Electrically Actuated Injector Patents (Class 123/472)
  • Publication number: 20140034014
    Abstract: Various systems and method for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes injecting fuel to a subset of cylinders that includes less than all cylinders of a first cylinder group to obtain a target EGR rate. The first cylinder group provides exhaust gas through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage structure fluidly coupled between the first cylinder group and an intake passage structure. The method further includes injecting fuel to at least one cylinder of a second cylinder group. The second cylinder group provides substantially no exhaust gas through the EGR passage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Shawn Michael Gallagher, James Robert Mischler, Luke Henry
  • Publication number: 20140034024
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an at of realizing good combustion by lowering a combustion critical temperature below a temperature of intake air sucked into a cylinder, in the case where a first fuel that is difficult to ignite and a second fuel that is easy to ignite are supplied into the cylinder. The invention is a control device for an internal combustion engine that includes a control unit that supplies a first fuel that is difficult to ignite and a second fuel that is easy to ignite into a cylinder, and burns the first fuel that is difficult to ignite as well by igniting the second fuel that is easy to ignite, wherein the control unit carries out at least one of a reduction in a supply amount of the first fuel that is difficult to ignite and an increase in a supply amount of the second fuel that is easy to ignite, if a temperature of intake air sucked into the cylinder falls below a combustion critical temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiya Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20140034023
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a first check valve member that seats on an injector body, and a second check valve member that seats on the first check valve member covers a first nozzle outlet set when in a closed position. When the first check valve member moves to an open position, gaseous fuel is injected through both a first nozzle outlet set and a second nozzle outlet set. When the second check valve member moves to an open position, liquid fuel moves through a through passage defined by the first check valve member to facilitate injection of the second nozzle outlet set. The first and second check valve members may be controlled by first and second control valves, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Dana R. Coldren
  • Patent number: 8640675
    Abstract: A fuel injector has an injector body and a control rod, which is movable in the injector body along an axis for controlling opening/closing of a nozzle that injects fuel in an engine cylinder; the injector body houses a metering servovalve, provided with a control chamber and with an open/close element of a balanced type, axial sliding of which causes a variation in pressure in the control chamber; the metering servovalve comprises a valve body made of two pieces coaxially coupled to one another via a deformable ring, which defines also a gasket for guaranteeing fluid tightness between the two pieces and maintains in a fixed position a disk on which a calibrated restriction is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele
  • Patent number: 8635990
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly may include a solenoid having a solenoid coil and an armature movable under influence of the solenoid coil. The valve assembly may also include a valve member operably connected to the armature and configured to selectively contact a valve seat. The valve assembly may further include an outer body containing the solenoid, the armature, the valve member, and the valve seat. In addition, the valve assembly may include a grounding device including an electrically conductive element disposed between the valve member and the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeremy T. Claus, Daniel R. Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20140007846
    Abstract: An injection system for an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber is provided, the wall of the combustion chamber having a first inlet port, which is closable by a first inlet valve, and a second inlet port, which is closable by a second inlet valve, the injection system including a first injector for metered injection of fuel into the area of the first inlet port, a second injector for metered injection of fuel into the area of the second inlet port, a catalytic converter unit, and a heating device for rapidly heating the catalytic converter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Gutscher, Andreas Posselt, Marko Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20140007847
    Abstract: A method for activating an injector in a fuel injection system in an internal combustion engine, the fuel injection system including a plurality of injectors and a quantity of fuel injected with the aid of an injector being a function of the activation period of the injector. An injector-individual correction value for the activation period is ascertained for at least one injector as a function of a pressure and a temperature of the fuel to be injected and the activation for this injector takes place under consideration of the injector-individual correction value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Joos, Werner Hess, Ruben Schlueter, Holger Rapp, Haris Hamedovic, Harry Friedmann, Andreas Koch, Christian Reschke, Joerg Koenig, Stephanie Wirth, Achim Hirchenhein
  • Publication number: 20140000565
    Abstract: An injection valve may have a nozzle body with a longitudinal axis, in which a nozzle body aperture and at least one injection opening are arranged, wherein the nozzle body aperture can be coupled hydraulically to a high-pressure circuit for a fluid, at least one nozzle needle arranged in an axially movable manner in the nozzle body aperture, wherein the nozzle needle prevents fluid flow through the at least one injection opening in a closing position and allows fluid flow through the at least one injection opening outside the closing position, an actuator housing, which is designed to accommodate an actuator designed to act on the nozzle needle, and at least one fluid line, which is designed for hydraulic coupling to the high-pressure circuit for the fluid and is constructed and arranged separately from the actuator housing, and is directly coupled hydraulically to the nozzle body aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Willibald Schurz, Martin Simmet, Gerd Schmutzler
  • Publication number: 20140000564
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a voltage measuring module, a second derivative module, a closing period module, and an injector driver module. The voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of a fuel injector that injects fuel directly into a cylinder of an engine. The second derivative module determines a second-order derivative of a difference between the first and second voltages. The closing period module determines a closing period of the fuel injector based on the second-order derivative of the difference. The injector driver module selectively adjusts closing of the fuel injector based on the closing period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael J. Lucido
  • Publication number: 20130319376
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system and method for a diesel engine with compression induced ignition, NOx emissions are reduced by providing a supplemental fuel injection from a supplemental injection nozzle, in addition to the primary fuel injection through a primary injection nozzle. The supplemental injection nozzle injects a supplemental quantity of fuel onto a vaporization surface such as an exhaust valve, a flame ring area, or a top surface of the piston, in the combustion chamber, whereupon the supplemental fuel vaporizes and forms a lean air/fuel mixture. Thereafter, the primary injection nozzle injects the main fuel charge into the combustion chamber, to produce a rich air/fuel combustion mixture, which is then ignited and combusts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Christoph MATHEY, Paolo TREMULI
  • Publication number: 20130306033
    Abstract: A relief valve includes a valving element, a movable holder, a housing having a guide hole and a valve seat, and a resilient member. The valving element is lifted from its seated state, in which the valving element is engaged with the valve seat, toward a pressurizing chamber in a lift period. The lift period includes a lift first period and a lift second period. An amount of the lift of the valving element reaches a set distance in the lift first period. The lift second period is after the amount of the lift of the valving element has reached the set distance. The movable holder slides inside the guide hole both in the lift first period and in the lift second period. A minimum clearance area between the movable holder and the guide hole is larger in the lift second period than in the lift first period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: NIPPON SOKEN, INC., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Kato, Yutaka Miyamoto, Toyoji Nishiwaki, Shigeto Tsuge, Tatsumi Oguri, Koichi Ohata
  • Publication number: 20130255638
    Abstract: A regulator is provided with a first pressure reducing valve, a second pressure reducing valve, and a load adjusting part. A gas fuel pressure in a fuel tank is reduced to 1.4 MPa from 20 MPa by the first pressure reducing valve, and then reduced to 0.2 to 0.65 MPa by the second pressure reducing valve. In the second pressure reducing valve, the pressure of the gas fuel is reduced to 0.2 to 0.65 MPa from 1.4 MPa, so that the resistive force of a second O-ring for sealing a first middle-pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber can be made smaller. A sliding resistance between a needle and the second O-ring is reduced. An electromagnetic attracting force generated by the load adjusting part can be made smaller. Electricity consumed by the load adjusting part can be reduced and the regulator can be made smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira TAKAGI, Haruhiko UNO, Makoto KONDO
  • Publication number: 20130255639
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is disclosed, in which method test injections are carried out in order to adapt, during the operation of the internal combustion engine, the injection parameters used for the control of the injection processes. For this purpose, during the test injections, an electric machine which is coupled to the internal combustion engine generates negative torque impulses in a manner synchronized with the positive torque impulses generated by the test injections, which negative torque impulses counteract the torque impulses generated by the test injections. In this way, rotational speed oscillations generated by the test injections are eliminated. Also described is an internal combustion engine of said type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Fernando Guillen Castillo, Martin Jehle, Holger Lang, Frank Weiss
  • Publication number: 20130255637
    Abstract: A body 600 of a fuel injector 1000 according to the present invention includes: a needle valve mechanism 200 including a needle valve 252 provided near a nozzle portion 250, and a fuel chamber 254; a needle valve actuator 230 mounted with a piston 235 on a center, wherein a spring 240 is disposed into the piston 235; a booster 300 disposed between the needle valve mechanism 200 and a pilot valve 400, and having only a spring-free piston 350; the pilot valve 400 operating by a pressure difference between supplied fuel pressure and working pressure of a solenoid valve 500; and the solenoid valve 500 controlling working pressure of fuel to operate the needle valve actuator 230.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ROBOMECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Sung NOH, Kyoung Don LEE
  • Patent number: 8548717
    Abstract: A method for performing an intake manifold injection for at least one combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, at least one intake valve being connected to an intake port, at least one exhaust valve and at least one injector being assigned to at least one combustion chamber, fuel being injected into the at least one intake port by the at least one injector during an injection time, the injection time being started after the closing of the at least one exhaust valve and terminated before the closing of the at least one intake valve for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Lang, Wolfgang Samenfink, Sebastien Kieffer
  • Publication number: 20130247878
    Abstract: In the process of starting by a recoil starter, a maximum value detection section of an ECM detects a maximum value of pressure (basic atmospheric pressure) in an intake pipe detected by a pressure sensor, within a predetermined range of crank angle after activation of the ECM. An idling control unit gives feedback control on an ISC valve based on engine speed detected by an engine speed sensor, to thereby keep idling engine speed at a specified value. A correction unit corrects a basic atmospheric pressure detected by the maximum value detection section based on the duty ratio of the ISC valve in idling, and uses the result as the atmospheric pressure. A storage unit 9d stores a map in which the duty ratio of the ISC valve in idling is correlated with the amount of correction to be made on the basic atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki SHOMURA, Tatsunori KATAOKA, Akinori YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8528842
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine having externally supplied ignition, includes an armature which cooperates with a solenoid coil, and a valve needle which is joined to the armature by force-locking and on which a valve-closure member is provided which forms a sealing seat together with a valve-seat surface. The armature is swingingly supported on the valve needle by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Anh-Tuan Hoang
  • Patent number: 8522747
    Abstract: The fuel injection apparatus includes: a fuel injector having a leading end portion that has an internal space in which fuel is accumulated and an injection port for injecting fuel; and an adsorbent disposed in the internal space, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol. The fuel injection apparatus controls an injection amount from the fuel injector such that an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine is a control target air-fuel ratio based on an alcohol concentration of the blended fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector. In this fuel injection apparatus, a fuel pressure is brought to a predetermined low fuel pressure when a request is issued for desorbing alcohol adsorbed on the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumito Chiba, Mamoru Yoshioka, Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Ryota Onoe
  • Patent number: 8505513
    Abstract: The present invention is a fuel injection method for a direct-injection internal-combustion engine, preferably of diesel type, comprising a cylinder (10) closed by a cylinder head (16), a piston (12) comprising a bowl (18), and a fuel injector (48). The method feeds the fuel into a bowl coated with a thermal insulation coating in at least two successive injections in quick succession to achieve low-temperature combustion of the fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventor: Julian Kashdan
  • Publication number: 20130199501
    Abstract: A variable orifice fuel injector has both an inward opening needle valve and an outward opening needle valve and has means to inject fuel in different hollow conical spray patterns and conventional multiple jet spray patterns selectively and independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: A FUEL INJECTOR WITH A VARIABLE ORIFICE
    Inventor: Deyang Hou
  • Publication number: 20130180506
    Abstract: A method and a control unit are disclosed for controlling a single-cylinder or multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injector per cylinder, at least one camshaft for actuating inlet valves and/or outlet valves, and having a control unit which controls the fuel injectors in such a way that they inject in each case one fuel pre-injection per cylinder during a starting phase of the internal combustion engine. In order to make an improved pre-injection strategy possible during the starting phase, according to the invention at least one cylinder pressure signal which is supplied by a cylinder pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in a cylinder is evaluated with regard to interference signals, and the evaluation result is taken into consideration at least during the starting phase in a determination of the camshaft angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Harry Schüle, Markus Stutika
  • Publication number: 20130174811
    Abstract: A temperature reduction control for reducing the temperature of an injector is performed through first to third fuel supply control routines executed by an electronic control device. When the temperature of the injector is reduced by the execution of the temperature reduction control, heat transfer to the vicinity of the nozzle of the injector is reduced. Since the vicinity of the nozzle of the injector is less likely to be placed in a high-temperature environment by in accordance with reduction in heat transfer to the vicinity of the nozzle of the injector, the formation of deposit around the nozzle of the injector is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Nishimura, Rihito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8469005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injector, comprising a housing having a sealable injector seat; a fuel injector pin disposed within the housing proximate to the injector seat such that the injector seat may be sealed and unsealed by displacing the fuel injector pin; a resilient element biasing the fuel injector pin in an unsealed direction; a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the housing proximal to the fuel injector pin configured to actuate to force the injector pin towards the injector seat to seal the injector seat; and a thermal compensating unit disposed within the housing proximal to the actuator and configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of a component of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Transonic Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Frick, Michael C. Cheiky
  • Patent number: 8459575
    Abstract: A fuel injector has an injector body and a control rod, which is movable in the injector body along an axis to control the opening/closing of a nozzle that injects fuel into a cylinder of the engine; the injector body houses a metering servovalve having a control chamber, which is axially delimited by the control rod and communicates with an inlet and with a discharge channel; the metering servovalve is provided with a shutter, which slides axially on an axial guide, from which the discharge channel exits, to open and close the discharge channel and, in consequence, vary the pressure in the control chamber; the discharge channel has at least two restrictions having calibrated passage sections and arranged in series with each other to divide the pressure drop along the discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele
  • Patent number: 8459571
    Abstract: An injection valve has a valve body and a valve pin. The valve body has a metering orifice. In a closed position of the valve pin, the flow of fluid through the metering orifice is disabled and otherwise released. A control signal (ANS_SIG) for metering fluid with the injection valve is generated for a first valve pin actuator which is coupled to the valve pin to drive the valve pin. At least one first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1) for the first and/or the second valve pin actuator is generated at least during a predetermined interval during the control of the first valve pin actuator with the control signal (AN_SIG) in such a manner that the valve pin is oscillatingly displaced relative to a position of the valve pin in response to the first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1), the valve pin having said position in response to the control signal (ANS_SIG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Graupner, Klaus Wenzlawski
  • Patent number: 8430343
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a needle valve having an engagement part, and a movable core having an engagement part to be engaged with the engagement part of the needle valve. One of the engagement part of the needle valve and the engagement part of the movable core is defined by two inner faces of a recess opposing to each other in an axis direction, and the other engagement part is defined by two outer faces of a projection opposing to the inner faces, respectively. The projection is movable between the inner faces in the axis direction in a state that the projection is located in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Nagatomo
  • Patent number: 8413637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector comprising a nozzle retainer or an injector body, a valve body and a nozzle body, in which a preferably needle-shaped injection valve member is arranged to be vertically movable, said member releasing or closing at least one injection port leading to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine depending on the pressure relief of or the pressure load on a control chamber. The invention is characterized in that a valve comprising a preferably ball-shaped valve element is arranged in the nozzle retainer or in the injector body for the pressure relief of the control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Schnell
  • Publication number: 20130074808
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a solenoid device which generates a magnetic sucking force; a core provided inside the solenoid device; a movable valve element composed of an armature coming into contact with the core, a pipe section whose one end is joined to the armature, and a valve section joined to the other end of the pipe section, the valve element being suctioned against a spring during energization of the solenoid device; and a valve seat unit having a valve seat to or from which the valve element is mounted or removed by the magnetic sucking force generated from the solenoid device and pressing force of the spring. The armature, the valve section, and the pipe section of the valve element are integrally configured by molding with resin, the armature and the valve section being joined by the pipe section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio SHINGU, Keishi NAKANO, Tsuyoshi MUNEZANE
  • Patent number: 8402950
    Abstract: In a fuel injector, a body has formed therein a spray hole and a fuel supply passage. Fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage is delivered to the spray hole. A fuel pressure sensor produces a signal indicative of a pressure of the fuel. First terminals are attached to the fuel pressure sensor, and include a terminal for outputting the signal. The fuel pressure sensor is threadedly installed in the body while the plurality of first terminals are rotated about a preset axis. A connector includes a housing attached to the body, and second terminals supported by the housing for external electric connection of the fuel pressure sensor. Electrodes are each arranged to extend around the preset axis in a circular arc. Each of the electrodes electrically connects a corresponding one of the first terminals to a corresponding one of the second terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Fujino, Jun Kondo, Yutaka Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20130068200
    Abstract: An injector comprising one or more piezoelectric driving stacks wherein a flow control member of the injector is driven directly by the one or more piezoelectric stacks without additional amplification means or interposing elements while a flow area of the nozzle is variably adjustable to deliver controlled flow rates in a desired flow profile to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. The injector is configured to support required flow rates with minimal linear movement of the flow control member. The injector and drive electronics are configured to deliver higher frequency operation and response with increased operational stability due to minimal response lag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Reynolds, Robert Andrew Banks
  • Patent number: 8396644
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine employing PCCI combustion, capable of realizing high-stability operation of the engine throughout a large operation area, is provided. The engine control device comprises a fuel supply system which supplies light oil or mixed fuel containing light oil to the engine, a gas supply system which supplies hydrogen to the engine, and a required premixed gas calculating unit which previously stores and uses multiple combustion waveforms (changing depending on hydrogen addition concentration) as data. The required premixed gas calculating unit selects one of the combustion waveforms so as to achieve high thermal efficiency depending on the status of the engine and determines the hydrogen addition concentration (addition concentration of the hydrogen to be supplied to the engine) corresponding to the selected combustion waveform, by which the generation of PM and NOx can be reduced while also improving the thermal efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kabashima, Yasuhiro Urata, Kazushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8342155
    Abstract: An injector has a body that defines a high-pressure passage for passing high-pressure fuel to an injection hole inside, a needle that is accommodated in the body and that opens and closes the injection hole, an electric actuator that causes the needle to perform the opening and closing action, a lead wire that is arranged in a lead wire insertion hole formed in the body and that supplies an electric power to the electric actuator, and a fuel pressure sensor that is fixed to the body and that senses pressure of the high-pressure fuel. An outlet hole, via which the lead wire extends from the lead wire insertion hole to an outside of the body, is located at a position closer to the injection hole than the fuel pressure sensor is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Fujino, Jun Kondo, Shu Kagami
  • Patent number: 8322629
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel injector in which at least one electrically triggered valve is disposed inside an injector member and is connected to an externally accessible injector member contact by means of a solid conductor, the solid conductor and the electrical valve contact being interconnected directly via an electrically conducting positive connection or indirectly via an electrically conducting connecting element. The solid conductor is configured so as to substantially maintain the shape thereof under the influence of the proper weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fleig
  • Patent number: 8316825
    Abstract: An adjustable racing injector injects fuel by carrying out an opening and closing of a fuel orifice in a valve seat. The fuel orifice is controlled by a signal, typically provided by an engine control unit, which energizes a magnetic circuit including coil which in turn will effect movement of a needle. The adjustable racing injector is field reconfigurable and may be provided as discrete components, or may be provided as an assembly together with a collection of replaceable components that are designed to controllably alter the performance of an engine to which the injector is attached. Performance components that may be readily replaced in the field are preferably provided with visual indicia that indicate specific performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jack M. French, III
  • Patent number: 8297532
    Abstract: A fuel injector including a nozzle portion, a solenoid operated valve assembly configured to control a flow of fuel to the nozzle portion, a housing, at least a portion of the solenoid operated valve assembly disposed in the housing, the housing formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity value, and a heat transfer element associated with the solenoid operated valve assembly, the heat transfer element attached to the housing, the heat transfer element formed of a second material having a second thermal conductivity value, the second thermal conductivity value being greater than the first thermal conductivity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Venkataraghavan, Stephen R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120247428
    Abstract: In a method for operating a valve, e.g., a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle which is activated with the aid of an actuator, the actuator is activated using a control variable which has a predetermined control period. The control period is formed as a function of a setpoint value for a closing delay time of the valve which characterizes a time difference between an end of the control period and a closing point in time of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Christian Grimminger, Egbert Fuchs, Helerson Kemmer, Holger Rapp, Thomas Gann, Anh-Tuan Hoang, Ralph Kober, Christian Szonn
  • Publication number: 20120247427
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a valve element movably disposed to a valve seat member having a valve seat and formed with an opening located at a downstream side thereof. A swirl imparting chamber is formed to impart a swirl force to fuel within the swirl imparting chamber by turning fuel. An injection hole is opened to the bottom of swirl imparting chamber to inject fuel to outside. Additionally, a communication passage is formed to connect the swirl imparting chamber with the opening of the valve seat member. In this fuel injection valve, the swirl imparting chamber and the communication passage are formed to satisfy the following equation: 0.15?W/D<0.5 where W is width of the communication passage; and D is diameter of the swirl imparting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Takahiro Saito, Nobuaki Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ohno, Atsushi Nakai, Yoshio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8272370
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines is described. The fuel injector includes an electromagnetic actuating element having a magnetic coil, a core and a valve jacket as the outer magnetic circuit component and a movable valve-closure member which interacts with a valve-seat surface assigned to a valve-seat member. The core and a connecting tube in an inner opening of a thin-walled valve sleeve and the valve jacket on the outer circumference of the valve sleeve are firmly connected to the valve sleeve by pressing them therein/thereon. The fixed press connection between two of these metallic components of the fuel injector is characterized in that at least one of the component partners has a structure including grooves in its press area and/or the particular press area has an inlet rounding in at least one transition to an adjacent component section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Johann Bayer, Christian Suenkel, Wolfgang Koschwitz
  • Patent number: 8267068
    Abstract: A countercurrent spray nozzle injects fuel into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine to give better mixing of fuel and air. Better mixing results in less NOx and less incomplete combustion of carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: David Nicholson Low
  • Publication number: 20120227709
    Abstract: In a fuel injection device, a driving unit structure has a magnetic aperture, in which an inner diameter is gradually enlarged toward the mover side, provided in an inner peripheral surface of the magnetic core. It is possible to reduce magnetic delay time upon valve opening from the supply of the electric current to the coil to the rise of magnetic flux and magnetic delay time upon valve closing from the stoppage of the electric current to the coil to reduction of magnetic flux, by providing a magnetic aperture in the inner peripheral surface of the magnetic core. Thus it is possible to improve the dynamic responsiveness upon valve opening and valve closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo KUSAKABE, Motoyuki Abe, Tohru Ishikawa, Noriyuki Maekawa, Masahiro Soma, Takao Miyake, Yasuo Namaizawa
  • Patent number: 8261720
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for flowing-around media, with a piezo element arranged between two end caps. The piezo element is surrounded by a ring-shaped sheathing connected to the end caps. The sheathing consists, at least in portions, of a composite material with at least two layers, at least one layer consisting of a metallic material and at least one layer consisting of a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Rainer Capellmann, Gregor Renner, Holger Stark
  • Patent number: 8264125
    Abstract: A piezoelectric component with a monolithic stack, has electrode layers and piezoceramic layers arranged alternately one on top of the other, the piezoceramic layers have a piezoceramic, and having at least one porous security layer arranged in the stack for the formation of a crack if mechanical overload of the stack should occur. The piezoelectric component has an infiltration barrier arranged between the security layer and a lateral surface section of the stack for suppressing the penetration of a foreign substance into the security layer. The piezoelectric component can be as a piezoactuator for controlling a valve, particularly a valve of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Denzler, Christoph Hamann, Harald Johannes Kastl, Stefan Kohn, Maximilian Kronberger, Christian Reichinger, Carsten Schuh, Claus Zumstrull
  • Publication number: 20120222654
    Abstract: A gas combustion type driving tool is provided with a combustion portion; a fuel container for containing a fuel; an electromagnetic valve device for injecting the fuel into the combustion portion; and a grip portion. A distance from the fuel container to the combustion portion is set substantially equal to or less than a distance from the electromagnetic valve device (24) to the combustion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto KOSUGE, Yasushi YOKOCHI, Takamichi HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20120216782
    Abstract: Embodiments of injectors configured for adaptively injecting and igniting various fuels in a combustion chamber are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes an end portion configured to be positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber, and an ignition feature carried by the end portion and configured to generate an ignition event. The injector also includes a force generator assembly and a movable valve. The force generator assembly includes a first force generator separate from a second force generator. The first force generator creates a motive force to move the valve between the closed and open positions into the combustion chamber. The second force generator is electrically coupled to the ignition feature and provides voltage to the ignition feature to at least partially generate the ignition event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Publication number: 20120204839
    Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic fuel injection valve capable of reducing fuel injection amount fluctuations by flattening chromium-coated impact surfaces of a movable core that impact with a stationary core or a valve plug. A movable valve element comprises a movable core, which has a cylindrical structure, and a valve plug, which is formed separate from the movable core and retained on a hollow side of the movable core to reciprocate together with the movable core with the electromagnetic attractive force and a force of a return spring. The movable core has a first impact surface, which impacts with the end face of the stationary core, and a second impact surface, which impacts with a retained surface of the valve plug, the first and second impact surfaces being coated with a chromium film layer. The chromium film layer is formed by setting a positive electrode for plating on a central axis line of the movable core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohwada, Tohru Ishikawa, Motoyuki Abe
  • 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: 8239114
    Abstract: A method of combustion stability control for a gas turbine engine is provided, and includes the steps of receiving by a stability controller, information regarding environmental and operating conditions, and comparing the environmental and operating conditions to pre-programmed information to determine if a likelihood of combustion instability exists. The method further includes the steps of determining optimal fuel modulation frequency and amplitude for the environmental condition to reduce combustion instability, if a likelihood of combustion instability exists, and actuating at least one fuel modulation valve to, at the optimal fuel modulation frequency and amplitude, reduce combustion instability, if a likelihood of combustion instability exists. Systems for modulating fuel flow are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Jerry Lee Goeke, Brandon Philip Williams
  • Publication number: 20120180762
    Abstract: A battery supplies power to a solenoid valve at a voltage and by a DC/DC boost converter at a boost voltage that is higher than the battery voltage. Operating parameters of the injector are stored that include at least peak high and peak low currents and peak phase duration. A pull-in phase up is performed to current into the solenoid valve when a value greater than the peak high current is reached. Current is monitored into the solenoid and switching on the battery voltage to the solenoid if the current into the solenoid is equal to or lower than, the peak low current, then monitoring the current into the solenoid and powering the solenoid at the boost voltage if the current into the solenoid is still lower than the peak low current. Otherwise powering the solenoid at the battery voltage and performing a hold phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Paolo CASASSO
  • Patent number: 8214132
    Abstract: An efficient control wave form is utilized to actuate the solenoids of a fuel system to reduce boost power/energy consumption. The solenoid is initially energized by applying a boost voltage from an electronic controller across a solenoid coil circuit. The electronic controller monitors the current level in the solenoid coil circuit, and changes to a reduced battery voltage when the current level in the solenoid coil circuit reaches a predetermined trigger current. The controller then maintains a pull-in current based upon battery voltage for a pull-in duration that initiates movement of the solenoid armature from an initial air gap position toward a final air gap position. After the pull-in duration, the current level is dropped to a hold in level for the remaining duration of the actuation event. The solenoid may be used for fuel injector control and/or pump control, such as to control fuel injection and pumping events respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nadeem Bunni, Daniel R. Puckett, Jay Venkataraghavan, Stephen R. Lewis, Angela L. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120125292
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes: an injector body of substantially elongate form and defining an injector body axis; an injector nozzle disposed at one end of the injector body; and a plurality of element connectors for providing fluid and/or electrical connection into and/or out of the fuel injector wherein at least some of the element connectors are arranged to be rotatable relative to one another about the injector body axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lecluse, Richard Denis Jacques Alain Enter, Bruno Bimbeneet