Caterpillar Inc.

Joseph Angelino

Scott F Shafer

Ye Tian

Richard H Holtman

Clifford E Cotton, Iii

Robert E Dieffenbach

Alan Ray Stockner

Charles Bates

Jay E Tomaseski

Colby Buckman

Clifford Cotton

A solitary fuel injector for a diesel engine that is capable of injecting fuel for a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection event, a conventional injection event. The solitary fuel injector also has a mixed mode that includes a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection and a conventional injection in a single compression stroke for the engine.

Fuel injector having dual mode capabilities and engine using same

A nozzle insert that is capable of being irreversibly attached to a needle valve tube such that the resulting needle valve member can be used in a nested needle valve configuration for a dual mode fuel injector.

Nozzle insert for dual mode fuel injector

The present invention finds application in fuel injectors having the fluid control passage to the needle valve member coupled to another fluid control passage within the fuel injector. Engineers have learned that decoupling the control passage to the needle valve member with other fluid control passages can allow for greater control of injection events. In addition, by decoupling these fluid passages, it is believed that the fuel injector will perform more like a nominal fuel injector, especially under cold start conditions. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a dual control valve member to independently control fluid flow to the back of the needle valve member and fluid flow to various other components of the fuel injector.

Dual valve member and fuel injector using same

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Joseph Angelino