Abstract: A pushrod assembly 5 may include a seal carrier 50 for a spaced seal assembly 60 and/or a seal carrier 70 for a stacked seal assembly 74, the spaced seal assembly including first and second annular seals 61, 62 separated by a spacer 63 to isolate between the seals a vented region 28 of the pushrod housing 6, the stacked seal assembly including at least two annular seals 80 stacked on the seal carrier. Each seal assembly can be removed and replaced via an access end 52, 72 of the seal carrier after detaching the access end from an adjacent component of the assembly. The seal carriers may be incorporated into a cryogenic pump 2 wherein at least one annular seal is arranged on each seal carrier to seal the pushrod assembly 5 within its housing 6.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly 5 may include a seal carrier 50 for a spaced seal assembly 60 and/or a seal carrier 70 for a stacked seal assembly 74, the spaced seal assembly including first and second annular seals 61, 62 separated by a spacer 63 to isolate between the seals a vented region 28 of the pushrod housing 6, the stacked seal assembly including at least two annular seals 80 stacked on the seal carrier. Each seal assembly can be removed and replaced via an access end 52, 72 of the seal carrier after detaching the access end from an adjacent component of the assembly. The seal carriers may be incorporated into a cryogenic pump 2 wherein at least one annular seal is arranged on each seal carrier to seal the pushrod assembly 5 within its housing 6.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a reciprocating-piston engine includes a storage tank; a wall of the storage tank defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough; a first fuel injector fluidly coupled with the first aperture of the storage tank via a pressure control module and a first fuel injector supply conduit; a pump fluidly coupled with the second aperture of the storage tank; and a second fuel injector fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the pump via a second fuel injector supply conduit. The pressure control module is configured to maintain a pressure in the first fuel injector supply conduit within a pressure range that includes a pressure value that is less than a pressure inside the storage tank. The pump is configured to maintain a pressure inside the second fuel injector supply conduit that is greater than the pressure inside the first fuel injector supply conduit.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a reciprocating-piston engine includes a storage tank; a wall of the storage tank defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough; a first fuel injector fluidly coupled with the first aperture of the storage tank via a pressure control module and a first fuel injector supply conduit; a pump fluidly coupled with the second aperture of the storage tank; and a second fuel injector fluidly coupled with an outlet port of the pump via a second fuel injector supply conduit. The pressure control module is configured to maintain a pressure in the first fuel injector supply conduit within a pressure range that includes a pressure value that is less than a pressure inside the storage tank. The pump is configured to maintain a pressure inside the second fuel injector supply conduit that is greater than the pressure inside the first fuel injector supply conduit.

Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a dual fuel injector that has disposed therein a gaseous nozzle chamber fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel inlet, and a liquid nozzle chamber fluidly connected to the liquid fuel inlet. The dual fuel injector also includes a hydraulic lock seal with an annular volume of liquid fuel surrounding a guide segment of a gas needle valve member for inhibiting migration of gaseous fuel into the liquid fuel. A liquid fuel common rail is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel inlet. A check valve is fluidly positioned between the gaseous fuel common rail and the gaseous nozzle chamber of the dual fuel injector for blocking liquid fuel leaked into a gaseous nozzle chamber through the hydraulic lock seal from entering the gaseous fuel common rail.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting gaseous fuel into a compression ignition engine are disclosed. A gaseous fuel injector includes a pintle valve and an intensifier. The pintle valve includes a pintle body defining a pintle bore therethrough, a first sealing surface disposed on a distal end of the pintle body, and a pintle disposed within the pintle bore. The pintle includes a shaft, a radially flared portion, and a second sealing surface disposed on a proximal face of the radially flared portion, such that the first sealing surface faces the second sealing surface. The intensifier includes an intensifier body defining a fuel pump chamber therein, the fuel pump chamber being fluidly coupled to a gaseous fuel supply and the pintle bore, a plunger having a distal end disposed in the fuel pump chamber, and an intensifier piston disposed on a proximal end of the plunger.

Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine supplies natural gas fuel and liquid diesel fuel to each engine cylinder from a common fuel injector. Each fuel injector is fluidly connected to both a liquid fuel common rail and a gaseous fuel common rail. The engine includes a surplus gas system for capturing surplus gas, such as evaporated gas from the gaseous fuel supply and pressure control system, or left over pressurized natural gas produced by engine shut down. Rather than being vented to atmosphere, the surplus gas can be burned in the engine when operating conditions present burn opportunities.

Abstract: Operating a dual gaseous and liquid fuel engine includes injecting gaseous and liquid fuels directly into an engine cylinder, and compression igniting the liquid fuel to ignite the gaseous fuel therein. Data indicative of energy content of injected gaseous fuel and also energy content of gaseous fuel conveyed to compensate for depletion of gaseous fuel via injection is received, and a signal outputted indicative of an energy imbalance between the injected and conveyed gaseous fuel responsive to the data. Diagnostics are run in response to the signal.

Abstract: A combustion engine system and a method of operating the combustion engine system are disclosed. The combustion engine system includes a first fuel pump operatively coupled to a first prime mover and fluidly coupled to a fuel reservoir, a first power source operatively coupled to the first prime mover, the first power source including a first controller, a third fuel pump having an inlet that is fluidly coupled to a discharge of the first fuel pump, a first filter in fluid communication with the first fuel pump, a combustion engine fluidly coupled to a discharge of the third fuel pump and operative to convert fuel from the third fuel pump into shaft power. The first controller is configured to drive the first prime mover at a substantially constant power, independent of a rate of consumption of the fuel by the combustion engine.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting gaseous fuel into a compression ignition engine are disclosed. A gaseous fuel injector includes a pintle valve and an intensifier. The pintle valve includes a pintle body defining a pintle bore therethrough, a first sealing surface disposed on a distal end of the pintle body, and a pintle disposed within the pintle bore. The pintle includes a shaft, a radially flared portion, and a second sealing surface disposed on a proximal face of the radially flared portion, such that the first sealing surface faces the second sealing surface. The intensifier includes an intensifier body defining a fuel pump chamber therein, the fuel pump chamber being fluidly coupled to a gaseous fuel supply and the pintle bore, a plunger having a distal end disposed in the fuel pump chamber, and an intensifier piston disposed on a proximal end of the plunger.

Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine supplies natural gas fuel and liquid diesel fuel to each engine cylinder from a common fuel injector. Each fuel injector is fluidly connected to both a liquid fuel common rail and a gaseous fuel common rail. The engine includes a surplus gas system for capturing surplus gas, such as evaporated gas from the gaseous fuel supply and pressure control system, or left over pressurized natural gas produced by engine shut down. Rather than being vented to atmosphere, the surplus gas can be burned in the engine when operating conditions present burn opportunities.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an engine system having liquid and gaseous fuel systems, each of which injects fuel directly into an engine cylinder. A controller monitors and controls engine operation in a normal mode, during which the engine produces rated power, and in a limp-home mode, which is used when an abnormal operating condition of the gaseous fuel system is present. During limp-home mode operation, the engine uses more liquid fuel and less or no gaseous fuel relative to the normal mode, and produces power that is less than rated power.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet and a low pressure space. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position.

Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a dual fuel injector that has disposed therein a gaseous nozzle chamber fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel inlet, and a liquid nozzle chamber fluidly connected to the liquid fuel inlet. The dual fuel injector also includes a hydraulic lock seal with an annular volume of liquid fuel surrounding a guide segment of a gas needle valve member for inhibiting migration of gaseous fuel into the liquid fuel. A liquid fuel common rail is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel inlet. A check valve is fluidly positioned between the gaseous fuel common rail and the gaseous nozzle chamber of the dual fuel injector for blocking liquid fuel leaked into a gaseous nozzle chamber through the hydraulic lock seal from entering the gaseous fuel common rail.

Abstract: A fuel injector configured to inject a predetermined volume of fuel, such as heavy fuel oil, is disclosed. The disclosed injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a fuel passageway, and an orifice. The injector also includes a needle disclosed at least partially within the injector body. The needle is movable between a closed position where the needle blocks the orifice and an open position where the needle at least partially unblocks the orifice. At least the injector body and the needle define a nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber is in communication with a high pressure fuel passageway and the orifice. The fuel passageway and nozzle chamber have a combined volume greater than the predetermined injection volume.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet and a low pressure space. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system for a compression ignition engine includes supplying biofuel, which may be part of a mixture, to an inlet of a fuel lubricated pump. At least one bearing of the pump is lubricated with the biofuel. The fuel lubricated pump supplies high pressure fuel to a common rail. A plurality of fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the common rail, and each include at least one nozzle orifice for injecting the biofuel into the combustion space of the engine. Nozzle orifice coking is limited at least in part by employing a spinodal bronze alloy in the bearing of the fuel lubricated pump.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a tappet assembly for a machine. The assembly may include a tappet body, a pin fixedly mounted in the tappet body, and a substantially cylindrical roller mounted about the pin. The roller may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface with a circumferential dimension and a width dimension, the width dimension being defined by two lateral edges. The roller may be configured to provide rolling contact between the outer surface of the roller and a cam lobe. The outer surface of the roller may be crowned such that at maximum operational loading conditions of the machine a footprint of contact pressure from the cam lobe is spread substantially the full width of outer cylindrical surface of the roller.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a quality characteristic of a product to be manufactured. The method may integrate one or more of feature and tolerance information associated with the product, manufacturing characteristic information associated with the manufacture of the product, measurement capability characteristic information associated with the manufacture of the product, assembly characteristic information associated with an assembly of the product, and desired quality characteristic information associated with the product. Based on the integrated information, the quality characteristic of the product may be predicted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into a machine are disclosed. A fluid injector is disclosed having a nozzle body with first and second body portions and at least one fluid injection orifice within the second body portion. The nozzle body may be configured for transmitting fluid from the first body portion toward the orifice. The fluid injector may also include a check member movably arranged inside the nozzle body for affecting fluid flow through the orifice and having a contoured outer surface defining (i) a recessed region and (ii) a generally convex region forming at least a portion of the recessed region.