Of Fuel Injection Patents (Class 239/5)
  • Patent number: 11707758
    Abstract: An aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from a fluid, comprising: a vibratable membrane having a first side for being in contact with the fluid and an opposite second side, the membrane having a plurality of through holes penetrating the membrane in an extension direction from the first side to the second side, whereby the fluid passes the through holes from the first side to the second side when the membrane is vibrated for generating the aerosol at the second side, each through hole having along its extension direction a smallest diameter, a larger diameter that is larger than the smallest diameter and defined by that diameter that is closest to triple, preferably twice said smallest diameter, each through hole having a nozzle portion defined by that continuous portion of the through hole in the extension direction comprising the smallest diameter of the through hole and bordered by the larger diameter of the through hole, wherein the ratio of the total length of each through hole in the extension di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PARI Pharma GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schulz, Philipp Holzmann, Dominique Mutschmann, Michael Hahn
  • Patent number: 11384705
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a drift in the static fuel flow rate of a piezoelectric injector of a motor vehicle combustion engine. The method relies on fluid-pressure measurements carried out in the injector supply chamber in order to calculate a measured static flow rate value. This value is compared against a nominal static flow rate in order to determine the existence, if any, and amplitude of the drift in the static flow rate. Furthermore, each pressure measurement is carried out when the valve of the injector is closed and the injector is open. In this way, the measured static flow rate calculation is not influenced by pressure-variation effects not relevant to the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Quentin Dussardier
  • Patent number: 11260406
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a body, a valve member, and a clamp member maintaining a flow director member against the body. The flow director member is sandwiched between the peripheral wall and the clamp member, and is provided with an outlet path including two distinct guidance channels extending from an upstream end and a common downstream end where is a spray hole. The outlet path creates impingement of the two flow streams flowing in the two channels before entering the spray hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS LUXEMBOURG SA
    Inventors: Junmei Shi, Otto Muller-Girard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11225933
    Abstract: A liquid fuel injector such as for a dual fuel system in an internal combustion engine includes two-way injection control valves for controlling twin outlet checks. A first set of orifices are arranged in an A-F-Z pattern, and a second set of orifices are arranged in an A-F-Z pattern, within the fuel injector, among a high-pressure inlet passage, a low-pressure space, and first and second outlet check control chambers, respectively. A common nozzle supply cavity is fluidly connected to the high-pressure inlet passage and supplies each of two sets of nozzle outlets opened and closed by the twin outlet checks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Campion, Dean Craig Diers, Sana Mahmood, Jonathan Anders, Bobby John, Jonathan Richard Chittenden
  • Patent number: 11168656
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes: a coil that is configured to generate a magnetic flux when the coil is energized; a stationary core that is configured to become a passage of the magnetic flux; a movable core that is configured to be attracted to the stationary core when the movable core becomes a passage of the magnetic flux; and a magnetic-flux limiting portion that is displaced from the stationary core in an axial direction while a degree of magnetism of the magnetic-flux limiting portion is lower than a degree of magnetism of the stationary core. A boundary between the stationary core and the magnetic-flux limiting portion is defined as a limiting boundary, and an imaginary extension line, which is formed by extending the limiting boundary toward the movable core, is defined as a boundary extension line. The limiting boundary is tilted relative to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Saizen, Shuichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11149598
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device includes an additional energization unit. Concerning an undershoot state caused by a first energization for fuel injection, a return period is an estimated period required for a movable core to return to an initial position from a first energization. An injection interval ranges from the first energization to a second energization that is for a next fuel injection. An allowable period is obtained by subtracting a rise period estimated for the second energization from the return period. The additional energization unit adds an additional energization between the first energization and the second energization when the injection interval is longer than or equal to the allowable period and is shorter than or equal to the return period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Niwa, Makoto Saizen, Makoto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10883460
    Abstract: A fuel injection device has a valve body, a drive portion, a nozzle needle, and a control valve body. The valve body defines a control chamber, a valve chamber and a low pressure communication passage. The nozzle needle is displaced due to a fuel pressure variation in the control chamber to open/close an injection port. When the control valve body sits on an upper seat surface, a low pressure communication passage is closed so that the valve chamber is fluidly disconnected from the low pressure chamber. The control valve body defines a gap restriction on the upper seat surface. A flow passage area of a sub orifice provided to the low pressure communication passage is smaller than a flow passage area of the gap restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nao Ogasawara, Daiji Ueda
  • Patent number: 10883428
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly of a dual fuel injector includes a first fuel conduit and a second fuel conduit. An anti-leakage feature of the nozzle assembly includes a cylindrical tubular sleeve axially extending in an inner space of the nozzle body from an upper end attached to the body to a distant lower end, the outer valve member being axially guided through said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Jason Yearsley, George A. Meek
  • Patent number: 10655583
    Abstract: A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuation event utilizing a current waveform for the actuator characterized by an initial peak pull-in current in a first direction of current flow when the actuator is commanded to an actuated position; and a reversed peak current in a second opposite direction of current flow applied after the actuator is commanded to a rest position. The reversed peak current has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the initial peak pull-in current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Avoki M. Omekanda, Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Patent number: 10612505
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. Various embodiments thereof may include a fuel injection valve for a combustion engine comprising: a valve body with a cavity; a valve needle movable in the cavity; an actuator assembly to actuate the valve needle. The actuator assembly includes an electro-magnetic coil, a pole piece positioned inside the cavity, and an armature element. The armature element moves within the cavity to move the valve needle in a predetermined direction. A fixing ring abutting the pole piece, fixed to the valve body by means of joining to a circumferential surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hamann, Matteo Soriani, Alessia Albano
  • Patent number: 10400729
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve according to the present invention has an expanded portion formed in a first injection-hole plate on an upstream side, thereby allowing positional misalignment between injection-hole portions. As a result, a radial dimension between an inner diameter-side circumferential edge of an upstream-side injection hole outlet portion and an inner diameter-side circumferential edge of a downstream-side injection hole inlet portion is not required. Thus, a plate thickness of a second injection-hole plate on a downstream side can be kept to minimum. As a result, weldability between an injection-hole plate body and a valve seat is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Kawasaki, Tsuyoshi Munezane, Naoya Hashii, Keisuke Ito, Kyosuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10330062
    Abstract: An injector for injecting fluid with a valve assembly including a valve body and a valve needle, the needle including an armature retainer and being operable to prevent and to enable injection of fluid, and with an electromagnetic actuator assembly, operable to exert a force for influencing a position of the valve needle, including a pole piece and an armature. The pole piece is positionally fixed with the valve body. The armature is operable to be axially displaced relative to the pole piece and to take along the armature retainer when being displaced towards the pole piece. A fluid channel is defined by the armature retainer constriction surface and the pole piece constriction surface. A hydraulic diameter of the fluid channel is at least twice at large when the valve needle is in a closing position compared to the hydraulic diameter at a maximum displacement away from the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CPT Zwei GmbH
    Inventors: Luigi Marchi, Filippo Falaschi, Ivano Izzo
  • Patent number: 10330069
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ENGINETICS, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick James Harris, Joseph Lull
  • Patent number: 9605637
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the exhaust emission for a fuel injection valve having a stepped injection hole constructed so that a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion are communicated with each other with a stepped portion intervening therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Noriyuki Takada, Tsutomu Kawae
  • Patent number: 9506429
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved system and method of operating a fuel injector of an engine to provide at least two different types of fuel spray in a combustion chamber of the engine by application of ultrasonic pulses to fuel in the fuel injector during an injection event. A first type of spray includes larger droplets that reduce the effective diffusion combustion area around the droplets and a second type of spray includes relatively small droplets that increase the effective diffusion combustion area around the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Vesa Hokkanen
  • Patent number: 9464581
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9239167
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle body defining a central axis and having a main fuel circuit. An air circuit is formed within the nozzle body inboard of the main fuel circuit. A primary pilot fuel circuit is formed within the nozzle body inboard of the air circuit. A secondary pilot fuel circuit is formed within the nozzle body inboard of the air circuit and outboard of the primary pilot fuel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Brandon P. Williams, Jeremy T. Rhyan
  • Patent number: 9188063
    Abstract: An injector for a multipoint combustor system includes an inner air swirler which defines an interior flow passage and a plurality of swirler inlet ports in an upstream portion thereof. The inlet ports are configured and adapted to impart swirl on flow in the interior flow passage. An outer air cap is mounted outboard of the inner swirler. A fuel passage is defined between the inner air swirler and the outer air cap, and includes a discharge outlet between downstream portions of the inner air swirler and the outer air cap for issuing fuel for combustion. The outer air cap defines an outer air circuit configured for substantially unswirled injection of compressor discharge air outboard of the interior flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Jason Ryon
  • Publication number: 20150144710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel injector for use in delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes a nozzle having a valve needle which is movable with respect to a valve needle seat. The valve needle travels through a range of movement between a closed position and an open position to control fuel delivery through at least one nozzle outlet. The valve needle cooperates with a needle sleeve or a control member which is located in a piston guide. The valve needle is movable relative to the needle sleeve or the control member. The needle sleeve or the control member is movable relative to the piston guide. The invention also relates to a method of operating a fuel injector; and a fuel injector control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Mark S. Graham
  • Patent number: 9033256
    Abstract: A fuel injector (10) has an inlet (12), an outlet (14), and a passageway (16) providing a fuel flow conduit from the inlet to the outlet. A valve structure (22, 24) is movable in the passageway between first and second positions. A seat (26) is provided at the outlet and has at least one seat passage (28) in communication with the passageway. Movement of the valve structure between the first and second positions controls the flow of fuel through the seat passages. The seat includes an outer tip surface (30) through which the least one seat passage extends. A catalytic coating (32) is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface. The coating causes oxidation of fuel on the coating to occur at a temperature lower than if the coating was not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William James Imoehl
  • Patent number: 9022303
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve co-injects a liquid and a gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A solid needle regulates the injection of liquid and gaseous fuels from a cavity in the fuel injection valve into the combustion chamber when the needle is lifted to its open position. In preferred embodiments, liquid fuel is metered and pressurized in an intensifier's cylinder provided within the valve body and the liquid fuel is delivered through a restricted flow passage into the cavity where it mixes with the gaseous fuel. The restricted flow passage can be formed by a small passage formed in the valve body or an annular passage between the needle and the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: David Mumford, Sandeep Munshi
  • Publication number: 20150115055
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve injects a fuel into the combustion chamber or into the injection port of an internal combustion engine, the valve being actuated by an actuator assembly that includes a small displacement actuator and a large displacement actuator. The method includes commanding the small displacement actuator to move the valve member to a first open position corresponding to a first flow area and commanding the large displacement actuator to move the valve member to a second open position corresponding to a second flow area that is larger than the first flow area such that the ratio between the second flow area and the first flow area is at least 15:1. The fuel injection valve can also be operated to alternatively inject two different fuels, one of the fuels being a gaseous fuel and the other one being a liquid fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David R. Wager, Gordon P. McTaggart-Cowan, David K. Mumford, Sandeep Munshi
  • Patent number: 9016603
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a control valve member unattached to, but trapped between, a push pin and a seat of an injector body. The push pin has a head that includes a contact surface and a crown that includes a stop surface. An air gap surface of an armature is located between a top of the head and the stop surface of the crown when the contact surface of the push pin is in contact with the armature. The stop surface of the crown is located between an air gap plane of a stator assembly and the air gap surface of the armature. The push pin, the armature and the control valve member are movable among a rest configuration, an injection configuration, and an over travel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Holtman
  • Publication number: 20150108236
    Abstract: A fuel system includes an external cool air source, and a fuel injector. The fuel injector includes a fuel circuit, an outer air circuit, an inner air circuit, and an outlet. The fuel circuit receives liquid fuel from a fuel inlet. The outer air circuit receives cool air from the cool air source and substantially surrounds the fuel circuit. The inner air circuit is in fluid communication with the outer air circuit and a portion of the fuel circuit substantially surrounds the inner air circuit. The outlet provides atomized fuel from the fuel circuit, outer air circuit and inner air circuit to a combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: DELAVAN INC.
    Inventors: Philip Buelow, Nicole L. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150108238
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring an opening of an injection valve. The injection valve includes a valve body with a cavity having a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle movable in the cavity between a closing position preventing fluid flow outlet and other positions allowing fluid flow through the outlet, and an actuator unit for actuating the valve needle. The method includes actuating the actuator unit with a predetermined voltage signal, recording a time-dependent profile of a current through the actuator unit, detecting a first gradient alteration time where the gradient of the recorded current profile changes more than a first threshold, detecting a second gradient alteration time where the gradient of the recorded current profile changes more than a second threshold, and based on the first and second gradient alteration times determining a diagnostic value usable for compensating a long-term drift of the injection valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Mauro Grandi
  • Publication number: 20150108237
    Abstract: Injectors and solenoid valves incorporating actuators with kinetic energy transfer armatures. A fuel injector includes a longitudinally extending injector body and a valve supported in the injector body. The valve is configured for longitudinal movement within the injector body. An armature is connected to the valve and an impact member is disposed between the armature and a solenoid, and moveably connected to the armature. The solenoid is operative when energized to sequentially move the impact member and armature toward the solenoid, thereby actuating the valve. The fuel injector further includes a return magnet located adjacent the armature and opposite the solenoid, wherein the return magnet is operative to maintain the valve in a closed position when the solenoid is not energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20150060563
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20150014427
    Abstract: A control valve of a fuel injector includes a generally cylindrical control valve housing having an axis, and a control valve body disposed within the control valve housing. An inlet throttle passage is in fluid communication with the control valve housing and is oriented to be generally tangential to the control valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: William Yunbiao Shen, Yan Tan, Qursheed Hussain Mohammed, Keith Steven Schulz
  • Publication number: 20150014449
    Abstract: A method of operating a pressure compensated fuel injector includes: filling a fuel chamber with a charge of fuel by closing an injector valve and circulating a fuel from a fuel source through a plurality of recirculating valves and a cap valve; then isolating the fuel chamber and the charge of fuel from the fuel source; then equalizing a pressure within the fuel chamber to a rising pressure outside the fuel chamber by reducing a volume of the isolated fuel chamber; and then activating a solenoid that is coupled to the injector valve, opening the injector valve; and then further reducing the volume of the isolated fuel chamber to apply an over pressure within the chamber, pumping fuel from the fuel chamber through the injection orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: MCVAN AEROSPACE, LLC
    Inventors: Ray McKaig, Brian Donovan
  • Patent number: 8919675
    Abstract: At the downstream-side face of an injection hole plate, a plurality of concaves are arranged corresponding to a plurality of injection holes; at least part of an injection hole outlet opens at the plain of the concave; the rest of the outlet opens at the downstream side face of the injection hole plate or contacts the inner surface of the concave. In a flow path formed by the injection hole, there is provided a cylindrical portion, whose cross section is the radially minimum cross section of the injection hole, from the upstream side face of the injection hole plate to the plain of the concave. Where D1 denotes the diameter of the injection hole and D2 denotes the diameter of the concave or the diameter of the concave in the circumferential direction of the virtual circle, the relationship 1.1<(D2/D1)<3.0 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yukitaka Sakata, Naoya Hashii, Kyosuke Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Munezane
  • Patent number: 8910882
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine is disclosed. The fuel injector may have a fuel nozzle with at least one injection orifice, and a needle element movable within the fuel nozzle between a first position at which the needle element inhibits fuel flow and a second position at which fuel flow is substantially uninhibited. The fuel injector may also have a control chamber located at a base end of the needle element, a body, and a control valve disposed within the body and movable to selectively drain the control chamber, thereby causing the needle element to move between the first and second positions. The fuel injector may further have an armature disposed within an armature cavity of the body and selectively energized to move the control valve, and a pressure reducer disposed within the body and configured to reduce a pressure of the armature cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Moore, Daniel R. Ibrahim, Sana Mahmood, Adam Duresky, Christopher D. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20140361096
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved fuel injector and method of operating the fuel injector to provide at least two different types of fuel spray to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The two types of spray are formed by providing a first fuel pressure to the fuel injector during a first portion of an injection event at a first pressure and providing a second fuel pressure to the fuel injection during a second portion of the injection event, and maintaining a substantially constant fuel flow rate throughout the injection event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Vesa HOKKANEN, David L. BUCHANAN, Lester L. PETERS, Rajesh K. GARG
  • Patent number: 8905333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for inducing a supercavitating flow inside a fuel injection nozzle orifice to reduce the penetration length of the fuel spray, maintain high levels of fuel atomization, and improve uniformity of the fuel spray exiting the nozzle such that high-pressure injectors can be used on small engines. This reduction in penetration length is accomplished without any reduction in upstream fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Sykes, Joseph Homitz, Gregory S. Cole
  • Publication number: 20140346244
    Abstract: A control method for a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein at least one control signal for actuating a drive of the injection valve is generated in recurring injection cycles and as a function of a target stroke height of a closing element of the injection valve, wherein the drive is actuated by the control signal to lift the closing element to the target stroke height and the closing element is lifted to an actual stroke height by means of the drive, wherein at least one measured parameter correlated with the actual stroke height is captured and the actual stroke height is determined as a function of said at least one measured parameter, wherein the control signal is generated in at least one of the subsequent injection cycles as a function of a deviation of the actual stroke height from the target stroke height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Matthias Russe, Anselm Schwarte, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 8884198
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel injector that dispenses heated fuel flow and controls the temperature of the heated fuel within a desired temperature range. Fuel flowing through the example fuel injector is inductively heated by a valve element sealed with the fuel flow. A driver controller detects changes in temperature by monitoring changes in parameters that vary responsive to temperature in the material of the heated element. Changes in the material responsive to temperature are utilized to tailor input into the heated element to maintain a desired temperature of the heated element and thereby the temperature of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry R. Czimmek
  • Publication number: 20140299671
    Abstract: A metering system for a fuel atomizer includes a housing having a fuel inlet and an oxidizer inlet arranged coaxially, and an oxidizer metering device having a plurality of oxidizer channels, an oxidizer flow controller, and a fuel metering device. The oxidizer channels are spaced apart circumferentially in the housing and are arranged angled in at least one of a radially inward direction and a tangential direction to create a swirl of oxidizer flow in a mixing chamber of the fuel atomizer. The oxidizer flow controller is configured to control flow of oxidizer from the oxidizer inlet to the plurality of oxidizer channels. The fuel metering device is configured to control fuel flow from the fuel inlet to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Enginetics, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lull, Justin Warner
  • Publication number: 20140284394
    Abstract: An injection element for injecting two propellants into a combustion chamber, and usable for a rocket engine including at least one combustion chamber of type having an injector including one or more such injection elements. The injection element includes a first annular duct for injecting a first propellant and a second annular duct for injecting a second propellant, the second duct being coaxial with and externally adjacent to the first duct, and potentially a third annular duct that is coaxial with and externally adjacent to the second duct. The first duct surrounds a central body of the injection element, the central body including a cavity in communication with an outer surface of the central body and configured to damp at least one predetermined acoustic frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Philippe James, Carlos Cruz
  • Publication number: 20140263697
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion, and a fuel passageway extending from the base portion to the nozzle portion. A force generator and a first valve are carried by the base portion. The first valve is movable in response to actuation from the force generator to move between closed and open positions. The injector/igniter also includes a second valve at the nozzle portion that is deformable in response to pressure in the fuel passageway to deform between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20140252109
    Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber from the drain. The potential for cavitation at high fuel injection pressure is reduced by throttling the flow of fuel past the control valve seat when the control valve opens, thereby maintaining sufficient back pressure in the control valve chamber and upstream connecting passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Stanadyne Corporation
    Inventor: Stanadyne Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140252108
    Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber from the drain. Resistance to the flow or displacement of fuel through the control valve seat is provided by a pressure regulating valve as the control valve rapidly closes against its seat, thereby reducing the rate of closure and thus the impact of the control valve on the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Mark S. CAVANAGH
  • Patent number: 8827176
    Abstract: HVOF torches introduce fuel and oxidizer reactants into a central passage so as to form a concentric stream having an axial stream of oxidizer surrounded by an annular stream of fuel that is positioned against a sidewall that bounds the central passage. The fuel can be introduced so as to swirl about the axial stream of oxidizer. The torch can be formed by a body having the central passage therethrough and an insert residing in the central passage and having an oxidizer passage therethrough. A portion of the insert can have a reduced cross section so as to form an annular fuel chamber, from which the flow of fuel into a passage first section is restricted so as to distribute the fuel against the sidewall. The torch can be provided with a cooling jacket to prevent damage to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: James A. Browning
  • Patent number: 8827175
    Abstract: In a method and a device for the calibration of internal combustion engines, in each fuel injector, at least one actuator element (1) may be activated by an electric signal interacts with at least one injection valve (3) having an injection rate for the supply of fuel to a combustion chamber (5) via injection holes, and in the case of a flow characteristic curve (12, 23, 35) of the fuel flowing through the injection holes deviating from a target characteristic curve (11, 22, 34) in a flow-time diagram, a signal characteristic curve (14a, 27, 42) of the electric signal applied to the actuator element (1) is altered in a voltage-time diagram relative to a target characteristic curve (13, 26, 41) by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Fritsch, Johann Görzen
  • Publication number: 20140246508
    Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) for delivering metered amounts fuel into the combustion chamber or cylinder of an engine. The fuel delivered can selectively comprise a gaseous fuel, a liquid fuel or a fuel mixture comprising the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel. When the fuel delivered comprises a mixture of the gaseous fuel and the liquid fuel, the quantity of liquid fuel comprises a metered quantity. The quantity of gaseous fuel also comprises a metered quantity, with the metering of the gaseous fuel being regulated by prediction. The injection event involves delivering the liquid fuel and the gaseous fuel, with the metering of the gaseous fuel delivered being adjusted to allow for the quantity of liquid fuel delivered with the gaseous fuel. The injection system (10) comprises a liquid fuel circuit (11) and a gaseous fuel circuit (13), both communicating with a fuel delivery injector (15) that delivers fuel to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ORBITAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: David James Caley, Thomas Gerlach, Simon Christopher Brewster
  • Patent number: 8807450
    Abstract: An injection system (1) for injecting fuel at a predetermined fuel pressure has: an actuator (2, 3) providing a stroke for lifting an injector needle (4) that opens a nozzle into which the fuel is injected; a leverage apparatus (5) for translating the provided stroke into a modified stroke, the apparatus has a compensating device (6) coupled to the actuator (2, 3), and a lever device (7), which is coupled to the injector needle (4), wherein the lever device has at least two symmetrically disposed, single-arm levers (8a, 8b), which each come in contact with an injector needle head (10) of the injector needle (4) when lifting the injector needle (4) by means of a single needle head support (9a, 9b); and wherein the compensating device (6) is suited to compensate a varying force application of the actuator (2, 3) on the single-arm lever (8a, 8b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Maximilian Kronberger
  • Publication number: 20140197245
    Abstract: Method for preventing carbon build-up on fuel spray guiding surfaces proximate a nozzle of a fuel injector. Liquid fuel handling surfaces of the fuel injector can remain cool while providing very hot surfaces to burn off carbon particles before carbon deposits can build up and change the spray characteristics. In the method, a spray guiding structure guides the fuel spray after exiting from the fuel injector and a deflector member is arranged around the injector body. The spray guiding structure is thermally insulated from the fuel injector, and this thermal insulation enables the spray guiding structure to be heated to a temperature above about 900° F. to prevent build up of carbon thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew E. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140191055
    Abstract: A fuel atomizer that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ENGINETICS, LLC
    Inventors: John Amaya, Luke Cruff, Joseph Lull, Marcel Prado, Bradley J. Vieau
  • Patent number: 8740108
    Abstract: In this system, a device is placed inside the injectors on the manifold or inside three different design housings above the combustion chambers of engines. The device is a combine that has a cylinder that has a set of vanes. In one embodiment a small motor is used to turn the cylinder, which helps to atomize the fuel to a fine state. This atomization improves combustion in that the smaller fuel particles can burn more efficiently and more completely than larger drops of fuel that is simply squirted into a cylinder or manifold. In two other embodiments, the cylinder (combine) can be turned with a belt driven by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: David Caughran
  • Patent number: 8739429
    Abstract: A system for drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The system for drying a surface of a substrate comprising: a rotary support; a first dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of liquid, the first dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying a film of the liquid to the surface of the substrate; a second dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of drying fluid with a supply line, the second dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying the drying fluid to the surface of the substrate; and a proportional valve operably coupled to the supply line between the second dispenser and the source of drying fluid, the proportional valve capable of being incrementally adjusted from a closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Zhi Lewis Liu, Hanjoo Lee, Ismail Kashkoush
  • Publication number: 20140138454
    Abstract: Methods of operating fuel injectors with intensified fuel storage. At least one storage volume is provided in the intensifier type fuel injector, with a check valve between the intensifier and the needle chamber and storage volume preventing loss of injection pressure while the intensifier plunger cylinder is refilling with fuel. Using the check valve to isolate the storage volume from the intensifier to reduce and control pressure spikes that effect injector operation. This provides very efficient injector operation, particularly at low engine loads, by eliminating the wasted energy of compressing, venting and recompressing fuel for injection and reducing and controlling pressure spikes that effect injector operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 8727242
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister