Of Fuel Injection Patents (Class 239/5)
  • Publication number: 20120205461
    Abstract: A method and system ensures that a certain amount of fuel is delivered by a fuel injector at each injection cycle over the life of the fuel injector. The injector has an armature that moves between open and close positions. A base time for the armature to move from the open position to the close position is established. A present time for the armature to move from the open position to the close position is compared to the base time. If the present time is greater than the base time by a predetermined amount, then 1) a present injector duration time is set to be greater than an original injector duration time to ensure that the certain amount of fuel is delivered by the fuel injector, or 2) a change in service condition is indicated for the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Anup Vijaykumar Gongle
  • Patent number: 8215573
    Abstract: A direct fuel injector (10) includes a body (12) having a passage between inlet and outlet ends. A seat (16) is at the outlet end and a closure member (28) is associated with the seat. A needle member (30) is associated with the closure member and is movable with respect to a pole piece (35) between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A spring (42) biases the needle member to the first position. An armature (32) is free-floating with respect to the needle member. An intermediate pole structure (38) is coupled with the needle member and is disposed between the pole piece and the armature and is decoupled there-from. An armature stop (40) is coupled to the needle member and is spaced from the intermediate pole structure. An electromagnetic coil (46) is associated with the pole piece, intermediate pole structure and armature. The injector reduces bounce of the needle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 8205805
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20120153034
    Abstract: In one aspect, a fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet. A direct operated check valve is positioned in the injector body and includes a needle valve member with an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a nozzle supply passage, and a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a needle control chamber. The needle valve member is movable between a first position at which the nozzle supply passage is blocked to the nozzle outlet, and a second position at which the nozzle supply passage is open to the nozzle outlet. A needle control valve is positioned in the injector body and includes a control valve member movable between a first position at which the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet, and a second position at which the needle control chamber is fluidly blocked to the drain outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, John Paul McDonnell, Nadeem Bunni, Christopher D. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20120153035
    Abstract: In a fuel injection device and method for injecting hydrocarbon fuel into a fuel reformer, the temperature of the fuel injection device is regulated by simultaneously heating the fuel and cooling the fuel injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: POWERCELL SWEDEN AB
    Inventor: Peter Forsberg
  • Patent number: 8186165
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a turbine engine fuel nozzle having an air path, a fuel path, and a surface along the air path. The fuel path may be directed toward the surface. The turbine engine fuel nozzle also may include a heating element configured to heat the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Constantin Dinu
  • Patent number: 8186605
    Abstract: A fluid injector has a valve body with a recess in which a valve needle is arranged axially movable preventing a fluid flow and being mechanically coupled to an axial end of a first spring preloaded to exert a force on the valve needle. A first armature is mechanically coupled to the valve needle. A second armature is arranged in the recess axially movable away and towards a protrusion of the valve body mechanically coupled to an axial end of a second spring preloaded exerting a force on the second armature which is arranged and designed such that from a closing to a first given position, the first and second armature are mechanically decoupled, and from the first given position further away from the closing position, the first and second armature are mechanically coupled. A solenoid drive magnetically actuates the first and second armature to move axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Alessandro Facchin
  • Publication number: 20120111965
    Abstract: A common rail fuel injector includes a needle valve member that moves to open and close nozzle outlets for a fuel injection event responsive to pressure in a needle control chamber. Between injection events, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a first pathway that includes a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the fuel inlet by a second pathway that includes an F orifice, an intermediate chamber and an A orifice. During an injection event, the needle control chamber is fluidly connected to a drain outlet by a third pathway that includes the A orifice, the intermediate chamber and an E orifice. Different performance characteristics are achieved by adjusting the sizes of the respective of F, A, Z and E orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Ibrahim, Bryan David Moore, Christopher D. Hanson, Avinash Reddy Manubolu
  • Publication number: 20120085834
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes a nozzle cavity with a side wall defining an annular cavity, and swirler vanes arranged circumferentially around an outer surface of the nozzle cavity. A plurality of ports are formed in the side wall and are circumferentially spaced around the nozzle cavity. The ports provide fluid communication through the side wall. The plurality of ports are positioned and/or oriented such that fuel jets communicated through the side wall are communicated downstream of the swirler vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120080536
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electromagnetically-activated fuel injector includes determining an injector activation signal having an injection duration, an initial peak pull-in current and a secondary hold current corresponding to a preferred injected fuel mass for a fuel injection event associated with a non-monotonic region of injector operation, and controlling the fuel injector using the injector activation signal to achieve the preferred injected fuel mass for the fuel injection event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Parrish, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 8128004
    Abstract: In order to operate an injection valve, a freewheeling operating state is controlled as the nozzle needle moves to its closing position, and a current through the coil is detected as a freewheeling current during freewheeling. As the nozzle needle moves to its closing position, a braking current pulse (I_BR) is generated on the basis of a time derivative (DI_DT_FW) of the freewheeling current and is impressed on the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Koch
  • Publication number: 20120052002
    Abstract: A compact multi-functional fuel converter and a process for converting liquid fuel to a product, which includes providing a supply of oxygen gas, providing a supply of liquid fuel, electrically atomizing the fuel, evaporating the fuel and catalytically reacting the liquid fuel and oxygen in the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: IVAN C. LEE, CHRISTOPHER M. WAITS
  • Patent number: 8123198
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ignition system for a pulse fog generator having a carburetor, a pump for pumping air into the carburetor, and a priming pump for directing a quantity of fuel into the carburetor. The ignition system includes an igniter operable on low voltage, a switch for activating and deactivating the igniter, and a grounding connection for grounding the igniter to the carburetor. The grounding connection includes structure for grounding the igniter including an igniter bracket and a ground wire assembly which couples to the igniter and to a location substantially near a sparkplug of the pulse fog generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Curtis Dyna-Fog, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Roudebush, Justin D. Eros, Conrad D. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20120043393
    Abstract: A fuel injector configured to inject a predetermined volume of fuel, such as heavy fuel oil, is disclosed. The disclosed injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a fuel passageway, and an orifice. The injector also includes a needle disclosed at least partially within the injector body. The needle is movable between a closed position where the needle blocks the orifice and an open position where the needle at least partially unblocks the orifice. At least the injector body and the needle define a nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber is in communication with a high pressure fuel passageway and the orifice. The fuel passageway and nozzle chamber have a combined volume greater than the predetermined injection volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Li, Alan Stockner
  • Publication number: 20120037719
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve has a valve body with a central longitudinal axis and a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity, the needle preventing a fluid flow in a closing position and releasing the fluid flow via a main fluid line in further positions, a member being fixedly associated to the needle and having a surface facing the outlet portion, a first chamber embodied in the cavity, a second chamber being part of the main line, and a one-way-valve which is hydraulically arranged between the first and second chamber to prevent a fluid flow through a first fluid path in a closing position of the one-way-valve and to release a fluid flow through the first fluid path between the first and second chamber in further positions of the one-way-valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Gianbattista Fischetti, Luigi Gargiulo, Marco Mechi, Ileana Romeo
  • Publication number: 20120024973
    Abstract: A low leakage large bore fuel system includes a common rail fluidly connected to at least one of a source of heavy fuel oil and a source of distillate diesel fuel. A plurality of fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the common rail and each include a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet. Each fuel injector also includes an electrical actuator coupled to a direct operated nozzle check valve by a pilot valve member and a control valve member. Fuel leakage is reduced between injection events by equalizing pressures in a pilot control chamber and an intermediate control chamber that are separated by a guide surface of the control valve member. Also, between injection events the pilot valve member blocks a drain outlet from a common rail inlet of the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hanson, Stephen Lewis, Qursheed Hussain Mohammed
  • Patent number: 8096485
    Abstract: In a method and device for preheating an internal combustion engine injector (1) including at least one valve (3) to be activated by an electromagnet (21), in which the coil of the electromagnet (21) is energized before the engine is started, the coil of the electromagnet (21) is periodically powered with a preheating voltage (42), and the current characteristic (33) within the coil is monitored and subjected to an evaluation to detect local current minima (43) and/or maxima (44) caused by armature reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hlousek, Gerhard Rehbichler, Johannes Schnedt
  • Publication number: 20110297753
    Abstract: Embodiments of injectors configured for adaptively injecting multiple different fuels and coolants into a combustion chamber, and for igniting the different fuels, are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes a body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The injector further includes a first flow channel extending through the body, and a second flow channel extending through the body that is separate from the first flow channel and electrically isolated from the first flow channel. The first flow channel is configured to receive a first fuel, and the second flow channel is configured to receive at least one of a second fuel and a coolant. The injector further comprises a valve carried by the body that is movable between a closed position and an open position to introduce at least one of the second fuel and the coolant into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Roy E. McAlister, Roy E. McAlister, Melvin J. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20110278369
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electromagnetic fuel injector including the steps of: determining a target quantity of fuel to inject; determining a hydraulic supply time as a function of the target quantity of fuel to inject and using a first injection law which provides a hydraulic supply time as a function of the target quantity of fuel; determining an estimated closing time as a function of the hydraulic supply time and using a second injection law which provides the estimated closing time as a function of the hydraulic supply time; determining an injection time as a function of the hydraulic supply time and of the estimated closing time; and piloting the injector using the injection time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Gabriele Serra, Marco Parotto, Saverio Armeni, Luigi Santamato, Andrea Leoni
  • Publication number: 20110278368
    Abstract: A direct fuel injector (10) includes a body (12) having a passage between inlet and outlet ends. A seat (16) is at the outlet end and a closure member (28) is associated with the seat. A needle member (30) is associated with the closure member and is movable with respect to a pole piece (35) between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A spring (42) biases the needle member to the first position. An armature (32) is free-floating with respect to the needle member. An intermediate pole structure (38) is coupled with the needle member and is disposed between the pole piece and the armature and is decoupled there-from. An armature stop (40) is coupled to the needle member and is spaced from the intermediate pole structure. An electromagnetic coil (46) is associated with the pole piece, intermediate pole structure and armature. The injector reduces bounce of the needle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 8047452
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for injecting reagent, such as an aqueous urea solution, into an exhaust stream in order to reduce emissions from an engine exhaust. The present teachings can use a whirl plate having a plurality of whirl slots surrounding an exit orifice of an injector, which produce a high velocity rotating flow in the whirl chamber. When the rotating flow of reagent is passed through the exit orifice into an exhaust stream, atomization occurs from a combination of centrifugal force and shearing of the reagent by air as it jets into the exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Martin, Stephen M. Thomas, Alison A. Chambers, Theodore J. Tarabulski, P. Robert Santangeli, R. Gifford Broderick
  • Publication number: 20110253105
    Abstract: A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors ramp shaped injection curves at both the front and back ends of an injection event. This is accomplished by including a check speed control device fixed in position within the check control chamber of a fuel injector. The check speed control device controls the speed of a check by restricting fuel flowing into and out of the check control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8011600
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle for use with an internal combustion engine utilizes arrangements of nozzle openings that are designed to increase fuel contact with oxygen within a combustion chamber. Nozzle openings are positioned in more than one plane substantially parallel with the cylinder head surface, with the planes preferably at least 2 millimeters apart, and with the respective pluralities of nozzle openings oriented to provide diverging injection angles in relation to the cylinder head surface. The fuel injector is particularly designed for use with oxygen-dilute (e.g., high EGR) controlled temperature combustion, direct injection compression ignition engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110210182
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8006959
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ignition system for a pulse fog generator having a carburetor, a pump for pumping air into the carburetor, and a priming pump for directing a quantity of fuel into the carburetor. The ignition system includes an igniter operable on low voltage, a switch for activating and deactivating the igniter, and a grounding connection for grounding the igniter to the carburetor. The grounding connection can include an igniter bracket and a ground wire assembly which couples to the igniter and to a location substantially near a sparkplug of the pulse fog generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Curtis Dyna-Fog, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Roudebush, Justin D. Eros, Conrad D. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20110186647
    Abstract: In a method for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the fuel is fed by at least one prefeed pump from a tank to at least one high-pressure pump and the high-pressure fuel fed by the high-pressure pump is supplied to the injector, wherein the injector has an injection nozzle with an axially movable nozzle needle protruding into a control chamber which can be fed with fuel under pressure and whose pressure is controlled by a control valve which opens or closes at least one inflow or outflow duct for fuel. Between the prefeed pump and the high-pressure pump, a partial volume of the fuel is branched off as a flushing volume and supplied to a flushing channel of the injector, wherein the flushing volume is directly supplied to the control valve such that the flushing volume flows at least partially through the control valve and preferably mixes with the fuel from the inflow or outflow duct, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Bernhaupt, Jaroslav Hlousek, Christian Meisl
  • Publication number: 20110186648
    Abstract: A fuel injector mountable with respect to a combustion chamber for delivering fuel thereto, the combustion chamber comprising a chamber ceiling and a chamber wall, the fuel injector comprising a nozzle body having a primary nozzle axis; a first outlet opening having a first axis; a second outlet opening having a second axis; and means for controlling fuel delivery through the first and second outlet openings. The means for controlling fuel delivery comprises an inner valve needle and an outer valve needle, and is arranged to permit fuel delivery from only the first outlet opening, or through both the first and second outlet openings together. The first and second outlet openings are oriented such that, in use, when fuel delivery is permitted through only said first outlet opening, a first spray formation is injected along the first axis, the first spray formation reaching a first target distance below said chamber ceiling at a radial distance from the primary nozzle axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING, S.ARL
    Inventors: Godfrey Greeves, Simon David Tullis
  • Patent number: 7980483
    Abstract: An injector for an injection system is provided, including a first opening, a second opening, an open position and a closed position. The first opening is for spraying the fluid out of the injector, and the second opening is for allowing the fluid to exit the injector. When the injector is in the open position, the injector sprays the fluid from the first opening and the flow of the fluid to the second opening is substantially blocked. When the injector is in the closed position the injector allows the fluid to exit the injector from the second opening. The injector substantially blocks the spray of the fluid from the first opening when the injector is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dale A. Stretch
  • Patent number: 7980485
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a housing, a valve seat, a metering orifice disc, and a needle. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The valve seat is disposed proximate the outlet and includes a passage having a sealing surface and an orifice. The metering orifice disc is located at the outlet and has a plurality of metering openings extending therethrough. The needle is reciprocally located within the housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position wherein the needle is displaced from the valve seat, allowing fuel flow past the needle, and a second position wherein the needle is biased against the valve seat, precluding fuel flow past the needle. A generally annular channel is formed between the valve seat and the metering orifice disc. The channel tapers outwardly from a large height to a smaller height toward the orifice openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Peterson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110168799
    Abstract: A magnetic component for a magnetically actuated fuel injection device is formed of a corrosion resistant soft magnetic alloy consisting essentially of, in weight percent, 3%<Co<20%, 6%<Cr<15%, 0%?S?0.5%, 0%?Mo?3%, 0%?Si?3.5%, 0%?Al?4.5%, 0%?Mn?4.5%, 0%?Me?6%, where Me is one or more of the elements Sn, Zn, W, Ta, Nb, Zr and Ti, 0%?V?4.5%, 0%?Ni?5%, 0%?C<0.05%, 0%?Cu<1%, 0%?P<0.1%, 0%?N<0.5%, 0%?O<0.05%, 0%?B<0.01%, and the balance being essentially iron and the usual impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joachim GERSTER
  • Publication number: 20110163177
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling needle seat load in very high pressure diesel injectors. In accordance with the method, a needle control piston responsive to hydraulic forces for controllably forcing the injector needle against the needle seat is provided, as is a stop for the needle control piston to limit the needle control piston movement toward the needle seat. This provides a stop for the needle control piston, so that the compressive deflection between the needle control piston and the needle seat limits the force of the injector needle on the needle seat against increasing hydraulic forces on the needle control piston once the needle control piston reaches the needle control piston seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: STURMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Tibor Kiss
  • Patent number: 7950593
    Abstract: A mechanically actuated electronically controlled fuel injector (MEUI) includes a first electrical actuator that controls the position of a spill valve, and a second electrical actuator to control pressure on a closing hydraulic surface associated with a directly operated nozzle check valve. The fuel injector is actuated via rotation of a cam to move a plunger to displace fuel from a fuel pumping chamber either to a spill passage, or at high pressure out of a nozzle outlet of the fuel injector for an injection event. The minimum controllable fuel injection quantity, especially as it relates to small closely coupled post injections following a large main injection, is accomplished by the inclusion of a Z orifice passage that maintains a fluid connection between a needle control chamber and the nozzle supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Koti R. Padarthy, Gengxun K. Gurley, Kyle E. Enzinger
  • Publication number: 20110108631
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve co-injects a liquid and a gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A solid needle regulates the injection of liquid and gaseous fuels from a cavity in the fuel injection valve into the combustion chamber when the needle is lifted to its open position. In preferred embodiments, liquid fuel is metered and pressurized in an intensifier's cylinder provided within the valve body and the liquid fuel is delivered through a restricted flow passage into the cavity where it mixes with the gaseous fuel. The restricted flow passage can be formed by a small passage formed in the valve body or an annular passage between the needle and the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: David Mumford, Sandeep Munshi
  • Patent number: 7913929
    Abstract: A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel side sub-assembly (78) having valve body structure (12, 14) defining a main flow passage (16) there-through, an outlet opening (26) and a seating surface (24). A needle (18) is in the main flow passage and has first and second ends. The second end (22) has a sealing surface (20). The needle is movable between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface to prevent fuel from passing through the outlet opening, and an open position. A spring (30) biases the needle to the closed position. Manifold structure (36, 48) is coupled to the valve body structure. The injector also includes a dry side sub-assembly including a piezo stack (42) coupled to the manifold structure and changes length when voltage is applied thereto. The piezo stack is associated with the first end of the needle so that when the length of the piezo stack changes, the needle moves from the closed position to the open position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Publication number: 20110068188
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for fuel injection that permits efficient combustion. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a fuel injector including an injector needle; a fuel injection passage having a fuel injection passage inlet connected to the injector needle and a fuel injection passage outlet; and an air passage having an air passage outlet that is connected to the fuel injection passage and that is located between the fuel injection passage inlet and the fuel injection passage outlet, wherein the air passage provides air that mixes with the fuel in the fuel injection passage so that the fuel will have an increased fuel plume angle as the fuel exits from the fuel injection passage outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Franz J. Laimboeck
  • Publication number: 20110068189
    Abstract: In an activation method, a predetermined idle stroke (h0) is set between an actuator base plate (7) and an actuating element (3), depending on a predetermined initial position of the actuator base plate before activation. In order to stabilize oscillation-prone initial positions, thus improving injection accuracy, activating the piezoactuator (1) directly before injection is proposed such that a defined predeflection occurs such that the actuator base plate (7) assumes a new, less oscillation-prone initial position before the subsequent injection. In order to bring about the predeflection, negative current is applied to the piezoactuator (1) such that the actuator base plate (7) is retracted into a defined new initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Hopp
  • Patent number: 7905425
    Abstract: A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel module (46) having a valve body (12) defining an outlet opening (20) and including a seating surface (18). A needle 14, disposed in valve body, has a sealing surface (16). An armature (28) is coupled with the needle such that movement of the armature moves the needle between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface and an open position with the needle moving outwardly from the valve body with the sealing surface being disengaged from the seating. A spring (38) biases the armature and thus the needle to the closed position. An inlet tube (22) is coupled to the fuel module defining an inlet of the injector. A power assembly (42) is separate from, but coupled to, the fuel module. The power assembly includes an electromagnetic coil (44) for causing movement of the armature, and a connector (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Sytems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Publication number: 20110057049
    Abstract: A fuel injector system for raising fuel to its supercritical state and injecting the supercritical-state fuel to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A plurality of injector embodiments provides alternative ways to heat the pressurized fuel to its supercritical state. Injection of supercritical fuel into the combustion chamber is known to improve fuel entrainment and reducing ignition delay to thereby increase combustion rate, which leads to an increase in fuel efficiency. According to some embodiments, the system provides for preventing coking that may otherwise occur in an exhaust gas heat exchanger used for preheating the high pressure fuel. In other embodiments, engine cold start assistance is provided by storing pressurized, heated fuel in an insulated container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: ECOMOTORS INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Peter Hofbauer, Franz Laimboeck, Tyler Garrard
  • Publication number: 20110042476
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Publication number: 20100300105
    Abstract: An airblast fuel nozzle assembly (10) comprising a sleeve structure having a series of coaxial sleeves forming an inner-air circuit, an outer-air circuit, a main-fuel-feed circuit, and a pilot-fuel-feed circuit. The pilot-fuel-feed circuit includes a channel (44), and a discharge region (45) with exits (46). The exits (46) have a combined cross-sectional area that is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the channel (44) upstream of the discharge region (45). In this manner, the pilot-fuel-feed circuit itself can provide a relatively large pressure drop across the channel region (44), and thereby assist in self atomization during ignition stages of engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Robert R. Pelletier, Michael K. Teter
  • Patent number: 7832656
    Abstract: A fluid injector has a housing, a valve body and an actuator unit inserted into the housing. The valve body has a cartridge with a recess that takes in a needle. The valve body further has a hollow body arranged in a fixed position to the needle and forming a first spring rest. The valve body further has a valve cap, which takes in the cartridge and forms a second spring rest. A return spring rests on the first spring rest and on the second spring rest. The valve cap, the housing and the cartridge are formed such, that before the valve cap and the housing and the valve cap and cartridge are permanently fixed to each other the valve cap is moveable relative to the housing and the cartridge while the housing and the cartridge stay in a fixed position relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Luca Matteucci, Raffaele Squarcini
  • Publication number: 20100264231
    Abstract: A coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling an injection valve to a fuel rail of a combustion engine, has a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis which can be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and at least partially engaged with the fuel inlet tube. The cup has an inner bottom surface facing the valve, a first retaining element fixedly coupled to the cup, a second retaining element fixedly coupled to the valve, wherein the second retaining element is coupled to the first element to prevent a movement of the second element relative to the first element in a first axis direction, and a damper element which is arranged axially between the inner bottom surface of the cup and the inlet tube. The damper element limits a movement of the valve relative to the cup in a second direction of the longitudinal axis opposing the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Gisella Di Domizio, Daniel Marc, Giandomenico Serra
  • Patent number: 7815128
    Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid, in particular a fuel, performs the following steps: A nozzle (1) which can be actuated by a piezo element (5) is provided. A current pulse (12a) is supplied to the piezo element (5). The capacity (16) of the piezo element (5) is recorded at the time when the current pulse (12a) is supplied. An actual characteristic curve of the injection is recorded based on the capacity (16). The current pulse (12a) is regulated in order to optimize the injection based on the actual characteristic curve of the injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Beilharz, Nicholas Nozeran, Richard Pirkl, Christian Riβler, Harald Schmidt, Hans-Jörg Wiehoff
  • Patent number: 7784708
    Abstract: A fuel injecting device and method of controlling the fuel injection device. The fuel injection device includes a cylindrical body, a needle whose end includes with a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the end of the cylindrical body, an actuator made of an electroactive material, including a rod and that displaces the head such that the valve is opened, and a prestressing device holding the needle and a counterweight such that they are pressed against the rod opposite end. The needle extends coaxially to the cylindrical body in a form of a rigid bar and axially resonates when exposed to axial pulses at a determined excitation frequency by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Samir Guerbaoui, Andre Agneray, Laurent Levin
  • Publication number: 20100213270
    Abstract: An injection valve has a valve body and a valve pin. The valve body has a metering orifice. In a closed position of the valve pin, the flow of fluid through the metering orifice is disabled and otherwise released. A control signal (ANS13 SIG) for metering fluid with the injection valve is generated for a first valve pin actuator which is coupled to the valve pin to drive the valve pin. At least one first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1) for the first and/or the second valve pin actuator is generated at least during a predetermined interval during the control of the first valve pin actuator with the control signal (AN_SIG) in such a manner that the valve pin is oscillatingly displaced relative to a position of the valve pin in response to the first atomization signal (ZER_SIG—1), the valve pin having said position in response to the control signal (ANS_SIG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Olaf Graupner, Klaus Wenzlawski
  • Publication number: 20100213285
    Abstract: A method of designing a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine to reduce fretting thereof during use, including establishing an initial nozzle design, determining a first natural frequency of that design and a running frequency range of the gas turbine engine, and increasing a first transverse dimension of the stem member of the nozzle across a length of a portion thereof adjacent the inlet end until the first natural frequency of the nozzle is outside the running range, while a second transverse dimension of the portion remains at least substantially unchanged across the length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Saied OSKOOEI
  • Patent number: 7775463
    Abstract: In an injector used for an internal combustion engine, a favorable magnetic attraction force is obtained to reduce a controllable minimum injection amount of a fuel injection amount. In a fuel injection valve in which a fixed core and a moving element is contained inside a pipe-shaped member, and a coil and a yoke are provided on an outer side thereof, a space for placing the coil is placed so that an inner circumference length in a vertical section of the space becomes smaller than an outside diameter of the yoke, or a height of the space in an axial direction of the fixed core becomes smaller than a diameter of the fixed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Abe, Masahiko Hayatani, Tohru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7770813
    Abstract: A spray penetration control method that controls penetration of fluid injected as a spray from an injector. The control method uses multiple successive injection events instead of single injection events to reduce overall spray penetration. Dwell times may be fixed or varied between successive injection events to reduce overall spray penetration. Also, the mass of fluid spray injected by the injector may be fixed or varied during each multiple successive injection event to reduce overall spray penetration and the number of successive injection events may be adjusted so that a desired total amount of mass is delivered in accordance with a desired penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Parrish
  • Patent number: 7770812
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a solenoid coil, a tubular support acting as inner pole of the solenoid coil, and a filter element, the filter element being press-fitted with an outer contour of the tubular support of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sebastian
  • Patent number: 7766251
    Abstract: A fuel injection and mixing system is provided. The system includes an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and defines a fuel flow path between the inlet and outlet. The fuel flow path may include a generally helical flow passage having an inlet end portion disposed proximate the fuel inlet of the injector body. The flow path also may include an expansion chamber downstream from and in fluid communication with the helical flow passage, as well as a fuel delivery device in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for delivering fuel. Heating means is also provided in thermal communication with the injector body. The heating means may be adapted and configured for maintaining the injector body at a predetermined temperature to heat fuel traversing the flow path. A method of preheating and delivering fuel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Chien-Pei Mao, John Short