Common Rail System Patents (Class 123/456)
  • Patent number: 8365704
    Abstract: In a method or a device for forming an electric control signal for an injection impulse of a position-controlled fuel injector, particularly of a common-rail or pump-nozzle injection system, the course of the electric control signal can be selected freely in regard to the pulse edges (injection rate changes Q), the holding period (?t) and the injection rate (Q). This offers the advantage that the combustion process can be better optimized with respect to low emissions, low consumption and for meeting tightened legal regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Beilharz, Uwe Lingener, Andreas Pfeifer, Richard Pirkl, Harald Schmidt, Klaus Wenzlawski, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Publication number: 20130025569
    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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Langenbach, Marcus Kristen
  • Publication number: 20130000604
    Abstract: A fuel pump manifold pressure control system may be effective to provide a compact and more effective fuel pump mechanism for compression ignition engines, such as diesel and some natural gas engines. The fuel pump manifold pressure control system includes a fuel pump manifold, at least one fuel injection accumulator adapted for supplying pressurized fuel to at least one fuel injector, a pressure control valve, a pressure sensor, and a pressure relief valve, all contained within a compact fuel pump housing. The pressure control valve and pressure sensor are each adapted for signal communication with electronic controller, and for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. The pressure relief valve is adapted for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. Each of the control valve, sensor, and relief valve are fixedly mounted to and internally contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20120325173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a presupply pump (1) and a downstream high-pressure pump (7), which is connected to a high-pressure accumulator (9) and wherein the high pressure accumulator (9) is operatively connected to at least one fuel injector (10). According to the invention, a fuel injection system is provided and a method for operating such a fuel system is described which avoids the disadvantage of a slow pressure build-up in the high-pressure accumulator (9) and rather allows a rapid start of the internal combustion engine. This is achieved in that the presupply pump (1) is designed to generate a delivery pressure by which a fuel injection by means of the fuel injector (10) is effected, at least in a defined operating state of the internal combustion engine. At the delivery pressure generated by the presupply pump (1), the fuel injector is prompted to open by a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 8336524
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device for injecting high-pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the device comprising an injection valve assigned to a discrete reservoir chamber. A non-return valve operates between the chamber and the high-pressure supply line and the filter, which is preferably designed as an edge filter, forms a stop for limiting the opening motion of the valve member that is preferably designed as a valve member plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ganser-Hydromag AG
    Inventors: Marco Ganser, Ulrich Moser
  • Publication number: 20120312279
    Abstract: A fluid temperature conditioner heats fuel being supplied to a fuel injection system for an engine. During operation of the engine, energy is transferred from engine and stored in a thermal battery which is a part of the fluid temperature conditioner. During cold starting of the engine, the energy is transferred from the thermal battery to the fuel to aid in the starting of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Patrick Powell
  • Publication number: 20120312280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel supply system (1) for injecting liquefied vapour under high pressure, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), into a combustion chamber (3-6) of an internal combustion engine (2). The fuel supply system (1) comprises a fuel supply for liquefied vapour connected to a high-pressure pump (11) via a duct. The high-pressure pump (11) has a high-pressure chamber (105) which is embodied thereby to increase the pressure of the liquefied vapour. A high-pressure discharge of the high-pressure pump (11) is connected to a high-pressure rail (7) which comprises one or several injectors for injecting liquefied vapour into a combustion chamber. According to the invention, the fuel supply system is provided with a discharge F unit (20) for purging fuel, in particular fuel vapour, between the high-pressure chamber and the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Servatius Alfons Maria Jaasma
  • Patent number: 8327827
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed, having at least one combustion chamber disposed in an engine casing. At least one fuel injector is mounted to the engine casing for supplying fuel to the at least one combustion chamber. The at least one fuel injector has at least one fuel supply inlet. A fuel supply assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector. The assembly is mounted adjacent to the at least one fuel injector for supplying the fuel to the fuel injector. The assembly has at least one fuel supply outlet. The assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector by a cooperative fit, such that the at least one fuel supply inlet and the at least one fuel supply outlet align in a sealed relationship to allow fluid communication therebetween. A method of assembling an engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventors: Devlin Hunt, John Feuerstein
  • Publication number: 20120291753
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a fuel inlet, a set of nozzle outlets, a drain outlet, a nozzle chamber and a needle control chamber. A needle control valve includes a ceramic control valve member movable between a closed position in contact with a flat valve seat to block the needle control chamber from the drain outlet, and an open position at which the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet. A solenoid actuator is mounted in the injector body and includes an armature movable between an overtravel position and an energized position, but the armature has a stable un-energized position between the overtravel position and the energized position. A needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the nozzle chamber, and a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Gregory William Hefler, Adam Leonard Stecklein, Daniel Richard Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 8315780
    Abstract: There is provided a high pressure fuel pump control system for an internal combustion engine which enables fuel pressure control with high precision without being restricted by the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine or the number of phase sensor signals and the number of cam noses which vertically drives a plunger of a high pressure fuel pump even when a camshaft phase varies by a variable valve timing mechanism by using the high pressure fuel pump with a solenoid valve. The control system has a means which changes an effective stroke by driving the solenoid valve in the high pressure fuel pump, and has a means which changes the drive timing of the high pressure fuel pump based on a cylinder recognition value of the internal combustion engine with the cam angle detecting means as an origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Toyohara, Kazunori Kondo, Satoru Okubo, Takashi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8306719
    Abstract: A learning device changes each of multiple parameters to an increased side and to a decreased side with respect to a reference value set for each of the multiple parameters. The learning device calculates an approximation degree for each combination of the changes of the multiple parameters. The learning device performs update by using the combination of the changes providing the highest approximation degree among the approximation degrees as the combination of the updated reference values when an update end condition is not satisfied. The update end condition is a condition that the approximation degree at the reference values is higher than any of the approximation degrees after the change. The learning device decides the reference values as learning values of the multiple parameters when the update end condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8297257
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has multiple cylinders each provided with multiple injectors. A fuel supply pipe device includes multiple fuel passages, which receive fuel through multiple fuel paths and supply the fuel correspondingly to the multiple injectors. The multiple fuel passages are separated respectively from the multiple fuel passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Sugiyama, Yoshinori Yamashita, Hideaki Ichihara, Hidekazu Oomura, Hideki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8286612
    Abstract: Coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector to a combustion engine fuel rail, having a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis hydraulically coupled to the rail and engaging a fuel inlet portion of the injector, a first ring element fixedly coupled to the cup, and a second ring element fixedly coupled to the injector. One of the ring elements has a collar arranged radially outside the other elements and extending from the one element in direction of the longitudinal axis. The collar has a recess facing the central longitudinal axis. A circlip is arranged in the recess and arranged and designed to form a positive fitting coupling between the first and second ring elements. The circlip prevents a movement of the first ring element relative to the second element retaining the fuel injector in the fuel injector cup in direction of the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Enio Biasci, Edoardo Giorgetti, Daniel Marc, Giandomenico Serra
  • Publication number: 20120255522
    Abstract: A fuel rail includes an elongated tube having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The elongated tube defines a fuel passageway for directing fuel toward the plurality of outlets. The fuel rail also includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the elongated tube to divide the fuel passageway into a plurality of chambers such that each outlet is positioned in one of the plurality of chambers. The plurality of baffles restricts fluid flow between adjacent chambers. A majority of the plurality of outlets are located essentially at an acoustic node of each corresponding chamber to reduce noise generated by the fuel rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Venkatesh Kannan, Jason Schwanke, Chad D. Ormsbee, John P. Casari
  • Patent number: 8251047
    Abstract: A fuel rail includes an elongated tube having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The elongated tube defines a fuel passageway for directing fuel toward the plurality of outlets. The fuel rail also includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the elongated tube to divide the fuel passageway into a plurality of chambers such that each outlet is positioned in one of the plurality of chambers. The plurality of baffles restricts fluid flow between adjacent chambers. A majority of the plurality of outlets are located essentially at an acoustic node of each corresponding chamber to reduce noise generated by the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Venkatesh Kannan, Jason Schwanke, Chad D. Ormsbee, John P. Casari
  • Patent number: 8251046
    Abstract: A fuel system for a diesel engine has both a low pressure pump, which extracts fuel from the fuel tank, and a high pressure pump, which is fed by the low pressure pump and supplies fuel to fuel injectors. The fuel injectors supply fuel to the engine cylinders, with a small portion of fuel routed back into the fuel system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the injector return fuel is routed into a low pressure fuel line between the low and high pressure fuel pumps, with return fuel from the fuel rails returned through a fuel cooler to the fuel tank. The low pressure fuel line has a filter disposed therein and the injector return fuel is returned to the low pressure fuel line upstream of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Brown, Larry Castleberry, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott James Szymusiak
  • Publication number: 20120210981
    Abstract: In one example, a system for a vehicle travelling on a surface is described. The system includes an engine with a cylinder. The cylinder includes a fuel injector that is supplied with gaseous fuel and liquid fuel by a fuel delivery system. The fuel injector is mounted in the vehicle such that the fuel injector inlet faces at least partially toward the road surface. The orientation of the fuel injector enables a quick transition from liquid fuel to gaseous fuel because the gaseous fuel can rise to the injectors and be preferentially injected. Further, various approaches are described from transitioning operation between gaseous and liquid fuel injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120210980
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an enclosure or containment assembly adapted to seal a high pressure fuel rail, and an engine system including such an enclosure or containment assembly. The assembly includes two portions that can sealingly engage to form an enclosure or compartment that contains the high pressure fuel rail. Fuel line connectors leading into the enclosure to ports of the high pressure fuel rail are in a sealing engagement with the enclosure to seal the high pressure fuel rail from the atmosphere and provide an enclosed low pressure region between the high pressure fuel rail and an inner surface of the enclosure. In this way, leaked fuel can be collected from the high pressure fuel lines and contained. The collected and contained leaked fuel can be channeled to a leak detector, which can trigger an alarm with detection of a leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Sarang R. BEDEKAR, Ron HALE, Todd S. MANLEY
  • Patent number: 8245697
    Abstract: Coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a combustion engine. The fuel injector has a central longitudinal axis. The coupling device has a fuel injector cup being designed to be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and to engage a fuel inlet portion of the fuel injector, a first plate element being fixedly coupled to the fuel injector cup, the first plate element comprising a recess, and a second plate element being fixedly coupled to the fuel injector and being arranged in the recess and being fixedly coupled to the first plate element to retain the fuel injector in the fuel injector cup in direction of the central longitudinal axis. The fuel injector comprises a groove. A snap ring is arranged in the groove of the fuel injector and is designed to fixedly couple the second plate element to the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Enio Biasci, Edoardo Giorgetti, Daniel Marc, Giandomenico Serra
  • Patent number: 8245696
    Abstract: The invention relates to an area of intersection between a high-pressure chamber and a high-pressure duct. To increase the strength in the area of intersection, it is possible to round the area of intersection. The area of intersection includes at least one planar area or an area that is curved markedly less than the remaining area of intersection. The planar area may also be embodied as only nearly planar. The high-pressure chamber and the high-pressure duct are also called functional chambers. By means of the planar or nearly planar area, an intersection geometry is created, in which tensile stresses of the functional chambers that occur upon subjection to pressure are not superimposed directly and add up as they do in conventional intersection geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dominikus Hofmann, Nadja Eisenmenger, Hans-Christoph Magel
  • Publication number: 20120204835
    Abstract: A dual fuel system for an engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors that each include an injector body with a tip component defining a plurality of gas nozzle outlets and a plurality of liquid nozzle outlets positioned for direct injection into one of the engine cylinders. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel common rail through a quill and an outer passage defined between an inner tube and an outer tube. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel common rail through the quill and an inner passage defined by the inner tube. Each combination of an inner tube and outer tube extend into the engine housing between the quill and one of the fuel injectors. Each of the inner tubes extends through one of the outer tubes and is compressed between a conical seat on the quill and a conical seat on one of the fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20120199101
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet, a low pressure space, and a drain. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position. Each of the fuel injectors further includes a pressure recovery mechanism having a pressure recovery valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 8224554
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided which has a fuel supply path and a nozzle chamber. The fuel supply path extends a spray hole. The nozzle chamber is defined in the fuel supply path. A nozzle is disposed within the nozzle chamber to establish or block a fluid communication between the fuel supply path and the spray hole. A fuel pressure sensor is installed in the fuel injector so as to be exposed to the fuel in the nozzle chamber. Specifically, the fuel pressure sensor is located closer to the spray hole than a prior art structure in which the fuel pressure sensor is installed in a fuel supply pipe, thus resulting in increased accuracy in measuring a change in pressure of the fuel arising from the spraying of the fuel from the spray hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kondo, Tooru Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8215287
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for an engine may include a plurality of common rails that stores fuel under relatively different pressures, and at least an injector that is connected to the common rails to be independently supplied with the fuel and selectively inject the fuel in any one of the connected common rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Taeseong Lee
  • Publication number: 20120167859
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine fuel system including a low pressure pump and a high pressure pump. During conditions when direct injection is not requested, a fuel rail pressure is maintained by the low pressure pump and fuel is port injected. Further, a stroke amount of the high pressure pump is adjusted to maintain an outlet pressure of the high pressure pump just below the fuel rail pressure. By maintaining fuel flow within the high pressure pump when high pressure pump operation is not required, and without flowing fuel from the high pressure pump outlet into the fuel rail, the high pressure pump may be cooled and lubricated without affecting the fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Basmaji, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8191533
    Abstract: A method for operation of an engine fuel system includes initiating a mitigating action based on a fuel rail pressure response, the fuel rail pressure response occurring after an engine shut-down. The mitigating action includes disabling vehicle operation if fuel rail pressure drops below a threshold value after activation of one of the higher or lower pressure pumps, the activation occurring before a subsequent engine start. In this way, a distinction can be made between internal and external leaks, allowing the mitigating action taken to be adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Diana D. Brehob
  • Publication number: 20120132177
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure fuel pump comprising a drive shaft supported by bearings, and fuel flows through the bearings in a forced manner in such a way that the mechanical and thermal load-carrying capacity of the bearings, and thus the entire high-pressure fuel pump, is significantly increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Marcus Kristen, Achim Koehler, Sascha Ambrock, Walter Fuchs, Dietmar Ottenbacher, Bertram Schweitzer, Christian Langenbach, Joerg Wuerz, Saban Akmese, Marco Lamm, Karl-Heinz Traub
  • Patent number: 8176898
    Abstract: A fuel delivery pipe delivers fuel to a plurality of fuel injection valves corresponding to cylinders of an internal-combustion engine. The fuel delivery pipe includes a pipe body made of carbon steel for machine structural use and a plating film disposed on an inner surface of the pipe body. Preferably, the fuel delivery pipe includes a plating film disposed on an outer surface of the pipe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Isogai
  • Patent number: 8171917
    Abstract: A coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling an injection valve to a fuel rail of a combustion engine, has a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis which can be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and at least partially engaged with the fuel inlet tube. The cup has an inner bottom surface facing the valve, a first retaining element fixedly coupled to the cup, a second retaining element fixedly coupled to the valve, wherein the second retaining element is coupled to the first element to prevent a movement of the second element relative to the first element in a first axis direction, and a damper element which is arranged axially between the inner bottom surface of the cup and the inlet tube. The damper element limits a movement of the valve relative to the cup in a second direction of the longitudinal axis opposing the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gisella Di Domizio, Daniel Marc, Giandomenico Serra
  • Publication number: 20120097131
    Abstract: Proposed is a method for open-loop and closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine (1), the rail pressure (pCR) being controlled via a low pressure-side suction throttle valve (4) as the first pressure-adjusting element in a rail pressure control loop. The invention is characterized in that a rail pressure disturbance variable is generated to influence the rail pressure (pCR) via a high pressure-side pressure control valve (12) as the second pressure-adjusting element, by means of which fuel is redirected from the rail (6) into a fuel tank (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Patent number: 8161945
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply rail having a supply opening. A fuel injector is coupled to the fuel supply rail and configured to control the delivery of fuel from the fuel supply rail through the supply opening. A noise filtering device engages an upstream end of the fuel injector. The noise filtering device has a projecting portion extending at least partially into the supply opening along an axis, and the noise filtering device defines a restriction passage for directing fuel from the supply rail into the fuel injector. A face seal is established at a transverse face adjacent the supply opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Mueller, Venkatesh Kannan, Markus Friedrich, Jason L. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120080010
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a common rail fuel system for an engine of a vehicle, such as a locomotive, comprises a higher-pressure fuel sub-system and a lower-pressure fuel sub-system, wherein a pressure limiting valve, is in fluid communication with to the higher-pressure fuel sub-system to relieve excess pressure. In a condition where pressure of the higher-pressure fuel sub-system is below a desired and expected threshold, it is possible that the pressure limiting valve is open. An example method is provided to close the pressure limiting valve and determine if opening of the pressure limiting valve is the cause of the pressure being below the threshold or if a leak is present in the common rail fuel system. In this manner, unnecessary disabling of the engine is avoided and, if a leak is present, the leaking sub-system is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Nistler, Shawn Gallagher, Neil Blythe, Luke Henry
  • Publication number: 20120060793
    Abstract: A system for controlling fuel injection which injects a fuel to an engine through main injection and/or pilot injection may include a detecting portion detecting a driving condition of the engine, a control portion calculating a change amount of the driving condition from the driving condition of the engine, and deciding actual fuel injection factors based on the driving condition of the engine and the change amount of the driving condition, a high pressure pump controlling a rail pressure according to the actual fuel injection factors, and an injector injecting the fuel according to the actual fuel injection factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Youngho KIM
  • Publication number: 20120055448
    Abstract: A dual fuel common rail system includes first and second common rails fluidly connected to a fuel injector by a co-axial quill assembly. Distillate diesel fuel at a first pressure moves from the first common rail through a first fuel passage defined by a quill, through an inner tube and into the fuel injector. Liquid natural gas a second lower pressure moves from the second common rail through a second fuel passage defined by the quill, through a space between the outer tube and the inner tube, and finally into the fuel injector. The quill is partially positioned in a block. First and second compression load adjusters are threadably attached to the block to adjust a compression load on the inner tube and outer tube to inhibit leakage of fuel from the tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20120048236
    Abstract: A fuel rail includes an elongated tube having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The elongated tube defines a fuel passageway for directing fuel toward the plurality of outlets. The fuel rail also includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the elongated tube to divide the fuel passageway into a plurality of chambers such that each outlet is positioned in one of the plurality of chambers. The plurality of baffles restricts fluid flow between adjacent chambers. A majority of the plurality of outlets are located essentially at an acoustic node of each corresponding chamber to reduce noise generated by the fuel rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Venkatesh Kannan, Jason Schwanke, Chad D. Ormsbee, John P. Casari
  • Patent number: 8126629
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that includes at least one combustor configured to receive a flow of fuel from a flow control device and a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a piping system configured to channel the flow of fuel from a fuel source to the flow control device, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a property of the flow of fuel wherein the property of the flow of fuel is variable over time, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to receive the generated signal, using a flow model of the piping system and the received signal, iteratively track the progress of a plurality of discrete volumes flowing through the piping system, and control the flow of fuel using the flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lauren Jeanne Buchalter, Bryan Edward Sweet, Scott William Szepek, Michael John Mariani
  • Patent number: 8118006
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection of a dual fuel engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, while pumping is suspended in the second fuel rail, the first fuel is injected to all but one cylinder of the engine and the second fuel is injected to the one cylinder in a predetermined sequence. As such, the fuel injector injecting to the one cylinder is isolated and its performance may be assessed without significantly affecting engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20120024263
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating fuel injecting pressure of an injector belonging to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injection system includes, but is not limited to a fuel rail and at least one injector that are fluidly connected with the fuel rail through a connecting conduit. The method includes, but is not limited to modelling the pressure fluctuation within the connecting conduit according to the equation P=B·e?At cos(?t), where A, B and ? are parameters, and t is a variable representing time, determining the dwell time between the injector opening and injector previous closing, and applying the determined dwell time to the equation in order to calculate the fuel injecting pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Massimiliano MELIS, Matteo ALLASIA, Vincenzo RAMPINO, Paolo ZAMBONI
  • Patent number: 8108124
    Abstract: In a method for determining an uncontrolled acceleration of an internal combustion engine, a valve opening cross section is allocated to each load state of the internal combustion engine. In the event that a controller value is outside a limit range, an uncontrolled acceleration of the internal combustion engine is thereby detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Jung, Janos Radeczky, Michael Wirkowski
  • Patent number: 8100111
    Abstract: A fuel injection system of the common rail type for an internal combustion engine with two rows of cylinders is to be designed such that the deviations in the injection quantities of their injectors from one another are as slight as possible. The fuel injection system has a high-pressure pump, from which fuel flows to a first rail and a second rail which each have respective associated injectors for the two rows of cylinders. The first rail, in a structural unit with a throttle as a hydraulic connection, is preceded by a distributor block. From the distributor block, a connecting line leads to the second rail. The fuel injection system is preferably used in the automobile industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Stingele
  • Patent number: 8096277
    Abstract: An intake manifold for an internal combustion engine comprising an engine head in which there are obtained a number of cylinders; the intake manifold comprises a central body, wherein there are obtained an intake chamber which receives the intake air and a number of conduits each of which connects the chamber to a corresponding cylinder of the internal combustion engine; first passage through holes obtained in the central body for fastening the intake manifold to the engine head by means of first fastening screws screwed into the engine head; a common rail which receives the pressurized fuel and is connected to a number of injectors, each of which injects the fuel into a corresponding cylinder; second blank threaded fastening holes obtained in the central body for fastening the common rail to the central body itself by means of the second fastening screws screwed into the central body and, for each second fastening hole, a metallic reinforcement bracket, which presents a first assembly through hole arranged o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Fornara, Stefano Carta
  • Publication number: 20120006297
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a fuel system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, an internal combustion engine that includes such a fuel system, a connector for connecting a single-walled high pressure common rail to a double-walled fuel line segment, and a fluid containment system. Each embodiment includes drain plumbing having a leakage drain connector that can be used to provide an interface between a single-walled high pressure common rail and a double-walled high pressure fuel line segment, and also provide part of a low pressure passage fluidly connected with a low pressure passage of the double-walled high pressure fuel line segment. The drain plumbing also can provide an interface with a low pressure fuel drain line fluidly coupled to a leakage detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph WORTHINGTON, Thomas O. HAHN, Vijay SONAWANE, Prasad KHEDEKAR, Dave RICHTER, Josh KNIGHT
  • Patent number: 8091533
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine block, a cylinder head, a fuel injector, and a fuel rail. The engine block may define a cylinder bore. The cylinder head may be coupled to the engine block and may define an intake port, an exhaust port, and a centrally located fuel injector opening between the intake port and the exhaust port. The fuel injector opening may be in direct communication with the cylinder bore. The fuel injector may be located within the fuel injector opening. The fuel rail may overlay the fuel injector opening and may be in communication with a fuel supply and the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kwok Y. Ng, Joel Cowgill, Rodney K. Elnick
  • Patent number: 8087398
    Abstract: A fuel system for a direct injection engine having a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injector assemblies mounted to the fuel rail. Each fuel injector assembly includes a mounting surface and a dampener made of a resilient material is disposed around this mounting surface. A bracket is secured to the engine and has a recess for each fuel injector assembly. Each fuel injector assembly is positioned in its associated recess so that at least a portion of the dampener is sandwiched between the fuel injector assembly mounting surface and a complementary mounting surface formed on the recess. A holder secures the injector assembly in its associated recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Harvey, Steven J. Miller, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20110315119
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel supply rail having a supply opening. A fuel injector is coupled to the fuel supply rail and configured to control the delivery of fuel from the fuel supply rail through the supply opening. A noise filtering device engages an upstream end of the fuel injector. The noise filtering device has a projecting portion extending at least partially into the supply opening along an axis, and the noise filtering device defines a restriction passage for directing fuel from the supply rail into the fuel injector. A face seal is established at a transverse face adjacent the supply opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Venkatesh Kannan, Michael U. Fischer, William G. Klisz, John P. Casari, Jason L. Kramer, Norbert Mueller, Markus Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20110315118
    Abstract: Various fuel injection systems and fuel injectors are disclosed that provide varying cooling rates for fuel injectors connected in series to fuel supply and drain rail. The local cooling rate for each injector is manipulated to balance the heat flux or heat transfer across the injectors disposed along the rail. The cooling rates may be manipulated by varying sizes of openings or slots in the nozzle case, by varying annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly, and by varying the size of annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the cylinder head. Strategic placement of slots in the nozzle case that direct more flow at the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly may also be employed. As a result, the operating temperatures of fuel injectors connected in series to a fuel rail can be manipulated and moderated so the downstream injectors are not prone to overheating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Eric L. Rogers, Fergal M. O'Shea, Lifeng Wang, Mandar A. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20110315120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure pump (2) for a fuel injection system (1) of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a common-rail injection system, comprising a driveshaft (21) supported by at least one bearing (23, 24) arranged in a bearing return (31, 31?, 31?), wherein, downstream of the at least one bearing (23, 24), at least one valve (27, 28) is arranged, wherein the at least one valve (27, 28) with an opening pressure of 0.1 bar to 0.8 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Langenbach
  • Patent number: 8082902
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injection system includes a piezo intensifier fuel injector that includes a plurality of components. Among these are a needle valve member, an intensifier piston, a first piezo stack electrical actuator and a second piezo stack electrical actuator. These components have a first configuration at which the needle valve member blocks a nozzle outlet of the fuel injector, and a shoulder of the intensifier piston is exposed to fluid pressure in a common rail. The components have a second configuration at which the nozzle outlet is fluidly connected to the common rail for a low pressure injection event. The components have a third configuration at which the nozzle outlet is fluidly blocked from the common rail, but movement of the intensifier displaces fluid through the nozzle outlet for a high pressure injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark Sommars, Dennis Gibson
  • Patent number: 8079345
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel supply control system for an internal combustion engine includes fuel injectors connected to a common rail, and a high pressure fuel pump for pressure-feeding to the common rail fuel that is supplied from a low-pressure fuel pump. The high pressure fuel pump includes a pressurized chamber, a plunger for pressurizing the fuel in the pressurized chamber, a fuel passage valve provided in the pressurized chamber, and an actuator for operating the fuel passage valve. A drive signal calculation unit calculates a drive signal for driving the actuator to control the discharge quantity of the high pressure fuel pump and the pressure in the common rail. The drive signal calculation unit maintains the discharge quantity of the high pressure fuel pump equal to or larger than a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Okamoto
  • Patent number: RE43864
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating fuel pump noise in a direct injection internal combustion engine. In one proposal, the direct injection fuel nozzle is suspended from a fuel rail in a fashion that avoids direct metal-to-metal contact between the injector and the engine block. The direct injection nozzle may also be connected to the fuel rail by a pair of spaced-apart seals which equalize the longitudinal pressure on the nozzle during operation. Enlarged diameter fuel reservoirs and/or a restricted orifice may be provided fluidly in series between the fuel pump and the direct injection nozzle in order to attenuate noise resulting from fuel pump pulsation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Harsha Badarinarayan, Jonathan Borg, Donald J. Mccune, Takuya Shiraishi, Atsushi Hohkita, Masahiro Soma, Hiroaki Saeki