Fuel Pump Flow Regulation Patents (Class 123/446)
  • Patent number: 9664158
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator includes an activation controller that is one of integrated within a connector assembly of the actuator and integrated into a power transmission cable in close proximity to the actuator. The activation controller comprises a control module configured to generate an actuator command signal, and an actuator driver comprising a bi-directional current driver. The actuator driver is configured to receive the actuator command signal from the control module and generate an activation command signal for controlling the direction and amplitude of the current provided to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Avoki M. Omekanda
  • Patent number: 9657699
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electrical coil and a high permeability magnetic flux path. The magnetic flux path includes a magnetic core, an armature and a flux return structure. The electromagnetic actuator further includes a flux sensor which is integrated within the actuator and is configured to detect a magnetic flux within the high permeability magnetic flux path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Chandra S. Namuduri, Avoki M. Omekanda, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9644585
    Abstract: A fuel pump has a low pressure fuel inlet (40) and a single piston pumping chamber (10) for supplying high pressure fuel through a pump outlet to an inlet side of a common rail (16). The fuel pump comprises a primary pressure relief valve (12) having an inlet side in hydraulic communication with the inlet side of the common rail (16) and an outlet side in fluid communication with the pumping chamber (10); and an auxiliary pressure relief valve (19) having an inlet side (35) in hydraulic communication with the pumping chamber (10) and an outlet side in direct fluid communication with a fuel passage (37) at the low pressure of the pump inlet (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Stanadyne LLC
    Inventor: Robert G. Lucas
  • Patent number: 9624884
    Abstract: In a method for operating a magnetic switching element, at least one connection of at least one sensor device is connected to at least one connection of a coil of the magnetic switching element, and at least one measuring state is established in which the at least one connection of the coil is largely at least temporarily decoupled from a ground, a voltage source, and/or a current source activating the coil, and at least one auxiliary voltage and/or at least one auxiliary current is/are applied to the at least one connection of the coil in the measuring state, and at least one sensor signal is ascertained from at least one electrical potential, at least one potential difference, and/or at least one current flowing at the connections of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Siegfried Ruthardt, Holger Rapp, Wolfgang Stoecklein, Bernd Berghaenel, Marco Beier
  • Patent number: 9624883
    Abstract: An apparatus for closed loop operation of a solenoid-activated actuator includes an external control module and a power source which are electrically and operatively coupled to an activation controller of the actuator. The external control module and the power source are located externally to the actuator. The apparatus further includes an activation controller which is integrated within the body of the actuator. The activation controller includes a control module and an actuator driver and is configured to communicate with the external control module and to receive electrical power from the power source. The apparatus additionally includes at least one sensor device which is integrated within the body of the actuator and is electrically and operatively coupled to the activation controller. The at least one sensor device is configured to measure one or more parameters during operation of the actuator and the measured parameters are provided as feedback to the activation controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Avoki M. Omekanda, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9599062
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a pilot injection during initial engine operation from vehicle manufacture. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first proportion of fuel as the pilot injection, and only decreasing the first proportion of fuel responsive to learning an injector flow characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Aaron John Oakley
  • Patent number: 9599082
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and system control pressure within a compression chamber so as to improve fuel pump lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9587580
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pressure (32, 34) in an injection system (14) for an engine (12) of a vehicle (10) comprises the following steps: determining whether the vehicle (10) is decelerating; reducing the delivery rate of a high-pressure pump (16) that supplies fuel to the injection system (14); reducing the pressure in the injection system (14) to a standstill pressure (ps) by means of idle operation of the engine (12); estimating a standstill time (t1) at which the vehicle (10) comes to a standstill; and reducing the delivery rate of the high-pressure pump (16) before the standstill time (t1) is reached, such that the standstill pressure (ps) is attained in the injection system (14) at the standstill time (t1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Hermann, Martin Friedrich, Christoph Benz, Oliver Schulz, Thomas Wieland, Roberto Scarfone
  • Patent number: 9574530
    Abstract: A fuel pump module supports a port injection (PI) fuel pump and a direct injection (DI) fuel pump by utilizing a combination structure of a pump case for housing the PI fuel pump and an other pump case for housing the DI pump case. The two pump cases are combined via a support part. The support part includes an outer wall of a cylinder part of the pump case which extends outwardly toward a radially-outer portion thereof. The cylinder part houses the PI fuel pump. The support part has a C-shape, and supports the other pump case which houses the DI fuel pump, a DI filter and the like. As a result, the fuel pump module has a fewer number of parts and a reduced volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaharu Oohashi
  • Patent number: 9567956
    Abstract: A fuel pump module for a fuel tank providing improved rigidity includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a first tank having a first tank room, a direct injection (DI) fuel pump and filter, a port injection (PI) fuel pump and filter, a subtank, and a first flange supporting the filter, the pump, and the like. The second module includes a second tank having a second tank room where fuel is stored separately from the first tank room, a PI filter, a second jet pump, a second flange supporting the filter, the pump, and the like. As a result, a size of two flanges supporting two fuel pumps and two filters is reduced, thereby, reducing a size of two openings of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaharu Oohashi
  • Patent number: 9528485
    Abstract: A coupling device is provided for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a combustion engine. The coupling device comprises a fuel injector cup hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and configured to engage a fuel inlet portion of the fuel injector, a plate element coupled to the fuel injector and fixedly coupled to the fuel injector cup to retain the fuel injector in the fuel injector cup in direction of a central longitudinal axis of the fuel injector, wherein the plate element comprises a groove, and a snap ring arranged in the groove and designed to fixedly couple the plate element to the fuel injector. The plate element comprises a main body and a ring element. The ring element comprises the groove and is at least limited rotatable around the central longitudinal axis relative to the main body of the plate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Giandomenico Serra, Gisella Di Domizio, Daniel Marc
  • Patent number: 9523334
    Abstract: A system for controlling fuel supply of a diesel engine, may include a fuel pump controller configured to set a fuel supply target pressure supplied from a low-pressure fuel pump to a high-pressure pump in proportion to a quantity of fuel consumed by an injector, and a fuel pressure measurement sensor configured to measure a current fuel supply pressure supplied from the low-pressure fuel pump to the high-pressure pump, wherein revolutions per minute (RPM) of a motor for feeding fuel of the low-pressure fuel pump may be variably adjusted in accordance with the fuel supply target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Cheol Hun Cho, Ju Tae Song
  • Patent number: 9518545
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a pressure accumulator, a high-pressure pump, a controllable actuator, and camshaft. The high-pressure pump includes a pump piston movably arranged in a cylinder chamber. The pump piston is supported on the camshaft and thus influences an open volume of the cylinder chamber depending on a rotation of the camshaft. The cylinder chamber is hydraulically coupled to the pressure accumulator to pump the fluid into the pressure accumulator. The actuator drives the camshaft such that the camshaft rotates about the camshaft's longitudinal axis in a specified angular range. The high-pressure pump is controlled prior to an expected motor start such that the high-pressure pump is in a self-priming operating state and the actuator is controlled such that the camshaft rotates about the camshaft longitudinal axis in the specified angular range at least once in a first direction and at least once in an opposite second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Wirkowski, Christian Mey, Christoph Klesse
  • Patent number: 9512801
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller is provided with a detection control portion which detects a valve-opening time. The detection control portion supplies the low valve-opening voltage to the fuel injector from a low voltage supply. An electric current flowing through a coil is gradually increased. When the fuel injector is fully opened, an inflection point appears on a waveform of an electric current. A valve-open detecting portion detects the inflection point and identifies a valve-opening time. A correction-amount computing portion computes a correction amount of a fuel injection quantity due to an error of the valve-opening time. In a succeeding fuel injection, the correction portion corrects an electric supply period. As a result, the error of the fuel injection quantity due to an error of valve-opening time is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshio Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9506436
    Abstract: A pipe connector comprising a connector body, a first fitting connectable to a first double wall pipe, the first fitting comprising a first portion connectable to an inner flow space and a second portion connectable to an outer flow space of the first double wall pipe, a second fitting connectable to a second pipe, a third fitting comprising a first portion and a second portion, which first portion is connectable to the third pipe, and a flow channel arranged in the connector body for interconnecting the first portion of the first fitting, the second fitting and the first portion of the third fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventor: Vesa Voutilainen
  • Patent number: 9481473
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of an aircraft engine includes a master controller, a control node coupled to a component of the aircraft engine and to the master controller, wherein the control node includes a computing device for performing diagnosis of the component. The computing device is configured to assess performance of the component during operation of the aircraft, determine whether the component is performing within specification, and if not performing within specification, indicate that the component is out of specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Skertic
  • Patent number: 9464590
    Abstract: A variable stroke direct injection (DI) fuel pump system for an engine includes a DI fuel pump having a stroke member and configured to pump a quantity of fuel based on a stroke of the stroke member. The system includes a variable fuel pump actuator assembly comprising an actuator member configured to actuate the stroke member, a control valve configured to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuator member, and a hydraulic fluid pump configured to pump the hydraulic fluid and be actuated by one or more lobes of a camshaft. The system also includes an engine control unit (ECU) configured to control a variable stroke of the stroke member by controlling the control valve based on one or more operating parameters of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Glen R Macfarlane
  • Patent number: 9435309
    Abstract: In an electronically operated fuel control valve for a diesel engine, a poppet valve with a stem having a guide surface length portion in a guide bore exposed to a large axial fuel pressure gradient during a fuel injection event, the radial space between the guide surface length portion and the bore being different proximal to a head of the poppet valve than the radial space between such elements distal from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BUESCHER DEVELOPMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Teerman, Anh Pham
  • Patent number: 9429124
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and system control pressure within a compression chamber so as to improve fuel pump lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Robin Ivo Lawther, Paul Zeng
  • Patent number: 9422898
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and system control pressure within a compression chamber so as to improve fuel pump lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart
  • Patent number: 9416760
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9388748
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine which includes a variable compression ratio mechanism arranged to vary a mechanical compression ratio, and a high pressure fuel pump arranged to supply a high pressure fuel to a common rail, and to be driven from a crank shaft through a chain, the control device includes: a fuel pressure abnormal state sensing section configured to sense an abnormal increase of a fuel pressure within the common rail, the control device being configured to decrease the compression ratio in the abnormal state of the fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tadaki Mano
  • Patent number: 9382860
    Abstract: A valve includes a spring having a spring force, an actuator having an actuator force that acts against the spring force, and a tappet that can be actuated by means of the actuator. The valve also includes a sealing element, which is or can be coupled to the tappet, and a sealing seat, such that the valve is closed when the sealing element lies against the sealing seat. A current having a specified curve, proceeding from an initial value of the current to a specified final value of the current, is applied during a specified time interval of the actuator after a closing phase of the valve for a normally open valve or after an opening phase for a normally closed valve. The initial value of the current is less than the final value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Klesse, Thomas Kraft, Hans Riepl, Tobias Ritsch
  • Patent number: 9382886
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injection system includes a low-pressure hydraulic circuit, a fuel pump with a pumping element and an outlet valve for supply of pressurized fuel to a common rail, and an injector for delivering fuel for combustion from the common rail to the engine, wherein the fuel injection system further includes an isolating valve connected between the outlet valve of the fuel pump and the common rail, wherein the isolating valve is adapted such that the frequency of its seats making the mechanical contact with each other is lower compared to the frequency of the operation of the outlet valve of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Sergi Yudanov
  • Patent number: 9376982
    Abstract: In consideration of a force acting on a valve, wear in the valve or in a valve seat is suppressed and thereby the frequency of lifetime use of a fuel injector is increased. In a control apparatus for controlling a driving current that is allowed to pass to a fuel injector including a solenoid, after a first injection pulse width for injecting fuel is finished and before a second injection pulse width, which is to be output subsequently to the first injection pulse width for injecting the fuel, is started, a third pulse width 421 for allowing the driving current to pass through the solenoid is output and the driving current that is to be allowed to flow through the solenoid by the third pulse 421 is controlled in accordance with one of a measurement value and a predictive value of a fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaki Itaya, Hirotaka Nakai, Masahiro Soma
  • Patent number: 9347445
    Abstract: A lubrication apparatus of a high pressure pump for a common rail system is configured such that a sufficient amount of lubrication fuel can be supplied from a low pressure pump to the frictional junction between a roller and a shoe within a short period of time, thereby efficiently improving the lubrication performance of the frictional junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sun Dong Kwun, Sung Il You, Chang Sun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9328723
    Abstract: A valve member of a pressure relief valve has a shaft portion, a pressure receiving portion, and a guide portion, wherein the valve member is axially movable in a fuel return passage. When a forward end of the shaft portion is seated on a valve seta, the fuel return passage is closed, while the shaft portion is separated from the valve seat the fuel return passage is opened. A notched portion is formed at an outer wall of the guide portion to thereby form an outer-surface passage. A fuel inlet port is formed in the valve member for communicating a fuel inlet chamber to the fuel return passage at a downstream side of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinobu Oikawa, Yoshinori Yamashita, Katsunori Furuta, Masayuki Kobayashi, Shigeto Tsuge
  • Patent number: 9267477
    Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel pump operable to deliver fuel through a supply line to a pressure raising valve, the pressure raising valve including a control chamber, the fuel pressure within the control chamber controlling a minimum pump pressure differential, and an actuator control servo-valve operable to control the supply of fuel from the supply line to an actuator control line, wherein the actuator control servo-valve further controls the pressure of fuel applied to the control chamber of the pressure raising valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CONTROLS AND DATA SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Daniel James Bickley
  • Patent number: 9222451
    Abstract: An injection valve for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine may include an actuator and an injection needle associated with a sealing seat. A hydraulic transmission unit may establish an effective connection between the actuator and the injection needle. The transmission unit may include two movable pistons, between which a movable pot is arranged. The movable pot may be guided within another stationary pot. The first piston may be guided through the bottom of the other pot, and the second piston is guided within a sleeve section of the pot. A first chamber may be formed between the other pot and pot, and a second chamber may be formed between pot and the second piston. The two chambers may be interconnected via at least one duct. One piston may be effectively connected to the injection needle, while the other piston may be effectively connected to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Jaime Salcedo, Michael Knoller
  • Patent number: 9194284
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a forced induction engine, fluid reservoir, engine controller, and sensor. The fluid reservoir is pneumatically connected to intake air of the forced induction engine. The engine controller is in communication with the forced induction engine and configured to control the forced induction engine. The sensor is in communication with the engine controller and is configured to measure a pressure within the fluid reservoir and communicate it to the engine controller. The controller is configured to derate the engine when the pressure within the fluid reservoir is above a first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael R. Gratton, Grant R. Henn, Bryan J. Huttenlocher
  • Patent number: 9194320
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes an ECU receiving an open signal Sa of a fuel supply SW. The ECU has a main control unit controlling a power unit of a vehicle, a main relay control circuit turning off a main relay when IGSW for causing the power unit to start or stop is turned off, SOAK time measurement circuit measuring an input time and no input time, the input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is continuously inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off, the no input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is not inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off with the fuel supply SW on, and a failure determination unit determining that the fuel supply SW has an abnormality when SOAK time is longer than a failure determination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tomonori Yokota
  • Patent number: 9109485
    Abstract: A method of controlling a low-pressure fuel pump for a GDI engine includes setting predetermined driving conditions that affect a drivability of the GDI engine in situations that are generated in a vehicle in which the GDI engine is mounted, open-loop controlling the low-pressure fuel pump when one or more of the predetermined driving conditions occur, and when none of the predetermined driving conditions occurs, close-loop controlling the low-pressure fuel pump according to a signal from a fuel pressure sensor such that a target fuel pressure provided from an engine controller is pursued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORP.
    Inventor: Bum Ky Lee
  • Patent number: 9004044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a high-pressure pump (1) in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine with fuel, wherein for delivery and for controlling the delivered quantity a delivery pump (3) is used, wherein said delivery pump is arranged in a low-pressure circuit (2) and operated by an electric motor and by means of which, depending on the respective selected engine speed, a certain quantity of fuel is fed to the high-pressure pump (1), in which the fuel is first compressed and then fed to a fuel high-pressure accumulator (4). According to the invention, the fuel pressure on the intake side of the high-pressure pump (1) is controlled by means of a pressure control valve (5), wherein a supply of the high-pressure pump (1) with fuel for lubrication and/or cooling via the low-pressure circuit (2) and the delivery pump (3) is assured when the pressure control valve (5) is in the closed position. The invention further relates to a fuel injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Langenbach, Marcus Kristen
  • Patent number: 8997716
    Abstract: A nozzle injection apparatus for use in internal combustion engines includes a fuel pump for intermittently pressurizing fuel, an injection conduit in fluid communication with the fuel pump, the injection conduit permitting the pressurized fuel to be communicated to a fuel injection nozzle a control valve in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the control valve dynamically and selectively controls a pressure of said pressurized fuel within the injection conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Governors America Corp.
    Inventors: William Ferry, Martin G. Riccitelli, Richard Vanderpoel
  • Publication number: 20150090227
    Abstract: A method for operating a solenoid valve coupled to the inlet valve of a fuel injection pump comprises adjusting a pull-in electrical energy of the solenoid valve based on a fuel injection pump volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Paul Zeng
  • Patent number: 8973556
    Abstract: In a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, a low-pressure delivery unit for the fuel, at least indirectly delivers fuel to at least one low-pressure injection device. The fuel system further provides a high-pressure delivery unit, which has a drive region and a delivery region and at least indirectly delivers fuel to at least one high-pressure injection device. According to the invention, the fuel is first delivered by the low-pressure delivery unit to the drive region of the high-pressure delivery unit and from there onward to the low-pressure injection device and/or to the delivery region of the high-pressure delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Hoefner, Sven Troester, Bernd Schroeder, Berthold Pfuhl, Maximilian Stichlmeir, Martin Laich
  • Patent number: 8931261
    Abstract: A pump component is removed from a port of a suction-side fluid cavity of a high-pressure fluid pump. The pump component performs a pump function for the high-pressure fluid pump. A primary coupler connects to the port. The pump component connects to the primary coupler. A diverter fluid passage diverts a low-pressure fluid from the primary coupler to an auxiliary fluid delivery system. The primary coupler communicates the low-pressure fluid through the pump component and primary coupler to the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Patent number: 8924129
    Abstract: An engine fuel pump control apparatus is provided. The engine fuel pump control apparatus is connected to an engine and a transmission. A fuel pump is interposed in a fuel conduit between a fuel tank and the engine and the fuel pump has a selectively variable fuel delivery rate. A fuel pump controller is configured to adjust a fuel delivery rate from the fuel pump to the engine in which the fuel pump controller is configured to increase the fuel delivery rate as a rotational speed of the engine increases. The fuel pump controller is further configured to adjust the fuel delivery rate as a detected vehicle speed characteristic varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takamitsu Hase
  • Publication number: 20140352665
    Abstract: Upon arranging a separator tank in a V bank formed between a pair of cylinders, an arrangement position thereof is set to be a position unsusceptible to an influence from an exterior. The separator tank in which a fuel pump that stores liquid fuel in an interior thereof and feeds the liquid fuel toward an injector is accommodated is arranged in the V bank formed between the pair of cylinders which is provided in an engine, and arranged immediately below an air cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sho MORIYA
  • Patent number: 8881709
    Abstract: A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors ramp shaped injection curves at both the front and back ends of an injection event. This is accomplished by including a check speed control device fixed in position within the check control chamber of a fuel injector. The check speed control device controls the speed of a check by restricting fuel flowing into and out of the check control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20140305409
    Abstract: A fuel system comprises a first reservoir for a first fuel in liquid phase that has a first vapor pressure, and a second reservoir for a second fuel in liquid phase that has a second vapor pressure. The second vapor pressure is higher than the first vapor pressure. The fuel system further includes a mixing device for mixing the first fuel in liquid phase with the second fuel in liquid phase, and an injector which is hydraulically connected to the mixing device and is configured so that as, or immediately after, the mixture passes through an outlet opening of the injector, the second fuel changes from the liquid phase to a gaseous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Arndt, Siamend Flo, Alexander Gluschke, Frank Nitsche, Thorsten Allgeier, Martin Maier, Roman Grzeszik, Henri Barbier, Andreas Herzig, Winfried Langer, Guenther Hohl, Juergen Arnold
  • Patent number: 8857412
    Abstract: Fuel control dynamic health assessment systems and methods related to monitoring fuel flow control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a system having an engine, includes determining a predicted valve position of a valve, the valve being operable to control fuel flow to a fuel pump that pumps fuel to a common fuel rail of the engine, determining an actual valve position, determining an error between the predicted valve position and the actual valve position, and setting a degradation condition in response to the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Nistler, Nikita Goel
  • Patent number: 8844503
    Abstract: A fuel supply system and method of controlling fuel flow through a supply system is provided including a variable flow, i.e. speed, electric fuel transfer pump and a control system adapted to variably control the transfer pump based on fuel demand of the engine. The system provides improved transient response by providing the transfer pump with a feed forward speed/flow command based on engine fueling demand determined based on engine operating conditions. The transfer pump is controlled based on fuel demand not necessarily achieved yet by the high pressure pump and injectors. Therefore, this system controls the EFTP substantially simultaneously with controlling the high pressure pump and injectors to optimize fuel flow through the entire system ensuring the minimum required fuel flow is passing through the second the fuel filtration system, hence maximizing steady state fuel filtration efficiency, and minimizing surge effects on filtration efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Worthington, Norman C. Blizard, David P. Genter, Gregory S. Franks, Michael F. Mattern, Thomas O. Hahn, James L. Walls, Edward N. Linen
  • Publication number: 20140261327
    Abstract: A number of variations of the invention may include a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine and/or method, wherein heat is exchanged from gaseous fuel in a gaseous fuel line and at least one of a liquid fuel in a liquid fuel feed line or a liquid fuel return line which are connected to an injection fuel rail of an internal combustion engine. In a number of variations, a regulator or throttling valve is provided in the gaseous fuel line to expand gas flowing therein and reduce the temperature of the gas to further cool the liquid fuel flowing in the liquid fuel feed line or the liquid fuel return line. Another variation may include a method comprising exchanging heat from gaseous fuel in a gaseous fuel line and a liquid fuel in a liquid fuel feed line or a liquid fuel return line which are connected to an injection fuel rail of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Archer, Nicholas Carter, Richard W. Hurley, Jon D. Edsell
  • Publication number: 20140261329
    Abstract: A fuel and air supply device for an engine includes a carburetor having a fuel metering assembly with a fuel metering diaphragm defining at least part of a reference chamber, a scavenging air assembly including an air passage and an air valve moveable within the passage to alter air flow through the air passage, and a reference passage. The reference passage communicates at one end with the air passage upstream of the air valve and at its other end with the reference chamber to provide a reference air signal through the reference passage to the reference chamber. The reference air signal, in at least some implementations, is taken from a location downstream of an air filter and any other components so it is representative of the air flow at the air valve and accounts for restrictions to air flow caused upstream of the air valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20140261313
    Abstract: A kit for replacing a carburetor-based fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines with an electronic fuel injection system has an electronic control unit receiving signals from pressurization pump and a number of sensors mounted on the throttle, engine and the manifold. According to the invention, the standard manifold is replaced with the machined manifold which carries at least one fuel injector with a nozzle that can extend into an intake chamber of the engine. A pressure regulator maintains the fuel in the fuel lines at a set value and re-circulates unused fuel through a fuel reservoir/vapor separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Provost
  • Publication number: 20140261328
    Abstract: Regenerative intensifier systems that can receive fluids from landfills, anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment plants, animal waste lagoons, swamp gas, decaying permafrost, and oceanic clathrate decomposition interchangeably with natural gas and other available fuels and substances and provide suitably conditioned fuel for operation of an engine, fuel cell, or other industrial and/or chemical processes. Alternatively, gases collected from landfills, waste digesters, bakeries, breweries, ethanol plants, calciners, power plant stacks, electrolyzers, and/or natural gas that may be delivered at relatively low pressures can be converted to high pressure and/or high purity constituents to enable efficient utilization as a transportation fuel and/or industrial feedstock or chemical plant reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8833342
    Abstract: A method for regulating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel injection system includes a high-pressure pump which is associated with a quantity control valve having a solenoid valve electromagnetically operable by a coil for supplying fuel, the quantity control valve regulating the fuel quantity pumped by the high pressure pump and the coil of the solenoid valve being energized according to a setpoint current value in order to close the valve for supplying fuel to the high-pressure pump; when the solenoid valve closes, the setpoint current value is reduced from a first current setpoint value to a second current setpoint value so that an emission of audible noise generated when the solenoid valve closes during operation of the internal combustion engine is at least partially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Richter, Peter Roth, Joerg Kuempel, Matthias Maess
  • Patent number: 8833147
    Abstract: Based on a detection signal of a fuel pressure sensor provided in a first fuel injector, an ECU determines whether a fuel pressure in a first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount when a second fuel injector provided with no fuel pressure sensor terminates a fuel injection. When the ECU determines that the fuel pressure in the first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount, it is diagnosed that the second fuel injector does not have a malfunction of continuous injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toyomori Tsuiki
  • Patent number: 8833343
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel system that supplies fuel to a plurality of injectors in an internal combustion engine via a first pump and a second pump with a bypass circuit returning fuel from between the first and second pumps to a fuel tank, the pumps connected in series, is provided. The bypass circuit increases its restriction to increase injection pressure during selected conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Dequan Yu