Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to a combustion chamber having a chamber ceiling, the fuel injector having a primary axis and able to control fuel delivery through a first outlet opening or together through both the first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. The first and second outlet openings are oriented such that, in use, when fuel delivery is permitted through only the first outlet opening, a first spray formation reaches a first target distance below the chamber ceiling at a radial distance from the primary axis. When fuel delivery is permitted through both openings together, respective first and second spray formations merge externally of the injector so as to give rise to a combined spray formation reaching second target distance below the chamber ceiling at the radial distance from the primary nozzle axis, wherein the second target distance is larger than the first target distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for testing a multi-hole fuel injector nozzle. The apparatus comprises mounting means for the multi-hole nozzle and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the multi-hole nozzle. The multi-hole nozzle is mounted outside a measurement chamber for capturing the fuel spray from an individual spray hole outlet of the multi-hole nozzle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray target plate, located within the measurement chamber, at which the fuel spray is directed. The spray target plate (28) is connected to a remote pressure sensor, which is used to determine the spray force of the fuel spray acting on the spray target plate. The apparatus is further arranged to determine the mass flow rate of the fuel spray. A new parameter, referred to as ‘momentum efficiency’ is defined, and calculated using the determined values of spray force and mass flow rate.

Abstract: A fuel injector mountable with respect to a combustion chamber for delivering fuel thereto, the combustion chamber comprising a chamber ceiling and a chamber wall, the fuel injector comprising a nozzle body having a primary nozzle axis; a first outlet opening having a first axis; a second outlet opening having a second axis; and means for controlling fuel delivery through the first and second outlet openings. The means for controlling fuel delivery comprises an inner valve needle and an outer valve needle, and is arranged to permit fuel delivery from only the first outlet opening, or through both the first and second outlet openings together. The first and second outlet openings are oriented such that, in use, when fuel delivery is permitted through only said first outlet opening, a first spray formation is injected along the first axis, the first spray formation reaching a first target distance below said chamber ceiling at a radial distance from the primary nozzle axis.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a nozzle body being provided with a nozzle bore and at least one set of one or more outlets for fluid, an outer valve member received within the nozzle bore and being engageable with a first seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a first fluid from a first delivery chamber, the outer valve member being provided with an outer valve bore, and an inner valve member received within the outer valve bore and being engageable with a second seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a second fluid from a second delivery chamber. In various embodiments, the fuel injector can be arranged to allow the first and second fluids to be injected separately and/or together. In one embodiment, the first and second fluids can be mixed within the injector before injection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for testing a multi-hole fuel injector nozzle. The apparatus comprises mounting means for the multi-hole nozzle and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the multi-hole nozzle. The multi-hole nozzle is mounted outside a measurement chamber for capturing the fuel spray from an individual spray hole outlet of the multi-hole nozzle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray target plate, located within the measurement chamber, at which the fuel spray is directed. The spray target plate (28) is connected to a remote pressure sensor, which is used to determine the spray force of the fuel spray acting on the spray target plate. The apparatus is further arranged to determine the mass flow rate of the fuel spray. A new parameter, referred to as ‘momentum efficiency’ is defined, and calculated using the determined values of spray force and mass flow rate.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a nozzle body being provided with a nozzle bore and at least one set of one or more outlets for fluid, an outer valve member received within the nozzle bore and being engageable with a first seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a first fluid from a first delivery chamber, the outer valve member being provided with an outer valve bore, and an inner valve member received within the outer valve bore and being engageable with a second seating region of the nozzle body to control the flow of a second fluid from a second delivery chamber. In various embodiments, the fuel injector can be arranged to allow the first and second fluids to be injected separately and/or together. In one embodiment, the first and second fluids can be mixed within the injector before injection.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (4) for an internal combustion engine, the injection nozzle (4) including a nozzle body (6) provided with a bore (8) defining a valve seating surface, and having a first nozzle outlet and a second nozzle outlet, a first delivery chamber upstream of said nozzle outlets, an outer valve member, moveable within the bore (8) and itself provided with an axial bore (8), wherein the outer valve member is engageable with an outer valve seat defined by the valve seating surface so as to control fuel flow from a first delivery chamber to at least the first nozzle outlet when the outer valve member lifts from its seat.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (10), for use in a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, has an inner valve needle (26) which is engageable with an inner valve seating (24, 58) to control fuel delivery through one or more first nozzle outlets (14), and an outer valve (28) which is engageable with an outer valve seating (24, 70) to control fuel delivery through one or more second outlets (16). The outer valve (28) is provided with a valve bore (36) within which at least a part of the inner valve needle (26) is received. Coupling means (46, 48) are provided for coupling movement of the inner valve needle (26) to the outer valve (28) in circumstances in which the inner valve needle (26) is moved away from the inner valve seating (24, 58) through an amount exceeding a predetermined threshold amount (D). This allows the outer valve (28) to be lifted away from the outer valve seating (24, 70) to provide an increased injection rate.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (4) for an internal combustion engine, the injection nozzle (4) including a nozzle body (6) provided with a bore (8) defining a valve seating surface, and having a first nozzle outlet and a second nozzle outlet, a first delivery chamber upstream of said nozzle outlets, an outer valve member, moveable within the bore (8) and itself provided with an axial bore (8), wherein the outer valve member is engageable with an outer valve seat defined by the valve seating surface so as to control fuel flow from a first delivery chamber to at least the first nozzle outlet when the outer valve member lifts from its seat.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (10), for use in a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, has an inner valve needle (26) which is engageable with an inner valve seating (24, 58) to control fuel delivery through one or more first nozzle outlets (14), and an outer valve (28) which is engageable with an outer valve seating (24, 70) to control fuel delivery through one or more second outlets (16). The outer valve (28) is provided with a valve bore (36) within which at least a part of the inner valve needle (26) is received. Coupling means (46, 48) are provided for coupling movement of the inner valve needle (26) to the outer valve (28) in circumstances in which the inner valve needle (26) is moved away from the inner valve seating (24, 58) through an amount exceeding a predetermined threshold amount (D). This allows the outer valve (28) to be lifted away from the outer valve seating (24, 70) to provide an increased injection rate.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a nozzle body, a first outlet opening having an axis, a second outlet opening having an axis, and means for controlling fuel delivery through the first and second outlet openings. The axes of the first and second outlet openings are arranged so as to intersect one another downstream of the outlet openings such that, when fuel is delivered through both the first and second outlet openings, a combined spray formation is formed which is substantially equivalent to a single spray formation having been delivered from a single opening.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a first needle, and a second needle slidably within a passage formed in the first needle. The needles are engageable with respective seatings to control fuel delivery through respective groups of outlet openings. Load transmitting means are provided whereby movement of the first needle can be transmitted to the second needle. Also described is an injector in which a second needle is provided with formations defining an integral resilient biasing arrangement.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a first needle, and a second needle slidably within a passage formed in the first needle. The needles are engageable with respective seatings to control fuel delivery through respective groups of outlet openings. Load transmitting means are provided whereby movement of the first needle can be transmitted to the second needle. Also described is an injector in which a second needle is provided with formations defining an integral resilient biasing arrangement.

Abstract: A fuel system comprising a unit pump/injector and a cam actuated plunger pump arranged to supply an auxiliary fluid to the injector, wherein the plunger pump is located adjacent the unit pump/injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a first needle, and a second needle slidable within a passage formed in the first needle. The needles are engageable with respective seatings to control fuel delivery through respective groups of outlet openings. A load transmitter is provided whereby movement of the first needle can be transmitted to the second needle. An alternative injector includes a second needle provided with formations defining an integral resilient biasing arrangement.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises an outer valve needle, an inner valve needle slidable within a bore formed in the outer valve needle, an inner end of the inner valve needle being located within the bore, the inner end of the inner valve needle being provided with a recess whereby the application of fuel under pressure to the bore deforms the inner valve needle to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the inner and outer valve needles. The inner and outer needles may be exposed to the fuel pressure within a common control chamber, a single actuator arrangement being used to control movement of both needles.

Abstract: A fuel injector is described which comprises an outer valve needle biased into engagement with a seating to control the supply of fuel to one or more outlet apertures, an inner valve member slidable within a bore formed in the outer valve needle and engageable with a seating to control the fuel supply to one or more further outlet apertures, the inner valve member and outer valve needle together defining a control chamber. A control valve controls the operation of the inner valve member by controlling the fuel pressure within the control chamber.

Abstract: A rotary distributor fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a pair of pumping plungers housed in a diametrical bore formed in the distributor member. The plungers at a predetermined position during their inward movement open a spill path to terminate delivery of fuel through an outlet. The one plunger defines a plunger bore and the other plunger has an integral piston slidable therein. The piston has a relieved portion adjacent the other plunger which with the wall of the plunger bore forms a flow path from the pumping chamber the flow path communicating with a port at a predetermined position during the inward movement. The pumping chamber is of annular form and is defined between the plungers and the wall of the bore in the distributor member and the piston.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus of the rotary distributor type includes an accumulator volume into which fuel can be spilled to terminate delivery of fuel by the apparatus. The accumulator is defined by a movable member in the form of a sleeve which is slidable on an extension of the distributor member and has a closed end. The extension defines a seating with which can be engaged by a valve element defined by the sleeve. The extension and sleeve define an annular space connected to the pumping chamber of the apparatus and mechanical means is provided to effect initial movement of the sleeve against the action of a spring to lift the valve element from the seating to allow fuel flow into the accumulator volume.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine comprises a rotary distributor member mounting a pumping plunger slidable in a bore and moved inwardly to discharge fuel from the bore by cam lobes on the internal surface of a cam ring, the cam lobes acting on the plunger through a cam follower. A valve is provided which at a predetermined position during the inward movement of the plunger, is opened to lower the pressure in the bore and thereby to terminate fuel flow through an outlet. The valve is actuated by the cam lobes either from the cam follower or from the plunger.