Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Processes – Of fuel injection
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-25
2001-12-11
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Processes
Of fuel injection
C239S533200, C239S585100, C239S408000, C137S607000, C137S898000, C137S628000, C137S870000, C123S585000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328222
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fuel injectors, and more particularly, to fuel injectors having a pulsed air assist air valve module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel injectors are commonly employed in internal combustion engines to provide precise metering of fuel for injection into each combustion chamber. An electro-magnetic fuel injector typically utilizes an electromagnetic solenoid assembly to supply an actuating force to a fuel metering valve. Typically, the fuel metering valve is a plunger style needle valve which reciprocates between a closed position, where the needle is seated in a valve seat to prevent fuel from escaping through a metering orifice into the combustion chamber, and an open position, where the needle is lifted from the valve seat, allowing fuel to discharge through the metering orifice for injection into the combustion chamber.
The fuel injector atomizes the fuel during injection into the combustion chamber, breaking the fuel into a large number of very small particles, increasing the surface area of the fuel being injected, and allowing the oxidizer, typically ambient air, to more thoroughly mix with the fuel prior to combustion. The precise metering and atomization of the fuel reduces combustion emissions and increases the fuel efficiency of the engine.
Additionally, pressurized assist air can be injected into the fuel to assist in the atomization of the fuel into small particles. To optimize the fuel break-up, it would be beneficial to provide the pressurized air generally along the same direction as the fuel flow in order to reduce fuel pressure loss due to the air impacting the fuel. To do this, the air can be provided through a hollow needle. However, due to clearances between parts, fuel can leak into the needle, impeding the air flow.
It would be beneficial to provide a fuel injector in which both fuel and assist air is provided simultaneously by the operation of the fuel injector, and in which fuel cannot leak into the supply of assist air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine The fuel injector comprises a body and a fuel metering valve reciprocally located within the body. The fuel metering valve is operable between an open position and a closed position. The fuel injector also includes an air metering valve reciprocally located within the body, the air metering valve being operable between an open position and a closed position and an electromagnetic coil operatively connected to each of the fuel metering valve and the air metering valve to reciprocate the fuel metering valve and the air metering valve between the open position and closed positions.
The present invention also provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a body having a discharge end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and a valve seat located within the body proximate to the discharge end. The valve seat includes an orifice extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis. The fuel injector also includes a needle reciprocally mounted along the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The needle having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a needle channel extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis. The needle engages the valve seat in the closed position. The fuel injector further includes a guide disposed along the longitudinal axis upstream of the needle and a seal located within the guide. The seal has a seal opening therethrough. The fuel injector also includes a bellows communicating the seal opening and the needle channel.
The present invention also provides a method of providing an atomizing air stream to fuel within a fuel injector. The method comprises providing a fuel injector having a body and a fuel metering valve reciprocally located within the body. The fuel metering valve is operable between an open position and a closed position. The fuel injector also includes an air metering valve reciprocally located within the body, the air metering valve being operable between an open position and a closed position and an electromagnetic coil operatively connected to each of the fuel metering valve and the air metering valve to reciprocate the fuel metering valve and the air metering valve between the open position and closed positions. The method further comprises providing fuel through the fuel metering valve and providing air through the air metering valve so that the air mixes with the fuel and assists in atomizing the fuel.
The present invention also provides a fuel valve for an air assisted fuel injector. The fuel valve comprises a needle having a longitudinal axis, an upstream end, a downstream end and a needle channel extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis. The fuel valve also includes a generally annular guide disposed along the longitudinal axis upstream of the needle and a seal located within the guide. The seal has a seal opening therethrough. The fuel valve also includes a bellows communicating the seal opening and the needle channel.
Additionally, the present invention provides a bellows for a fuel injector. The bellows comprises a first portion having a first portion interior and a first portion exterior and a second portion having a second portion interior and a second portion exterior. The second portion is biased away from the first portion. The bellows further includes a middle portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. The middle portion has a middle portion interior and a middle portion exterior. The middle portion has a plurality of first sections aligned in a first oblique direction to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of second sections aligned in a second oblique direction to the longitudinal axis. The first and second sections are alternately spaced.
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Brooks Harry R.
Cohen James
Pace Jeff B.
Warner Vernon R.
Morris Lesley D.
Nguyen Dinh Q.
Siemens Automotive Corporation
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