Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Including valve means in flow line – Reciprocating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-21
2002-08-13
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Including valve means in flow line
Reciprocating
C239S533700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06431472
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to fuel injector nozzles and specifically to a fuel injector nozzle with an outward opening check valve member.
BACKGROUND ART
Fuel injection is a vital aspect of engine operation, having a significant impact on emissions and performance. Consequently, it is vital to control fuel injection timing and injection quanity.
Many different types of injectors have been developed to control injection, such as mechanical unit injectors, electronic unit injectors and hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injectors. A check valve member, located in the nozzle assembly of the injector, controls the actual injection of fuel from a fuel chamber in the nozzle assembly to the engine cylinder. Optimal check performance can improve injector timing, engine performance, and emissions.
Many different check valve designs exist. Most conventional check valve designs open inwardly. In an inwardly opening design, the check valve must have an adequate biasing force to remain closed when combustion gases push against the check valve, possibly pushing the check valve off of it's seat allowing combustion gases to undesirably enter the injector. Some check valve designs avoid this problem by employing an outwardly opening check. This is beneficial because combustion gas pushes against the check and actually insure a better seal. However, manufacturing outward opening checks can be more complex because a check stop must be incorporated somewhere within the injector to prevent check overtravel.
Generally, the check valve in conventional injectors is biased in the closed position by a spring or some other biasing force and only opens when fuel pressure exceeds the spring's force (This pressure is referred to as the valve opening pressure—VOP). Unfortunately, this type of design does not provide the exacting control over fuel injection that is desirable as engine emissions requirements become more stringent. One alternative check control design incorporates direct electrical actuation of the check valve wherein a solenoid, opposed to fuel pressure, is used to move the check valve to an open position. However, in most direct electrically actuated check valves, the electrical force needed to move the check valve must be sufficient to overcome the fluid forces exerted on the check valve by the high pressure fuel. This requires the electrical actuators to be larger and slower than optimal.
This invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems identified above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A nozzle assembly for fuel injection in an internal combustion engine comprising a nozzle tip with a hollow interior defining a fuel chamber; the nozzle tip having at least one spray orifice opening to an outer surface on the nozzle tip; and a valve member at least partially disposed within the nozzle tip. The valve member is moveable between a first position in which the valve member contacts an upper valve seat to prevent fluid communication of fuel from the fuel chamber to the at least one spray orifice, and a second outward position in which the valve member contacts a lower valve seat to allow fluid communication of fuel from the fuel chamber to the at least one spray orifice.
The valve member is directly electrically actuated, specifically by solenoid and armature. Further, the valve member is biased in the closed position and the valve member is pressure balanced when high pressure fuel in present in the fuel chamber.
The nozzle tip comprises an upper body portion which the fuel chamber and the upper valve seat; and a lower body portion, press fit onto the upper body portion, that includes the at least one spray orifice and the lower seat.
In an alternative embodiment, a valve member for use in a nozzle assembly for fuel injection in an internal combustion engine comprises an upper guide portion, a lower guide portion and an enlarged portion. The enlarged portion includes an upper contact surface for contact with an upper valve seat to prevent fluid communication between a fuel chamber defined by the nozzle tip and at least one spray orifice opening to an outer surface on the nozzle tip, and a lower contact surface for contact with a lower valve seat to allow fluid communication between said fuel chamber and the at least one spray orifice.
A method of injecting fuel comprises providing fuel to a fuel chamber defined by a hollow interior in a nozzle tip of a fuel injector; actuating a valve member that is at least partially disposed in the nozzle tip from a first position in which the valve member is in contact with an upper valve seat to prevent fluid communication of fuel from the fuel chamber to at least one spray orifice opening to an outer surface on the nozzle tip, and a second outward position in which the valve member contacts a lower valve seat to allow fluid communication of fuel from said fuel chamber to said at least one spray orifice.
In the preferred embodiment, the step of actuating the valve member is done directly by an electrical actuator. The method further comprises the step of pressure balancing said valve member such that the solenoid only needs to overcome a biasing force that places the valve member in a preferred position.
Finally, a nozzle tip for fuel injection is disclosed comprising an upper body portion with a hollow bore to define a fuel chamber and receive a check valve member and a lower body portion with at least one spray orifice opening to an outer surface on the lower body and a bore to receive a lower guide portion of the valve member. An upper seat is located on the upper body portion to contact an upper contact surface of the valve member and prevent fluid communication of fuel from the fuel chamber to the at least one spray orifice and a lower seat is located on the lower body portion to contact a lower contact surface of the valve member to allow fluid communication of fuel from the fuel chamber to the at least one spray orifice.
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Ser. No. 09/611,578, filed Jul. 25, 2000—“Reverse Acting Nozzle Valve And Fuel Injector Using Sam”.
Tian Ye
Wiemken Norval J.
Caterpillar Inc.
Huber Mike R.
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