Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber from the drain. The potential for cavitation at high fuel injection pressure is reduced by throttling the flow of fuel past the control valve seat when the control valve opens, thereby maintaining sufficient back pressure in the control valve chamber and upstream connecting passages.

Abstract: A debris shield in the high pressure fuel supply passage of a fuel injector, upstream of a bypass branch line leading to a control valve, comprising a rigid tube with a central passage aligned with the fuel supply passage and narrow flow paths through which high pressure fuel is filtered for removal of debris before delivery to the branch line, wherein the tube has opposed ends that are sealingly compressed between spaced apart stop surfaces along the fuel supply passage. The flow paths can be can be bores, slots, or circuitous transverse flow paths formed by woven or ribbon wrapped mesh.

Abstract: A tubular debris shield and diverter mounted in a high pressure flow passage within a fuel injector, provide the dual functions of passing the main flow of high pressure fuel with large debris particles to relatively large discharge openings, such as the injector spray holes, while allowing some high pressure fuel to flow through a multitude of very small transverse holes to a sensitive hydraulic component, such an injector control valve circuit. In one embodiment, the tube has a wall thickness in the range of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm at least about 2000 holes with a diameter in the range of about 20 to 30 microns.

Abstract: An atomizing injector comprises a body having a central bore with a valve situated in the bore, leading to a chamber. An actuator moves the valve between closed condition and open conditions, selectively exposing the chamber to a flow of pressurized liquid. A discharge port extends from the chamber to a discharge orifice. A swirl element is situated in the chamber, while leaving a free space in the chamber immediately above the discharge port. When the valve is opened, liquid flows into the chamber, through the swirl element into the space, forming a whirl in the space before passing through the discharge port and exiting the discharge orifice as an atomized whirling spray.

Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber from the drain. The potential for cavitation at high fuel injection pressure is reduced by throttling the flow of fuel past the control valve seat when the control valve opens, thereby maintaining sufficient back pressure in the control valve chamber and upstream connecting passages.

Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber from the drain. The potential for cavitation at high fuel injection pressure is reduced by throttling the flow of fuel past the control valve seat when the control valve opens, thereby maintaining sufficient back pressure in the control valve chamber and upstream connecting passages.

Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber from the drain. Resistance to the flow or displacement of fuel through the control valve seat is provided by a pressure regulating valve as the control valve rapidly closes against its seat, thereby reducing the rate of closure and thus the impact of the control valve on the seat.

Abstract: A tubular debris shield and diverter mounted in a high pressure flow passage within a fuel injector, provide the dual functions of passing the main flow of high pressure fuel with large debris particles to relatively large discharge openings, such as the injector spray holes, while allowing some high pressure fuel to flow through a multitude of very small transverse holes to a sensitive hydraulic component, such an injector control valve circuit. In one embodiment, the tube has a wall thickness in the range of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm at least about 2000 holes with a diameter in the range of about 20 to 30 microns.

Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber from the drain. Resistance to the flow or displacement of fuel through the control valve seat is provided by a pressure regulating valve as the control valve rapidly closes against its seat, thereby reducing the rate of closure and thus the impact of the control valve on the seat.

Abstract: An atomizing injector comprises a body having a central bore with a valve situated in the bore, leading to a chamber. An actuator moves the valve between closed condition and open conditions, selectively exposing the chamber to a flow of pressurized liquid. A discharge port extends from the chamber to a discharge orifice. A swirl element is situated in the chamber, while leaving a free space in the chamber immediately above the discharge port. When the valve is opened, liquid flows into the chamber, through the swirl element into the space, forming a whirl in the space before passing through the discharge port and exiting the discharge orifice as an atomized whirling spray.

Abstract: A urea solution injection system and an injector with which urea solution or other exhaust treatment liquid from a source tank can be injected as an atomized spray into an exhaust pipe. A metering pump with integrated injection nozzle are contained in a common housing mounted directly to the exhaust pipe, thereby eliminating the separate electric motor driven pump, line between pump, and injector in conventional systems.

Abstract: A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

Abstract: A urea solution injection system and an injector with which urea solution or other exhaust treatment liquid from a source tank can be injected as an atomized spray into an exhaust pipe. A metering pump with integrated injection nozzle are contained in a common housing mounted directly to the exhaust pipe, thereby eliminating the separate electric motor driven pump, line between pump, and injector in conventional systems.

Abstract: An atomizing injector comprises a body having a central bore with a valve situated in the bore, leading to a chamber. An actuator moves the valve between closed condition and open conditions, selectively exposing the chamber to a flow of pressurized liquid. A discharge port extends from the chamber to a discharge orifice. A swirl element is situated in the chamber, while leaving a free space in the chamber immediately above the discharge port. When the valve is opened, liquid flows into the chamber, through the swirl element into the space, forming a whirl in the space before passing through the discharge port and exiting the discharge orifice as an atomized whirling spray.

Abstract: A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

Abstract: A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

Abstract: A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

Abstract: Because of the relatively high pressures experienced within fuel injectors, several internal components can undergo substantial deformation each time fuel is pressurized to injection levels. In some instances, such as when a solenoid operated control valve is positioned near a distortion region, the internal distortion can cause a fuel injector to behave with less predictability, and can undermine consistency from one fuel injector to another, since distortion levels and affects therefrom are likely to vary substantially from one injector to another. In order to desensitize fuel injector performance to this internal distortion, a deflection cavity is disposed within the fuel injector between the distortion region and the needle valve of the fuel injector. This strategy finds particular applicability to needle control valves disposed deep within fuel injectors in order to control fluid pressure on a closing hydraulic surface of a direct control needle valve, which opens and closes the nozzle outlets.

Abstract: A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

Abstract: One strategy for reducing undesirable emissions from internal combustion engines relates to finding ways to better mix fuel and air prior to combustion. One such method is commonly referred to as homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI); however, that strategy is problematic in both controlling ignition timing and avoiding overstressing the engine at higher speeds and loads. The present invention addresses these issues by mixing air and fuel vapor within an injector instead of within the engine cylinder. The air/fuel mixture is then injected into the engine cylinder at some desired timing and over some desired duration. Such a strategy permits for lower emissions due to better mixing of air and fuel, while also permitting control over some aspects of combustion timing and duration not apparently possible with a conventional HCCI strategy. The present invention is generally applicable to all internal combustion engines, but especially applicable to diesel engines.