Abstract: Engineers have come to learn that a fuel injection system with a variety of capabilities to produce a variety of injection strategies can better perform and reduce emissions at all engine operation conditions than a fuel injection system limited in its control over injection timing, number, quantity and rate shapes. According to the present invention, in order to increase the variability of available injection strategies, a fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector fluidly connectable to at least a first common rail and a second common rail. By fluidly connecting the fuel injector to the first common rail, fuel can be injected at a first pressure. By fluidly connecting the fuel injector to the second common rail, fuel can be injected at a second pressure that is independent of the first pressure.

Abstract: At least one solenoid actuator and a valve are at least partially positioned within a body of an hydraulic device. The solenoid actuator includes at least one solenoid coil mounted to a stator that defines a guide bore in which a push pin moves between a first position and a second position. The valve includes a valve member that is operably coupled to move with the push pin. The push pin is attached to an armature that is positioned adjacent the solenoid coil. In order to increase the durability of the solenoid actuator, a relatively hard, nonmagnetic material is positioned between an inner surface of the stator that is made from a relatively soft, magnetic material and an outer surface of the push pin.

Abstract: Electrically controlled fuel injection systems should be able to operate at low voltage. In order to operate an electrically controlled fuel injection system at low voltage, the voltage available to an electrical actuator is monitored. The electrical actuator is coupled to a valve positioned within a passageway in which high pressure actuation fluid flows to and from an hydraulically actuated device, such as a fuel injector and/or an engine brake. If the voltage available to the electrical actuator falls below a predetermined voltage, the pressure differential across the valve is reduced. Although the principal application of the present invention is in the fuel injection system, the present invention has application in any electrically controlled fluid system at low voltage.

Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a pump, low pressure drain, high pressure rail, fuel injector, a gas exchange valve actuator, and a timing valve. The high pressure rail is connected to the pump with a supply line. A method of operating an engine comprises the steps of opening a gas exchange valve by connecting it with the outlet of the pump at a first chosen time, supplying pressurized fluid to a high pressure rail by connecting it with the outlet of the pump after the first time, and injecting fuel by supplying fluid from the high pressure rail to a fuel injector at a second chosen time. An engine comprises an engine casing that defines a plurality of cylinders. A fuel injector, gas exchange valve actuator, pump, supply line, and timing valve is provided for each of the cylinders. A low pressure drain and a high pressure rail are also provided.

Abstract: An engine valve actuation system may include an intake valve moveable between a first position that blocks a flow of fluid and a second position that allows a flow of fluid. The system may also include a cam assembly configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. An electromagnetic actuator may be configured to selectively modify a timing of the intake valve in moving from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A fluid control valve assembly controls the flow of actuation fluid to and from a fuel injector. The fluid control valve assembly includes at least one solenoid actuator attached to a valve body. The solenoid actuator includes a stator and an armature comprised of a soft magnetic material. At least one of the armature and the stator include an impact surface. The impact surface is coated with a relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating. Thus, the relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating will protect the relatively soft, magnetic material comprising the stator and the armature, and increase the durability of the solenoid actuator and the fluid control valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: Individual fuel injector performance deviations are determined with one of two in-chassis strategies for evaluating fuel injector performance, including a bare acceleration test and a loaded fuel injector performance test. In each of the tests, less than all of the engine cylinders are operated in a power mode. Individual fuel injector performance characteristics are extrapolated from at least one of engine response date and fuel injector response data from the tests.

Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve having a valve element, a rocker arm having a pivot point, a first end, and a second end, and a valve actuator. The valve actuator has a body member having a chamber adapted to receive a fluid, a seat, and a passageway adapted to conduct fluid into and out of the chamber. A piston is slidably disposed in the chamber of the body member and is operatively engaged with the second end of the rocker arm. A control valve is connected to the passageway. The control valve has a first position where fluid is allowed to flow relative to the passageway to allow the body member to move relative to the piston until the seat moves into engagement with the piston to thereby move the piston to pivot the rocker arm and actuate the engine valve.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator is provided. The engine valve actuator includes a first piston and a second piston. The second piston is moveably received within the first piston. The engine valve further includes an actuator body that has a bore defining a first stop and a second stop. The first stop is configured to engage the first piston to limit movement of the first piston at a first preselected distance of travel. The second stop is configured to engage the second piston to limit movement of the second piston at a second preselected distance. A valve element is operatively connected to the second piston to move in response to movement of the second piston.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a pump, low pressure drain, high pressure rail, fuel injector, a gas exchange valve actuator, and a timing valve. The high pressure rail is connected to the pump with a supply line. A method of operating an engine comprises the steps of opening a gas exchange valve by connecting it with the outlet of the pump at a first chosen time, supplying pressurized fluid to a high pressure rail by connecting it with the outlet of the pump after the first time, and injecting fuel by supplying fluid from the high pressure rail to a fuel injector at a second chosen time. An engine comprises an engine casing that defines a plurality of cylinders. A fuel injector, gas exchange valve actuator, pump, supply line, and timing valve is provided for each of the cylinders. A low pressure drain and a high pressure rail are also provided.

Abstract: A dual solenoid latching actuator is disclosed and provides an electrical circuit that includes at least one current restrictor, which are preferably a first diode and a second diode. The at least one current restrictor is positioned and arranged such that current flowing in a first direction can energize only one of a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil and current flowing in a second direction can energize only the other solenoid coil.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: Reducing leakage within fuel injectors is one way in which the efficiency of the overall fuel injection system can be improved. In most fuel injectors that include a direct control needle valve, the needle valve member is still biased toward a closed position by a spring that is located in a spring chamber connected to a low pressure vent. In many instances, the needle valve member is guided in a tight clearance region adjacent the spring chamber. Since the internal plumbing of the fuel injector is connected to a high pressure rail during and between injection events, static leakage across the guide region of the needle valve member can reduce efficiency. Static leakage is reduced in the present invention by connecting the spring chamber to the common rail instead of to a low pressure vent.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.

Abstract: A valve system having a valve operated by a piezoelectric device to control the flow of fluid through the valve system. Movement of the valve is controlled by a pre-stressed bender actuator that changes its shape by deforming in opposite axial directions in response to a control signal applied by an actuator control system. The valve system may comprise a common rail fuel injector, electrohydraulic actuator system, electronically-controlled fuel injector, gasoline port injector, fluid metering valve, relief valve, reducing valve, direct valve or direct-injection gasoline injector.