Abstract: A multipart fuel filter element includes a cartridge body having a plurality of through bores radially offset with respect to a centerline. An inlet end cap adjacent a first cartridge face includes an inlet aperture centrally aligned with the centerline and a plurality of distribution apertures aligned with and directing fuel to the plurality of through bores. An outlet end cap adjacent a second cartridge face includes an outlet aperture also aligned with the centerline and a plurality of reception aperture that are aligned with the through bores to receive fuel.

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.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a common rail fuel system includes a hard ceramic spherical valve member that moves into and out of contact with a conical valve seat of a soft metallic valve body. Fretting damage to the valve is inhibited by using the dissimilar materials, and by using a guide pin that is allowed to move on the spherical surface of the ceramic spherical valve member. The valve member may be constructed of silicon nitride.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for a common rail fuel system includes a hard ceramic spherical valve member that moves into and out of contact with a conical valve seat of a soft metallic valve body. Fretting damage to the valve is inhibited by using the dissimilar materials, and by using a guide pin that is allowed to move on the spherical surface of the ceramic spherical valve member. The valve member may be constructed of silicon nitride.

Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated device includes a body, a valve disposed within the body and an actuator for the valve, the actuator including a casing coupled with the body and a piezoelectric element disposed within the casing The actuator further includes a multi-function spring applying a preloading force to the piezoelectric element. The multi-function spring includes a first segment having a piston configured to translate a motion of the piezoelectric element during operation of the actuator, a second segment having at least one flexural element and a third segment having a first set of threads. The first set of threads is engaged with a second set of threads of the actuator and maintains the second segment in a tension state which corresponds with the preloading force.

Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.

Abstract: A common rail fuel system includes a reverse flow check valve fluidly positioned between each of a plurality of common rail fuel injectors and an outlet of a high pressure pump. The reverse flow check valves divide the overall system fluid volume into an upstream common volume and a plurality of separate downstream volumes. The upstream common volume is greater than the sum of the separate downstream volumes. The reverse flow check valve is movable between a first configuration with a large flow area and a second configuration with a small flow area. The reverse flow check valve associated with each of the individual fuel injectors may be housed in a quill that fluidly connects the fuel injectors to the high pressure common rail.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated device includes a body, a valve disposed within the body and an actuator for the valve, the actuator including a casing coupled with the body and a piezoelectric element disposed within the casing. The actuator further includes a multi-function spring applying a preloading force to the piezoelectric element. The multi-function spring includes a first segment having a piston configured to translate a motion of the piezoelectric element during operation of the actuator, a second segment having at least one flexural element and a third segment having a first set of threads. The first set of threads is engaged with a second set of threads of the actuator and maintains the second segment in a tension state which corresponds with the preloading force.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter of the type using a plurality of voltage comparators, each, in response to an applied reference voltage and an analog voltage to be digitized, producing one of two logic signals depending on which of the applied voltages is the greater includes apparatus for altering the reference voltages on some but not all the comparators as a function of time in response to a control signal.In one embodiment, each of the altered reference voltages is limited to some preselected differential relative to that applied to one of the comparators which does not have its reference voltage altered as a function of time.In another embodiment, that one comparator has its reference voltage altered as a function of ratio of the time it produces one of the two logic signals relative to the other.

Abstract: A control transistor in the over-current protection circuitry of a voltage regulator is connected in a regenerative latch circuit with a complementary-conductivity auxiliary transistor, whereby conduction once initiated in said control transistor tends to be sustained. This avoids the tendency towards rapid oscillation between shut-down and power-up conditions in the over-current protection circuitry. The regenerative latch circuit loads the capacitor that supplies its sustaining current so heavily that the potential thereacross decays, the decay finally advancing to the point where regeneration halts. The resulting non-conduction of the control transistor permits the voltage regulator to attempt to resume the power-up condition. The present invention is an improvement in such a voltage regulator wherein circuitry is provided for rapidly recharging the capacitor for supplying sustaining current during this attempt.