Cummins Inc.

Cariappa M Chenanda

Lester L Peters

Axel Otto Zur Loye

Patrick M Pierz

Robert M Hurst

John Franklin Wright

Larry J Brackney

David L Buchanan

Leon A LaPointe

Tim Frazier

A fuel injector is provided with a lower nozzle body which is cooled with a small amount of metered fuel. In one embodiment, a blind passage is formed to extend from the upper portion to the lower end of the injector nozzle valve element. A transverse passage is formed in the nozzle valve element connecting the blind passage and the nozzle bore. Rail pressure causes a metered amount of fuel to flow through the nozzle bore, the transverse passage and upwardly along the blind passage to the drain passage. Inward cooling occurs by providing more surface area over which the fuel flows. In another embodiment, a sleeve is formed to fit over an existing nozzle to form a passage surrounding the injector tip. An orifice is located in the nozzle housing to connect the nozzle cavity with the annular passage thereby providing a small amount of fuel to drain.

Fuel injector having a cooled lower nozzle body

A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.

Multiple operating mode engine and method of operation

An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.

Internal combustion engine operable in PCCI mode with early control injection and method of operation

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Columbus, IN, United States of America

Cariappa M Chenanda