Abstract: A linear control valve is disclosed regulating the flow of fluid to hydraulically activated devices, preferably a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake. The valve includes a valve member that is moveable between a first position in which the fuel injector is, at least partially, activated, a second position in which neither the fuel injector nor the engine compression release brake is activated, and a third position in which the engine compression release brake is activated. An electrical actuator providing two permanent magnets and two oppositely wound solenoid coils moves the valve member between its three positions. The polarity of the permanent magnets are oriented such that when the solenoids are energized, one solenoid coil pulls the valve member while the other solenoid coil pushes the valve member in the same direction.

Abstract: A dual solenoid latching actuator is disclosed and provides an electrical circuit that includes at least one current restrictor, which are preferably a first diode and a second diode. The at least one current restrictor is positioned and arranged such that current flowing in a first direction can energize only one of a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil and current flowing in a second direction can energize only the other solenoid coil.

Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly comprises a lower tip component which includes a first locating surface. The lower tip component defines a lower guide bore with a first centerline and a nozzle outlet. The nozzle assembly also includes an upper tip component which is in contact with the lower tip component. The upper tip component includes a second locating surface and defines an upper guide bore with a second centerline. The first centerline is concentrically coupled with the second centerline by an interaction of the first locating surface with the second locating surface. A needle valve member includes an upper guide portion that is positioned in the upper guide bore and a lower guide portion that is positioned in the lower guide bore. The needle valve member is moveable between an open position, in which the nozzle outlet is open, and a closed position, in which the nozzle outlet is blocked.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the fuel injection timing of a fuel injector in order to start an engine. The temperature of the engine is sensed and an engine temperature signal indicative of the temperature of actuating fluid used to actuate the injector is generated. A desired piston firing position is determined, and an injection command signal is generated, whose timing oscillates between a time range that is a function of said temperature and said desired piston firing position, to control the fuel injection timing.

Abstract: A noise reducing fuel injection system includes an engine having a head with an injector bore. A fuel injector is suspended in the injector bore via a noise reducing mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a clamping portion that clamps to the fuel injector, a support that is attached to the engine and an arm portion extending between the clamping portion and the support. The fuel injector is allowed to slide a slight distance in and out of the injector bore when the engine is running by either making the arm portions slightly flexible, by including resilient members between the support and the engine, or both.

Abstract: Past methods for starting an engine have included increasing the amount of fuel to support combustion creating an excess of unburned fuel in the exhaust causing white smoke. Such past methods for starting an engine additionally required additional components, such as heater, and required an excessive draw on the battery to provide extensive glow plug operation and extensive cranking. The present method of starting an engine reduces and essentially eliminates white smoke, reduces the need for extensive glow plug operation and reduces the need for extensive cranking. The method of starting an engine includes the steps of: positioning an intake valve in a closed position; positioning an exhaust valve in a closed position; rotating a piston to a top dead center position; rotating the piston from the top dead center position toward a bottom dead center position; and injecting a fuel into the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulically actuated electrically controlled unit fuel injectors to operate quietly and with less seat wear on a valve disposed therein is disclosed. The disclosed method comprises controlling the pressure of a high pressure working fluid which operates the injector to inject the proper amount of fuel in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine; and responding to changes in the pressure of the working fluid to vary the timing duration and amplitude of a current pulse which activates a stator that draws an armature to the stator and opens a first seat of the poppet valve or other flow regulating device against a spring bias to allow the high pressure working fluid into the injector and closes a second seat to prevent the working from draining from the injector to allow the working fluid to operate the injector.

Abstract: A jumper tube with improved misalignment capability comprising a cylindrically shaped receiver portion having a central bore that receives an electronically controlled hydraulically actuated unit fuel injector, an annular groove disposed adjacent each end of the bore, a resilient seal ring disposed in each annular groove, forming a seal between the injector and the bore and providing three degrees of freedom between the injector and bore, a tubular portion having an elongated passage in fluid communication with the bore and a conduit in fluid communication with an actuating fluid manifold and the elongated passage and a bolt extending through the tubular portion, the conduit portion and a portion of the actuating fluid manifold removably attaching the jumper tube to a head of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A cyclic high pressure fluid seal for a fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a cyclic high pressure space connected to a low pressure space by a bore. A member with a pressure face end and a side surface is mounted to reciprocate in the bore between a retracted position and an advanced position. An O-ring is positioned in contact with the side surface of the member and the injector body within the bore. A portion of the member and the bore define a pressure accumulation volume positioned between the O-ring and the pressure face end. The pressure accumulation volume is positioned such that fluid pressure in the pressure accumulation volume changes with that of the cyclic high pressure space.

Abstract: An engine includes an engine housing having an oil pan with an amount of oil therein. An oil lubricating system for the engine has a low pressure pump attached to the engine housing. A hydraulic system, which uses the same oil as the lubricating system, has a high pressure pump positioned in the oil pan, attached to the engine housing, and at least partially submerged in the oil.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injection system includes an actuation fluid supply pipe having a flange. A hydraulically actuated fuel injector has a centerline, at least two different clamping surfaces and a side surface with an actuation fluid inlet. The clamping surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline. A clamp is attached to the flange of the actuation fluid supply pipe around the centerline of the injector while bearing against the at least two different clamping surfaces. The clamp allows for reliable sealing in a small space while minimizing internal distortion to injector components.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body defining an actuation fluid chamber that opens to an actuation fluid drain, an actuation fluid inlet and a piston bore, and further defining a nozzle chamber that opens to a plunger bore and a nozzle outlet. A control valve, positioned in the injector body, has a first position that opens the actuation fluid inlet and closes the actuation fluid drain, and a second position that closes the actuation fluid inlet and opens the actuation fluid drain. A piston, positioned in the piston bore. A plunger, positioned in the plunger bore, is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. A needle valve member, positioned in the nozzle chamber, is moveable between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is open and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked. A portion of the plunger bore and the plunger define a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulically actuated, electrically controlled unit fuel injectors to operate in response to the pressure of the working fluid or changes in the pressure of the working fluid is disclosed. The disclosed method comprises controlling the pressure of a high pressure working fluid which operates the fuel injector to inject the proper amount of fuel in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine and varying or adjusting the timing, duration and amplitude of a current pulse which activates the fuel injector in response to the pressure of the working fluid or changes thereto. The fuel injector is activated by energizing a stator that draws an armature to the stator and opens a first seat of the flow regulating device such as a poppet valve against a spring bias to allow the high pressure working fluid into the injector and closes a second seat to prevent the working from draining from the injector to allow the working fluid to operate the injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector combustion gas seal includes an engine head with an injector bore. A fuel injector having an outer surface and a nozzle outlet is positioned in the injector bore. An elastomeric ring shaped carbon dam made from a first material is mounted at a first location on the outer surface in contact with the engine head. An elastomeric O-ring made from a second material is mounted at a second location on the outer surface in contact with the head. The second location is further away from the nozzle outlet of the fuel injector than the first location. The first material is capable of withstanding temperatures up to about 400.degree. F. for a substantial period of time without undergoing significant degradation.

Abstract: An oil system for an engine includes an lubricating oil circulation system having a pan reservoir connected to an inlet of an engine oil gallery by a circulation conduit. A circulation pump is positioned in the circulation conduit. A recirculation conduit connects an outlet from the engine oil gallery to the pan reservoir to complete the lubricating oil circuit. A hydraulically actuated subsystem has a supply conduit connecting the engine lubricating oil circulation system to at least one hydraulically actuated device, such as a hydraulically actuated fuel injector. A high pressure pump is positioned in the supply conduit. A drain conduit connects the at least one hydraulically actuated device to the pan reservoir. A first external port and valve are attached to and open into the supply conduit of the subsystem. An auxiliary pump is connected to the external port.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body with a plunger bore that opens to a nozzle outlet. A plunger having a pressure face and a side surface is positioned to reciprocate in the plunger bore between an advanced position and a retracted position. A portion of the plunger bore and the plunger define a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to the nozzle outlet. A needle valve is positioned in the injector body adjacent the nozzle outlet and is moveable between an open position which opens the nozzle outlet and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is closed to the fuel pressurization chamber. An O-ring is in contact with the side surface of the plunger and the plunger bore on the injector body and serves to seal against fuel leakage past the plunger.

Abstract: A valve-closed-orifice (VCO) spray tip having an internal tip seat and one or more fuel spray orifices. The thickness of the tip in the wall portion defining the internal tip seat and upstream entrance of each orifice is made less than that of previously known VCO tips. The length to diameter ratio of each orifice is also relatively smaller than that of previously known VCO tips. Advantages of the thinner wall portion include improved fuel injection spray characteristics as well as reduced cost of forming orifices through the tip.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injection system includes a solenoid operated main valve that controls the flow of actuating fluid to the individual injectors. The flow of pressurized actuating fluid pressurizes the fuel and causes injection to occur. The present invention accomplishes pilot injection and/or other injection rate shaping by constricting the flow of pressurized actuating fluid to the piston pump chamber of the individual injectors during a portion of each injection cycle. Constricting the flow of pressurized actuating fluid is accomplished by a separately controlled solenoid valve preferably positioned between the actuating fluid manifold and the main control valves of each individual injector.

Abstract: A valve-closed-orifice (VCO) spray tip having an internal tip seat and one or more fuel spray orifices. The thickness of the tip in the wall portion defining the internal tip seat and upstream entrance of each orifice is made less than that of previously known VCO tips. The length to diameter ratio of each orifice is also relatively smaller than that of previously known VCO tips. Advantages of the thinner wall portion include improved fuel injection spray characteristics as well as reduced cost of forming orifices through the tip.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector nozzle employs a hydraulic spring which controls displacement of a needle check to provide a desired rate of fuel flow through an injector orifice.