Patents by Inventor William James Imoehl
William James Imoehl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10273918Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. Fin structure is provided in the outer tip surface and is constructed and arranged to increase a surface area of the outer tip surface as compared to a surface area of the outer tip surface absent the fin structure. The outer tip surface, including the fin structure, is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach absent the fin structure, so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: CONTINENTAL POWERTRAIN USA, LLCInventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20180038329Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. Fin structure is provided in the outer tip surface and is constructed and arranged to increase a surface area of the outer tip surface as compared to a surface area of the outer tip surface absent the fin structure. The outer tip surface, including the fin structure, is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach absent the fin structure, so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 9845779Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. A non-thermally conducting coating is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface and not on surfaces defining the seat passage. The coating is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach if the coating was not provided so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface, The seat passage is constructed and arranged to not be substantially heated by conduction from the outer tip surface and to be cooled by fuel passing there-through so as to prevent deposits of combustion from accumulating on surfaces defining the seat passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: William James Imoehl, Hong Zhang
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Patent number: 9790906Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. Fin structure is provided in the outer tip surface and is constructed and arranged to increase a surface area of the outer tip surface as compared to a surface area of the outer tip surface absent the fin structure. The outer tip surface, including the fin structure, is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach absent the fin structure, so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20160047343Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. Fin structure is provided in the outer tip surface and is constructed and arranged to increase a surface area of the outer tip surface as compared to a surface area of the outer tip surface absent the fin structure. The outer tip surface, including the fin structure, is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach absent the fin structure, so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20150377198Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. A non-thermally conducting coating is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface and not on surfaces defining the seat passage. The coating is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach if the coating was not provided so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface, The seat passage is constructed and arranged to not be substantially heated by conduction from the outer tip surface and to be cooled by fuel passing there-through so as to prevent deposits of combustion from accumulating on surfaces defining the seat passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: William James Imoehl, Hong Zhang
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Patent number: 9033256Abstract: A fuel injector (10) has an inlet (12), an outlet (14), and a passageway (16) providing a fuel flow conduit from the inlet to the outlet. A valve structure (22, 24) is movable in the passageway between first and second positions. A seat (26) is provided at the outlet and has at least one seat passage (28) in communication with the passageway. Movement of the valve structure between the first and second positions controls the flow of fuel through the seat passages. The seat includes an outer tip surface (30) through which the least one seat passage extends. A catalytic coating (32) is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface. The coating causes oxidation of fuel on the coating to occur at a temperature lower than if the coating was not provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20130048748Abstract: A fuel injector (10) has an inlet (12), an outlet (14), and a passageway (16) providing a fuel flow conduit from the inlet to the outlet. A valve structure (22, 24) is movable in the passageway between first and second positions. A seat (26) is provided at the outlet and has at least one seat passage (28) in communication with the passageway. Movement of the valve structure between the first and second positions controls the flow of fuel through the seat passages. The seat includes an outer tip surface (30) through which the least one seat passage extends. A catalytic coating (32) is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface. The coating causes oxidation of fuel on the coating to occur at a temperature lower than if the coating was not provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6920690Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corp.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6848634Abstract: A body and a seat for a fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet along a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The seat includes a first face, a second face, and a circumferential surface disposed between the first face and the second face. The circumferential surface includes a first zone and a second zone that are connected by an intermediate zone, the intermediate zone engaging the body and the second zone being thermally isolated from the body. A fuel injector and a method of forming a fuel injector are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corp.Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6832593Abstract: A method of optimizing mounting position of a direct injection fuel injector tip to minimize injector tip deposit formation of selected internal combustion engines and direct injection fuel injectors. The combination can be different engines with different injectors or the same engine or the same injector but with different characteristics for the engine and injector. For each combination selected, the method involves generating at least two maps different maps. The first map is a map of the range of injector tip temperatures of a particular engine and injector combination. The first map is a rough indicator of a tendency towards combustion deposits. The second map is an engine characterization map that correlates testing conditions to actual combustion deposits formation. An optimization map is then generated from characteristic curves that permits selection of an optimal injector tip position with respect to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20040050359Abstract: A method of optimizing mounting position of a direct injection fuel injector tip that can be used to minimize injector tip deposit formation of one or more selected internal combustion engine and direct injection fuel injector. The combination can be different engines with different injectors or the same engine or the same injector but with different characteristics for the engine and injector. For each combination selected, the method involves generating at least two maps different maps that are analyzed to determine whether a particular engine with the particular fuel injector has a tendency to promote injector tip deposits formation. The first map is a map of the range of injector tip temperatures of a particular engine and injector combination. The first map is a rough indicator of a tendency towards combustion deposits. The second map is an engine characterization map that correlates testing conditions to actual combustion deposits formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6598471Abstract: A method of selecting at least one optimal combination of engine or fuel injector characteristics that minimize injector tip deposit formation of one or more selected internal combustion engine and fuel injector. The combination can be different engines with different injectors or the same engine or the same injector but with different characteristics for the engine and injector. For each combination selected, the method involves generating at least two maps different maps that are analyzed to determine whether a particular engine with the particular fuel injector has a tendency to promote injector tip deposits formation. The first map is a map of the range of injector tip temperatures of a particular engine and injector combination. The first map is a rough indicator of a tendency towards combustion deposits. The second map is an engine characterization map that correlates testing conditions to actual combustion deposits formation.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20030084713Abstract: A method of selecting at least one optimal combination of engine or fuel injector characteristics that minimize injector tip deposit formation of one or more selected internal combustion engine and fuel injector. The combination can be different engines with different injectors or the same engine or the same injector but with different characteristics for the engine and injector. For each combination selected, the method involves generating at least two maps different maps that are analyzed to determine whether a particular engine with the particular fuel injector has a tendency to promote injector tip deposits formation. The first map is a map of the range of injector tip temperatures of a particular engine and injector combination. The first map is a rough indicator of a tendency towards combustion deposits. The second map is an engine characterization map that correlates testing conditions to actual combustion deposits formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: SIEMENS Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6526656Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6502769Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6422487Abstract: An injector seat assembly for a fuel injector is provided. The injector seat assembly includes an injector seat having a longitudinal seat channel and a longitudinal channel axis extending therethrough. The injector seat is constructed from a first material. An insert is fixedly inserted into the longitudinal seat channel. The insert has a longitudinal insert channel and a longitudinal insert channel axis extending along the longitudinal seat channel axis. The insert is constructed from a second material, different from the first material. A method of constructing the injector seat assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20020050536Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2000Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventor: William James Imoehl
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Publication number: 20020030124Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventor: William James Imoehl
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Patent number: 6334434Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: William James Imoehl, Bryan Hall