Of Fuel Injection Patents (Class 239/5)
  • Publication number: 20140131466
    Abstract: The present technology is generally related to hydraulic displacement amplifiers in fuel injectors. In some embodiments, a gaseous fuel injector includes a piezoelectric actuator, a working volume reservoir adjustable between a first volume and a second volume smaller than the first volume, and a combustion chamber valve in communication with the working volume reservoir and movable between a closed configuration when the working volume reservoir comprises the first volume and an open configuration when the working volume reservoir comprises the second volume. The gaseous fuel injector further includes a hydraulic displacement amplifier in operable connection with the actuator. The hydraulic displacement amplifier can have a plurality of pistons in communication with the working volume reservoir and configured to adjust the working volume reservoir from the first volume to the second volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC, McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Ryan Kemmet, David Grottenthaler
  • Publication number: 20140131467
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally systems and methods for providing motion amplification and compensation by fluid displacement in fuel injector systems. For example, some embodiments of gaseous fuel injectors include a piezoelectric actuator and a motion transfer system coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The motion transfer system includes a housing, a first piston having a first effective area disposed in the housing, and a second piston having a second effective area disposed in the housing. The second effective area is less than the first effective area and the first and second pistons define a fluid chamber therebetween. The motion transfer system can amplify actuation of a fuel injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, David Grottenthaler
  • Patent number: 8708247
    Abstract: In a method for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the fuel is fed by at least one prefeed pump from a tank to at least one high-pressure pump and the high-pressure fuel fed by the high-pressure pump is supplied to the injector, wherein the injector has an injection nozzle with an axially movable nozzle needle protruding into a control chamber which can be fed with fuel under pressure and whose pressure is controlled by a control valve which opens or closes at least one inflow or outflow duct for fuel. Between the prefeed pump and the high-pressure pump, a partial volume of the fuel is branched off as a flushing volume and supplied to a flushing channel of the injector, wherein the flushing volume is directly supplied to the control valve such that the flushing volume flows at least partially through the control valve and preferably mixes with the fuel from the inflow or outflow duct, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Bernhaupt, Jaroslav Hlousek, Christian Meisl
  • Patent number: 8695899
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a housing with a central longitudinal axis having a first cavity and may be coupled to a fuel rail having a fluid inlet portion and outlet portion. The fuel injector has a valve needle arranged at least partly within the housing axially movable in the first cavity facing the fluid outlet portion, the valve needle preventing a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion in a closing position and releasing it through the fluid outlet portion in further positions. The fuel injector has a spring arranged within the first cavity for exerting a spring force on the valve needle along the central longitudinal axis for preventing the fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion. Additionally, the fuel injector has an adjusting element for adjusting an axial position regarding the central longitudinal axis of a spring rest depending on a pressure acting on the adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Marco Maragliulo
  • Patent number: 8690075
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a needle valve member that moves to open and close nozzle outlets for a fuel injection event responsive to pressure in a needle control chamber. Between injection events, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a first pathway that includes a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a second pathway that includes an F orifice, an intermediate chamber and an A orifice. During an injection event, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to a drain outlet by a third pathway that includes the A orifice, the intermediate chamber an E orifice and a buffer chamber, which may assist in avoiding cavitation erosion in a sensitive area associated with a flat control valve seat. Different performance characteristics are achieved by adjusting the sizes of the respective of F, A, Z and E orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sana Mahmood, Zhenyu Li, Michael Curtis Herr, Gregory William Hefler, Linda Angharad Williams
  • Patent number: 8684286
    Abstract: An injection valve has a valve body and a nozzle body which is resting in a sealing fashion against the valve body, with a first valve body bore, in which bore a control piston and a stroke adjusting bolt are arranged so as to be moveable in the axial direction, with the control piston being embodied in order to be moved by a control means, with a second bore being provided in the nozzle body, with a nozzle needle being arranged in the second bore, the nozzle needle being provided to open or close an injection opening, with a tension spring being provided in the second bore, the tension spring stressing the nozzle needle in the direction of a sealing seat for the injection opening, with the first and second bore being actively connected to one another and with the stroke adjusting bolt being actively connected to the nozzle needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Manuel Hannich
  • Patent number: 8678298
    Abstract: A method and system ensures that a certain amount of fuel is delivered by a fuel injector at each injection cycle over the life of the fuel injector. The injector has an armature that moves between open and close positions. A base time for the armature to move from the open position to the close position is established. A present time for the armature to move from the open position to the close position is compared to the base time. If the present time is greater than the base time by a predetermined amount, then 1) a present injector duration time is set to be greater than an original injector duration time to ensure that the certain amount of fuel is delivered by the fuel injector, or 2) a change in service condition is indicated for the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anup Vijaykumar Gongle
  • Patent number: 8672234
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Enginetics, LLC
    Inventors: John Amaya, Luke Cruff, Joseph Lull, Marcel Prado, Bradley J. Vieau
  • Publication number: 20140061326
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes first and second check valve members that open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets, respectively, to inject two fuels that differ in at least one of chemical identity, pressure and molecular state. The first check valve member defines a through passage, includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the first control chamber, and moves into and out of contact with a first seat on an injector body. The second check valve member includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a second control chamber, and moves into and out of contact with a second seat located on the first check valve member. A control valve member is movable between first and second positions that respectively block and allow fluid communication between the first and second control chambers and a drain outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dana R. Coldren
  • Publication number: 20140061327
    Abstract: A system for staging fuel to a combustor includes a fuel manifold with a plurality of valves. At least one fuel circuit provides fluid communication between the fuel manifold and a first set of fuel nozzles. A flow distribution valve is fluidly connected to one of the at least one fuel circuits between the fuel manifold and the first set of fuel nozzles. The flow distribution valve includes an inlet and at least two outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael John Hughes
  • Publication number: 20140034747
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a nozzle chamber pressure in an injector that includes a closure element for opening and closing an injection opening, at least one actuator which directly actuates the closure element, and at least one sensor for measuring a state, which is dependent on the nozzle chamber pressure, of the closure element, wherein at least one measurement variable which is dependent on the state is detected by means of the sensor, and wherein a deviation of the measurement value from a predefined value is determined. An injection system for carrying out such method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Hans-Jörg Wiehoff, Steffen Lehner, Vera Balk
  • Patent number: 8628031
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling needle seat load in very high pressure diesel injectors. In accordance with the method, a needle control piston responsive to hydraulic forces for controllably forcing the injector needle against the needle seat is provided, as is a stop for the needle control piston to limit the needle control piston movement toward the needle seat. This provides a stop for the needle control piston, so that the compressive deflection between the needle control piston and the needle seat limits the force of the injector needle on the needle seat against increasing hydraulic forces on the needle control piston once the needle control piston reaches the needle control piston seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sturman Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tibor Kiss
  • Publication number: 20130341421
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber, including a housing having one combustion-chamber side injection aperture, a valve needle which is linearly movable in the housing and outwardly opening for opening and closing the injection aperture, a piezoelectric actuator for moving the valve needle, a first stop surface on the valve needle facing the combustion chamber, and a second stop surface on the housing diametrically opposed to the first stop surface. The first stop surface makes an impact on the second stop surface in the case of a maximally possible movement of the valve needle in the direction of opening with the aid of the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin MUELLER, Tilo LANDENFELD, Ulrich DOEBLER, Cornelia GIESSLER, Michael GEIGER
  • Patent number: 8602319
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body with a tip component that defines at least one nozzle outlet. A needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and includes a frustoconical segment positioned in a frustoconical bore to separate a needle control chamber from a nozzle chamber. The needle valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the nozzle chamber, and a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the needle control chamber. The frustoconical bore and the frustoconical segment have a narrowing taper in the direction of an injector tip. The frustoconical features tend to slow the initial opening of the nozzle outlets, and hasten their closure relative to a counterpart injector with cylindrical needle guide features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey De Payva
  • Publication number: 20130319374
    Abstract: An injection device for a fluid, in particular for fuel, with has at least one electric and/or electronic control element, at least one valve, at least one first throttle, and a second throttle. The valve can be switched into at least one first throttle position by activating the first throttle and into at least one second throttle position by activating the second throttle. The valve is directly and/or indirectly coupled with the control element such that, by way of an actuating operation of the control element directly and/or indirectly, the valve can be switched from the first into the second throttle position and/or vice versa. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a common-rail injection system, an internal combustion engine, a motor vehicle, a ship, and a method for injecting a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Liebherr Machines Bulle SA
    Inventors: Harald Schmidt, Richard Pirkl
  • Patent number: 8596561
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector includes a liquid needle valve member guided to move in and out of contact with a first valve seat positioned between a liquid nozzle chamber and a liquid nozzle outlet set. A gas needle valve member is guided to move in and out of contact with a second valve seat positioned between a gas nozzle chamber and a gas nozzle outlet set. A hydraulic lock seal for inhibiting migration of gas fuel from the gas nozzle chamber into the first fuel includes an annular volume surrounding a guide segment of the gas needle valve member. The annular volume is fluidly connected to the liquid nozzle volume by a seal passage. A check valve positioned in the seal passage may close when a gas fuel supply is exhausted and an engine utilizing the dual fuel injector operates in a limp home single fueling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8579207
    Abstract: Multiple intensifier injectors with positive needle control and methods of injection that reduce injector energy consumption. The intensifiers are disposed about the axis of the injectors, leaving the center free for direct needle control down the center of the injector. Also disclosed is a boost system, increasing the needle closing velocity but without adding mass to the needle when finally closing. Direct needle control allows maintaining injection pressure on the fuel between injection events if the control system determines that enough fuel has been pressurized for the next injection, thus saving substantial energy when operating an engine at less than maximum power, by not venting and re-pressurizing on every injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sturman Digital Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 8567198
    Abstract: An injection nozzle (10), especially for injecting liquid fuel, preferably crude oil, into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, includes an inner chamber (16) which extends along a nozzle axis (19), conically tapers to a concentric nozzle orifice (17), and to which the medium which is to be injected is fed from outside through a plurality of inlet ports (18) which are arranged in a distributed manner around the nozzle axis (19). The inlet ports (18) are oriented perpendicularly to the nozzle axis (19) and each lead tangentially into the inner chamber (16). With such an injection nozzle, an improved spray cone is achieved by the fact that a pin (14), which extends in the axial direction, is concentrically arranged in the inner chamber (16) and passes through the region of the mouths of the inlet ports (18) and extends right into the nozzle orifice (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Fulvio Magni, Dariusz Nowak, Tomasz Dobski, Rafal Slefarski
  • Publication number: 20130277447
    Abstract: An injection system includes a plurality of actuators. Each of the actuators is configured to move one or more portions of a center body of the fuel injector. The system also includes a controller configured to control each of the plurality of actuators individually to change a flow rate or a direction of output of a mixture of fuel and air from an output of the center body of the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Biju Nanukuttan, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III
  • Patent number: 8544764
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator for controlling movement of an injector valve needle comprises: (a) prior to an initial fuel injection event, reducing the voltage across the actuator at an initial rate so as to de-energize the actuator; (b) increasing the voltage across the actuator at a first rate in order to initiate an initial fuel injection event of a first fuel injection sequence; and (c) reducing the voltage across the actuator at a second rate in order to terminate the initial fuel injection event. The method may further comprise the step of: (d) increasing the voltage across the actuator at a third rate, which is lower than the first rate, so as to de-energize the actuator but without initiating an injection event, once the initial fuel injection event has terminated and before a subsequent fuel injection event is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventor: Michael Peter Cooke
  • Publication number: 20130248612
    Abstract: Starting and ending an injection event are accomplished by respectively energizing and de-energizing a solenoid actuator to move an armature assembly with respect to a stator. The stator is protected from impact damage by maintaining the armature assembly out of contact with the stator. The inducement of residual magnetism in the armature assembly is reduced by stopping the armature assembly at a large radius outside of the magnetic flux circuit through the stator and soft magnetic armature of the armature assembly, when the solenoid actuator is energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sudhindra K. Ayanji, Gregory Alan Weyeneth, Jayaraman K. Venkataraghavan, Nadeem Bunni
  • Publication number: 20130233936
    Abstract: A method for controlling the injection quantity of a piezoinjector of a fuel injection system, which comprises a nozzle needle displaceable by a piezoactuator. Based on the instantaneous injection quantity, a selection is made among various control methods. In a ballistic injector mode, a first control method is carried out, wherein both a needle closing point in time is equalized and a needle travel time is also equalized. In a full stroke injector mode, a second control method is carried out, wherein a needle closing point in time is equalized, but the needle travel time is not equalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Anselm Schwarte, Steffen Lehner, Manfred Kramel
  • Patent number: 8500045
    Abstract: A fuel injector that comprises a parallel circuit fuel filtration circuit providing filtered fuel to the control valve. Specifically, a fuel filter is positioned inside the injector within the passage leading to the control valve. Debris is removed from the fuel and filtered fuel is allowed to pass through to the control valve. Unfiltered fuel may be purged from the fuel injector during injection. Alternatively, unfiltered fuel may be removed from the injector via the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Moore
  • Patent number: 8500036
    Abstract: A component includes a transmission arrangement for transmitting a force between an actuator and a control valve. The transmission arrangement includes a post that is associated with the actuator. The control valve is displaceable to an open position from a closed position when an opening force is applied to the control valve that is greater than a closing force provided to the control valve. The transmission arrangement is disposed in the component between the post and the control valve actuator and arranged to mechanically transmit by physical contact an actuator force from the post to the control valve when the post begins to travel towards the extended stroke position, and hydraulically amplify the actuator stroke between the post and the control valve when the post travels from the retracted stroke position to the extended stroke position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Venkataraghavan, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 8496191
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a needle valve in a fuel injector (100) includes a nozzle housing (122) forming an outer cavity (216) and defining a needle valve seat (218). A plurality of nozzle openings (204) are formed in the nozzle housing (122) and arranged symmetrically around its centerline at a first radial distance (R1). An outer needle valve (104) is reciprocally mounted in the outer cavity (216) and has a seat portion (224) arranged to abut the needle valve seat (218) when the outer needle valve (104) is seated or closed. A first ledge (502) formed on the seat portion (224) of the outer needle valve (104) sealably contacts the needle valve seat (218) along a first line contact seal (220) and a second ledge (508) formed on the seat portion (224) of the outer needle valve (104) sealably contacts the needle valve seat (218) along a second line contact seal (222).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Vladimir Theodorof, Dana R. Coldren
  • Publication number: 20130186969
    Abstract: A method of controlling motion of a spool in a fuel injector is provided. A first current is provided on a close coil of the injector. A second current is initiated on an open coil of the injector while providing the first current. The first current is reversed after the second current reaches a saturation point. The first current is discontinued. The spool moves to the open position. The second current is discontinued with the spool in the open position. A third current is initiated on the close coil. A fourth current is provided on the open coil after initiating the third current. The fourth current on the open coil of the injector is reversed after the third current on the close coil reaches a saturation point. The fourth current is discontinued. The third current is discontinued with the spool in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company ,LLC
    Inventor: Alain Vandewalle
  • Patent number: 8490888
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Godfrey Greeves, Simon David Tullis
  • Patent number: 8480009
    Abstract: A low leakage large bore fuel system includes a common rail fluidly connected to at least one of a source of heavy fuel oil and a source of distillate diesel fuel. A plurality of fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the common rail and each include a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet. Each fuel injector also includes an electrical actuator coupled to a direct operated nozzle check valve by a pilot valve member and a control valve member. Fuel leakage is reduced between injection events by equalizing pressures in a pilot control chamber and an intermediate control chamber that are separated by a guide surface of the control valve member. Also, between injection events the pilot valve member blocks a drain outlet from a common rail inlet of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hanson, Stephen Lewis, Qursheed Hussain Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20130160742
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel circuit of a fuel injector that includes a first channel, a second channel, and a valve. The first channel is configured to receive a first fuel and define a flow path for the first fuel. The second channel is configured to receive a second fuel and define a flow path for the second fuel. The valve is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. The valve is adapted to direct the second fuel to the first channel when a pressure in the first channel reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Xiangdong Ding, Hoisan Kim, Mayank Mittal, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8468831
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide a premixed pilot assembly for use with a fuel nozzle for a turbine. The level of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted by the pilot is reduced by mixing the fuel and air fast, at the end of the pilot nozzle, thereby avoiding significant zones of rich fuel and air mixtures. The air is mixed with the fuel through the use of openings in a first cylinder and a second cylinder, one of which carries air and one of which carries pilot fuel. The openings can be configured as necessary to obtain a desired effect on the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Manish Kumar, Jason Thurman Stewart
  • Patent number: 8459571
    Abstract: An injection valve has a valve body and a valve pin. The valve body has a metering orifice. In a closed position of the valve pin, the flow of fluid through the metering orifice is disabled and otherwise released. A control signal (ANS_SIG) for metering fluid with the injection valve is generated for a first valve pin actuator which is coupled to the valve pin to drive the valve pin. At least one first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1) for the first and/or the second valve pin actuator is generated at least during a predetermined interval during the control of the first valve pin actuator with the control signal (AN_SIG) in such a manner that the valve pin is oscillatingly displaced relative to a position of the valve pin in response to the first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1), the valve pin having said position in response to the control signal (ANS_SIG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Graupner, Klaus Wenzlawski
  • Patent number: 8460422
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a combustion head housing defining a plenum, and an air supply system including an air conduit fluidly connected with the plenum. The aftertreatment system further includes a fuel system having a fuel supply housing defining a fuel passage, a control valve positioned within the fuel passage and a fuel filtering mechanism having a filtering component positioned within the fuel passage fluidly between a fuel inlet and the control valve. A nozzle is mounted within the combustion head housing and defines a nozzle outlet, and a fuel conduit extends between the fuel supply housing and the combustion head housing. The control valve includes an open state in which the fuel system defines an unobstructed fuel flow path from the fuel inlet to the nozzle outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. McClure
  • Patent number: 8448878
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a needle valve member that moves to open and close nozzle outlets for a fuel injection event responsive to pressure in a needle control chamber. Between injection events, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a first pathway that includes a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a second pathway that includes an F orifice, an intermediate chamber and an A orifice. During an injection event, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to a drain outlet by a third pathway that includes the A orifice, the intermediate chamber and an E orifice. Different performance characteristics are achieved by adjusting the sizes of the respective of F, A, Z and E orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Ibrahim, Bryan David Moore, Christopher D. Hanson, Avinash Reddy Manubolu
  • Patent number: 8444060
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus with a deterioration detection device that includes a volume changing chamber, the volume of which is determined by fuel pressure inside the injector. After injector nozzle opens, the time for the volume changing chamber to change from an initial volume to a target volume is measured and used for calculating changes in nozzle orifice size. The value of orifice size change can be used for both diagnosing injector deterioration and compensating fuel flow rate in a feedback control. In addition to detecting injector deterioration and failures, the volume changing device also dampens effects of noise in fuel pressure to fuel flow rate control and decreases chances of after-injection and second injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Mi Yan
  • Publication number: 20130048748
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: William James Imoehl
  • Publication number: 20130043323
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. These integrated injectors/igniters can include, for example, multiple drivers used to shape charges, controllers used to modify operations based on ionization parameters, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Publication number: 20130037622
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 8360338
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve with reduced adhesion of deposits to a fuel injecting portion and superior in durability is provided. Also provided is a method for machining multi-orifice type fuel injecting portions easily, less expensively, in good surface roughness, in high productivity, and with few variations in shape, accuracy and surface roughness, using inexpensive equipment. The surface roughness of fuel injecting portions comprising orifices and apertures is made Rz 2 ?m or less. Apertures are formed by press working so as to each have a plastic-worked surface of Rz 0.2 ?m or less in surface roughness and then orifices are formed in the bottoms of the apertures so as to have a plastic-worked surface of Rz 0.2 ?m or less in surface roughness. Further, when abrasion resistance of the nozzle is required, the fuel injecting portions are finished to a surface roughness of Rz 2 ?m by quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Gunji, Masato Higuma
  • Publication number: 20120325926
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Bryan D. MOORE, Daniel R. Ibrahim, Sana Mahmood, Adam Duresky, Christopher D. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20120318885
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve may include a valve body comprising a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet, and a valve needle axially movable in the cavity, the valve needle preventing a fluid flow through the fluid outlet in a closing position and releasing the fluid flow through the fluid outlet in further positions, the valve needle comprising a radially extending protrusion and an electro-magnetic actuator unit configured to actuate the valve needle and comprising an armature in the cavity. The armature comprises an armature cavity having a first stop surface and a second stop surface that faces the first stop surface. The protrusion of the valve needle is arranged in the armature cavity axially between the first stop surface and the second stop surface such that a relative movement between the valve needle and the armature in axial direction is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Mauro Grandi, Valerio Polidori, Cristiano Mannucci
  • Publication number: 20120312889
    Abstract: An injector tip for a nozzle includes a center body having a plurality of center body openings at a distal end configured to inject a fuel flow into a combustion zone of a combustor. One or more fuel passages are arranged around the center body and are configured to inject a fuel slurry into the combustion zone. One or more oxygen passages are arranged around the center body and are configured to inject an oxygen flow into the combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Natesh Chandrashekar, Dustin Wayne Davis, Benjamin Campbell Steinhaus, Shashishekara Sitharamarao Talya
  • Publication number: 20120312890
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes a swirler and a fuel injector positioned upstream from the swirler. The swirler includes an inner hub, an intermediate dividing wall, an outer shroud, a number of inner swirling vanes, and a number of outer swirling vanes. The intermediate dividing wall is concentrically positioned about the inner hub. The outer shroud is concentrically positioned about the intermediate dividing wall. Each inner swirling vane extends between the inner hub and the intermediate dividing wall, and each outer swirling vane extends between the intermediate dividing wall and the outer shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bryan Wesley Romig
  • Patent number: 8322629
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel injector in which at least one electrically triggered valve is disposed inside an injector member and is connected to an externally accessible injector member contact by means of a solid conductor, the solid conductor and the electrical valve contact being interconnected directly via an electrically conducting positive connection or indirectly via an electrically conducting connecting element. The solid conductor is configured so as to substantially maintain the shape thereof under the influence of the proper weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fleig
  • Patent number: 8317112
    Abstract: A valve seat (16?) for a fuel injector (10) includes a main body (27) having a proximal and a distal end with at least one orifice (24) extending through the main body. A seating surface (22) is provided on the main body to receive a closure member (20) of a fuel injector such that when the closure member engages the seating surface, the at least one orifice is closed. A guide surface (36) is provided on the main body to guide movement of the closure member. An annular wall (26) extends in a cantilever manner from the main body at the distal end thereof and defines an outer peripheral portion of the valve seat. The wall is constructed and arranged to deform during welding at the wall so as to isolate effects of the welding from the seating surface and the guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Leigh Spiers, William J. Imoehl
  • Publication number: 20120291753
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a fuel inlet, a set of nozzle outlets, a drain outlet, a nozzle chamber and a needle control chamber. A needle control valve includes a ceramic control valve member movable between a closed position in contact with a flat valve seat to block the needle control chamber from the drain outlet, and an open position at which the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet. A solenoid actuator is mounted in the injector body and includes an armature movable between an overtravel position and an energized position, but the armature has a stable un-energized position between the overtravel position and the energized position. A needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the nozzle chamber, and a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Gregory William Hefler, Adam Leonard Stecklein, Daniel Richard Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 8307636
    Abstract: To suppress clogging of an injection nozzle that supplies fuel to an exhaust passage of an engine, a controller executes intermittent addition of fuel from the injection nozzle. In executing the intermittent addition, the controller calculates a particulate discharge amount within the exhaust passage based on the engine operation state, and multiplies the exhaust gas temperature by the intake air rate to calculate the exhaust energy. Then, based on the particulate discharge amount and the exhaust energy, the controller calculates the amount of fuel to be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8308076
    Abstract: A method of designing a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine to reduce fretting thereof during use, including establishing an initial nozzle design, determining a first natural frequency of that design and a running frequency range of the gas turbine engine, and increasing a first transverse dimension of the stem member of the nozzle across a length of a portion thereof adjacent the inlet end until the first natural frequency of the nozzle is outside the running range, while a second transverse dimension of the portion remains at least substantially unchanged across the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Saeid Oskooei
  • Patent number: 8286893
    Abstract: A fuel injector (10) has a housing (12) with a central longitudinal axis (L) having a fluid inlet portion (18) being adapted to be coupled to a fuel rail at a first axial end area (20). The housing (12) has a recess (24) and enables a fluid flow through a fluid outlet portion (26) at a second axial end area (28) facing away from the first axial end area (20). The fluid inlet portion (18) communicates with the fluid outlet portion (26) via the recess (24). Furthermore, the fuel injector (10) has a safety component (30), which is arranged at the central longitudinal axis (L) within the recess (24) and adapted to reduce and arranged for reducing a velocity regarding the central longitudinal axis (L) at the fluid inlet portion (18) of the fluid flowing from the recess (24) through the fluid inlet portion (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Antonio Agresta, Gianbattista Fischetti, Luigi Gargiulo, Marco Mechi
  • Publication number: 20120248217
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a fuel injector includes a wall separating a fuel passage from an air passage. The fuel injector also includes a fuel injection port extending from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall for injecting a flow of fuel from the fuel passage into a flow of air in the air passage. In addition, the fuel injector includes first and second feedback lines extending from a downstream end of the fuel injection port to an upstream end of the fuel injection port. The first and second feedback lines are disposed on opposite sides of the fuel injection port. In addition, the first and second feedback lines are disposed entirely within the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Andrei Tristan Evulet
  • Patent number: 8245951
    Abstract: Use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a charge injector to assist in atomizing fuel for engine applications. A CNT charging unit is positioned in front of a fuel injector. A voltage is applied on a CNT coated mesh to charge the fuel stream when it passes. Then the charged stream goes through a grounded metal cage. The fuel is thereby electrostatically charged causing repulsive forces on surfaces of liquid in the fuel resulting in the liquid splitting into droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Fink, Nan Jiang