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. Thermochemical regeneration of waste heat produced by combustion and associated combustion events is captured and invested in endothermic reactions to improve efficiency of the combustion event.

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, and a fuel passageway extending from the base portion to the nozzle portion. A force generator and a first valve are carried by the base portion. The first valve is movable in response to actuation from the force generator to move between closed and open positions. The injector/igniter also includes a second valve at the nozzle portion that is deformable in response to pressure in the fuel passageway to deform between a closed position and an open position.

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.

Abstract: A reducing agent container having a multi-function and having a container body thereof is provided with at least a heat exchanger which permits a heating medium using an engine as a heat source thereof to circulate therein for performing the heat exchange with a liquid reducing agent and a strainer which filtrates foreign substances from the liquid reducing agent, the heat exchanger and the strainer being attached to a top board of the container body. Further, a suction pipe capable of sucking the liquid reducing agent from the inside of the container body is connected to the strainer, and a supply port for the liquid reducing agent from which the foreign substances are filtrated is formed in the strainer. Thus, the whole of strainer is not exposed to the outside air, especially, the wind during traveling, and accordingly, the freezing of the urea aqueous solution in the strainer can be suppressed.

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.

Abstract: A voltage spike generated by the collapse of the magnetic field in a fuel injector coil is stored in a capacitor and sent to an engine control unit at a correct time regardless of when the magnetic field in the injector coil actually collapses.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a combustion generating device of an internal combustion engine, which is capable of performing very precise flame control through a simple structure which does not need a prechamber and reducing harmful exhaust gas through low-temperature rapid combustion. The combustion generating device includes: an ignition system generating a spark; and an injector generating a mixture by mixing air and fuel and injecting a flame into a combustion chamber, the flame being generated by applying the spark to the mixture.

Abstract: A fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of first energy storage elements each for supplying a high voltage to a fuel injection solenoid valve, boosting circuits each for boosting a battery voltage and electrically charging one of the first energy storage elements, a second energy storage element for accumulating electrical energy of the battery voltage, and a switching circuit for transferring the electrical energy between the plurality of first energy storage elements via the second energy storage element. This configuration enables the fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine to implement stabilized supply of a fuel by obtaining within a short time the high voltage needed to operate the fuel injector both accurately and reliably, and to contribute to cost reduction by, for example, alleviating capability requirements and part performance requirements of the individual boosting circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a solid magnetostrictive material with a favored direction of magnetostrictive response formed into a shape with ends that are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the favored direction of magnetostrictive response. A fuel control valve element is located coaxial to the favored direction of magnetoelastic response of the magnetostrictive material, the element opening inwardly. A solenoid coil is located concentric with the magnetostrictive material and coaxial to the favored direction of magnetoelastic response, the solenoid coil adapted to excite the magnetostrictive material into mechanical motion.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a directly actuated valve that comprises a strain-type actuator to actuate a valve member to travel between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising transmitting displacements from the strain-type actuator to the valve member, maintaining a compressive stress on the actuator that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress by applying a pre-load compressive stress and limiting to less than predetermined limits at least one of: (a) acceleration and deceleration of the valve member when moving between open positions and the closed position; and (b) velocity of said valve member immediately before contacting the valve seat.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel injector assembly including a valve and a cable assembly for actuating the valve. The cable can include a plurality of strands, and each strand can be an optical fiber, an electrical conductor, or a tensile member capable of withstanding a tensile stress caused when the valve actuator actuates the valve, or any combination thereof. The cable can also include a brush bearing with bristles extending from the cable to maintain the cable at least generally centered within a channel as the cable moves in the channel. The bristles can be electrically conductive and can convey a voltage to an electrode pair near the valve to ionize at least a portion of the fuel to urge the fuel from the injector through the valve.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector is equipped with a fuel pressure sensor which is installed in a metallic injector body. The fuel injector also includes an amplifier working to amplify an output of the fuel pressure sensor and a thermal insulating member disposed between the metallic injector body and the amplifier to shield the amplifier thermally, thereby ensuring the accuracy in measuring the pressure of fuel within the fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for enabling operation of a piezoelectric actuator, comprising a spring configured to provide a compressive force to a piezoelectric element of a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the compressive force varies with displacement of the piezoelectric element such that the compressive force is less at a first displacement than at a second displacement, and wherein the first displacement is greater than the second displacement.

Abstract: A detecting device for a fuel injector includes a sensor unit and an ECU. The sensor unit is provided with a fuel pressure detection circuit which outputs a pressure detection signal in response to a fuel pressure. The ECU computes the fuel pressure based on a voltage value of the pressure detection signal relative to a reference voltage. The ECU obtains a comparative voltage according to an applied-voltage to the fuel pressure detection circuit and computes a deviation between the comparative voltage and the reference voltage. The sensor unit adjusts the applied-voltage in such a manner as to decrease the deviation. Thus, the computation accuracy of the fuel pressure is improved.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. These integrated injectors/igniters can include, for example, multiple drivers used to shape charges, controllers used to modify operations based on ionization parameters, and so on.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling an inductive load, e.g. of a fuel injection valve, includes supply terminals for supplying a voltage, output terminals for connecting the load, and a detection device which is connected to at least one of the output terminals and is used for detecting the point in time at which the operation of the load is discontinued and/or detecting at least one fault case during a non-operational phase of the load. In order to render the detection process more reliable while using less circuitry, the detection device encompasses a current mirror with a first current source and a second current source. The current first is connected to one of the two output terminals during a detection phase. The current supplied by the second current source is evaluated as a signal of the detected result.

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.

Abstract: Described is a method for controlling a magnet valve for controlling the injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine, which method permits precise fuel metering in the no-load running or in the lower partial load range without changes to the hardware of the fuel injection system being necessary.

Abstract: An electrically controlled fuel injector includes an armature that is movable between a first armature position and a second armature position inside an armature cavity containing fuel. By reducing the size of the armature cavity to a squish film drag gap, the armature experiences a squish film drag phenomenon when the armature moves from the first armature position to the second armature position reducing the armature travel speed but also reducing the settling time of the armature after an injection event. By reducing the armature travel speed, the armature experiences a reduction in magnitude of armature bounce allowing the armature to settle down quicker and produce minimum controllable injection events with shorter dwell times than predecessor fuel injectors, especially for close coupled post injection events.

Abstract: A method for operating a valve, in particular a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in which an auxiliary variable is obtained as a function of at least one electrical operating variable of an electromagnetic actuator driving a component of the valve, in particular a valve needle, and in which the auxiliary variable is checked for the presence of a predefinable characteristic. A reference variable which characterizes the operating behavior of the electromagnetic actuator is ascertained, the auxiliary variable is modified as a function of the reference variable to obtain a modified auxiliary variable, and the modified auxiliary variable is checked for the presence of the predefinable characteristic.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operatable valve, in particular a fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a magnetic circuit having a core, a solenoid, an armature, which operates a valve closing body cooperating with a fixed valve seat and is drawn against the core when the solenoid is excited, and is held on the valve closing body by a closing body carrier representing a part of a valve needle. The spherical valve closing body is secured on the closing body carrier in a non-positive manner due to the shape of the corresponding connecting surfaces. The valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, externally ignited internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An injector for a fuel injection system comprising: input means for receiving drive signals from an injector drive circuit for controlling operation of the injector, and an ID chip wherein the injector further comprises an electronic latch means arranged to move between a first state in which the electronic latch means is arranged to be enabled such that the ID chip is in communication with the injector drive circuit via the input means, and a second state in which the electronic latch means is arranged to be disabled such that the ID chip is not in communication with the injector drive circuit via the input means wherein the electronic latch means is arranged to move from the first state to the second state upon receipt at the injector of a drive pulse signal from the injector drive circuit.

Abstract: In a method for localizing a fault location within a fuel injection system, when a critical fault is detected by the diagnostic function, a pulse or a series of pulses to the injectors is triggered by a control unit. By observing the voltage value and/or charge value at the injector, it is possible to localize the fault location within the fuel injection system.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a first needle and a second needle controlling respectively fuel flow towards a first series of outlets and a second series of outlets. It includes a passive control valve adapted to select, on the basis of the fuel feeding pressure, the needle to be 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.

Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can inject a fuel injection quantity to a fuel injector with accuracy even when the fuel injection quantity is reduced than before is provided.

Abstract: A system for feeding gas fuel to an internal combustion engine, having: a fuel tank; fluidic connector along which fuel flows, and interposed fluidically between the tank and a cylinder of the engine; and an electro-injector fluidically in series with respect to the fluidic connector, and which is interposed between the tank and the cylinder, and is activated selectively to disable or enable fuel flow to the cylinder; the electro-injector is positioned with respect to the fluidic connector solely by connecting at least an inlet or outlet of the electro-injector to at least one pipe defined by the fluidic connector.

Abstract: A drive circuit for driving an electromagnetic fuel-injection valve, the drive circuit varying an application sequence of a drive voltage, which is supplied from a step-up power supply to a fuel-injection valve for conducting injection multiple times in a single stroke of an internal-combustion engine, between the first injection and the second and subsequent injections, and setting the application sequence such that the consumption of power from the step-up power supply in the first injection becomes smaller than the power consumption in one of the second and subsequent injections.

Abstract: A device for controlling an injection valve actuator for an internal combustion engine has a voltage source, the voltage of which is high compared to the voltage of a vehicle battery and which is connected to the actuator by way of at least one controllable switch. A switching controller can be connected to the vehicle battery at the input end and it is connected to the voltage source at the output end to generate the high voltage from the voltage of the vehicle battery. The switching controller is designed in such a way that the high voltage of the voltage source is regulated to a higher value as the temperature increases.

Abstract: The drive device is configured to, during a time interval between an earlier fuel injection (first fuel injection) and a later fuel injection (second fuel injection), supply an electromagnetic coil with an intermediate current at a voltage with a level of not opening the valve. Further, the drive device sets a voltage application for supplying the intermediate current to initiate before a valve closing in the earlier fuel injection and terminate before half a period of time between a first instant when the valve is closed in the earlier fuel injection and a second instant when a supply of a drive current for opening the valve is initiated in the later fuel injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector including a needle mounted in a nozzle and having an end defining a valve, the needle being connected at the other end to an actuator including first, second and third portions, the first and third portions being provided on either side of the second portion, the three portions being tightened together in order to form a block having two axially opposite limits, the first portion being connected with the needle at one of said limits, and an excitation means for vibrating the second portion according to setpoint period ?. According to the invention, the length between the two limits of the block is such that the propagation time T of the acoustic waves generated by the vibrations of the second portion of the actuator and running along that length meets the equation: T=n*[?/2], where n is an integer positive multiplication coefficient different from zero.

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.

Abstract: A voltage generator used to generate a voltage for driving a vehicle fuel injector includes a microcomputer, a coil, and a capacitor. The microcomputer calculates an interval at which the fuel injector is driven. When the interval is less than or equal to a predetermined time period, the microcomputer causes a first current to flow through the coil so that the capacitor is charged to a first level by counterelectromotive force produced in the coil. When the interval is greater than the time period, the microcomputer causes a second current less than the first current to flow through the coil so that the capacitor is charged to a second level less than the first level. The fuel injector is driven by the capacitor voltage.

Abstract: Fuel injection apparatus comprising a solenoid coil (40); an armature (41) coupled with a valve element (34) operable to open and close a fuel valve (32) when the solenoid coil (40) is selectively energized and de-energised. The valve element (34) is biased to the closed position by a biasing device (42). Magnetic force from the energized solenoid coil moves the armature (41) and valve element (34) to open the valve to an opening position to deliver fuel reached when a controller (170) calculates opening forces balance closing forces. Such opening position control is used to control fuel flow rate to a gas fuelled engine (20) and/or reduce noise vibration harshness in varied engine types. Balance of forces control, on closing of the valve, reduces or avoids impact of the valve element (34) with a physical stop (106), thus reducing engine noise, and can be used in fuel metering.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one injection valve for delivering fluid, which has an electromagnetic actuator. A final stage unit is designed for creating a current profile for triggering the electromagnetic actuator with at least one given profile parameter (PP). Upon achieving magnetic saturation of a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic actuator an assigned saturation current (I_sat_mes) is determined and at least one profile parameter (PP) is adjusted depending on the saturation current (I_sat_mes) thus determined and a given reference saturation current.

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.

Abstract: A programmable diesel fuel injector that increases frequency response and control precision over desired fuel flow rates throughout each injection event. All valve frequency and motional requirements are met by a compensated direct drive, which is enabled by the durable capability of a rare earth alloy to lengthen in a magnetic field. A continuously variable electrical input waveform is predetermined to result in the desired fuel injection rate shape. A magnetostrictive transducer converts voltage and current into continuously variable force and displacement of a master piston acting upon fuel within a closed chamber. A slave piston responds to the fuel pressure changes within the closed chamber and acts upon the spool of a spool valve to eject fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a solid magnetostrictive material with a favored direction of magnetostrictive response formed into a shape with ends that are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the favored direction of magnetostrictive response. A fuel control valve element is located coaxial to the favored direction of magnetoelastic response of the magnetostrictive material, the element opening inwardly. A solenoid coil is located concentric with the magnetostrictive material and coaxial to the favored direction of magnetoelastic response, the solenoid coil adapted to excite the magnetostrictive material into mechanical motion. An excitation signal is provided within the solenoid coil consisting of a main current signal with a superposed alternating signal approximately the width of a hysteresis loop of the solid magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: In a method for operating an injection valve having a longitudinal axis, an injection needle, a control valve and an actuator embodied as a solid body actuator, wherein the actuator acts on the control valve and the control valve acts on the injection nozzle, various pre-defined quantities of electrical energy are supplied to the actuator in a plurality of adaptation flows in order to modify an axial length of the actuator. This electrical energy is defined such that an axial position of the injection nozzle remains unchanged. In correlation with the respective adaptation flow, and following the energy supply associated with the respective adaptation flow, a first and second voltage value are detected and a voltage differential value is then determined which is compared with a pre-defined threshold value and, on the basis of the comparison, at least one control of the actuator is adapted to the injection of fluid.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a current control module and a solenoid actuator module. The current control module determines a duty cycle based on a desired current through a solenoid of an engine system and a resistance of the solenoid and corrects the resistance based on an actual current through the solenoid. The solenoid actuator module actuates the solenoid based on the duty cycle.

Abstract: A fuel injection device for injecting fuel includes an electrical-plug-and-socket connection configured as a modular component. The electrical-plug-and-socket connection includes an electric line region and exactly one one-piece plug contact molding. The plug contact molding surrounds the electric line region, and the plug contact molding forms a part of the outer geometry of the fuel injection device.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system having at least one fuel injector, which includes an electrically operable actuator. In order to reduce the hydraulic distances between two injections, a voltage-smoothing or voltage-dampening electric device is connected in parallel to the actuator.

Abstract: In a method for controlling fuel injection by means of injectors in a multicylinder internal combustion engine, the injectors are controlled sequentially according to control data for opening and closing in injection processes, wherein for each cylinder in an operating cycle a certain injection segment is defined, during which injection is possible. For the cylinders, a plurality of injection processes are performed per injection segment, the duration and temporal position for these injection processes are defined in the operating cycle, and in a conflict correction step a shift, or suppression, is performed of at least partially overlapping, and therefore conflicting, injection processes.

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.

Abstract: A method for regulating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel injection system includes a high-pressure pump which is associated with a quantity control valve having a solenoid valve electromagnetically operable by a coil for supplying fuel, the quantity control valve regulating the fuel quantity pumped by the high pressure pump and the coil of the solenoid valve being energized according to a setpoint current value in order to close the valve for supplying fuel to the high-pressure pump; when the solenoid valve closes, the setpoint current value is reduced from a first current setpoint value to a second current setpoint value so that an emission of audible noise generated when the solenoid valve closes during operation of the internal combustion engine is at least partially reduced.

Abstract: A method is for operating an injector, in particular a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, the injector having a piezoelectric actuator for driving a valve needle coupled, preferably hydraulically, to the actuator. Starting from a starting voltage corresponding to a first operating state of the injector, the actuator is recharged, i.e., charged or discharged, by a predefinable voltage swing to a target voltage corresponding to a second operating state of the injector.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine controller comprises a booster coil connected to a battery and a booster capacitor. A switch element is connected to the booster coil to control the passage of current through the booster coil and an interruption of the current. The booster capacitor accumulates electrical energy generated with an inductance of the booster coil at the time of the interruption of the passage of the current. A booster control circuit carries out control in a constant boost switching cycle so as to pass the current through the booster coil and the switch element until the current reaches a preset switching stop threshold value and then interrupt the current to charge the energy generated with the inductance of the booster coil into the booster capacitor. The booster control circuit is configured to ensure a minimum time period for the booster capacitor-charging of the energy within the boost switching cycle.

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.