Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Lucas Industries Limited

Caterpillar Inc.

Andrew R Knight

Anthony Thomas Harcombe

Ronald Phillips

Andrew Male

Colin T Timms

Lukhbir Panesar

David E Draper

Anthony John Williams

Andy Male

George Frankl

David J C Law

Mark Smith

Adam Wilkin

A fuel system for supplying pressurised fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors (-) comprises an accumulator assembly () having first and second accumulator volumes () defined within a common accumulator housing (), supply means () for supplying fuel at a supply pressure level to the first accumulator volume () and a plurality of unit pumps (-). Each unit pump is arranged to receive fuel at the supply pressure level from the first accumulator volume () and pressurises said fuel to an injectable pressure level for supply to the second accumulator volume (). Each unit pump (-) includes a pumping plunger () for pressuring fuel within an associated pump chamber () and being integrated with the accumulator housing () so as to permit communication between the first accumulator volume () and the pump chamber () internally within the accumulator housing ().

Fuel system

An accumulator fuel system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of engine cylinders, includes an accumulator fuel volume () for supplying high pressure fuel to one or more of a plurality of injectors () of the fuel system, each of which is arranged to supply fuel to an associated one of the engine cylinders. The accumulator fuel volume () is integrated within an engine component, where the engine component provides a purpose other than that solely of an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel. For example, the accumulator volume () is defined in one embodiment within a rocker shaft () of the engine and in another embodiment within the engine cylinder head ().

Accumulator fuel system

A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector () comprises an accumulator volume () for supplying fuel at rail pressure (P) to the fuel injector () through a rail fuel supply passage () and a fuel pressurising arrangement () for supplying fuel at a selected pressure greater than rail pressure (P) to the fuel injector () through a pressurised fuel supply passage (). A fuel shut-off valve () is provided in the system which is operable between a closed position in which fuel is retained within the pressurising arrangement () and an open position in which pressurised fuel is supplied to the injector () from the pressurising arrangement () during an injection of fuel from the rail fuel supply passage (). Operating the shut-off valve in this way provides a boost in the fuel pressure delivered during an injection event.

Fuel injection systems

A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector, the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level to the fuel injector through a fuel supply passage, a pump arrangement for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector to a second injectable pressure level, and a valve arrangement operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level is supplied to the injector and a second position in which communication between the injector and the accumulator volume is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include a valve arrangement in the form of a three-position valve or may include a shut off valve for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage.

Fuel injection system

A fuel injection system for supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level to the fuel injector through a fuel supply passage, a pump arrangement for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector to a second injectable pressure level, and a valve arrangement operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level is supplied to the injector and a second position in which communication between the injector and the accumulator volume is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include a valve arrangement in the form of a three-position valve or may include a shut off valve for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage.

An accumulator fuel system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of engine cylinders, includes an accumulator fuel volume for supplying high pressure fuel to one or more of a plurality of injectors, each of which is arranged to supply fuel to an associated one of the engine cylinders. The accumulator fuel volume is integrated within an engine component, where the engine component provides a purpose other than that solely of an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel. The accumulator fuel volume is therefore defined in an existing engine component, to reduce part count, weight and cost. In one embodiment the accumulator fuel volume is defined within a rocker shaft of the engine and in another embodiment within the engine cylinder head.

A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel pump having a pumping cycle during which fuel is pressurised to a high level within a pumping chamber for delivery to an injector. The injector is arranged to provide a primary fuel injection event, and a secondary fuel injection event within the same pumping cycle. The injector includes a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating to control fuel delivery and an injection control valve arrangement for controlling movement of the valve needle so as to control the primary and secondary fuel injection events. The fuel system further comprises an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel for delivering the secondary fuel injection quantity, and additional valve arrangement for controlling the supply of fuel stored within the accumulator volume to the injector for the secondary injection event.

A fuel system comprises a fuel pump arranged to deliver fuel to a single fuel injector. The fuel pump and injector are physically spaced apart from one another, a high pressure fuel line being used to convey fuel between the fuel pump and the injector. The fuel pump is controllable to control the timing of commencement of fuel pressurization. The injector is controllable to control the timing of fuel delivery. A controller is arranged to control the operation of the fuel pump and the injector. The invention further relates to a fuel pump suitable for use in such a fuel system.

Fuel system and pump suitable for use therein

A fuel injector comprising a valve needle which is slidable within a bore, a surface associated with the valve needle defining, in part, a control chamber which communicates, through a restriction, with a supply passage. The fuel injector also includes an injection control valve controlling communication between the control chamber and a low pressure reservoir, and a drain valve controlling communication between the supply passage and the low pressure reservoir. The injection control valve and the drain valve include respective armatures moveable under the influence of a common electromagnetic actuator.

Fuel injector including valve needle, injection control valve, and drain valve

An injector arrangement is disclosed which comprises a valve needle urged into engagement with a seating under the action of the pressure of fuel within a control chamber. A needle control valve controls communication between a source of fuel at high pressure and the control chamber, and also between the control chamber and a low pressure drain. The needle control valve includes a valve member including an end which is engageable with a surface extending in a plane normal to the axis of the valve member to close a port communicating with the low pressure drain.

Injector arrangement

A pump/injector includes a high pressure pump which delivers fuel to an inwardly opening fuel injection nozzle. Also provided is a spill valve which is connected to the pumping chamber of the pump and through which the pumping chamber is filled with fuel from a source by way of a first non-return valve. Connected intermediate the spill valve and the non-return valve is a branch passage to the spring chamber of the nozzle and the pressure in the spring chamber when the spill valve is opened to terminate delivery of fuel is controlled by a valve.

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Stroud, United Kingdom

Andrew R Knight