CPC F02D 41/0087 (2013.01) [F02D 13/0207 (2013.01); F02D 13/06 (2013.01); F02D 41/042 (2013.01); F02D 41/123 (2013.01); F02D 2041/001 (2013.01); F02D 2041/002 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A controller for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine, the controller being configured to:
during fuel cut, cause opening of an intake valve of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine to enable air having a mass to enter the cylinder; wherein
the mass is below a first range of masses which enable the internal combustion engine to provide combustion torque, wherein the controller, in dependence on a fuel cut request signal being received while the intake valve is open, or about to be opened having been scheduled, is configured to:
cause air having a mass in the first range of masses to enter the cylinder;
cause injection of fuel into the cylinder;
cause closing of the intake valve; and
subsequently cause opening of the intake valve to enable air having a mass below the first range of masses to enter the cylinder during the intake stroke of the cylinder next following said closing of the intake valve, and
wherein the controller is configured to:
cause ignition of fuel in the cylinder following said closing of the intake valve,
enable combustion of the fuel in the cylinder during a next power stroke following the closing of the intake valve, and
cause said ignition only after a piston in the cylinder has reached top dead center.
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