valve overlap

valve overlap

valve overlapThe portion of the operating cycle of a reciprocating engine in which, when the piston is passing TDC (top dead center) on the exhaust stroke, both the intake and exhaust valves are open. Valve overlap increases the efficiency of the engine operation by allowing the low pressure caused by the exhaust gases leaving the cylinder to help the fresh charge of fuel-air mixture in the induction system to start moving into the engine.