Siemens Automotive Corporation

James H Cohen

Danny O Wright

James Paul Fochtman

Vernon R Warner

Jeff B Pace

Harry Ronald Brooks

Daniel Scott Baker, Sr

Richard B Ording

A fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet along a longitudinal axis. The fuel injector includes a body, a needle slidingly disposed within the body and a seat disposed at the fuel outlet. The seat has a plurality of passages, each of the plurality of passages having a central axis having an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis.

Fuel injector having a modified seat for enhanced compressed natural gas jet mixing

An electromagnetically actuable fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed having an outer housing, a fuel inlet connector positioned in the upper end portion of the outer housing for reception of fuel therein, and an armature having a valve needle attached thereto and positioned adjacent the fuel inlet connector and spaced therefrom by a working gap. The armature defines a generally elongated central opening to receive fuel flow from the fuel inlet connector and has valve needle attached thereto which interacts with a fixed valve having a fixed valve seat associated with the housing to selectively permit fuel to flow through a valve aperture associated with the fixed valve seat. The fuel inlet connector has a fuel outlet end facing a fuel inlet end of the armature and includes a plurality of radially extending raised pads separated by a corresponding plurality of radially extending recessed portions to reduce the contact area between the fuel inlet connector and the armature when the armature is moved upwardly, and to promote fuel flow transversely across the working gap therebetween to establish a first fuel flow path outside of the armature. The first fuel flow path prevents contaminants from accumulating in the working gap. The armature includes at least one first aperture extending through a wall portion thereof for receiving fuel flow from the generally elongated central opening and for directing the fuel flow to a second flow path toward the fixed valve seat. At least one-second aperture extends through a wall portion of the armature and extends at a generally acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis to establish a third fuel flow path toward the fixed valve seat. The size, orientation and numbers of the apertures can be varied to achieve predetermined flow conditions. A method of directing fuel through an injector is also disclosed although the fuel injector and method disclosed utilize gaseous fuels, all types of fuels are contemplated.

Contaminant tolerant compressed natural gas injector and method of directing gaseous fuel therethrough

A fuel system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers is disclosed. The fuel system includes a liquid fuel and a low pressurize gaseous fuel. The fuel system further includes a fuel tank, with the liquid fuel and the low pressurize gaseous fuel forming a fuel mixture in the fuel tank. A single fuel supply rail is fluidly connected to the fuel tank and a fuel injector fluidly connects the single fuel supply rail to each of the plurality of combustion chambers. The fuel mixture is provided to each fuel injector for injection into each respective combustion chamber. A method of operating the fuel system is also disclosed.

Bi-fuel gasoline and low pressure gas fuel system and method of operation

An electromagnetically operable fuel injector for a gaseous fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, the injector having a generally longitudinal axis, which includes a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil. The armature actuates a valve closing element in the form of a valve needle which interacts with a fixed valve seat of a fuel valve and is movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited. The fixed valve seat defines an aperture of predetermined dimension for passage of fuel therethrough, the armature having a generally elongated shape and a generally central opening for axial reception and passage of gaseous fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto. The fuel inlet connector and the armature are adapted to permit a first flow path of gaseous fuel between the armature and the magnetic coil as part of a path leading to said fuel valve. An orifice device is positioned downstream of the fuel valve and defines an orifice for reception of fuel from the fuel valve, the orifice being of lesser dimension than the aperture of said fixed valve seat. A method of directing gaseous fuel through an electromagnetically openable fuel injector in a manner which provides dampening of the valve needle upon closing is also disclosed.

Compressed natural gas injector having gaseous dampening for armature needle assembly during closing

The present invention provides a valve arrangement for metering fluid flow. The valve arrangement includes a valve seat including an orifice through which fluid flows. The valve arrangement also includes a valve displaceable along an axis between a first position contiguously engaging the valve seat and a second position spaced from the valve seat. Fluid flow between the valve seat and the valve is prevented in the first position and is permitted in the second position. The valve arrangement further includes a counterweight mounted on the valve for relative movement therebetween.

Fuel injector valve with motion damper

A fuel injection system includes at least two fuel injectors; each fuel injector including at least one fuel inlet and at least one vapor outlet, the at least one vapor outlet being located vertically higher than the at least one fuel inlet; at least two pods, one fuel injector being inserted in each pod, respectively; each pod including a fuel inlet connection in fluid communication with the at least one fuel inlet of the injector and a fuel return connection in fluid communication with the at least one vapor outlet of the injector, the fuel return connection being located vertically higher than the fuel inlet connection; and a fuel supply line connected to the fuel inlet connection of each of the pods and a fuel return line connected to the fuel return connection of each of the pods such that the pods with the injectors inserted therein are connected in a parallel arrangement.

Fuel injection system for high vapor pressure liquid fuel

An electromagnetically operable fuel injector for a gaseous fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, said injector having a generally longitudinal axis, which comprises, a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core, an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil, the armature actuating a valve closing element which interacts with a fixed valve seat of a fuel valve and being movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited. The fixed valve seat defining a fuel valve aperture. The armature has a generally elongated shape and a generally central opening for axial reception and passage of gaseous fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto, the fuel inlet connector and the armature being adapted to permit a first flow path of gaseous fuel between the armature and the magnetic coil as part of a path leading to the fuel valve. At least one fuel jet columnating device is positioned below the fuel valve for receiving fuel flow from the valve aperture in a stream having a first transverse dimension, and for permitting the stream to widen into a funnel shaped section having a transverse dimension greater than the first transverse dimension, and to thereafter columnate the stream to a transverse dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the valve aperture.

Gaseous injector with columnated jet oriface flow directing device

An electromagnetically operable fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, the injector having a generally longitudinal axis, and including a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core, and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil. The armature is adapted to actuate a valve closing element interactive with a fixed valve seat and being movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited. The armature has a generally cylindrical shape and a generally central opening defining a through-passage for reception of fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto. A valve-closing element is attached to the armature and is positioned to be selectively moved toward and away from the fixed valve seat. The valve closing element is in the form of an elongated valve needle having a generally central shaft portion and a generally cylindrical end portion, the generally cylindrical end portion having a diameter greater than the generally central shaft portion and a sealing end surface having a spherical shape. Although gaseous fuels such as compressed natural gas are primarily contemplated, the invention is applicable for use with liquid fuels.

Compressed natural gas injector having improved low noise valve needle

A fuel injector for use in a internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a body having a discharge end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and an electromagnetic coil located within the body. The fuel injector further includes a fuel metering valve operable between an open position and a closed position and an air metering valve operable between an open position and a closed position. The fuel injector also includes a valve seat located within the body proximate to the discharge end and includes an orifice extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis. A needle is reciprocally mounted along the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The needle has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a needle channel extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis. The needle engages the valve seat in the closed position. A guide is disposed along the longitudinal axis such that the upstream end of the needle is reciprocable within the guide. A seal having a seal opening therethrough is located within the guide. A bellows fluidly connects the seal opening and the needle channel. The bellows and the guide form a generally annular chamber therebetween. The bellows is movable between a compressed and an extended position. The annular chamber is adapted to receive fuel. The seal prevents the fuel in the annular chamber from entering the needle channel. A method of operating the fuel injector is also disclosed.

Pulsed air assist valve module

An electromagnetically operable fuel injector for a gaseous fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, the injector having a generally longitudinal axis, a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core, and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil. The armature actuates a valve closing element in the form of a valve needle which interacts with a fixed valve seat of a fuel valve and is being movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited. The armature has a generally elongated shape and a generally central opening for axial reception and passage of gaseous fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto. The fuel inlet connector and the armature are adapted to permit at least a first flow path of gaseous fuel between the armature and the magnetic coil as part of a path leading to the fuel valve. A thermally conductive material is positioned adjacent the magnetic coil to transfer heat from the magnetic coil to adjacent components to as to render the coil thermally efficient and relatively unaffected by heat generated thereby.

Gaseous fuel injector with thermally stable solenoid coil

An electromagnetically operable fuel injector, for a gaseous fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed, the injector having a generally longitudinal axis, a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core, and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil. The armature actuates a valve closing element which interacts with a fixed valve seat of a fuel valve and is movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited, the armature having a generally elongated shape and a generally central opening for axial reception and passage of gaseous fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto. The fuel inlet connector and the armature are adapted to permit a first flow path of gaseous fuel through a working gap between the fuel inlet connector and the armature and between the armature and the magnetic coil as part of a path leading to the fuel valve. The combined flow area across the working gap between the armature and the magnetic coil and valve body shell exceeds the area available for fuel flow through the armature. A method of directing gaseous fuel through the fuel injector is also disclosed.

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Virginia Beach, VA, United States of America

James H Cohen