Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention provides a fluid injector (10) which functions as a positive displacement pump and comprises: a housing (12) in which a piston chamber is formed; a piston (11) which reciprocates in the piston chamber to define therewith a variable volume fluid pumping chamber; a one-way inlet valve (32) which allows flow of fluid into the pumping chamber from a fluid inlet; and a one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which allows flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber to a fluid outlet (31). In operation of the injector the piston (11) cyclically moves to increase volume of the pumping chamber and draw fluid into the pumping chamber via the one-way inlet valve (32) and then the piston moves to decrease volume of the pumping chamber and expel fluid from the pumping chamber via the one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29).

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a fuel injector (19) comprising a reed valve (35). The reed valve has at least one orifice and at least one reed valve blade, the or each reed valve blade having a valve head attached to at least one resilient spring arm. The or each valve head opens and closes a respective orifice in the valve seat. A support surrounds the reed valve blade(s). Each spring arm extending inwardly from the support. Each spring arm is curved.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides, an internal combustion engine comprising a variable volume combustion chamber (10); an air intake passage (103,104) via which air is delivered to the combustion chamber (10); a fuel injector (107) delivering fuel into the air intake passage (103,107); and a fuel storage tank (107) for storing fuel to be injected. The fuel injector (107) is at least in part immersed in fuel, the fuel injector (107) being located at least in part in a fuel chamber (108b) which is connected to or which forms part of the fuel storage tank (108). An escape path is provided for escape of fuel vapor from the fuel injector (107) and/or from the proximity of the fuel injector to the fuel storage tank (108).

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention provides a fluid injector (10) which functions as a positive displacement pump and comprises: a housing (12) in which a piston chamber is formed; a piston (11) which reciprocates in the piston chamber to define therewith a variable volume fluid pumping chamber; a one-way inlet valve (32) which allows flow of fluid into the pumping chamber from a fluid inlet; and a one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which allows flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber to a fluid outlet (31). In operation of the injector the piston (11) cyclically moves to increase volume of the pumping chamber and draw fluid into the pumping chamber via the one-way inlet valve (32) and then the piston moves to decrease volume of the pumping chamber and expel fluid from the pumping chamber via the one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29).

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The controller calculates an aggregate number of operations for a plurality of engine cycles which is closer to an aggregated desired fuel demand for the plurality of cycles than if for each cycle of the plurality of output cycles the output fuel demand is calculated independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an injector which functions as a a positive displacement pump and dispenses an amount of lubricant fixed for each and every operation of the injector. The fluid dispensed could be a lubricant delivered directly to crankshaft bearings, camshaft bearings, tappets or cylinder sleeve. Alternatively the fluid could be fuel, water or urea delivered to an exhaust system upstream of a catalytic converter. The injector can have a one-way valve with a valve element having a domed or conical surface for directing fluid flow across a sharp edge which induces turbulence in the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an injector which functions as a positive displacement pump and dispenses an amount of lubricant fixed for each and every operation of the injector. The fluid dispensed could be a lubricant delivered directly to crankshaft bearings, camshaft bearings, tappets or cylinder sleeve. Alternatively the fluid could be fuel, water or urea delivered to an exhaust system upstream of a catalytic converter. The injector can have a one-way valve with a valve element having a domed or conical surface for directing fluid flow across a sharp edge which induces turbulence in the fluid flow.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides, an internal combustion engine comprising a variable volume combustion chamber (10); an air intake passage (103,104) via which air is delivered to the combustion chamber (10); a fuel injector (107) delivering fuel into the air intake passage (103,107); and a fuel storage tank (107) for storing fuel to be injected. The fuel injector (107) is at least in part immersed in fuel, the fuel injector (107) being located at least in part in a fuel chamber (108b) which is connected to or which forms part of the fuel storage tank (108). An escape path is provided for escape of fuel vapour from the fuel injector (107) and/or from the proximity of the fuel injector to the fuel storage tank (108).

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a fuel injector (19) comprising a reed valve (35). The reed valve has at least one orifice and at least one reed valve blade, the or each reed valve blade having a valve head attached to at least one resilient spring arm. The or each valve head opens and closes a respective orifice in the valve seat. A support surrounds the reed valve blade(s). Each spring arm extending inwardly from the support. Each spring arm is curved.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The controller calculates an aggregate number of operations for a plurality of engine cycles which is closer to an aggregated desired fuel demand for the plurality of cycles than if for each cycle of the plurality of output cycles the output fuel demand is calculated independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having an injector which functions as a positive displacement pump and dispenses an amount of lubricant fixed for each and every operation of the injector. The fluid dispensed could be a lubricant delivered directly to crankshaft bearings, camshaft bearings, tappets or cylinder sleeve. Alternatively the fluid could be fuel, water or urea delivered to an exhaust system upstream of a catalytic converter. The injector can have a one-way valve with a valve element having a domed or conical surface for directing fluid flow across a sharp edge which induces turbulence in the fluid flow.