Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may be driven via a rotating motor. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide improved fuel pressure control.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling an alternator using a fan that is operationally independent of the alternator and a duct system that at least partially surrounds the alternator. Example vehicles include an alternator cooling system that comprises a fan configured to be operationally independent of the alternator and disposed adjacent to an end of the alternator, and a duct system encasing the end of the alternator. The vehicles further include a control module configured to control operation of the fan based on one or more inputs related to operation of the alternator. Example methods include receiving, at a processor, an input related to operation of the alternator; determining, based on the input, that a preset condition has been met, using the processor; and responsive thereto, generating a control signal to adjust an operating speed of the fan.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.

Abstract: A method is provided which mitigates the noise of a direct injection system in a port fuel injection and direct fuel injection (PFI-DI) engine and reduces NVH hardware. During a cold-start, the engine idle speed may be increased to mitigate the direct injection noise and during a warm idle, the engine cooling fan may be turned on during a direct injector cleanout cycle to mitigate the direct injection noise. This allows the PFI-DI engine to be run more efficiently without concern of the noise produced by the direct injectors and high pressure pump of the direct injection system.

Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quiet fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quiet fuel metering valve may be cam driven. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide operating modes that are different from other fuel systems.

Abstract: A method of pressuring fuel for a direct injection fuel system via a fuel pump in an engine is provided. The method includes, during a first mode, adjusting a magnetic solenoid valve (MSV) to control pump outlet pressure and during a second mode, deactivating the MSV and controlling pump outlet pressure via a noise-reducing valve assembly on an inlet side of the fuel pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling an alternator using a fan that is operationally independent of the alternator and a duct system that at least partially surrounds the alternator. Example vehicles include an alternator cooling system that comprises a fan configured to be operationally independent of the alternator and disposed adjacent to an end of the alternator, and a duct system encasing the end of the alternator. The vehicles further include a control module configured to control operation of the fan based on one or more inputs related to operation of the alternator. Example methods include receiving, at a processor, an input related to operation of the alternator; determining, based on the input, that a preset condition has been met, using the processor; and responsive thereto, generating a control signal to adjust an operating speed of the fan.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.

Abstract: A method is provided which mitigates the noise of a direct injection system in a port fuel injection and direct fuel injection (PFI-DI) engine and reduces NVH hardware. During a cold-start, the engine idle speed may be increased to mitigate the direct injection noise and during a warm idle, the engine cooling fan may be turned on during a direct injector cleanout cycle to mitigate the direct injection noise. This allows the PFI-DI engine to be run more efficiently without concern of the noise produced by the direct injectors and high pressure pump of the direct injection system.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel pump is provided. The method may include decreasing a pump chamber pressure, passively opening a metering valve coupled to a pump chamber in response to the decreasing, and while the metering valve is open, generating a rotational output via a motor, transferring the rotational output into an actuation force applied to the metering valve via a metering valve actuation device, and inhibiting the metering valve from closing via sustaining application of the actuation force.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump for use with an internal combustion engine and a method of operation of a high pressure fuel pump are disclosed. The high pressure fuel pump may include a supply chamber and a pump chamber separated by a passage in sealing arrangement with a disk. The disk may have one or more holes therethrough and be rotatable in order to place the holes in the disk in varying degrees of alignment with the passage to allow respective, varying amounts of fuel to flow through the passage.

Abstract: A method of pressuring fuel for a direct injection fuel system via a fuel pump in an engine is provided. The method includes, during a first mode, adjusting a magnetic solenoid valve (MSV) to control pump outlet pressure and during a second mode, deactivating the MSV and controlling pump outlet pressure via a noise-reducing valve assembly on an inlet side of the fuel pump.

Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a piston operable to reciprocate in a cylinder, a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the piston, and a supercharger rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The supercharger has an unequal distribution of mass along a longitudinal plane of the supercharger to provide a rotational counterbalance to reduce engine imbalance.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel pump is provided. The method may include decreasing a pump chamber pressure, passively opening a metering valve coupled to a pump chamber in response to the decreasing, and while the metering valve is open, generating a rotational output via a motor, transferring the rotational output into an actuation force applied to the metering valve via a metering valve actuation device, and inhibiting the metering valve from closing via sustaining application of the actuation force.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection cylinder for an engine of a vehicle includes a direct fuel injector disposed in an injector bore within a cylinder head. A beveled conical wave washer is disposed between a shelf in the injector bore and a shoulder of the direct fuel injector. During operation of the vehicle, the beveled conical wave washer is elastically deformed by radial displacement caused by absorption of high frequency energy from the direct fuel injector. Elastic deformation of the beveled conical wave washer may reduce noise which may be caused by impact of the direct fuel injector and the cylinder head.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump for use with an internal combustion engine and a method of operation of a high pressure fuel pump are disclosed. The high pressure fuel pump may include a supply chamber and a pump chamber separated by a passage in sealing arrangement with a disk. The disk may have one or more holes therethrough and be rotatable in order to place the holes in the disk in varying degrees of alignment with the passage to allow respective, varying amounts of fuel to flow through the passage.

Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a piston operable to reciprocate in a cylinder, a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the piston, and a supercharger rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The supercharger has an unequal distribution of mass along a longitudinal plane of the supercharger to provide a rotational counterbalance to reduce engine imbalance.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection cylinder for an engine of a vehicle includes a direct fuel injector disposed in an injector bore within a cylinder head. A beveled conical wave washer is disposed between a shelf in the injector bore and a shoulder of the direct fuel injector. During operation of the vehicle, the beveled conical wave washer is elastically deformed by radial displacement caused by absorption of high frequency energy from the direct fuel injector. Elastic deformation of the beveled conical wave washer may reduce noise which may be caused by impact of the direct fuel injector and the cylinder head.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector pocket, formed within a cylinder head, for housing an injector which sprays fuel into a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head and a piston crown. The injector is mounted with a conical isolator which is loaded at a lower, elastic rate during lower power operation, with the conical isolator being stacked solid between a tapered portion of the injector and a corresponding tapered portion of the cylinder head during high power operation of the engine and injection system. The isolator controls unwanted injector ticking noise, while protecting the integrity of the injector's tip seal by preventing excessive axial displacement of the injector during higher load operation.

Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may include a fuel volume control plate. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide improved fuel pressure control.