Electrically Actuated Injector Patents (Class 123/472)
  • Patent number: 7273037
    Abstract: Wire harness mounting structure for fuel distributor pipe comprises at least one pair of first and second guide claws provided on an outer periphery of the fuel distributor pipe with having a space along the longitudinal axis thereof, the first guide claw has a first wire harness support groove opened to one side, and the second guide claw has a second wire harness support groove opened to opposite side, the wire harness extending from the female type connector is inserted and retained in the first and second wire harness support grooves of the first and second guide claws, respectively, whereby additional mounting members for assembling is not required, and the assembling operation can be performed readily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7171960
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine prevents variation of an air fuel ratio even upon introduction of purge air. A delay time occurring until the intake air detected, after having arrived at the combustion chamber through a surge tank, influences an air fuel ratio sensor, a delay time occurring until purge air containing evaporated fuel generated upon purging a canister, after having arrived at the combustion chamber through the surge tank, influences the air fuel ratio sensor, and a delay time occurring until fuel supplied by an injector, after having arrived at the combustion chamber, influences the air fuel ratio sensor, are represented by simplified physical models. A purge rate in the combustion chamber or in the neighborhood of the air fuel ratio sensor is calculated by using the physical models, and a purge air concentration and a fuel correction amount are calculated based on the purge rate thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Dabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Hagari
  • Patent number: 7128056
    Abstract: To improve layout freedom, waterproof and dustproof, a lower cup opening upward side is integrally formed with a throttle body and an upper cup covers the lower cup to form a chamber, a fuel injection valve is fixed to throttle body by a fuel distribution pipe, the fuel injection valve, the fuel distribution pipe and a female type connector fitted to an external connecting connector of the fuel injection valve are arranged within the chamber, a takeout groove is formed in a side wall of the upper cup toward a lower attaching collar portion, and a fuel introduction pipe connected to the fuel distribution pipe and a lead wire connected to the female type connector are drawn out to the external via the takeout groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7124741
    Abstract: A method for controlling an injector with verification that plunger movement has occurred; the method providing application of a time-variable voltage to the terminals of an injector drive circuit in order to cause a current wave to flow through said drive circuit; detection of a verification voltage between the terminals of the drive circuit once the current through the drive circuit has died away at the end of the injection phase, measurement of a verification time during which the verification voltage is greater than a first predetermined threshold value and diagnosis of the absence of plunger movement if the verification time is less than a second predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Cagnoni, Fausto Calcagno
  • Patent number: 7113862
    Abstract: State-of-the-art fuel injectors have an inherent time delay that is determined by an elapsed time from the time an electrical signal is received by the fuel injector from an ECU to the time that fuel is actually initially injected into the cylinder. That time is currently an average time and therefore the fuel injectors must be manufactured with very precise tolerances. The present invention includes a method and apparatus that allows the use of production fuel injectors that are more economical to manufacture by allowing wider tolerances. The invention includes determining the actual time delay for each fuel injector. The fuel injectors are supplied with a computer program and a data file containing the time delay determined especially for that particular fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Radue
  • Patent number: 7100575
    Abstract: To improve the maintenance and inspection of a fuel injection valve, as well working of the fuel piping and wiring to the fuel injection valve. An engine fuel injection apparatus includes an air chamber provided on an upstream end of an air intake passage of an engine. A first fuel injection valve for injecting fuel toward the upstream end of the air intake passage is provided on a wall of the air chamber facing a wall connected to the upstream end of the air intake passage. The fuel piping and wiring to the first fuel injection valve is located outside of the air chamber. The air chamber also serves as an air cleaner case provided with a filter element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurayoshi, Takashi Akagi, Tomomi Yuhara, Naohisa Hirao
  • Patent number: 7082921
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve with high freedom to optimize the direction of fuel spray, the shape of spray, the length of penetration, the existence/absence of lead spray and the like, in correspondence with each type of internal combustion engine is provided. A swirling force about a central axis of an injection orifice is supplied by a swirler to fuel injected from the injection orifice. A central axis E of the injection orifice is slanted at a predetermined deflection angle to a central axis of a valve body. Further, a step portion is formed in an end surface of the injection orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Shimizu, Takuya Shiraishi, Motoyuki Abe, Masahiko Hayatani, Kouji Shibata
  • Patent number: 7025043
    Abstract: A method for balancing the torque generated by the cylinders of an internal combustion engine comprising the stages of: determining for each cylinder quantity which indicates the torque generated by the cylinder in a given engine cycle; determining for each cylinder a nominal fuel amount to be injected in this cylinder in a subsequent engine cycle; determining for each cylinder a correction coefficient of the nominal fuel amount to be injected in the cylinder in this subsequent engine cycle according to the quantity determined for this cylinder; correcting the nominal fuel amount to be injected in each cylinder according to the correction coefficient determined for the cylinder itself; and injecting into each cylinder the corresponding corrected fuel amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Tonetti, Francesco Richard, Andrea Ruggiero, Cesare Ponti
  • Patent number: 7013874
    Abstract: To improve the maintenance and inspection of a fuel injection valve, as well working of the fuel piping and wiring to the fuel injection valve. An engine fuel injection apparatus includes an air chamber provided on an upstream end of an air intake passage of an engine. A first fuel injection valve for injecting fuel toward the upstream end of the air intake passage is provided on a wall of the air chamber facing a wall connected to the upstream end of the air intake passage. The fuel piping and wiring to the first fuel injection valve is located outside of the air chamber. The air chamber also serves as an air cleaner case provided with a filter element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurayoshi, Takashi Akagi, Tomomi Yuhara, Naohisa Hirao
  • Patent number: 7000597
    Abstract: A flat gasket for sealing off a region, especially for sealing off a region bordered by a cylinder head cap, includes an elastic material that effects the sealing function and at least one pass-through region for passing through a conductor such that the conductor can extend, in the mounted condition of the flat gasket, from outside the region to be sealed off into the interior of such region. The flat gasket also includes a shaped tongue connected to the pass through region and extending into the region to be sealed off, the shaped tongue having opposed flat sides and being deformable at least vertically relative to the plane of the seal, and the tongue supporting on its flat sides at least one conductor guiding- and/or conductor securing-element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Werner Vogel
  • Patent number: 6994273
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine which includes an axially moveable needle-like injection valve member 10 mounted in a tubular housing 2. A control element 22 with a control passage 25 is mounted in the upper end portion of the housing, and a valve element 21, 41, 46 is mounted for movement below the control element. A control chamber 20 is formed below the valve element, and a control piston 18 which is formed at the upper end of the valve member 10 bounds the lower side of the control chamber. A throttle passage 26, 42, 47 in the valve element is connected via a throttle constriction between the control passage 25 in the control element 22 and the control chamber 20. A throttle inlet 33, which is formed in the valve element 21 or in a sleeve 19 which laterally bounds the control chamber, is connected between a high pressure chamber 9 in the housing and the control chamber 20 without passage through an intermediate throttle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: CRT Common Rail Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Marco Ganser, Markus Tappolet, Andreas Carelli
  • Patent number: 6991179
    Abstract: A fuel injector for internal combustion engines having a control valve arranged upstream of a main flow valve is configured so that the connection leading over the control chamber between the inlet and outlet, which is regulated by the valve member of the control valve, directs the function of a throttle position, among other things, by way of a limit stop of the control piston against the front wall overlapping the control chamber for the purpose of reducing control leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: L'Orange GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Scheibe, Horst Ressel, Wilhelm Malitsky
  • Patent number: 6895940
    Abstract: A supplying unit supplies energy to an actuator so that the supplied energy is kept therein, making displacement the actuator. An interrupting unit interrupts the supply of energy to cause the actuator to discharge the kept energy, making displacement the actuator. A converting unit is adapted to convert the displacement of the actuator corresponding to the kept energy into hydraulic pressure applied to the valve member, moving the valve member to open the low pressure port and close the high pressure port. The convert unit converts the displacement of the actuator corresponding to the discharged energy into hydraulic pressure applied to the valve member, moving the valve member to open the high pressure port and close the low pressure port. Energy which the actuator requires to move the valve member so as to close the high pressure port is larger than energy which the actuator requires to move the valve member so as to open the low pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiko Igashira
  • Patent number: 6877485
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine are described. The control time for a first partial injection is increased, starting out from a value of zero at which an injection does not occur. A variable that characterizes the ignition delay is measured, and a limit value of the control time is ascertained, at which the variable characterizing the ignition delay no longer substantially changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Fischer
  • Patent number: 6857418
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of providing improved engine performance during a change in engine load conditions reduces or eliminates engine stumbling or hesitation and/or reduces emissions levels. When an engine load change is detected (201), a compensation factor for fuel injection timing is determined (205) and combined with a base timing for fuel injection, thereby altering fuel injector timing during the transition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: David Corba
  • Patent number: 6854448
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an amount of spray attaching onto an inner wall surface of an intake pipe is reduced by forming a two-directional spray of highly atomized fuel. The highly atomized two-directional spray can be obtained by a spray forming means constructed by piling a fuel in-plate forming fuel passages, a swirl plate forming fuel passages for adding swirl forces to the fuel, and an injection plate for determining injection directions of the fuel. Further, penetrations of the sprays injected toward two directions are made different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Okamoto, Yuzo Kadomukai, Motoyuki Abe, Ayumu Miyajima, Masami Nagano
  • Publication number: 20040261770
    Abstract: A carrier for mounting to an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold port, a fuel injector and a cylinder head port extending from a cylinder head. The carrier includes a central portion having an internal passageway for providing fuel to the fuel injector. An attachment portion extends from the central portion which is affixed between the cylinder head and the intake manifold ports. The carrier further includes a sleeve extending from the central portion for receiving the fuel injector, which is sealed by the sleeve and an O-ring. The fuel injector, port seals, injector O-ring, wiring harness, connector and fuel rail are integrated into a single carrier to provide sealing, electrical connectivity, and fuel delivery functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Ki-ho Lee, James Kenneth Vanderveen
  • Publication number: 20040255909
    Abstract: In a motorcycle, the vehicle body frame includes main frames which are inclined rearwardly and downwardly directly towards a rear portion of a vehicle body from a head pipe with the engine being arranged close to an inclined portion of the vehicle body frame and the fuel injection device is overlapped to the main frames. In a fuel injection type engine including a cylinder head, a, throttle body has an intake passage leading to an intake port and a fuel injection valve which injects fuel towards the intake port, the throttle body can be arranged close to a cylinder head and, at the same time, the fuel injection valve can be cooled effectively. A connecting sleeve portion projects further outwardly relative to a joint portion of a cylinder head and a head cover and forms an inlet portion of an intake port that is integrally formed with the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Masaya Kurokawa, Tomoharu Kawano, Eiichi Ishikawa, Toshinao Takigawa
  • Patent number: 6810855
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure is obtained from an intake pressure resulting immediately before an intake stroke, an injection fuel pressure P is calculated which is constituted by a differential pressure between a fuel pressure which is supplied to an injector 13 from the atmospheric pressure so obtained, a pump delivery pressure and the intake pressure and the intake pressure which is an injection atmosphere, a fuel injection time coefficient Qt0 per unit mass which is metered when a reference injection fuel pressure is P0 is divided by a square root P1/2 of the injection fuel pressure to calculate a fuel injection coefficient Qt, and a fuel injection time required to attain a desired air-fuel ratio is calculated using the fuel injection coefficient Qt so calculated, whereby it is possible to realize a highly accurate control of the fuel injection time when a regulator for regulating an upper limit value for a fuel pump delivery pressure is provided on a fuel tank side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Yuichiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 6805103
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a housing main body, a valve assembly disposed within the housing main body and provided with a valve main body having a large-diameter cylinder portion and a small-diameter cylinder portion, a valve seat having a fuel injection aperture secured within the valve main body and a needle valve for closing and opening the fuel injection aperture, a seal ring held between a cylinder head and a shoulder portion when the valve assembly is inserted into an insertion port in the cylinder for preventing combustion gas in the cylinder from leaking into the housing main body and a welded joint for securing the valve main body to the housing main body disposed between the side of the large-diameter cylinder portion and an engaging portion on the housing main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Sumida, Norihisa Fukutomi, Masayuki Aota, Keita Hosoyama
  • Patent number: 6748872
    Abstract: A technique is provided for controlling fluid flow characteristics in a nozzle assembly. An outwardly opening poppet is movably disposed in an axial conduit to control fluid flow through a forward portion of the axial conduit. A fluid conduit is coupled to the forward portion at an angle configured to provide a desired degree of fluid swirl through the forward portion. The outwardly opening nozzle assembly produces a spray having geometrical characteristics correlated to the desired degree of fluid swirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventor: Scott E. Parrish
  • Patent number: 6748929
    Abstract: Electronic circuit arrangement for controlling at least one actuator, in particular for controlling the valves and/or the injectors of an injection system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one driver circuit (1, 2) with a control input (control line 1, control line 2) and a resetting input (RESET) for electrically controlling the actuator as a function of the data which is incoming at the control input (control line 1, control line 2), a control unit (3, 4) which is connected at the output end to the resetting input (RESET) via a resetting line and to the control input (control line 1, control line 2) of the driver circuit (1, 2) via a control line, and having a signal input (Kl15) which is connected internally to the control unit (3, 4) for the external connection of a switching element, the control unit (3, 4) placing the driver circuit (1, 2) in a predefined state when the switching element is activated via the resetting line, the signal input for the switching element being connected to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Achim Przymusinski, Andreas Schiergl
  • Patent number: 6739520
    Abstract: A liquid injection apparatus 10 comprises an injection device 15, and an electro-magnetic injection valve 14 for ejecting pressurized fuel into the injection device. An ejection hole in the electro-magnetic injection valve is connected to a hollow cylindrical hermetically sealed space, which in turn is connected to a liquid ejection nozzle, through a liquid filling port, a liquid supply passage, and a chamber which are included in the injection device. By means of allowing the electro-magnetic injection valve to eject the pressurized fuel at an angle of inclination relative to the center axis of the hollow cylindrical hermetically sealed space, flows of fuel are produced across a wide area in the hermetically sealed space so that large-sized air bubbles are prevented from being formed in the hermetically sealed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ohnishi, Toshikazu Hirota
  • Patent number: 6736104
    Abstract: A fuel injector, for example, a high-pressure injection valve for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine having external ignition, which is distinguished in that an outlet orifice is provided downstream from the valve seat which, at its downstream end, has a slot-forming element that largely closes off the outlet orifice. Between the outlet orifice and a front face of the valve-seat member, the slot-forming element leaves open a slot-shaped flow outlet, through which a fuel spray may be spray-discharged in a fan-jet pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Günter Dantes, Detlef Nowak, Jörg Heyse
  • Publication number: 20040079340
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a motorcycle including an engine having at least one combustion chamber. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel injector configured to deliver a fuel charge to an intake passage of the engine. The motorcycle further includes an air box defining an interior space, or plenum chamber. An inlet duct defines at least a portion of the intake passage and further defines an axis. The inlet duct also defines an opening to the intake passage disposed within the plenum chamber. A spray axis of the fuel injector is oriented parallel to the axis of the inlet duct and the fuel injector is supported by the air box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Sakio Muroo
  • Patent number: 6722342
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system and method for an internal combustion engine and an engine control unit, for accurately determining a fuel injection period and for performing accurate and optimum control of the actual fuel injection amount. An amount of fuel demanded by the engine is determined according to the detected operating conditions of the engine. An amount of fuel deposited on walls downstream of the fuel injection valve is determined according to the detected operating conditions. A net amount of fuel to be injected from the fuel injection valve is determined based on the determined demand amount of fuel and the determined deposited amount of fuel. Pressure of fuel to be injected from the fuel injection valve is determined. The fuel injection period is determined by correcting the determined net amount of fuel according to the determined pressure of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Ogawa, Yasunori Ehara, Kenji Hirose, Hiroyuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20040060545
    Abstract: To improve the maintenance and inspection of a fuel injection valve, as well working of the fuel piping and wiring to the fuel injection valve. An engine fuel injection apparatus includes an air chamber provided on an upstream end of an air intake passage of an engine. A first fuel injection valve for injecting fuel toward the upstream end of the air intake passage is provided on a wall of the air chamber facing a wall connected to the upstream end of the air intake passage. The fuel piping and wiring to the first fuel injection valve is located outside of the air chamber. The air chamber also serves as an air cleaner case provided with a filter element therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurayoshi, Takashi Akagi, Tomomi Yuhara, Naohisa Hirao
  • Publication number: 20040050367
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for high-pressure injection of fuel in self-igniting internal combustion engines. The injector includes an actuator valve for opening and closing the injector; a nozzle needle (17), which in the closed state of the injector closes at least one injection opening (18); a metering valve (4), which establishes a hydraulic communication between the actuator valve and the relief chamber (6) of the injector; a pressure holding device (33), which serves to maintain a static pressure required for the metering valve (4); and a first control quantity line (29) for control quantities (34) that flow via the actuator valve, and a second control quantity line (43) for control quantities (35) that flow via the metering valve (4). The pressure holding device (33) dynamically separates the control quantities (35) of the metering valve (4) from the control quantities (34) of the actuator valve by means of a hydraulic fluctuation damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Kurrle, Reiner Koch, Joerg-Peter Fischer
  • Publication number: 20040007211
    Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus of an internal combustion engine calculates a basic fuel injection amount according to a predicted in-cylinder intake air amount based on a predicted operating state quantity of the engine, calculates an actual in-cylinder intake air amount from the actual engine operating state quantity, and calculates a feedforward fuel injection amount by correcting an excess or shortage of fuel due to an error in the predicted in-cylinder intake air amount by using a feedforward correction amount. The control apparatus also calculates a feedback correction amount based on a detected air/fuel ratio and an air/fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture determined by the feedforward fuel injection amount, and obtains a final fuel injection amount by correcting the feedforward fuel injection amount with the feedback correction amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6675775
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a drop ejector for discretely ejecting drops of combustible liquid in a digital manner. An electronic circuit controls the operation of the drop ejector, and, in particular, the amount of fuel supplied by the drop ejector by adjusting the number of ejected drops during a given time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John M. da Cunha, Michael J. Barbour
  • Patent number: 6672272
    Abstract: Modern internal combustion engines require the provision of an electrical connection to electrically controlled devices disposed within a cylinder head cover. Prior mechanisms for providing such electrical connections have been complex and awkward to assembly while maintaining the desired sealing characteristics and, in many instances, have not provided a ready way to remove the cylinder head cover without breaking the electrical connection to the electrically controlled devices. To address these deficiencies, a readily usable and fluid-tight connection arrangement and path through the cylinder head cover can be provided by way of a first connector that is moveable by a suitable tool to engage the internal surface of the head cover adjacent an aperture in the head cover. A second connector can be mated with the first connector from the exterior and engages the exterior of the head cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
    Inventor: Jonathan McGloin
  • Patent number: 6650032
    Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a tube assembly, a stem assembly, and a plurality of sets of piezoelectric elements. The tube assembly includes a seat defining an opening through which fuel enters an internal combustion engine. The stem assembly includes a cap and a stem that are relatively movable with respect to one another. A gap is located between the stem and cap when the stem contiguously engages the seat such that fuel flow through the opening is prevented. A first set of piezoelectric elements moves the cap in response to a first electric field, and a second set of piezoelectric elements moves the first set of piezoelectric elements in response to a second electric field. A sensor measuring the gap compensates the second electric field for physical changes in at least one of the tube and stem assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Allen Sumrak, David Paul Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6648298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injection valve including a stationary core and a movable core having one end opposed to one end of the stationary core, the movable core being movable toward the one end of the stationary core upon magnetization of the stationary core and a valve on the other end of the movable core and movable with the movable core, the valve being supported by a valve seat base and a cylindrical body extends from at least the stationary core to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Souma, Yasuo Namaizawa, Hiromasa Kubo
  • Patent number: 6644283
    Abstract: A fuel injector including a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, a seat secured at the second end of the tube assembly and defining an opening. An armature assembly is movable along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions with respect to the seat. The armature includes a first set of passages permitting fluid flow therethrough and a second set of passages permitting vapor flow therethrough. Additionally, a method of dissipating fuel vapors in a fuel injector includes providing the armature with a first set of passages permitting fluid flow therethrough and a second set of passages permitting vapor flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Ann Marie Kreutziger
  • Publication number: 20030192511
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a drop ejector for discretely ejecting drops of combustible liquid in a digital manner. An electronic circuit controls the operation of the drop ejector, and, in particular, the amount of fuel supplied by the drop ejector by adjusting the number of ejected drops during a given time frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: John M. da Cunha, Michael J. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20030164159
    Abstract: A constrained layer damping system for use in an integrated air fuel module having a control module mounted thereon is provided. A control module and a wiring harness extending from the control module are coated with an encapsulant. A first layer of formed material is placed on a first side of the wiring harness and a first side of the control module, and a second layer of formed material is placed on a second side of both the wiring harness and the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Jeff J. Klas, Mark K. Rhodes, Michael D. Bennett, Dan Guglielmo
  • Publication number: 20030154962
    Abstract: A throttle and fuel injector assembly and method of controlling fuel and air supply to an engine. The assembly and method provide combustion air through a carburetor and fuel through a carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Glen F. Chatfield, Malcolm C. Ashe
  • Publication number: 20030127082
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of preventing fuel pressure control problems caused by divergence of a feedback control amount in pump control. A target fuel pressure is computed, and a pump discharge quantity is computed as a feed forward quantity in accordance with an amount of change in the target fuel pressure. A determination is made as to whether or not the feed forward quantity is zero, and when the feed forward quantity is zero, a feedback correction quantity is computed based on the target fuel pressure and the actual fuel pressure, and feedback control is performed. In the case where the feed forward quantity is not zero, the computation of the feedback correction quantity is stopped and the feed forward control is continued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6588406
    Abstract: A dual-fuel system, comprising an electrically triggerable injector, for alternatively or simultaneously supplying two distinct fuels to an internal combustion engine. The injector is connected to two separate fuel circuits. Each circuit comprises a fuel storage tank and a fuel rail. External valves control fuel access from the fuel storage tanks to the fuel rails. By appropriately activating the valves, one or both of the two fuels are fed to the injector. Inside the injector are two separate fuel paths, fluidically isolated from each other. Each internal fuel path communicates with one of the external fuel circuits. The injector contains a flow control valve for each separate fuel path and one electromagnet. In the non-activated position, both valves are resiliently urged against a common seat. When the electromagnet is energized, it simultaneously drives the two valves to open off the seat, thereby permitting one or two fuels to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Radu Oprea
  • Patent number: 6584961
    Abstract: A method and device for driving an injector in an internal combustion engine in which a current wave which is variable over time, which comprises an initial section substantially of a pulse type and having a relatively high current intensity, an intermediate section during which the current intensity is rapidly reduced to substantially zero values and a final section having a substantially constant and relatively low current intensity, is caused to circulate through a control circuit of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Marceca, Luca Poggio, Michele Cagnoni, Piero Carbonaro, Andrea Nepote
  • Patent number: 6575142
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel system for internal combustion engines, having a housing that contains two high-pressure bodies. The high-pressure bodies rest with contact surfaces at least indirectly against each other and are pressed against each other by means of a tensioning device. A supply conduit is embodied in the high-pressure bodies, which carries highly pressurized fuel and passes through the contact surfaces of the two high-pressure bodies. A sealing film is disposed between the two high-pressure bodies, which encompasses the passage of the high-pressure conduit and thus assures a favorable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kurz, Kurt Frank, Juergen Hanneke, Marcus Haefele, Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 6564771
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, having at least two cylinders, the fuel injection system having at least two actuator elements and at least one actuator element being assigned to each cylinder in order to inject fuel into the cylinder, and the fuel injection system having an injection control system for monitoring and/or resolving a conflict in triggering of the actuator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes-Jörg Rueger, Josef Newald, Udo Schulz
  • Patent number: 6557779
    Abstract: An improved closed nozzle injector assembly for injecting high pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine is provided which includes a first needle valve element associated with a first set of injector orifices, a first needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the first needle valve, a second needle valve associated with a second set of injector orifices and a second needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the second needle valve. Each needle valve control device includes a control volume positioned at one end of the respective needle valve, a control volume charge circuit for supplying high pressure fuel to the respective control volume and the respective injection control valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fuel from the respective control volume to a low pressure drain thereby controlling the movement of the respective needle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Julius P. Perr, J. Victor Perr, Lester L. Peters, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 6553970
    Abstract: A fuel injector coil control circuit includes high side and low side gates. The current through the coil is increased while being monitored by low side shunt circuitry. The current continues to increase until a predetermined value is reached. When the predetermined value is reached, the low side gate is switched off and the current begins to decay. The off time of the low side gate is controlled for a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined period of time elapses, the low side gate is switched back on, causing the current to rise again toward the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John C. McCoy, Lou Vierling
  • Patent number: 6539924
    Abstract: The injector has a nozzle closed by a rod which is movable by the fuel pressure in a control chamber having a discharge conduit closed by a plug controlled by an electromagnet. The rod is movable, from a closed position closing the nozzle, to effect a maximum travel, so that the amount of fuel injected following the maximum travel is greater than a maximum amount of fuel required by the power curve. To classify the injectors, a series of injectors is prepared with corresponding rods movable from the closed position to effect the maximum travel; and the amount of fuel injected by each injector, after two strokes of the respective rod smaller than the maximum travel, is tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: C.F.R. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6539923
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for mixing air and fuel in an internal combustion engine comprises at least two throttle bodies (2a, 2b) having an inlet and an outlet and at least two air chokes (8), each located at the inlet of one of the throttle bodies (2a, 2b) and coaxial with the throttle body (2a, 2b). Each air choke (8) has a portion (9) that is fixed and a portion (10) that moves coaxially relative to the fixed portion (9) between a first position in which the air choke (8) presents a first height (L1) and a second position in which the air choke (8) presents a second height (L2) that is greater than the first height (L1). The apparatus (1) further comprises at least two independent actuators (13) each moving one of the mobile portions (10) between the first and second positions, and at least two fuel injectors (11) located above the air chokes (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Mengoli
  • Publication number: 20030051710
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for mixing air and fuel in an internal combustion engine comprises at least two throttle bodies (2a, 2b) having an inlet and an outlet and at least two air chokes (8), each located at the inlet of one of the throttle bodies (2a, 2b) and coaxial with the throttle body (2a, 2b). Each air choke (8) has a portion (9) that is fixed and a portion (10) that moves coaxially relative to the fixed portion (9) between a first position in which the air choke (8) presents a first height (L1) and a second position in which the air choke (8) presents a second height (L2) that is greater than the first height (L1). The apparatus (1) further comprises at least two independent actuators (13) each moving one of the mobile portions (10) between the first and second positions, and at least two fuel injectors (11) located above the air chokes (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: DUCATI MOTOR HOLDING, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Mengoli
  • Patent number: 6510841
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1) for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines is specially designed for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. It is provided with a solenoid coil (10), a two-part armature (20a, 20b) that is acted upon through the solenoid coil (10) in a closing direction by a first resetting spring (23a), and a valve needle (3) that is connected to the larger armature part (20a) in a force-locking manner, for actuating a valve-closure member (4) which together with a valve seat surface (6) forms a sealing seat. The first armature part (20a) is acted upon in the closing direction by the first resetting spring (23a), and the second armature part (20b) is acted upon in the closing direction by the second resetting spring (23b), the spring constants of the resetting springs (23a, 23b) being different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 6508233
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel system of a multiple injector engine provides a primary fuel injector and a secondary fuel injector which are both connected in fluid communication with an air stream flowing to a combustion chamber of the engine. Based on the total magnitude of fuel required to be injected into the air stream and as a function of the engine speed and percent load of the engine, first and second shares of the total magnitude of fuel are determined for the primary and secondary fuel injectors. The primary and secondary fuel injectors are then caused to inject their respective shares of the total fuel magnitude into the air stream, with the primary and secondary shares being determined as a function of engine speed and percent load of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Blake R. Suhre, Jeffery C. Ehlers, Robert E. Haddad
  • Patent number: 6508418
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed having an outer housing, a fuel inlet connector positioned in the upper end portion of the outer housing for reception of fuel therein, and an armature having a valve needle attached thereto and positioned adjacent the fuel inlet connector and spaced therefrom by a working gap. The armature defines a generally elongated central opening to receive fuel flow from the fuel inlet connector and has valve needle attached thereto which interacts with a fixed valve having a fixed valve seat associated with the housing to selectively permit fuel to flow through a valve aperture associated with the fixed valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: James Paul Fochtman, Danny Orlen Wright, James H. Cohen