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: A system for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine includes an engine cylinder, a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the engine cylinder, and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a condition associated with the combustion of fuel in the engine cylinder. The system also includes a controller configured to generate commands for an injection of fuel into the internal combustion engine and receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is further configured to generate adjusted commands for: a current amplitude, a start of current time, an end of current time, a duration of a pull-in current, a duration of a keep-in current, or a duration of a hold-in current, for a subsequent injection of fuel into the internal combustion engine, based on the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a fuel injector having a fuel pressurization plunger, and a fueling control unit structured to determine a fuel bulk modulus term based upon a volume change value (dV) and a pressure change value (dP) for a fuel pressurized in the fuel injector. The fueling control unit is further structured to determine fuel injector control commands by way of map lookups on fueling maps selected on the basis of the fuel bulk modulus term. Related apparatus and methodology are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one instance, disclosed herein is a method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system, the method including: applying a first current to a spill valve solenoid to move a spill valve of the fuel injector to a closed spill position; reducing the first current applied to the spill valve solenoid to move the spill valve to an at least partially-open position; determining a dwell duration for the fuel injector based on an expected fuel pressure of the fuel injector; and after the determined dwell duration, increasing the first current applied to the spill valve solenoid to return the spill valve to the closed spill position.

Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a fuel injector having a fuel pressurization plunger, and a fueling control unit structured to determine a fuel bulk modulus term based upon a volume change value (dV) and a pressure change value (dP) for a fuel pressurized in the fuel injector. The fueling control unit is further structured to determine fuel injector control commands by way of map lookups on fueling maps selected on the basis of the fuel bulk modulus term. Related apparatus and methodology are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one instance, disclosed herein is a method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system, the method including: applying a first current to a spill valve solenoid to move a spill valve of the fuel injector to a closed spill position; reducing the first current applied to the spill valve solenoid to move the spill valve to an at least partially-open position; determining a dwell duration for the fuel injector based on an expected fuel pressure of the fuel injector; and after the determined dwell duration, increasing the first current applied to the spill valve solenoid to return the spill valve to the closed spill position.

Abstract: In one instance, disclosed herein is a method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system, the method comprising: determining, based on an engine condition of the engine system, a pull-in duration for the fuel injector during which current is applied to move a valve member away from a resting position; applying a current to a valve solenoid to move the valve member of the fuel injector to a closed position for the determined pull-in duration; and after the determined pull-in duration, reducing the current applied to the valve solenoid to a keep-in level.

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: An electronically controlled fuel injector includes an injection valve; a control valve fluidly connected between a pressurized fuel supply passage and a control chamber for controlling operation of the injection valve, the control valve movable between a non-injection position and an injection position; the injection valve configured to inject fuel with the control valve in the injection position; and a control member chamber including an orifice that fluidly connects the control member chamber with a low pressure return line of a fuel supply system. The control chamber is fluidly coupled with a pressure communication passage such that the control chamber is fluidly coupled with the low pressure return line through the orifice in the control member chamber when the control valve is in the injection position. The pressure communication passage includes a two-way, variable flow rate valve.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fuel injector includes an injection valve; a control valve fluidly connected between a pressurized fuel supply passage and a control chamber for controlling operation of the injection valve, the control valve movable between a non-injection position and an injection position; the injection valve configured to inject fuel with the control valve in the injection position; and a control member chamber including an orifice that fluidly connects the control member chamber with a low pressure return line of a fuel supply system. The control chamber is fluidly coupled with a pressure communication passage such that the control chamber is fluidly coupled with the low pressure return line through the orifice in the control member chamber when the control valve is in the injection position. The pressure communication passage includes a two-way, variable flow rate valve.

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 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: 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: 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 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.