Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl

Steven J Martin

Martin A P Sykes

Nigel P Baker

Joel Franklin Downey

Louisa J Perryman

Gordon D Cheever, Jr

Joseph A Engel

Martin AP Sykes

A method and apparatus for controlling fuel injection in an engine is described. The apparatus comprises at least one fuel injector which is connected in an injector drive circuit powered by a power source. The method comprises determining an injection event sequence of the at least one fuel injector based on at least one engine operating parameter, determining a magnitude of a load parameter of the power source, comparing the magnitude to a predetermined threshold level for the load parameter, and determining a modified injection event sequence in the event that the magnitude is substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level.

Method of controlling fuel injection apparatus

The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement having a fuel injector, and a method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a diagnostic tool that senses a measured voltage between the injector and a known voltage level. The measured voltage is biased with respect to the known voltage to a predicted voltage unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage that differs from the predicted voltage. The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, include a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool senses a detected current to provide a fault signal upon detection of the fault when the detected current is at variance from a threshold current.

Drive circuit for an injector arrangement and a diagnostic method

A drive circuit () for an injector arrangement having at least one piezoelectric injector () is described. The drive circuit comprises: a first charge storage means (C) for operative connection with the injector () during a discharging phase so as to discharge current to flow therethrough, thereby to initiate an injection event; a second charge storage means (C) for operative connection with the injector () during a charging phase so as to cause a charging current to flow therethrough, thereby to terminate the injection event; a switch means (QQ) for controlling whether the first charge storage means (C) is operably connected to the injector or whether the second charge storage means (C) is operably connected to the injector; a first voltage supply rail at a first voltage level; a second voltage supply rail at a second voltage level higher than the first; a voltage supply means (); and regeneration switch means (QQL) operable at the end of the charging phase to transfer charge from the voltage supply means to at least the second charge storage means (C) via an energy storage device (L) prior to a subsequent discharging phase.

Drive circuit for an injector arrangement

A drive circuit is provided in a full H-bridge and half H-bridge configuration for controlling one or more piezoelectric fuel injectors. The drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving a voltage signal, an energy storage device coupled to the voltage input for storing an electrical charge, a bidirectional current path coupled to one or more piezoelectric injectors, an inductor coupled in series with the piezoelectric injector(s) in the bidirectional current path, and switching circuitry for controlling current flow through the piezoelectric injector(s) and the inductor to open and close the piezoelectric injector(s). The switching circuitry is controlled to provide a recirculation current to recover energy stored in the piezoelectric injector(s) for storage in the energy storage device.

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Canterbury, United Kingdom

Steven J Martin