Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and may include an injector body and an injector valve. The injector body may define a longitudinally extending chamber and may include a first intake port, a second intake port and a fuel injection port. The injector valve may be disposed within the chamber and may include a longitudinally extending aperture in fluid communication with the longitudinally extending chamber. The injector valve may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the first intake port and the second intake port, and may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the fuel injection port and the second intake port.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and includes an injector body having a first longitudinally extending chamber. The injector body has a first intake port, a second intake port, and at least one fuel injection port. The first intake port provides a first fluid to the first longitudinally extending chamber, the second intake port provides a second fluid to the first longitudinally extending chamber, and the at least one fuel injection port discharges the first and second fluids from the first longitudinally extending chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and may include an injector body and an injector valve. The injector body may define a longitudinally extending chamber and may include a first intake port, a second intake port and a fuel injection port. The injector valve may be disposed within the chamber and may include a longitudinally extending aperture in fluid communication with the longitudinally extending chamber. The injector valve may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the first intake port and the second intake port, and may be configured to prevent fluid communication between the fuel injection port and the second intake port.

Abstract: A valve actuator for controlling a valve between an open and a closed disposition includes couplings to a source of fluid under pressure and a reservoir at substantially ambient pressure. A control fluidly coupled to the source of fluid under pressure and to the reservoir for controlling presenting fluid at selected pressure to affect a reciprocatable component, the reciprocatable component being operably coupled to the valve for shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. And, positively, hydraulically shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. A method of valve actuation is also included.

Abstract: An actuator rail assembly for conveying an actuating fluid under pressure to at least one fuel injector includes an elongate fluid passageway (18) being defined in a rail (12). A fluid inlet port (31) is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway (18), the inlet port being fluidly couplable to a source of actuating fluid under pressure. A respective fluid outlet port is associated with each respective fuel injector and being fluidly couplable thereto for conveying actuating fluid to the respective fuel injector and at least one fluid cavity (16) having at least one throttling orifice (14), the orifice effecting fluid communication between the fluid cavity (16) and the fluid passageway (18). An acoustic wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: An actuator rail assembly for conveying an actuating fluid under pressure to at least one fuel injector, include an elongate fluid passageway being defined in a rail. A fluid inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, the inlet port being fluidly couplable to a source of actuating fluid under pressure. A respective fluid outlet port is associated with each respective fuel injector and being fluidly couplable thereto for conveying actuating fluid to the respective fuel injector; and at least one fluid cavity having at least one throttling orifice, the orifice effecting fluid communication between the fluid cavity and the fluid passageway. An acoustic wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: A fuel injector is operably couplable to a cylinder head, a clamping mechanism being in operable engagement with the fuel injector and the cylinder head for exerting a clamping force tending to hold the fuel injector in engagement with the cylinder head and includes a retainer assembly for retaining the fuel injector in operable coupling with a cylinder head, the retainer acting in cooperation with the clamping mechanism. The retainer assembly has a split dowel, the split dowel being statically engagable with the cylinder head by a clamping action of the clamping mechanism acting on the fuel injector and being engagable with a spring component for imparting a bias to the spring component. The spring component is in operable engagement with the fuel injector for imparting a reactive force to the fuel injector responsive to the bias imparted by the split dowel.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of returning surplus fuel from a fuel injector (103) utilizes an internal channel (108) of the fuel injector (103) and a fuel return passage in a cylinder head (101) of an internal combustion engine (100). Each fuel injector (103) may be partially disposed in the fuel return passage (113), which may have openings (301) that are at least partially shaped to receive at least a part of the fuel injector (103). One or more ports (109) through which surplus fuel exits the fuel injector (103) are disposed adjacent to an optional groove (111) or adjacent to the openings (301) of the fuel return passage (113). External fuel return lines to each of the fuel injectors (103) are thus eliminated.

Abstract: A valve actuator for controlling a valve between an open and a closed disposition includes couplings to a source of fluid under pressure and a reservoir at substantially ambient pressure. A control fluidly coupled to the source of fluid under pressure and to the reservoir for controlling presenting fluid at selected pressure to affect a reciprocatable component, the reciprocatable component being operably coupled to the valve for shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. And, positively, hydraulically shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. A method of valve actuation is also included.

Abstract: A fuel injector is operably couplable to a cylinder head, a clamping mechanism being in operable engagement with the fuel injector and the cylinder head for exerting a clamping force tending to hold the fuel injector in engagement with the cylinder head and includes a retainer assembly for retaining the fuel injector in operable coupling with a cylinder head, the retainer acting in cooperation with the clamping mechanism. The retainer assembly has a split dowel, the split dowel being statically engagable with the cylinder head by a clamping action of the clamping mechanism acting on the fuel injector and being engagable with a spring component for imparting a bias to the spring component. The spring component is in operable engagement with the fuel injector for imparting a reactive force to the fuel injector responsive to the bias imparted by the split dowel.

Abstract: An actuator rail assembly for conveying an actuating fluid under pressure to at least one fuel injector includes an elongate fluid passageway (18) being defined in a rail (12). A fluid inlet port (31) is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway (18), the inlet port being fluidly couplable to a source of actuating fluid under pressure. A respective fluid outlet port is associated with each respective fuel injector and being fluidly couplable thereto for conveying actuating fluid to the respective fuel injector and at least one fluid cavity (16) having at least one throttling orifice (14), the orifice effecting fluid communication between the fluid cavity (16) and the fluid passageway (18). An acoustic wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator for attenuating pressure waves formed in a rail having a volume of fluid therein includes a rigid enclosed fluid cavity having a selected volume, the volume communicating with the rail actuating fluid though an orifice having a select volume for containing actuating fluid, the orifice having an aperture in fluid communication with the actuating fluid selected such that when an pressure wave impinges on the aperture of the orifice, the motion of the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice is set to vibrating, the vibrating acting to excite the actuating fluid within the enclosed volume, a resulting amplified motion of the actuating fluid in the orifice, due to phase cancellation between the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice and the actuating fluid volume in the enclosed cavity, causing energy absorption of the pressure wave due to frictional drag in and around the orifice. An pressure wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: A damping assembly for an engine valve, the engine valve being an intake/exhaust valve, the engine valve admitting/exhausting a fluid mixture into/from a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes damping apparatus having a damping chamber being selectively in fluid communication with a source of pressurized actuating fluid and being in fluid communication with a substantially ambient actuating fluid reservoir and being operably coupled to the engine valve. The chamber is floodable with a volume of actuating fluid, venting of actuating fluid from the chamber being selectively restricted. The restriction imparts a force to the engine valve acting to moderate engine valve landing speed during a closing stroke of the engine valve. A method of control is further included.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator for attenuating pressure waves formed in a rail having a volume of fluid therein includes a rigid enclosed fluid cavity having a selected volume, the volume communicating with the rail actuating fluid though an orifice having a select volume for containing actuating fluid, the orifice having an aperture in fluid communication with the actuating fluid selected such that when an pressure wave impinges on the aperture of the orifice, the motion of the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice is set to vibrating, the vibrating acting to excite the actuating fluid within the enclosed volume, a resulting amplified motion of the actuating fluid in the orifice, due to phase cancellation between the actuating fluid in the volume of the orifice and the actuating fluid volume in the enclosed cavity, causing energy absorption of the pressure wave due to frictional drag in and around the orifice. An pressure wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: An actuator rail assembly for conveying an actuating fluid under pressure to at least one fuel injector, include an elongate fluid passageway being defined in a rail. A fluid inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway, the inlet port being fluidly couplable to a source of actuating fluid under pressure. A respective fluid outlet port is associated with each respective fuel injector and being fluidly couplable thereto for conveying actuating fluid to the respective fuel injector; and at least one fluid cavity having at least one throttling orifice, the orifice effecting fluid communication between the fluid cavity and the fluid passageway. An acoustic wave attenuator and a method of attenuation are also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for selective control of gas flow in a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine through a moveable or retractable seat valve that is independent of piston position. The retractable seat valve has complete freedom of valving events such that gas flow can be selectively controlled at any time during the engine cycle, or throughout the engine cycle. Further, the retractable seat valve is scalable for adaptation to internal combustions engines of various bore sizes. The retractable seat valve includes a retractable seat, a stationary seat, a retractable seat actuator member, a pin connector for translation of retractable seat actuator member movement to the retractable seat, and a valve actuator assembly that allows the retractable seat valve be selectively positioned in the cylinder head in a closed position, open position or anywhere therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for selective control of gas flow in a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine through a moveable or retractable seat valve that is independent of piston position. The retractable seat valve has complete freedom of valving events such that gas flow can be selectively controlled at any time during the engine cycle, or throughout the engine cycle. Further, the retractable seat valve is scalable for adaptation to internal combustions engines of various bore sizes. The retractable seat valve comprises a retractable seat, a stationary seat, a retractable seat actuator member, a pin connector for translation of retractable seat actuator member movement to the retractable seat, and a valve actuator assembly that allows the retractable seat valve be selectively positioned in the cylinder head in a closed position, open position or anywhere therebetween.

Abstract: A connector assembly and the actuating system including the connector assembly, the connector assembly for fluidly coupling an actuating fluid rail to a fuel injector, the actuating fluid rail conveying a quantity of actuating fluid, the fuel injector having an actuating fluid inlet, the connector assembly includes a check valve operably disposed in a connecting member for controlling the flow of actuating fluid between the actuating fluid rail and the fuel injector. The connecting member has a fluid passageway defined therein, the fluid passageway being in fluid communication with the actuating fluid rail and the fuel injector actuating fluid inlet. A method of minimizing negative pressure effects caused by operation of a fuel injector on the actuating fluid in an actuating fluid rail and a method of providing a high pressure actuating fluid flow from a high pressure pump to a plurality of fuel injectors of a diesel engine are further included.

Abstract: A delay device for use with a fuel injector, the fuel injector having an electric controller for controlling the flow of a high pressure actuating fluid responsive to initiation and cessation of a pulse width command, the pulse width command defining the duration of an injection event, and an intensifier being in fluid communication with the controller, the intensifier being translatable to increase the pressure of a volume of fuel for injection into the combustion chamber of an engine; the delay device includes an apparatus, shiftable between a first disposition and a second disposition over a certain period of time after initiation of the pulse width command, the period of time effecting a delay in initiation of fuel injection after initiation of the pulse width command. A fuel injector including a delay device.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for delivering a supply of a fluid from a fluid source to a fuel injector includes a rail for conveying a fluid and being positionable proximate the fuel injector. The rail has a fluid passageway defined therein, the fluid passageway being in fluid communication with the source of fluid. A connector is in fluid communication with both the rail and with the fuel injector for fluidly connecting the rail to the fuel injector. The connector is universally moveable in three axes for accommodating static tolerances existing between the rail and the fuel injector and for accommodating dynamic relative motion between the rail and the fuel injector such that stresses imposed on the fuel injector resulting from being attached to the rail are substantially eliminated.