Abstract:
An actuator arrangement for an electromagnetically operated fuel injector, the arrangement comprising: a generally cylindrical actuator core having a longitudinal axis (A) and defining, at an end thereof, an inner pole face of the actuator arrangement, the actuator core being formed of a bespoke magnetic material; a wire coil disposed around the actuator core and arranged to be connected to a power source in use so as to generate a magnetic field around the coil; a pole member formed of a high strength material and defining an aperture for receiving the actuator core, the pole member defining an outer pole face of the actuator arrangement, the outer and inner pole faces being substantially co-planar; and an armature moveable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) in response to the magnetic field in use of the actuator arrangement wherein, in use of the actuator arrangement, the magnetic field passes (i) into the armature in the region of the inner pole face and (ii) into the armature in the region of the outer pole face.
Abstract:
A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector (50), the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume (59) for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level (P1) to the fuel injector (50) through a fuel supply passage (52), pump means (63) for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector (50) to a second injectable pressure level (P2), and valve means (62, 162, 262, 362) operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level (P1) is supplied to the injector (50) and a second position in which communication between the injector (50) and the accumulator volume (59) is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure (P2) to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include valve means in the 15 form of a three-position valve (262) or may include a shut off valve (464; 1464) for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage (52).
Abstract:
A control method for a fuel injection system having a spill valve (20), a nozzle control valve (22) and a valve needle (12) which is engageable with a seating to control fuel injection, wherein the method comprises applying a first drive current signal (30) to the spill valve (22) to move the spill valve (22) into a closed state and applying a second drive current signal (40) to the nozzle control valve (22) to move the nozzle control valve (22) to an open state, thereby to lift the valve needle (12) from the seating to initiate a main injection of fuel. The first drive current signal (30) is modified so as to move the spill valve (20) to an open state during “a spill valve opening period” during which the second drive current signal (40) is modified to move the nozzle control valve (22) from the open state to a closed state. As a result the valve needle (12) is seated to terminate the main injection of fuel.
Abstract:
A shut off valve arrangement for use in a fuel injection system includes a shut off valve member (102; 202; 404; 500; 600) operable between a closed position in which the shut off valve member (102; 202; 404; 500; 600) is engaged with a shut off valve seating (118; 221; 512; 614) and an open position in which the shut off valve member (102; 202; 404; 500; 600) is disengaged from the shut off valve seating (118; 221; 512; 614) to control the supply of fuel to the injector through a fuel supply passage (8). The shut off valve member (102; 202; 404; 500; 600) includes a first surface that is exposed to fuel pressure within a shut off valve control chamber (70; 210; 414; 503), a second surface exposed to fuel within the fuel supply passage (8) and a third surface exposed to fuel pressure in a balance chamber (127; 224; 428; 532), wherein the shut off valve arrangement is provided with a control valve (44) for controlling the pressure of fuel within the shut off control chamber (70; 210; 414; 503), thereby to control movement of the shut off valve member (102; 202; 404; 500; 600) between the open and closed positions. The shut off valve arrangement is further provided with communication means between the fuel supply passage (8) and the balance chamber (127; 224; 428; 532) so that a balancing force acting on the third surface due to fuel pressure in the balance chamber (127; 224; 428; 532) opposes an opening force acting on the second surface.
Abstract:
A cam arrangement for use with a high pressure fuel pump arrangement for delivering fuel to an associated engine, the cam arrangement including at least two cams (28) that are mounted, in use, upon an engine camshaft and each of which is arranged to drive a respective pumping plunger (16) of the fuel pump arrangement, wherein each plunger is driven to perform a pumping stroke, against return biasing means (32), during which fuel within a pump chamber (22) associated with each plunger is pressurised, and whereby said return biasing means (32) effects a plunger return stroke, and wherein each cam (28) is oriented relative to the or each other cam and has a surface (50) shaped such that the associated plunger return stroke is interrupted to define at least one step of plunger movement that is substantially synchronous with the pumping stroke of another of the plungers (16) of the pump, thereby to reduce negative torque loading of the camshaft.
Abstract:
A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector (50), the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume (59) for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level (P1) to the fuel injector (50) through a fuel supply passage (52), pump means (63) for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector (50) to a second injectable pressure level (P2), and valve means (62, 162, 262, 362) operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level (P1) is supplied to the injector (50) and a second position in which communication between the injector (50) and the accumulator volume (59) is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure (P2) to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include valve means in the 15 form of a three-position valve (262) or may include a shut off valve (464; 1464) for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage (52).
Abstract:
A fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel supply passage (16) and a valve arrangement for controlling fuel pressure within the fuel supply passage. The valve arrangement includes a valve member (46) movable between an open position in which the fuel supply passage (16) communicates with a low pressure fuel drain and a closed position in which communication between the fuel supply passage (16) and the low pressure fuel drain is prevented. The valve arrangement comprises damping means (51, 52) for controlling and/or damping movement of the valve member between the closed and open positions.
Abstract:
An engine fuel system including a solenoid actuated fuel control valve (16) which is energised to cause fuel delivery to the associated engine. The valve is initially closed to achieve pilot delivery of fuel by a high current pulse supplied to the solenoid winding (7) and is then allowed to open under the influence of a spring, the opening movement of the valve member being controlled by supplying current to the solenoid winding. Finally by supplying further current to the winding the valve member is closed to achieve closure of the valve for the main delivery of fuel.
Abstract:
A fuel injector for use in delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine comprises a nozzle having a valve needle which is moveable with respect to a valve needle seating through a range of movement between a fully-closed position and a fully-open position to control fuel delivery through at least one nozzle outlet, whereby movement of the nozzle needle is controlled by fuel pressure within a control chamber (18). A nozzle control valve (10, 32a, 32b) controls fuel flow into and out of the control chamber (18) to pressurise and depressurise the control chamber, respectively. The fuel injector further comprises a variable flow passage means (52, 44, 46) in communication with the control chamber (18) through which fuel flows out of the control chamber (18) at a variable rate throughout the range of movement of the valve needle so that movement of the valve needle is damped to a greater extent as it approaches the fully-open position.
Abstract:
An actuator arrangement for an electromagnetically operated fuel injector, comprising: a pole member having a first end face and defining an aperture extending from the first end face; an actuator core received within the aperture, wherein the actuator core carries at least one contact member having a contact face that is exposed through the aperture, wherein an encapsulating member is received within the aperture and surrounding the at least one contact member, and wherein the first end face of the pole member, the contact face and the encapsulating member are arranged to provide the actuator arrangement with a substantially planar surface for mating with an adjacent component, in use.