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The effects of variable valve timing and lift are studied in order to improve the thermal efficiency of a diesel engine, while maintaining low emission levels. At high load conditions, early closing of one of the intake valves or early intake valve opening realizes an enhancement of swirl intensity without increased pumping losses, and retarded intake valve closing reduces the effective compression ratio, both of which result in an increased exhaust gas recirculation ratio and an advanced fuel injection timing. Consequently low NO x formation and an improved thermal efficiency can be achieved simultaneously. At low load conditions, the injected fuel is dispersed in the cylinder by air swirl because of the small fuel quantity, and the increased effective compression ratio achieved by the early intake valve closing becomes effective at reducing hydrocarbon emissions. It is confirmed that the variable valve timing and lift system introduced in this research can flexibly change the engine parameters that govern engine combustion at various engine operating conditions. As a result, a 40 per cent reduction of engine-out NO x emissions and 4 per cent improvement of fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) are achieved. Furthermore, low-end torque could be increased by 40 per cent, utilizing exhaust pressure pulsation by matching of exhaust valve opening timing, and the overlap of intake and exhaust valve opening around top dead centre in the intake stroke. To enhance these benefits a new piston chamber with deep valve pockets is developed and its effect is investigated.

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