product comprising:
 an internal combustion engine valvetrain for an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder having at least one intake valve, at least one blowdown exhaust valve, and at least one scavenge exhaust valve, the internal combustion engine valvetrain comprising a first actuation means constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one blowdown exhaust valve and constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one intake valve, the internal combustion engine valvetrain comprising a second actuation means constructed and arranged to actuate the at least one scavenge exhaust valve.   
     
     
         10 . A product as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the internal combustion engine valvetrain comprises a variable camshaft phaser operatively equipped to the second actuation means. 
     
     
         11 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the first actuation means comprises a first camshaft and a first rocker arm, and wherein the second actuation means comprises a second camshaft. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 actuating a blowdown exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine; and   separately and distinctly, actuating a scavenge exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine.   
     
     
         13 . A method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein actuating the blowdown exhaust valve further comprises actuating the blowdown exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine via a first valve actuation mechanism, and wherein actuating the scavenge exhaust valve further comprises actuating the scavenge exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine via a second valve actuation mechanism that is a separate and distinct component than the first valve actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising:
 actuating an intake valve of the internal combustion engine via the first valve actuation mechanism.