Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle, and a nozzle check including a closing hydraulic surface. The fuel injector also includes a high pressure passage, a low pressure drain, a control passage, a check control chamber, and a valve seat. A relief passage is formed by at least one of an injector housing or a control valve in a control valve assembly. The control valve is movable among a rest position, a lifted injection position, and a lifted relief position where the high pressure passage connects to the relief passage. The control valve can be operated to selectively connect the high pressure passage to the relief passage to bleed fuel pressure to prevent over-pressurization. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle, and a nozzle check including a closing hydraulic surface. The fuel injector also includes a high pressure passage, a low pressure drain, a control passage, a check control chamber, and a valve seat. A relief passage is formed by at least one of an injector housing or a control valve in a control valve assembly. The control valve is movable among a rest position, a lifted injection position, and a lifted relief position where the high pressure passage connects to the relief passage. The control valve can be operated to selectively connect the high pressure passage to the relief passage to bleed fuel pressure to prevent over-pressurization. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.

Abstract: Operating an engine system includes cold starting an engine, closing spill valves to pressurize fuel in a plurality of plunger cavities, opening injection valves in some of a plurality of fuel injectors to inject fuel into firing cylinders in an engine cycle, and opening spill valves in some of the plurality of fuel injectors while injection valves therein remain closed to bleed fuel to a lower pressure space in the engine cycle. The pressurization of fuel in the fuel injectors remaining closed parasitically loads the engine to increase a fuel burned amount hastening warm up and limiting misfire. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.

Abstract: Operating a fuel injector in a fuel system for an engine includes energizing a first solenoid actuator to move a spill valve from a first position to a second, closed position, and energizing a second solenoid actuator to move a fuel injection valve in the fuel injector from a closed position to an open position. A pull-in tier of a waveform energizing the second solenoid actuator is generated via a first current produced by a boosted voltage power supply and a second current produced by a lower voltage power supply. Arrival timing of the valve at the open position is detected based on a property of the second current, such that a valve arrival timing error may be used to trim the fuel injector. Related methodology and control logic is also disclosed.

Abstract: Operating a fuel system for an engine includes moving a plunger during a pumping cycle between an advanced position and a retracted position, and pulsing a solenoid actuator in an electrical circuit during at least one off cycle of the plunger where the plunger is neither advancing nor retracting with a plurality of current pulses of varied duration. An electrical property such as a freewheeling response in the electrical circuit induced by moving a valve in response to each respective current pulse is monitored, and a valve timing of the valve determined based on the monitored electrical property. The fuel system including a fuel injector may be electronically trimmed based on the determined valve timing. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injection installation method includes detecting an actuation timing of a first valve of a fuel injector, detecting an actuation timing of a second valve of the fuel injector, detecting a return timing of the first valve of the fuel injector, and detecting a return timing of the second valve of the fuel injector. The method includes, for one or more fuel injection events, modifying at least one of: a maximum amplitude of solenoid current, an average amplitude of solenoid current, a start time of solenoid current, an end time of solenoid current, or a total time of solenoid current. The modification is based on the actuation timing of the first valve, the actuation timing of the second valve, the return timing of the first valve, and the return timing of the second valve, and may be performed for installation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply passage configured to receive a pressurized fuel, a nozzle orifice downstream of the fuel supply passage, and an injection valve positionable to open the nozzle orifice and to close the nozzle orifice. The injection valve has a first configuration with a first lift and a second configuration with a second lift, the first lift being different than the second lift. The fuel injection system includes a fluid-actuated lift control valve configured to cause the injection valve to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector having a first electronically-controlled valve and a first injection valve configured to inject fuel when the first electronically-controlled valve is actuated. A second fuel injector has a second electronically-controlled valve and a second injection valve configured to inject fuel when the second electronically-controlled valve is actuated. The fuel injection system also includes a single fuel injector driver configured to actuate the first electronically-controlled valve and the second electronically-controlled valve.

Abstract: A fuel injection installation method includes detecting an actuation timing of a first valve of a fuel injector, detecting an actuation timing of a second valve of the fuel injector, detecting a return timing of the first valve of the fuel injector, and detecting a return timing of the second valve of the fuel injector. The method includes, for one or more fuel injection events, modifying at least one of: a maximum amplitude of solenoid current, an average amplitude of solenoid current, a start time of solenoid current, an end time of solenoid current, or a total time of solenoid current. The modification is based on the actuation timing of the first valve, the actuation timing of the second valve, the return timing of the first valve, and the return timing of the second valve, and may be performed for installation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector having a first electronically-controlled valve and a first injection valve configured to inject fuel when the first electronically-controlled valve is actuated. A second fuel injector has a second electronically-controlled valve and a second injection valve configured to inject fuel when the second electronically-controlled valve is actuated. The fuel injection system also includes a single fuel injector driver configured to actuate the first electronically-controlled valve and the second electronically-controlled valve.

Abstract: Operating an engine system and fuel system includes energizing a solenoid actuator for a spill valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle via a standard waveform to inject a shot of fuel. Operating an engine system and fuel system further includes determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system, and energizing the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability so as to inject one or more shots of fuel in a second engine cycle. The operating methodology and control logic can extend an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector, the fuel injector having an injection control valve, a solenoid that, when energized, is configured to modify a position of the injection control valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a command for energizing the solenoid, identify variability in one or more injection events, and based on the identified variability, increase an amount of energy supplied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A multi-fuel injector includes a primary fuel inlet configured to receive a liquid primary fuel, a pilot fuel inlet configured to receive a liquid pilot fuel that is a different fuel than the primary fuel, and a spill valve in fluid communication with the primary fuel inlet. The fuel injector also includes a control valve configured to control a pressure of fluid within a hydraulic control chamber, and an injection valve abutting the hydraulic control chamber, the injection valve being configured to move to an injection position to inject both the primary fuel and the pilot fuel.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply passage configured to receive a pressurized fuel, a nozzle orifice downstream of the fuel supply passage, and an injection valve positionable to open the nozzle orifice and to close the nozzle orifice. The injection valve has a first configuration with a first lift and a second configuration with a second lift, the first lift being different than the second lift. The fuel injection system includes a fluid-actuated lift control valve configured to cause the injection valve to change from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: Operating an engine system and fuel system includes energizing a solenoid actuator for a spill valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle via a standard waveform to inject a shot of fuel. Operating an engine system and fuel system further includes determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system, and energizing the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability so as to inject one or more shots of fuel in a second engine cycle. The operating methodology and control logic can extend an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel injector includes applying a spill valve current, applying a control valve current, the control and spill valves including components in electrical communication with each other, and detecting a timing at which the spill valve returns to an open position based on induced spill valve current. The method includes detecting a timing at which the control valve returns to a resting position based on induced control valve current, the induced spill valve current and the induced control valve current being included in respective freewheeling currents that at least partially overlap each other, adjusting a spill valve current that is applied during an injection, based on the detected spill valve return timing, and adjusting a control valve current that is applied during the injection, based on the detected control valve return timing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system includes applying a pull-in current to close a spill valve of the fuel injector and detecting a timing at which the spill valve closes. The method also includes adjusting at least one of an amplitude of the pull-in current, a duration of the pull-in current, or a timing of a start of an application of the pull-in current based on the detected timing of the closing of the spill valve.

Abstract: A method of injecting fuel with a fuel injector includes applying a spill valve current to close a spill valve and applying a control valve current to move a control valve to an injection position. The method also includes discontinuing the application of the spill valve current to open the spill valve and preventing a return of the control valve to a non-injection position while detecting a timing when the spill valve opens.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.