Caterpillar Inc.

Charles D Ellenbecker

Dana Ray Coldren

Ching W Jaw

Victor Iskander Yacoub

Phillip J Houtz

Edward R Gillis

Gene Ray Slinkard

Matthew S Touvelle

Gregory D Brock

Wade D Scrivner

Adrian Hsieh

Frederick M Estes

The present invention broadly applies to any fluid valve made up of a plurality of body components that create sealing lands where the body components are clamped together. The invention is further applicable to any such valves in which pressure differentials within the valve can cause fluid leakage in the region of these sealing lands. Fluid leakage is reduced by locating at least some of these sealing lands within a hollow clamp that holds the valve body components together. This clamping strategy that locates the clamping load where it is needed most is applicable to a wide variety of valves, but is particularly applicable to pressure control valves used in fuel injection systems that experience extremely high pressure differentials during their usage.

Valve assembly and fuel injector using same

A fuel injector assembly for use in an electrically-controlled engine having a fuel injector and an electrical adapter. The fuel injector has a first set of electrical connectors and a second set of electrical connectors. The electrical adapter has a body, a first set of electrical receptacles, a second set of electrical receptacles, and a plug interface. The first set of electrical receptacles are electrically connectable with the first set of electrical connectors. The second set of electrical receptacles are electrically connectable with the second set of electrical connectors. The plug interface has a first set of electrical contacts electrically connected to the first set of electrical receptacles. The plug interface also has a second set of electrical contacts electrically connected to the second set of electrical receptacles.

Electrical adapter for a fuel injector with two sets of connectors

In dual fuel engines, it is desirable to have injection of two distinct quantities of liquid fuel. Engines with these operating requirements have typically used two separate fuel injectors, or two separate nozzle assemblies, to satisfy this need. However, these systems can be rather complex and difficult to control. In addition, engineers have learned that fuel injectors having direct control have better performance which can increase engine efficiency. Therefore, the present invention addresses the needs of engines desiring injection of two distinct quantities of fuel, such as dual fuel engines, by utilizing a direct control fuel injector having a dual concentric check having separate orifices for the pilot and main injections.

Fuel injector with directly controlled dual concentric check and engine using same

A fuel injection system includes a plurality of mechanical unit pumps, each of which has a pump outlet. A pressure-intensifying hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each of the fuel injectors has a direct control needle valve and an injector body that defines an actuation fluid inlet, a fuel inlet, an actuation fluid cavity and a fuel pressurization chamber. Each fuel injector also includes a moveable pumping element with a large hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the actuation fluid cavity, and a small hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the fuel pressurization chamber. An actuation fluid supply line is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each supply line has one end connected to one pump outlet and an other end connected to one actuation fluid inlet of an individual fuel injector.

Pressure-intensifying hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injection system with individual mechanical unit pumps

A cartridge control valve includes a valve body that defines an inlet passage separated from an outlet passage by a flat valve seat. A solenoid is attached to the valve body. A valve member has one end positioned in the valve body and an other end attached to the solenoid. The valve member has an annular knife edge valve surface located between the one end and the other end. The valve member is moveable from a first position to a second position by energizing the solenoid. The annular knife edge surface is away from the flat valve seat to open the inlet passage to the outlet passage when the valve member is in one of its first position and its second position. The annular knife edge valve surface is seated against the flat valve seat to close the inlet passage to the outlet passage when the valve member is in the other of its first position and its second position.

Cartridge control valve with top mounted solenoid and flat valve seat

A control valve, preferably for use with a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining an inlet passage separated from an outlet passage by a valve seat. A solenoid is attached to the valve body, and includes a coil and an armature. A portion of the armature is a permanent magnet. The polarity of the permanent magnet is oriented such that the armature is pushed away from the coil when the solenoid is energized. A valve member is positioned in the valve body and attached to the armature. The valve member is moveable between an open position in which the inlet passage is open to the outlet passage, and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage.

Control valve having a solenoid with a permanent magnet for a fuel

A control valve, preferably for use in a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining an inlet passage separated from an outlet passage by a valve seat. A single pole solenoid is attached to the valve body, and includes a pole piece and an armature. A valve member with a centerline is positioned in the valve body, attached to the armature and moveable between an open position in which the inlet passage is open to the outlet passage, and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage. The pole piece is positioned between the valve seat and the armature along the centerline of the valve member.

Control valve having a top mounted single pole solenoid for a fuel

A control valve includes a first valve body component that defines an outlet passage and a first planar surface surrounding a valve seat. A second valve body component has a second planar surface and is fastened against the first valve body component with the second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface at a sealing land. The first valve body component and the second valve body component define a high pressure cavity surrounded by the sealing land. One of the first valve body component and the second valve body component define an inlet passage opening to the high pressure cavity. A valve member has a portion positioned in the high pressure cavity and is moveable between a closed position in which the valve member contacts the valve seat closing the outlet passage to the high pressure cavity, and an open position in which the outlet passage is open to the high pressure cavity. The sealing land has a symmetrical non-circular shape.

High pressure metal to metal sealing land in a control valve for a fuel

A control valve, preferably for use with a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining a solenoid cavity, an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a metering passage extending between the solenoid cavity and the outlet passage. A solenoid is mounted in the solenoid cavity. A valve member has one end attached to the solenoid and is positioned to reciprocate in the valve body between an open position in which the inlet passage is opened to the outlet passage and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage. The inlet passage is in fluid communication with the solenoid cavity via the metering passage when the valve member is in its open position. Appropriate sizing of the metering passage can prevent secondary injections by providing adequate pressure relief to the solenoid cavity while also substantially damping any pressure waves that may travel to the solenoid cavity through the metering passage.

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Normal, IL, United States of America

Charles D Ellenbecker