Electrically Actuated Injector Patents (Class 123/472)
  • Patent number: 8166952
    Abstract: A method of operation of an internal combustion engine including an intake valve coupled to a combustion chamber, and a port fuel injector positioned upstream of the intake valve in an intake manifold including a throttle, the port fuel injector fluidly coupled to a fuel rail included in a fuel delivery system housing a fuel at least partially composed of alcohol. The method including, during a start-up operation when the temperature of the engine is below a threshold value and fuel is actively being injected into the intake manifold, adjusting a cone angle of a fuel spray from the port fuel injector, via adjustment of the throttle and/or fuel delivery system, based on the position of the intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, John M. Roth, Mark Peters
  • Publication number: 20120085323
    Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention provides a fluid injector (10) which functions as a positive displacement pump and comprises: a housing (12) in which a piston chamber is formed; a piston (11) which reciprocates in the piston chamber to define therewith a variable volume fluid pumping chamber; a one-way inlet valve (32) which allows flow of fluid into the pumping chamber from a fluid inlet; and a one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which allows flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber to a fluid outlet (31). In operation of the injector the piston (11) cyclically moves to increase volume of the pumping chamber and draw fluid into the pumping chamber via the one-way inlet valve (32) and then the piston moves to decrease volume of the pumping chamber and expel fluid from the pumping chamber via the one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen, Steven Barraclough, Paul Bartholomew Ravenhill, Richard Matthew Hoolahan
  • Publication number: 20120080011
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle body with a nozzle bore, a first valve needle received within the nozzle bore and being engageable with a first seat region to control fuel delivery through a first set of nozzle outlets, and a second valve needle received within a valve bore provided in the first valve needle and being engageable with a second seat region arranged to control fuel delivery through a second set of nozzle outlets. A control chamber for fuel is provided between the first valve needle and the second valve needle, wherein movement of the first valve needle is responsive to fuel pressure in the control chamber, and wherein movement of the second valve needle is mechanically coupled to an armature of the first actuator arrangement. A second actuator arrangement to controls movement of the first valve needle by controlling fuel flow into the control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Micheal Peter Cooke
  • Publication number: 20120048239
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a fuel injector system and method in which the timing of events in during period of fuel injection of a piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector are estimated based on sensed forces within the injector. The force sensor is positioned between a piezoelectric actuator and a hydraulic link assembly mechanically coupled with the piezoelectric actuator, and the force sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to forces between the piezoelectric actuator and the hydraulic link assembly. From information contained in the sensor output signal, timing in the injection period of at least one fueling characteristic based can be estimated to allow for adjusting fuel injector characteristics to compensate for variations affecting fuel injection, such as manufacturing tolerances, environmental conditions, and deterioration/wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Syed S. JALAL, Douglas W. MEMERING, Richard E. REISINGER, Edward Benjamin MANRING, Jesus CARMONA-VALDES, Anthony A. SHAULL, Shankar VENKATARAMAN, William David DANIEL
  • Patent number: 8122870
    Abstract: A blowby gas returning apparatus is mounted in an engine provided with a turbocharger in an intake passage and provided with a blowby gas returning passage for flowing blowby gas generated in the engine to return to the engine. This apparatus comprises an intake bypass passage connecting an upstream side and a downstream side of the intake passage with respect to the turbocharger, and a jet pump for generating negative pressure in the intake bypass passage. An exit of the first blowby gas returning passage is connected to the intake bypass passage through the jet pump. The apparatus further includes a second blowby gas returning passage connecting the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve to a head cover. In the head cover, a PCV valve is placed at an entrance of the second blowby gas returning passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Konohara
  • Patent number: 8113175
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises: a first fuel injector which is arranged within a housing unit; an accumulator volume for supplying fuel to the first fuel injector; a first fuel pump arrangement comprising a pumping plunger which is driven, in use, to cause pressurisation of fuel within a first pump chamber; a first metering valve which is operable to control fuel flow into the first pump chamber; a first fuel passage providing communication between the first pump chamber and the accumulator volume; and a first non-return valve located in the first fuel passage between the first pump chamber and the accumulator volume; wherein the first fuel injector communicates with the first fuel passage at a position between the first non-return valve and the accumulator volume; and wherein communication between the first fuel injector and the accumulator volume is uninterrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventor: Anthony John Williams
  • Patent number: 8108126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fuel injection in an engine is described. The apparatus comprises at least one fuel injector which is connected in an injector drive circuit powered by a power source. The method comprises determining an injection event sequence of the at least one fuel injector based on at least one engine operating parameter, determining a magnitude of a load parameter of the power source, comparing the magnitude to a predetermined threshold level for the load parameter, and determining a modified injection event sequence in the event that the magnitude is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Martin A. P. Sykes, Steven J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20120006301
    Abstract: In an apparatus for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, including an injection nozzle (5) having an axially displaceable nozzle needle (17) to which the pressure present in a control chamber (13) filled with fuel can be applied in the axial direction to control the opening and closing movements of said needle, wherein the pressure in the control chamber (13) is controlled via a solenoid valve (7) opening or closing at least one inlet or outlet duct (14) for fuel and in which a magnetic coil (28) cooperates with an armature (27) and a valve-closing member that can be pressed against a valve seat (15) is coupled to the armature (27), said armature (27) being disposed in an armature chamber (19) into which the inlet or outlet duct (14) opens, the magnetic coil (28) is covered by a metal protective plate (30) on the side of the armature chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Guggenbichler
  • Patent number: 8087400
    Abstract: An injection valve has a magnetic actuator and an injector needle able to be moved axially by the magnetic actuator. To meter a fluid by the injection valve the magnetic actuator is activated for an individual metering process with at least one actuation signal with a first or second signal waveform. The two actuation signals differ from one another in that, on activation of the magnetic actuator by the actuation signal with the first signal waveform, less energy is transmitted to a magnet unit of the magnetic actuator than during activation of the magnetic actuator by the actuation signal with the second signal waveform. The magnetic actuator is activated by the actuation signal with the second signal waveform if an activation of the magnetic actuator by the actuation signal with the first signal waveform leads to an undesired premature closure of the injector needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Achleitner, Dirk Baranowski, Franz Kunz
  • Patent number: 8087399
    Abstract: An injection valve (62) has an injection body (38) with a first cavity (7), wherein a valve body (4) is at least partially disposed and wherein an armature collar (28) is axially movable. The valve body (4) has a second cavity (8), wherein a valve needle (10) is axially movable. An armature (12) is axially movable at least partially within the first cavity (7) and has a first cylindrical portion (32) and a second cylindrical portion (34), which is mechanically coupled to the valve needle (10). A coil assembly (40) is operable to magnetically actuate the armature (12) and the valve needle (10). The armature collar (28) partially takes in the second cylindrical portion (34). An armature collar spring (20) is adopted to supply the armature collar (28) with a spring load to push the armature collar (28) towards the first cylindrical portion (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Mauro Grandi, Cédric Leger, Ileana Romeo
  • Patent number: 8074625
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the driver does not move the actuator and in the second position the driver moves the actuator to move the valve to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8073638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the ignitability of fuel, particularly of diesel, biodiesel, gas-to-liquid or biomass-to-liquid fuel, with an unknown fuel quality for an internal combustion engine. Provision is made for the density of the fuel to be ascertained and for the ignitability to be derived from this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Birk, Michael Scheidt, Andreas Rupp
  • Publication number: 20110283974
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber which may be closed by an intake valve, at least one air intake port which leads to the intake valve, and a fuel injection device which in association with the at least one combustion chamber has a first injector and a second injector for the metered injection of fuel into at least one intake port. To achieve significantly improved mixture preparation and combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, the two injectors are configured such that the first injector injects a widely divergent spray cone having a large cone angle, and the second injector injects an only slightly divergent spray cone having a much smaller cone angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Baeuerle, Alexander Schenck Zu Schweinsberg, Klaus Ries-Mueller
  • Publication number: 20110259286
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is described for injecting slurry fuels into the combustion chamber of a diesel engine, equipped with a fuel common rail, and fitted with a gas to fuel contactor chamber for dissolving supplementary atomizing gas into the continuous phase of the slurry fuel, at high pressure. Each fuel injector comprises a combined double valve for starting and stopping fuel injection, so that slurry fuel containing atomizing gas is only depressurized when injected into the engine combustion chamber, when such depressurization greatly improves fuel atomization and combustion efficiency. In this way small bore, high speed, diesel engines can be efficiently operated on high viscosity, low cost fuels such as tars from tar sands, tars from coal and biomass, and residual petroleum fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Carl Firey
  • Patent number: 8037869
    Abstract: The injector comprises a balanced metering servovalve for controlling a rod for opening/closing a nebulizer. The servovalve has a valve body having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an axially mobile open/close element. The open/close element is made of a single piece with a bushing separate from an armature plate of an electromagnet. The bushing is coupled to a stem in an axially slidable way for closing an exhaust duct in communication with the outlet passage The open/close element is kept in a closed position by a spring that acts upon the bushing through an intermediate body connected thereto. The armature plate can be displaced with respect to the bushing between a flange of the intermediate body and a shoulder of the bushing, for eliminating the rebounds of the open/close element upon closing of the servovalve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Domenico Lepore, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Publication number: 20110232606
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided that creates variable spray characteristics to effectively reduce emissions, such as NOx emissions and particulate matter. The injector includes a nozzle valve element of the outwardly opening type including a fuel delivery passage and spray holes. The nozzle valve element is operable to move to a low lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to impinge on the injector body and to deflect toward the combustion chamber, and to move to a high lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to avoid impingement on injector body and flow in an obstructed manner directly into the combustion chamber. An annular chamber may be formed in the nozzle valve element adjacent the spray holes to receive fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lester L. PETERS, David L. BUCHANAN
  • Patent number: 8020532
    Abstract: A method of operation of an internal combustion engine including an intake valve coupled to a combustion chamber, and a port fuel injector positioned upstream of the intake valve in an intake manifold including a throttle, the port fuel injector fluidly coupled to a fuel rail included in a fuel delivery system housing a fuel at least partially composed of alcohol. The method including, during a start-up operation when the temperature of the engine is below a threshold value and fuel is actively being injected into the intake manifold, adjusting a cone angle of a fuel spray from the port fuel injector, via adjustment of the throttle and/or fuel delivery system, based on the position of the intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, John M. Roth, Mark Peters
  • Patent number: 8011351
    Abstract: An accurate control of a solenoid-operated fuel injector in a Diesel or gasoline engine specifies that a pull-in voltage (Vpull-in) higher than the generally available battery voltage (Vbatt) is applied to the injector, and that the injection is ended as quickly as possible, in order that the fuel injection closely follows the solenoid current profile. When the initial pull-in voltage is lower than the expected nominal value, a deviation of the injected fuel quantity appears with respect to the nominal quantity. This inconvenience is overcome by monitoring the actual value of a selected parameter, such as the actual value of the initial pull-in voltage (Vpull-in), and the injection start time (te) and the solenoid energizing time (ET) are correspondingly modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Paolo Casasso
  • Publication number: 20110197858
    Abstract: [Object] To allow smooth discharge of a gas accumulated in a fuel injection device for injecting/supplying fuel to an engine intake passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Takumi Nonaka, Hideki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7992545
    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) 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 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Transonic Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Frick, Michael C. Cheiky
  • Publication number: 20110174264
    Abstract: An airless nozzle and fuel deliver system for a fuel-fired burner sprays fuel droplets for ignition to increase heat for regenerating an exhaust component. A source of pressurized fuel delivers pressurized fuel to a first fuel injector. In response to a first control signal, the first fuel injector is opened and fuel pressure is increased to a desired level to open a valve such that the fuel can be delivered to the airless nozzle. The airless nozzle sprays fuel droplets for a period of time that the first fuel injector is open. In response to a second control signal, the first fuel injector is closed and a second fuel injector is opened such that fuel is vented to decrease fuel pressure between the valve and the first fuel injector to stop the spray of fuel droplets by closing the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, II, Samuel N. Crane, JR., Zhiwei Yang, Navin Khadiya
  • Publication number: 20110162623
    Abstract: Needles include a cylindrical outer needle that is brought into contact with and moved away from a nozzle body (113) to open and close an injection hole (1132) and an inner needle (112), slidably inserted in the outer needle (111), that is moved into and out of a sack-tip-portion space (171). When the inner needle (112) enters the sack-tip-portion space (171) and completely occupies the sack-tip-portion space (171), the fuel injection direction B is made downward relative to the injection-hole central axis C. Thus, it is possible to control the fuel injection direction B by controlling the amount of lift of the inner needle (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hayashi, Osamu Hishinuma, Masaharu Ito, Akio Tanaka, Kazuhiro Omae
  • Publication number: 20110155104
    Abstract: Provided is a highly durable multi-layer piezoelectric element wherein an external electrode has less possibilities of being peeled off from a side face of a stacked body even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time in a high electrical field under high pressure. In a multi-layer piezoelectric element (1), a void (2) is formed in a joining interface between a side face of a stacked body (7) wherein piezoelectric layers (3) and internal electrode layers (5) are alternately laminated and an external electrode (9) joined to the side face. Since stress generated in the joining interface between the side face of the stacked body (7) and the external electrode (9) during driving can be reduced by the void (2), there are less possibilities of having the external electrode (9) peeled off from the side face of the stacked body (7) even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigenobu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7968167
    Abstract: A coated seal for sealing parts in a vehicle engine is disclosed herein. The seal includes a seal body portion including glass fiber-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, molybdenum disulfide-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, bronze-filled polytetrafluoroethylene or combinations thereof; and a coating portion including either expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, or combinations thereof. A method of using a coated seal in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein. A system to achieve decreased friction, decreased noise, and improved wear in injector seals in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue Qi, Pui-Kei Yuen
  • Patent number: 7963270
    Abstract: The injector comprises a metering servo valve for controlling a rod for opening/closing a nebulizer. The servo valve has a valve body having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is separate from an armature of an electromagnet, and is slidable on an axial guide element for closing the outlet passage. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. The armature can be displaced with respect to the axial guide element between a flange of the intermediate body and a projection element of the guide member, for eliminating the rebounds of the open/close element upon closing of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Antonio Gravina
  • Publication number: 20110132293
    Abstract: A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors and control valve assemblies with an internal cooling fluid circuit to improve overall life and performance of the injector. This is accomplished by supplying cooling fluid to the injector and allowing the same to come in direct contact with one of the hottest locations within the fuel injector; the high-pressure leak split spot. By providing cooling fluid directly to this location and then allowing the cooling fluid to drain out of the injector, the present disclosure effectively and efficiently manages thermal loads within the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 7946276
    Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed. The fuel injector includes an injector valve needle and a valve actuation assembly including a stator, an armature, and a valve, the valve in fluid communication with the injector valve needle. A stator protection device is positioned between the stator and at least a portion of the armature. The stator protection device is configured to prevent contact between the stator and the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Pusch, David E. Martin, David Y. Chang
  • Patent number: 7926467
    Abstract: An engine system includes an intake system, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system. The internal combustion engine includes a fuel droplet generator, and a fuel injector configured to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Theodorof
  • Publication number: 20110061637
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a metering apparatus may be associated with an engine. The metering apparatus may include a first passageway for transporting air to a first port of an engine, and a second passageway for transporting gaseous fuel to a second port of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Nagesh Mavinahally, Jay Veerathappa
  • Publication number: 20110048381
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the driver does not move the actuator and in the second position the driver moves the actuator to move the valve to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 7886718
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body piece that defines a nozzle supply passage and a chamber in fluid communication therewith and configured to contain a fluid pressure within the fuel injector. The body piece has a threaded segment and a second, unthreaded segment that includes an outer surface of the fuel injector. A tip piece is clamped via a clamping piece to the body piece to form a fluid seal therewith, and a needle check extends within the body piece and the tip piece. The body piece is configured to contain fluid pressures, for example up to and exceeding 200 MPa, and has a wall thickness between the chamber and the unthreaded segment that is linked to a fluid pressure of fuel passing through the chamber. The fuel injector is configured via integrating portions of a nozzle case and a body guide to contain the extremely high fuel pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash R. Manubolu, Stephen R. Lewis, Shriprasad G. Lakhapati, Zhenlong Xu
  • Publication number: 20110023832
    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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Brown, Larry Castleberry, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott James Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 7874070
    Abstract: An injection valve has a nozzle body, a valve needle positioned in the nozzle body, an actuator for actuating the valve needle, and an orifice plate fixed at an end of the nozzle body. The orifice plate has a valve seat for cooperating with the valve needle and an orifice for injecting a fluid. The orifice plate is provided with a projection having a convex-curved surface on an orifice outlet side of the orifice plate. A flat surface portion is formed in the area of the convex-curved surface, and the outlet of the orifice is located in the flat surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Gunji, Keiji Kawahara, Shuichi Shimizu, Atsushi Sekine, Masafumi Nakano
  • Patent number: 7866301
    Abstract: A self-guided armature assembly for a single pole solenoid assembly includes an armature stem and an armature. The solenoid assembly includes a flux ring component and an actuator body. The armature is movable inside the flux ring. An axial air gap is defined between the top armature surface of the armature and a bottom stator surface of a stator assembly. A sliding air gap is defined between an inner diameter surface of the flux ring and an outer diameter surface of the armature. The self-guided armature is guided along the flux ring via a guiding interaction between the armature and the flux ring. The sliding air gap is smaller than the axial air gap. A stem clearance gap is defined between the armature stem and the actuator body. The sliding air gap is also smaller than the stem clearance gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jayaraman K. Venkataraghavan, Stephen R. Lewis, Nadeem N. Bunni, Shriprasad Lakhapati
  • Patent number: 7861693
    Abstract: An injection system for an internal combustion engine has at least one injector (18) which is coupled hydraulically to a fuel accumulator (16), a prefeed pump (12) for feeding fuel from a fuel tank (10), a high pressure pump (14) which is arranged downstream behind the prefeed pump (12) for feeding the fuel into the fuel accumulator (16), and a line (42) which branches off downstream of the prefeed pump (12) and upstream of the high pressure pump (14) and is coupled hydraulically to an exhaust section injector (47), by way of which fuel can be injected into an exhaust section of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Einberger, Thomas Grossner, Klaus Husslein, Christoph Klesse, Thomas Riedel
  • Patent number: 7856963
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator operable by applying a drive pulse thereto, wherein the drive pulse has a frequency domain signature. The method includes i) determining at least one resonant frequency of an injector installation in which the injector is received, in use, and ii) modifying the drive pulse such that a maximum of the frequency domain signature thereof is remote from the determined resonant frequency of the injector installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Daniel J Hopley, Stephen A Noyce, Colin Almond
  • Publication number: 20100313852
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Matthias Schnell
  • Publication number: 20100313853
    Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within a nozzle cavity formed in a nozzle housing containing a nozzle valve element. The hydraulic link assembly is positioned close to the injector orifices to minimize needle valve element length and mass, thereby reducing seat impact forces and enhance response time. A refill valve operates to move into an open position to refill a hydraulic link chamber. An actuator power source operates to vary voltage to cause multiple injection pulses and to selectively maintain the voltage above a predetermined lower level between injection pulses to maintain the refill valve in a closed position to prevent refilling of the hydraulic link chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES INC.
    Inventors: Corydon E. MORRIS, Bela DOSZPOLY
  • Patent number: 7850091
    Abstract: A fuel injector having an injector body and a fuel inlet communicates with a high-pressure fuel source outside the injector body and including an actuator received in a hollow chamber from which a high-pressure inlet extends to an injection valve member. Depending on the pressure in the first hydraulic chamber, fuel is injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine when the injection valve member lifts from a seat. The actuator acts directly upon a stepped piston which defines the first hydraulic chamber and actuates a control piston. The injection valve member is guided in the control piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Publication number: 20100294240
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for injecting fuel into combustion chambers of internal combustion engines. According to the invention, a valve seat of a control valve is designed as a flat seat that has a planar valve seat surface. A circumferential edge located on the face of a sleeve of the control valve rests on the planar valve seat surface when the control valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Andreas Rettich, Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 7840336
    Abstract: In a gas turbine aeroengine control system, in Ch-A (first control channel), a first CPU monitors the operation of a second CPU and the second CPU monitors the operation of the first CPU; in Ch-B (second control channel), third and fourth CPUs similarly monitor each other, and when the operation of at least one of the first and second CPUs in Ch-A is found not to be normal, the output sent to an FCU (fuel control unit) is switched from the output of one or the other of the first and second CPUs of Ch-A to the output of one or the other of the third and fourth CPUs of Ch-B, thereby achieving improved CPU failure detection and realizing high redundancy and high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Muramatsu, Yuichi Hattori, Makoto Tezuka
  • Publication number: 20100269783
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine having an engine housing with at least one cylinder that has diameter less than about 3 inches. A fuel injector is provided and disposed at least partially within the at least one cylinder, and includes a plurality of outlet orifices having a diameter between about 50 microns and about 125 microns, or about 0.05 millimeters and about 0.125 millimeters. The injector may include more than one set of separately controllable fuel outlet orifices, at least one of which could have an average diameter between about 0.05 millimeters and about 0.125 millimeters. The disclosure further provides a method of operating an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Carl-Anders Hergart, John T. Vachon, Kevin P. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20100263631
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an excitable actuator in the form of an electromagnetic circuit having a magnetic coil, an outer magnetic circuit component and a movable armature for actuating a valve-closure member, which interacts with a valve seat provided on a valve seat body. The outer cup-shaped magnetic circuit component has a component bottom. On the side opposite the component bottom, a disk-shaped cover part is inserted into the outer magnetic circuit component. The coil space for the magnetic coil is bounded by the outer magnetic circuit component, the cover part and a thin-walled sleeve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ferdinand Reiter
  • Patent number: 7814888
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a fuel system which feeds fuel at a given pressure to a metering valve provides that a controller defines the opening time and the closing time of the metering valve and correspondingly actuates the metering valve so that the metering valve opens and closes at the defined times. In order to permit precise metering of fuel even in high-speed internal combustion engines there is provision for the controller to define at least one of the times for the opening or closing of the metering valve while taking into account the counterpressure actually prevailing at the outlet opening of the metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Roβkamp, Georg Maier, Tim Gegg, Wolfgang Layher, Arno Kinnen, Christine Hallé
  • Publication number: 20100258086
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprising a device body bearing encapsulation means to protectively encapsulate the device body wherein the encapsulation means includes an ion exchange membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Joachim R. Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20100258088
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for sensing the speed of an EMD 567/645/710 two-cycle diesel engine having a crankcase, electronic fuel injectors and an electronic control system for controlling the electronic fuel injectors. The device includes a spline shaft sized for insertion into the crankcase of the engine so that the spline shaft rotates with the engine, a gear operably secured to the spline shaft to rotate with the spline shaft and sized to rotate with the engine in a 1:1 ratio, and at least one electronic sensor located adjacent the gear to sense rotation of the gear. The at least one electronic sensor is connectable to the electronic control system to provide electronic signals to the electronic control system for determining when to inject fuel with the electronic fuel injectors. Also disclosed is a method for retrofitting the engine and a kit for retrofitting the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Edward H. Harrison, Keith Mulder, Edward A. Schlairet
  • Publication number: 20100258087
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting an existing EMD 567/645 two-cycle diesel engine to reduce exhaust emissions includes the steps of removing mechanical fuel injectors and associated components and installing of electronic unit fuel injectors and associated components. Also disclosed is a kit for retrofitting an existing EMD 567/645 two-cycle diesel engine to reduce exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: James S. Dixon, Gregory Lee Schultz, Keith Mulder, Edward A. Schlairet
  • Publication number: 20100252002
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoki Fujino, Jun Kondo, Yutaka Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20100252001
    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 first terminals are rotated. 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. Wires are operative to establish electrical connection between the first terminals and the second terminals. A wire holder is configured to hold each of the plurality of wires at least partly around the fuel pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji MORITA, Yutaka Miyamoto, Jun Kondo, Tomoki Fujino
  • Publication number: 20100229832
    Abstract: This nozzle assembly (1) comprises a first needle (11) and a second needle (12) controlling respectively fuel flow towards a first series of outlets (213) and a second series of outlets (223). It includes a passive control valve (18) adapted to select, on the basis of the fuel feeding pressure, the needle (11 or 12) to he activated for fuel delivery to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. An injector with such an assembly is economic and efficient to spray fuel with two different patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Renault Trucks
    Inventors: Guillaume Millet, Nicolas Dronniou