The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 04, 2001
Darrel H. Meffert, Sparland, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A hydraulically activated fuel injection system uses a common rail that is maintained at relatively high pressure by a pump when the engine is running. During start-up, a volume reducer is used to pressurize the common rail until the pump can take over. A member of the volume reducer protrudes through one end of the common rail and is movable into and out of the common rail. When the ignition is activated, the member advances into the common rail causing the fluid volume to decrease and the pressure within the hydraulic system to increase, thereby allowing activation of the fuel injectors and starting the engine before the system pump is able to supply high pressure fluid to the common rail. Once the pump is able to sustain system pressure to the desired level, the member can retract to its original position.