EP1963665B1 - Fuel injector for an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Fuel injector for an internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1963665B1
EP1963665B1 EP06842058A EP06842058A EP1963665B1 EP 1963665 B1 EP1963665 B1 EP 1963665B1 EP 06842058 A EP06842058 A EP 06842058A EP 06842058 A EP06842058 A EP 06842058A EP 1963665 B1 EP1963665 B1 EP 1963665B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
injector
pin
nozzle
fuel
rod
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06842058A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1963665A1 (en
Inventor
Nadim Malek
André AGNERAY
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Renault SAS
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Renault SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1963665A1 publication Critical patent/EP1963665A1/en
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Publication of EP1963665B1 publication Critical patent/EP1963665B1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M63/00—Other fuel-injection apparatus having pertinent characteristics not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00; Details, component parts, or accessories of fuel-injection apparatus, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the apparatus of groups F02M39/00 - F02M61/00 or F02M67/00; Combination of fuel pump with other devices, e.g. lubricating oil pump
    • F02M63/0012—Valves
    • F02M63/0014—Valves characterised by the valve actuating means
    • F02M63/0028—Valves characterised by the valve actuating means hydraulic
    • F02M63/0029—Valves characterised by the valve actuating means hydraulic using a pilot valve controlling a hydraulic chamber
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M45/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by having a cyclic delivery of specific time/pressure or time/quantity relationship
    • F02M45/02—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by having a cyclic delivery of specific time/pressure or time/quantity relationship with each cyclic delivery being separated into two or more parts
    • F02M45/10—Other injectors with multiple-part delivery, e.g. with vibrating valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M69/00—Low-pressure fuel-injection apparatus ; Apparatus with both continuous and intermittent injection; Apparatus injecting different types of fuel
    • F02M69/04—Injectors peculiar thereto
    • F02M69/041—Injectors peculiar thereto having vibrating means for atomizing the fuel, e.g. with sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M2200/00—Details of fuel-injection apparatus, not otherwise provided for
    • F02M2200/21—Fuel-injection apparatus with piezoelectric or magnetostrictive elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, especially diesel, intended in particular to be implemented in a motor vehicle.
  • a conventional internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder in which a piston slides between two extreme positions.
  • the piston defines with the cylinder and a cylinder head a combustion chamber.
  • an injector has the function of supplying finely pulverized fuel to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
  • This injector 10 comprises a body 12 comprising a transducer 14 capable of generating vibrations in a longitudinal mode at ultrasonic frequencies.
  • the transducer 14 ends in the lower part by a nozzle 16 in which the vibrations coming from the transducer 14 are amplified.
  • the transducer assembly 14 has a first interior cavity 18.
  • the first interior cavity 18 is intended to be filled with pressurized fuel. To do this, the first cavity 18 is connected to a fuel supply port 20 adapted to be placed in communication with a pressurized fuel supply circuit (not shown).
  • the first cavity 18 opens at the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16, also called the nose of the injector, through an injection port.
  • the injector 10 also comprises a rod 24, or needle, extending mainly along the axis y-y '.
  • the rod 24 is housed axially movable inside the nozzle 16.
  • the lower end of the needle 24 has a closure head 26 extending outside the nozzle 16. This closure head 26 is adapted to come into contact with the inner surface of the nozzle 16 defining the injection orifice of the nozzle 16 so as to close off the fuel injection orifice.
  • the other end of the rod is provided with a mass 28 elastically connected by a spring 30 to the body 12 of the injector 10.
  • the system 32 consisting of the mass 28 and the spring 30 is housed in a second cavity 34 formed in the rear part of the body 12 of the injector 10.
  • the assembly stem 24 and spring 30, elastic exerts a desired elastic return force for applying the closure head 26 of the rod 24 on the nozzle area 16 surrounding the injection port.
  • the preload applied allows on the one hand the sealing of the injection orifice formed at the end of the nozzle 16 when the injector 10 is supplied with fuel with a given pressure and on the other hand the wear catch-up possible in the contact zone of the closure head 26 of the rod 24 with the nozzle 16.
  • the mass 28 is fixed, for example, by screwing on the rod 24 so as to achieve a mechanical impedance break at the interface between the rod 24 and the mass 28.
  • the value of the mass 28 and the rigidity of the spring 30 are chosen to form a system having a very large response time with respect to the excitation times of the transducer 14.
  • the transducer 14 comprises an area consisting of a stack 36 of piezoelectric or magnetostrictive active components, which, respectively under the application of an electric or magnetic field, deform in thickness.
  • This stack 36 is clamped between two other elements 37a, 37b made of an elastic material.
  • the connection between the active components is provided by prestressing means such as a nut 38.
  • prestressing means such as a nut 38.
  • the stack of several active components makes it possible to add the thickness deformations generated by each of the active components, the deformation resulting from the total displacement of the Stacking of the active components remaining below the limit of elastic deformation of the prestressing means.
  • the assembly 40 composed of the transducer 14 and the nozzle 16 is sized to resonate with the excitation frequency of the active components to amplify the longitudinal displacements up to the level of the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16.
  • rod 24, initially closing the injection port by means of its closure head 26, deforms under the pulse that is provided when the nozzle 16 begins to oscillate. This deformation is distributed elastically over the entire length of the rod 24 and is reflected at the interface 42 between the rod 24 and the mass 28.
  • the minimum opening time of the injector 10 is of the same order as the excitation period applied to the transducer, which excitation can be done at a few tens of kilohertz, typically 50 kHz, which allows a minimum opening time of in the order of 20 ⁇ s. This makes it possible to deliver fuel quantities of the order of one microliter for a short period of time.
  • the body 12 of the injector 10 is intended to be fixed to the upper end of the engine cylinder head by means not shown.
  • injectors comprising direct means for cyclically vibrating the rod are also known.
  • an injector comprising a stack of piezoelectric ceramics or a magnetostrictive rod mounted directly in the body of the rod and which excites the rod so as to generate elastic deformations of the rod.
  • the rod of the injector In both cases of excitation, direct or indirect, the rod of the injector, the rod is embedded at one end in a mass.
  • the role of this mass is to realize an impedance break so that the deformation waves propagating in the rod are reflected at the border between the rod and the mass.
  • the injector 10 is of the outgoing needle type, it is also known injectors of the incoming needle type.
  • the rod is plated, at rest, on the inner face of the lower end of the nozzle under the effect of a spring.
  • the spring is mounted in the second cavity. This ensures the sealing of the injection port.
  • the rod is placed in longitudinal vibration. The end of the rod then oscillates between its closed position of the injection port and an open position of this injection port.
  • the spring exerts on the rod either a pulling force (in the case of an outgoing needle type injector) or a compressive force (in the case of an injector of the outgoing needle type). an injector of the incoming needle type).
  • the dimensions of the injector are imposed by the space available on the engine and in the direct environment of the engine.
  • the volume of the injector being imposed, the bulk of the mass + spring system ensuring a sufficient impedance breaking and a satisfactory sealing force at the level of the injection port may correspond to a spring of a stiffness such that the mass system has a resonance frequency lying in the excitation range imposed by the vibrations of the engine.
  • An excitation of the whole mass + spring at its resonance frequency causes an opening of the injector in a chaotic manner.
  • a known solution to this problem is to add damping means to the mass + spring system.
  • this solution only imperfectly solves the problem of the resonance of the mass + spring system, such a measure only making it possible to reduce the amplitude of the oscillations of the mass + spring excited system to its resonant frequency.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a fuel injector not having the aforementioned defects and suitable, in particular, to ensure a fuel injection in the form of fine droplets better controlled relative to the constraints of the environment of the injector.
  • said injector comprises selectively activatable locking means of said rod relative to said body.
  • the locking means of the rod when the locking means of the rod relative to the body of the injector are activated, the rod does not oscillate and, therefore, any risk of resonance of the rod at vibration frequencies of the engine is discarded, which ensures the control of the injection.
  • the locking means of the rod can be disabled.
  • the return means of the closure means allow to reposition the closure means in a position where the rod is discharged from the stresses due to the differential expansion of the rod relative to the body.
  • said selectively activatable locking means of said rod are able to cooperate with said rod and / or with a mass to which said rod is fixed so as to achieve a mechanical impedance break.
  • said locking means comprise a piston capable of sliding in a direction substantially perpendicular to said rod.
  • the fuel injector according to the invention comprises a hydraulic chamber for controlling the movement of said piston.
  • said hydraulic control chamber comprises at least one fuel inlet which is in fluid communication with a fuel supply port of said injector.
  • said hydraulic control chamber further comprises at least one fuel outlet orifice, the total section of said at least one inlet orifice being less than the total section of said at least one outlet orifice.
  • the fuel injector according to the invention comprises means for controlling the filling or emptying of said hydraulic control chamber of the magnetostrictive or electromagnetic or electrostrictive or piezoelectric type.
  • said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are of the piezoelectric and / or magnetostrictive and / or electromagnetic type.
  • said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are able to cause elastic deformations of said rod and / or said nozzle at ultrasonic frequencies.
  • said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are mounted integral with said body and / or said rod.
  • a first embodiment of the injector 44 according to the invention is shown in longitudinal section at the figure 1 .
  • the elements of the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention are identical to the elements of the injector of the state of the art described above with regard to the figure 6 are not described again below.
  • the injector 44 comprises means for blocking the mass 28 relative to the body 12 which are selectively activatable.
  • locking means comprise a piston 46 mounted free in translation relative to the body 12 of the injector 44 along an axis xx 'substantially perpendicular to the axis yy' of the rod 24.
  • the locking means also comprise a piece support 48 adapted to cooperate with the piston 46 so as to block the mass 28 in translation along the y-y 'axis.
  • the piston 46 and / or the support piece 48 have a bearing face on the mass 28 of shape complementary to the mass 28.
  • the mass 28 being, in this case, cylindrical
  • the piston 46 and the support piece 48 have a bearing face adapted to cooperate with the mass 28 of concave shape, substantially cylindrical.
  • the locking force exerted by the locking means is optimized for a given pressure.
  • the support piece 48 is made of hard steel.
  • the piston 46 and the support piece 48 are substantially of the same height as the mass 28 so as to ensure a contact surface between the piston, the mass and the largest possible support piece.
  • the locking force exerted by the locking means is optimized for a given pressure.
  • the injector 44 In order to control the translation of the piston 46, the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention has a hydraulic control chamber 50.
  • This hydraulic control chamber 50 is delimited on the one hand by the body 12 of the injector 44 and, on the other hand, by the piston 46.
  • the hydraulic control chamber 50 has a fuel inlet port 52.
  • a fuel bypass duct 53 opens out through this fuel inlet port 52.
  • bypass duct 53 opens on the other hand into the supply duct 54 of the injector 44, preferably between the supply orifice 20 and the first cavity 18.
  • the hydraulic control chamber 50 furthermore has a hydraulic fluid outlet orifice 56 whose section is, preferably, greater than the section of the inlet orifice 52.
  • This outlet orifice 56 is connected to the second cavity 34.
  • the second cavity 34 is closed by a plug 58.
  • This plug 58 has a low pressure fuel outlet conduit 60.
  • the injector 44 in order to control the filling or emptying of the hydraulic control chamber 50, the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a valve 62, in this case of the electrically controlled type, of preferably of magnetostrictive, electromagnetic or electrostrictive type.
  • This valve 62 is able to cut off the fluid communication between the hydraulic control chamber 50 and the second cavity 34.
  • valve 62 When the valve 62 is not electrically powered, it is closed and the fluid communication between the second cavity 34 and the hydraulic control chamber 50 is interrupted. The fuel therefore does not escape to the second cavity 34.
  • the fuel pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 thus remains high, that is to say greater than the fuel pressure in the second cavity 34. This is why the fuel pushes the piston 46 along the axis xx 'towards the mass 28.
  • the piston 46 maintains the mass 28 in its initial position by pressing the mass 28 against the support piece 48. initial position of the mass 28 and the initial tension in the rod 24 are obtained by construction, in particular by means of the spring 30 disposed in the second cavity 34.
  • valve 62 When the valve 62 is electrically powered, it opens. The fuel is then discharged to the second cavity 34. The pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 then drops and the piston 46 reduces its grip. The mass 28 is released and the tension in the rod 24 resumes the value that the spring 30 imposes on it.
  • This command to open the valve 62 is done periodically (for example every minute) and for very short periods, of the order of a few hundred milliseconds to allow the voltage in the rod 24 to return to the imposed value. by the spring 30, and to eliminate overvoltages which may appear in the rod 24 because of the differential expansions between the body 12 of the injector 44 and the rod 24.
  • the opening of this valve 62 may, for example, be performed between two successive injections.
  • the fuel which is always supplied under pressure by a pump, continues to exert pressure on the piston 46.
  • the fuel may tend to maintain a pressure, in the hydraulic control chamber 50, greater than the pressure in the second cavity 34.
  • This problem is solved by the fact that the arrival of the fuel in the hydraulic control chamber 50 is via a bypass conduit 53 end, and that the discharge of the fuel out of the hydraulic control chamber 50 is carried out by means of a discharge orifice 56 and a discharge duct 60 of larger diameter than the diameter of the bypass duct 53.
  • the loss of charge to the evacuation of the fuel from the control chamber 50 is less than the pressure drop at the filling of the control chamber 50. It is thus possible to promote the evacuation of fuel out of the control chamber. of 50 so as to decrease, very rapidly, the fuel pressure in the control chamber 50.
  • the valve 62 preferably provides a small pressure drop so that the pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 48 drops rapidly.
  • the bypass duct 53 is sufficiently resistant to the rise in pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50. Thus, the fuel pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 does not have time to rise to oppose the release of the pressure. mass 28.
  • valve 62 When the valve 62 is no longer powered, it closes so as to block the fluid communication between the hydraulic control chamber 50 and the second cavity 34. The pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 then increases. The piston 46 is then pressed against the mass 28 against the support piece 48 so as to block the mass 28, as shown figure 2 . Immediately after blocking, the force in the rod 24 is at the value that the spring 30 imposes, the rod 24 being freed of additional forces that may have been created due to differential expansion.
  • the figure 3 presents a second embodiment of the injector according to the invention.
  • the injector 66 shown figure 3 is different from the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention in that it is an injector of the needle type incoming.
  • the rod 24 is plated, at rest, on the inner face of the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16 under the effect of the spring 30 which is mounted in the second cavity 34.
  • the figure 4 presents a third embodiment of the injector according to the invention.
  • the injector 70 shown figure 4 differs from the injector 44 according to the first embodiment in that it does not present a stack 36 of active components, for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, mounted on the body of the injector.
  • a stack 72 of active components able to deform under the effect of an electric or magnetic field, preferably piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components is mounted integral on the rod 24 so that the deformation of this stack 72 of active components directly causes longitudinal vibration of the rod 24.
  • the figure 5 presents a fourth embodiment of the injector according to the invention.
  • the injector 74 shown figure 5 differs from the injector 66 according to the second embodiment in that it does not present a stack 36 of active components, for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, mounted on the body of the injector.
  • a stack 72 of active components capable of deform under the effect of an electric current for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive elements, is mounted integral with the rod 24 so that the deformation of this stack 72 of active components directly causes the longitudinal vibration of the stem 24.
  • the locking piston and the support piece can cooperate directly with the rod, the mass then possibly being removed.
  • piston device 46 and support piece 48 has an advantageous embodiment of selectively activatable locking means
  • these elements can be replaced by any selectively activatable device that effectively makes it possible to block the mass and / or or the stem.
  • an electric or hydraulic jack or a locking by electromagnet there may be mentioned, by way of examples, an electric or hydraulic jack or a locking by electromagnet.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, particularly of inwards or outwards opening needle injector type, includes an injector body, e.g., forming a nozzle ending in an injection office, a mechanism for closing off the injection orifice of the injector body, the closing-off mechanism including a vibrating pintle ending in a head for closing off the injection orifice, a return mechanism returning the closing-off to the position in which they close off the injection orifice, and a mechanism for setting the pintle and/or the nozzle into cyclic longitudinal vibration so as to open and close the injection orifice alternately. The fuel injector includes a selectively activatable mechanism immobilizing the pintle with respect to the body.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un injecteur de carburant pour moteur à combustion interne, notamment Diesel, destiné notamment à être mis en oeuvre dans un véhicule automobile.The present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, especially diesel, intended in particular to be implemented in a motor vehicle.

Un moteur à combustion interne classique comprend au moins un cylindre dans lequel un piston coulisse entre deux positions extrêmes. Le piston délimite avec le cylindre et une culasse une chambre de combustion. Dans un tel moteur à combustion interne, un injecteur a pour fonction de fournir du carburant pulvérisé finement à la chambre de combustion du moteur à combustion interne.A conventional internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder in which a piston slides between two extreme positions. The piston defines with the cylinder and a cylinder head a combustion chamber. In such an internal combustion engine, an injector has the function of supplying finely pulverized fuel to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

On connaît, par exemple du brevet FR 2 801 346 au nom du demandeur, un dispositif d'injection pour moteur à combustion interne comprenant un injecteur de carburant 10 tel que représenté figure 6.We know, for example patent FR 2 801 346 on behalf of the applicant, an injection device for an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel injector 10 as shown figure 6 .

Cet injecteur 10 comprend un corps 12 comportant un transducteur 14 apte à générer des vibrations dans un mode longitudinal à des fréquences ultrasonores. Le transducteur 14 se termine dans la partie inférieure par une buse 16 dans laquelle sont amplifiées les vibrations provenant du transducteur 14.This injector 10 comprises a body 12 comprising a transducer 14 capable of generating vibrations in a longitudinal mode at ultrasonic frequencies. The transducer 14 ends in the lower part by a nozzle 16 in which the vibrations coming from the transducer 14 are amplified.

L'ensemble du transducteur 14 présente une première cavité intérieure 18. La première cavité intérieure 18 est destinée à être remplie de carburant sous pression. Pour se faire, la première cavité 18 est reliée à un orifice d'alimentation en carburant 20 apte à être mis en communication avec un circuit d'alimentation en carburant sous pression (non représenté). La première cavité 18 débouche à l'extrémité inférieure 22 de la buse 16, aussi appelée nez de l'injecteur, par un orifice d'injection.The transducer assembly 14 has a first interior cavity 18. The first interior cavity 18 is intended to be filled with pressurized fuel. To do this, the first cavity 18 is connected to a fuel supply port 20 adapted to be placed in communication with a pressurized fuel supply circuit (not shown). The first cavity 18 opens at the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16, also called the nose of the injector, through an injection port.

L'injecteur 10 comporte également une tige 24, ou aiguille, s'étendant principalement selon l'axe y-y'. La tige 24 est logée mobile axialement à l'intérieur de la buse 16. L'extrémité inférieure de l'aiguille 24 présente une tête d'obturation 26 s'étendant à l'extérieur de la buse 16. Cette tête d'obturation 26 est adaptée pour venir en contact avec la surface intérieure de la buse 16 délimitant l'orifice d'injection de la buse 16 de manière à obturer l'orifice d'injection du carburant.The injector 10 also comprises a rod 24, or needle, extending mainly along the axis y-y '. The rod 24 is housed axially movable inside the nozzle 16. The lower end of the needle 24 has a closure head 26 extending outside the nozzle 16. This closure head 26 is adapted to come into contact with the inner surface of the nozzle 16 defining the injection orifice of the nozzle 16 so as to close off the fuel injection orifice.

L'autre extrémité de la tige est munie d'une masse 28 reliée élastiquement par un ressort 30 au corps 12 de l'injecteur 10. Le système 32 constitué de la masse 28 et du ressort 30 est logé dans une seconde cavité 34 formée dans la partie arrière du corps 12 de l'injecteur 10.The other end of the rod is provided with a mass 28 elastically connected by a spring 30 to the body 12 of the injector 10. The system 32 consisting of the mass 28 and the spring 30 is housed in a second cavity 34 formed in the rear part of the body 12 of the injector 10.

L'ensemble tige 24 et ressort 30, élastique, exerce une force de rappel élastique voulue permettant d'appliquer la tête d'obturation 26 de la tige 24 sur la zone de la buse 16 entourant l'orifice d'injection. La précontrainte appliquée permet d'une part l'étanchéité de l'orifice d'injection ménagé à l'extrémité de la buse 16 lorsque l'injecteur 10 est alimenté en carburant avec une pression donnée et d'autre part le rattrapage d'usure éventuelle dans la zone de contact de la tête d'obturation 26 de la tige 24 avec la buse 16.The assembly stem 24 and spring 30, elastic, exerts a desired elastic return force for applying the closure head 26 of the rod 24 on the nozzle area 16 surrounding the injection port. The preload applied allows on the one hand the sealing of the injection orifice formed at the end of the nozzle 16 when the injector 10 is supplied with fuel with a given pressure and on the other hand the wear catch-up possible in the contact zone of the closure head 26 of the rod 24 with the nozzle 16.

La masse 28 est fixée, par exemple, par vissage sur la tige 24 de manière à réaliser une rupture d'impédance mécanique à l'interface entre la tige 24 et la masse 28.The mass 28 is fixed, for example, by screwing on the rod 24 so as to achieve a mechanical impedance break at the interface between the rod 24 and the mass 28.

La valeur de la masse 28 et la rigidité du ressort 30 sont choisies pour former un système ayant un temps de réponse très grand par rapport aux durées d'excitation du transducteur 14.The value of the mass 28 and the rigidity of the spring 30 are chosen to form a system having a very large response time with respect to the excitation times of the transducer 14.

Le transducteur 14 comporte une zone constituée d'un empilement 36 de composants actifs piézo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs, qui, respectivement sous l'application d'un champ électrique ou magnétique, se déforment en épaisseur. Cet empilement 36 est pris en étau entre deux autres éléments 37a, 37b constitués d'un matériau élastique. La liaison entre les composants actifs est assurée par des moyens de précontrainte telle qu'un écrou 38. L'empilement de plusieurs composants actifs permet d'additionner les déformations en épaisseur générées par chacun des composants actifs, la déformation résultant du déplacement total de l'empilement des composants actifs restant en dessous de la limite de déformation élastique des moyens de précontrainte.The transducer 14 comprises an area consisting of a stack 36 of piezoelectric or magnetostrictive active components, which, respectively under the application of an electric or magnetic field, deform in thickness. This stack 36 is clamped between two other elements 37a, 37b made of an elastic material. The connection between the active components is provided by prestressing means such as a nut 38. The stack of several active components makes it possible to add the thickness deformations generated by each of the active components, the deformation resulting from the total displacement of the Stacking of the active components remaining below the limit of elastic deformation of the prestressing means.

Sous l'application d'une tension électrique sur les éléments actifs piézo-électriques, ceux-ci se déforment et engendrent une déformation élastique qui se transmet jusqu'à l'extrémité inférieure de la buse 16.Under the application of a voltage on the piezoelectric active elements, they deform and generate an elastic deformation which is transmitted to the lower end of the nozzle 16.

De préférence, l'ensemble 40 composé du transducteur 14 et de la buse 16 est dimensionné pour résonner à la fréquence d'excitation des composants actifs pour amplifier les déplacements longitudinaux jusqu'au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure 22 de la buse 16. La tige 24, obturant initialement l'orifice d'injection au moyen de sa tête d'obturation 26, se déforme sous l'impulsion qui lui est fournie lorsque la buse 16 se met à osciller. Cette déformation se répartit élastiquement sur toute la longueur de la tige 24 et se réfléchit à l'interface 42 entre la tige 24 et la masse 28.Preferably, the assembly 40 composed of the transducer 14 and the nozzle 16 is sized to resonate with the excitation frequency of the active components to amplify the longitudinal displacements up to the level of the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16. rod 24, initially closing the injection port by means of its closure head 26, deforms under the pulse that is provided when the nozzle 16 begins to oscillate. This deformation is distributed elastically over the entire length of the rod 24 and is reflected at the interface 42 between the rod 24 and the mass 28.

Les réponses propres de la tige 24 d'une part et de la buse 16 d'autre part permettent de faire osciller l'extrémité de la tige 24 et l'ouverture avec une variation de phase et d'amplitude. Cette variation se traduit par l'ouverture d'une fente annulaire entre la tige 24 et l'extrémité 22 de la buse 16, la largeur de la fente dépendant du déphasage et de l'écart relatif d'amplitude entre l'oscillation de l'extrémité 22 de la buse 16 et l'oscillation de la tête d'obturation 26 de la tige 24.The proper responses of the rod 24 on the one hand and the nozzle 16 on the other hand make it possible to oscillate the end of the rod 24 and the opening with a variation of phase and amplitude. This variation results in the opening of a slot annular between the rod 24 and the end 22 of the nozzle 16, the width of the slot depending on the phase shift and the relative amplitude difference between the oscillation of the end 22 of the nozzle 16 and the oscillation of the shutter head 26 of the rod 24.

Le temps d'ouverture minimum de l'injecteur 10 est du même ordre que la période d'excitation appliquée au transducteur, laquelle excitation peut se faire à quelques dizaines de kilohertz, typiquement 50 kHz, ce qui autorise un temps d'ouverture minimum de l'ordre de 20 µs. Ceci permet de délivrer des quantités de carburant de l'ordre du microlitre pendant un laps de temps réduit.The minimum opening time of the injector 10 is of the same order as the excitation period applied to the transducer, which excitation can be done at a few tens of kilohertz, typically 50 kHz, which allows a minimum opening time of in the order of 20 μs. This makes it possible to deliver fuel quantities of the order of one microliter for a short period of time.

Le corps 12 de l'injecteur 10 est destiné à être fixé à l'extrémité supérieure de la culasse du moteur par des moyens non représentés.The body 12 of the injector 10 is intended to be fixed to the upper end of the engine cylinder head by means not shown.

Alors que l'injecteur 10 présente des moyens indirects de mise en vibration longitudinale de la tige, on connaît également des injecteurs comprenant des moyens directs de mise en vibration cyclique de la tige. Notamment, on connaît un injecteur comprenant un empilement de céramiques piézoélectriques ou un barreau magnétostrictif monté directement dans le corps de la tige et qui excite la tige de manière à engendrer des déformations élastiques de la tige.While the injector 10 has indirect means for vibrating the stem longitudinally, injectors comprising direct means for cyclically vibrating the rod are also known. In particular, there is known an injector comprising a stack of piezoelectric ceramics or a magnetostrictive rod mounted directly in the body of the rod and which excites the rod so as to generate elastic deformations of the rod.

Dans les deux cas d'excitation, directe ou indirecte, de la tige de l'injecteur, la tige est encastrée à une extrémité dans une masse. Le rôle de cette masse est de réaliser une rupture d'impédance de manière à ce que les ondes de déformation se propageant dans la tige se réfléchissent à la frontière entre la tige et la masse.In both cases of excitation, direct or indirect, the rod of the injector, the rod is embedded at one end in a mass. The role of this mass is to realize an impedance break so that the deformation waves propagating in the rod are reflected at the border between the rod and the mass.

Par ailleurs, tandis que l'injecteur 10 est du type à aiguille sortante, il est également connu des injecteurs du type à aiguille entrante. Dans le cas d'un injecteur du type à aiguille entrante, la tige est plaquée, au repos, sur la face intérieure de l'extrémité inférieure de la buse sous l'effet d'un ressort. Le ressort est monté dans la seconde cavité. On assure ainsi l'obturation de l'orifice d'injection. Lorsque le corps de l'injecteur est excité, la tige est mise en vibration longitudinale. L'extrémité de la tige oscille alors entre sa position d'obturation de l'orifice d'injection et une position d'ouverture de cet orifice d'injection.Furthermore, while the injector 10 is of the outgoing needle type, it is also known injectors of the incoming needle type. In the case of an injector of the needle type incoming, the rod is plated, at rest, on the inner face of the lower end of the nozzle under the effect of a spring. The spring is mounted in the second cavity. This ensures the sealing of the injection port. When the body of the injector is excited, the rod is placed in longitudinal vibration. The end of the rod then oscillates between its closed position of the injection port and an open position of this injection port.

Il est à noter que suivant le type de l'injecteur, le ressort exerce, sur la tige, soit une force de traction (dans le cas d'un injecteur du type à aiguille sortante) soit une force de compression (dans le cas d'un injecteur du type à aiguille entrante).It should be noted that, depending on the type of the injector, the spring exerts on the rod either a pulling force (in the case of an outgoing needle type injector) or a compressive force (in the case of an injector of the outgoing needle type). an injector of the incoming needle type).

Cependant, les dimensions de l'injecteur sont imposées par la place disponible sur le moteur et dans l'environnement direct du moteur. Ainsi, le volume de l'injecteur étant imposé, l'encombrement du système masse+ressort assurant une rupture d'impédance suffisante et un effort d'étanchéité satisfaisant au niveau de l'orifice d'injection peut correspondre à un ressort d'une raideur telle que le système masse ressort .ait une fréquence de résonance se situant dans la plage d'excitation imposée par les vibrations du moteur. Une excitation de l'ensemble masse+ressort à sa fréquence de résonance entraîne une ouverture de l'injecteur de manière chaotique.However, the dimensions of the injector are imposed by the space available on the engine and in the direct environment of the engine. Thus, the volume of the injector being imposed, the bulk of the mass + spring system ensuring a sufficient impedance breaking and a satisfactory sealing force at the level of the injection port may correspond to a spring of a stiffness such that the mass system has a resonance frequency lying in the excitation range imposed by the vibrations of the engine. An excitation of the whole mass + spring at its resonance frequency causes an opening of the injector in a chaotic manner.

Une solution connue à ce problème consiste à ajouter des moyens d'amortissement au système masse+ressort. Cependant, cette solution ne résout qu'imparfaitement le problème de la résonance du système masse+ressort, une telle mesure ne permettant que de réduire l'amplitude des oscillations du système masse+ressort excité à sa fréquence de résonance.A known solution to this problem is to add damping means to the mass + spring system. However, this solution only imperfectly solves the problem of the resonance of the mass + spring system, such a measure only making it possible to reduce the amplitude of the oscillations of the mass + spring excited system to its resonant frequency.

Il est également connu de fixer, sur le corps de l'injecteur, la masse dans laquelle l'aiguille est encastrée. Cependant, une telle solution présente l'inconvénient que, du fait de l'échauffement de l'injecteur et donc de la dilatation du corps de l'injecteur et de l'aiguille, des forces axiales non contrôlées apparaissent dans l'aiguille. Ces forces axiales perturbent la déformation cyclique de l'aiguille et donc l'injection par l'injecteur.It is also known to fix, on the body of the injector, the mass in which the needle is embedded. However, such a solution has the disadvantage that, due to the heating of the injector and therefore the expansion of the body of the injector and the needle, uncontrolled axial forces appear in the needle. These axial forces disturb the cyclic deformation of the needle and therefore the injection by the injector.

Le but de l'invention est de proposer un injecteur de carburant ne présentant pas les défauts susnommés et apte, notamment, à assurer une injection de carburant sous formes de fines gouttelettes mieux contrôlée par rapport aux contraintes de l'environnement de l'injecteur."The object of the invention is to provide a fuel injector not having the aforementioned defects and suitable, in particular, to ensure a fuel injection in the form of fine droplets better controlled relative to the constraints of the environment of the injector. "

On atteint ce but de l'invention au moyen d'un injecteur de carburant pour moteur à combustion interne, comme décrit dans la revendication 1.This object of the invention is achieved by means of a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine as described in claim 1.

Selon l'invention, ledit injecteur comporte des moyens de blocage sélectivement activables de ladite tige par rapport audit corps.According to the invention, said injector comprises selectively activatable locking means of said rod relative to said body.

Ainsi, comme on le verra plus en détail dans la suite de la description, lorsque les moyens de blocage de la tige par rapport au corps de l'injecteur sont activés, la tige n'oscille pas et, donc, tout risque de résonance de la tige aux fréquences de vibrations du moteur est écartée, ce qui assure le contrôle de l'injection. Pour éviter les problèmes liés à la dilatation différentielle de la tige et du corps de l'injecteur, les moyens de blocage de la tige peuvent être désactivés. Dans ce cas, les moyens de rappel des moyens d'obturation permettent de repositionner les moyens d'obturation dans une position où la tige est déchargée des contraintes dues à la dilatation différentiel de la tige par rapport au corps.Thus, as will be seen in more detail in the following description, when the locking means of the rod relative to the body of the injector are activated, the rod does not oscillate and, therefore, any risk of resonance of the rod at vibration frequencies of the engine is discarded, which ensures the control of the injection. To avoid problems related to differential expansion of the rod and the body of the injector, the locking means of the rod can be disabled. In this case, the return means of the closure means allow to reposition the closure means in a position where the rod is discharged from the stresses due to the differential expansion of the rod relative to the body.

Selon l'invention, lesdits moyens de blocage sélectivement activables de ladite tige sont aptes à coopérer avec ladite tige et/ou avec une masse à laquelle ladite tige est fixée de manière à réaliser une rupture d'impédance mécanique.According to the invention, said selectively activatable locking means of said rod are able to cooperate with said rod and / or with a mass to which said rod is fixed so as to achieve a mechanical impedance break.

De manière préférée, lesdits moyens de blocage comportent un piston apte à coulisser selon une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite tige.Preferably, said locking means comprise a piston capable of sliding in a direction substantially perpendicular to said rod.

De préférence, l'injecteur de carburant selon l'invention comporte une chambre hydraulique de commande du mouvement dudit piston.Preferably, the fuel injector according to the invention comprises a hydraulic chamber for controlling the movement of said piston.

De manière préférée, ladite chambre hydraulique de commande comporte au moins un orifice d'entrée de carburant qui est en communication de fluide avec un orifice d'alimentation en carburant dudit injecteur.Preferably, said hydraulic control chamber comprises at least one fuel inlet which is in fluid communication with a fuel supply port of said injector.

De préférence, ladite chambre hydraulique de commande comporte de plus au moins un orifice de sortie de carburant, la section totale dudit au moins un orifice d'entrée étant inférieure à la section totale dudit au moins un orifice de sortie.Preferably, said hydraulic control chamber further comprises at least one fuel outlet orifice, the total section of said at least one inlet orifice being less than the total section of said at least one outlet orifice.

De manière préférée, l'injecteur de carburant selon l'invention comporte des moyens de commande du remplissage ou du vidage de ladite chambre hydraulique de commande du type magnétostrictif ou électromagnétique ou électrostrictif ou piézoélectrique.Preferably, the fuel injector according to the invention comprises means for controlling the filling or emptying of said hydraulic control chamber of the magnetostrictive or electromagnetic or electrostrictive or piezoelectric type.

De manière préférée, lesdits moyens de mise en vibration cyclique de ladite tige et/ou de ladite buse sont du type piézoélectrique et/ou magnétostrictif et/ou électromagnétique.Preferably, said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are of the piezoelectric and / or magnetostrictive and / or electromagnetic type.

De préférence, lesdits moyens de mise en vibration cyclique de ladite tige et/ou de ladite buse sont aptes à provoquer des déformations élastiques de ladite tige et/ou de ladite buse à des fréquences ultrasonores.Preferably, said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are able to cause elastic deformations of said rod and / or said nozzle at ultrasonic frequencies.

De manière préférée, lesdits moyens de mise en vibration cyclique de ladite tige et/ou de ladite buse sont montés solidaires dudit corps et/ou de ladite tige.Preferably, said means for cyclically vibrating said rod and / or said nozzle are mounted integral with said body and / or said rod.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront à l'examen de la description des modes de réalisation préférés qui va suivre, présentés uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, en référence aux figures ci-annexées dans lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un injecteur selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe selon le plan de coupe A-A de l'injecteur de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un injecteur selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un injecteur selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un injecteur selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
  • la figure 6 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un injecteur selon l'état de la technique.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the description of the preferred embodiments which follow, presented solely by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:
  • the figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an injector according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 2 represents a sectional view along the sectional plane AA of the injector of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an injector according to a second embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an injector according to a third embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an injector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
  • the figure 6 represents a longitudinal sectional view of an injector according to the state of the art.

Sur les figures, les éléments identiques ou ayant la même fonction sont indiqués avec la même référence numérique.In the figures, elements identical or having the same function are indicated with the same reference numeral.

Un premier mode de réalisation de l'injecteur 44 selon l'invention est représenté en coupe longitudinale à la figure 1.A first embodiment of the injector 44 according to the invention is shown in longitudinal section at the figure 1 .

Les éléments de l'injecteur 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention identiques aux éléments de l'injecteur de l'état de la technique décrit ci-avant en regard de la figure 6 ne sont pas décrits à nouveau ci-après.The elements of the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention are identical to the elements of the injector of the state of the art described above with regard to the figure 6 are not described again below.

Selon l'invention, l'injecteur 44 comporte des moyens de blocage de la masse 28 par rapport au corps 12 qui sont sélectivement activables.According to the invention, the injector 44 comprises means for blocking the mass 28 relative to the body 12 which are selectively activatable.

Ces moyens de blocage comportent un piston 46 monté libre en translation par rapport au corps 12 de l'injecteur 44 selon un axe x-x' sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe y-y' de la tige 24. Les moyens de blocage comportent également une-pièce-d'appui 48 apte à coopérer avec le piston 46 de manière à bloquer la masse 28 en translation selon l'axe y-y'.These locking means comprise a piston 46 mounted free in translation relative to the body 12 of the injector 44 along an axis xx 'substantially perpendicular to the axis yy' of the rod 24. The locking means also comprise a piece support 48 adapted to cooperate with the piston 46 so as to block the mass 28 in translation along the y-y 'axis.

De préférence, le piston 46 et/ou la pièce d'appui 48 présentent une face d'appui sur la masse 28 de forme complémentaire à la masse 28. Ainsi, la masse 28 étant, en l'espèce, cylindrique, le piston 46 et la pièce d'appui 48 présentent une face d'appui apte à coopérer avec la masse 28 de forme concave, sensiblement cylindrique. Ainsi, de manière avantageuse, la force de blocage exercée par les moyens de blocage est optimisée pour une pression donnée.Preferably, the piston 46 and / or the support piece 48 have a bearing face on the mass 28 of shape complementary to the mass 28. Thus, the mass 28 being, in this case, cylindrical, the piston 46 and the support piece 48 have a bearing face adapted to cooperate with the mass 28 of concave shape, substantially cylindrical. Thus, advantageously, the locking force exerted by the locking means is optimized for a given pressure.

De préférence, la pièce d'appui 48 est réalisée en acier dur.Preferably, the support piece 48 is made of hard steel.

De préférence également, le piston 46 et la pièce d'appui 48 sont sensiblement de la même hauteur que la masse 28 de manière à assurer une surface de contact entre le piston, la masse et la pièce d'appui la plus grande possible. Ainsi, de manière avantageuse, la force de blocage exercée par les moyens de blocage est optimisée pour une pression donnée.Also preferably, the piston 46 and the support piece 48 are substantially of the same height as the mass 28 so as to ensure a contact surface between the piston, the mass and the largest possible support piece. Thus, advantageously, the locking force exerted by the locking means is optimized for a given pressure.

De manière à commander la translation du piston 46, l'injecteur 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention présente une chambre hydraulique de commande 50. Cette chambre hydraulique de commande 50 est délimitée d'une part par le corps 12 de l'injecteur 44 et, d'autre part, par le piston 46. La chambre hydraulique de commande 50 présente un orifice d'entrée de carburant 52. Un conduit de dérivation de carburant 53 débouche par cet orifice d'entrée de carburant 52. Le conduit de dérivation 53 débouche d'autre part dans le conduit d'alimentation 54 de l'injecteur 44, de préférence entre l'orifice d'alimentation 20 et la première cavité 18.In order to control the translation of the piston 46, the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention has a hydraulic control chamber 50. This hydraulic control chamber 50 is delimited on the one hand by the body 12 of the injector 44 and, on the other hand, by the piston 46. The hydraulic control chamber 50 has a fuel inlet port 52. A fuel bypass duct 53 opens out through this fuel inlet port 52. bypass duct 53 opens on the other hand into the supply duct 54 of the injector 44, preferably between the supply orifice 20 and the first cavity 18.

La chambre hydraulique de commande 50 présente par ailleurs un orifice de sortie de fluide hydraulique 56 dont la section est, de préférence, plus grande que la section de l'orifice d'entrée 52. Cet orifice de sortie 56 est relié à la seconde cavité 34. La seconde cavité 34 est fermée par un bouchon 58. Ce bouchon 58 présente un conduit d'évacuation 60 de carburant basse pression.The hydraulic control chamber 50 furthermore has a hydraulic fluid outlet orifice 56 whose section is, preferably, greater than the section of the inlet orifice 52. This outlet orifice 56 is connected to the second cavity 34. The second cavity 34 is closed by a plug 58. This plug 58 has a low pressure fuel outlet conduit 60.

Par ailleurs, de manière à commander le remplissage ou le vidage de la chambre hydraulique de commande 50, l'injecteur 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention comporte une vanne 62, en l'espèce du type à commande électrique, de préférence du type magnétostrictive, électromagnétique ou électrostrictive. Cette vanne 62 est apte à couper la communication de fluide entre la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 et la seconde cavité 34.Moreover, in order to control the filling or emptying of the hydraulic control chamber 50, the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a valve 62, in this case of the electrically controlled type, of preferably of magnetostrictive, electromagnetic or electrostrictive type. This valve 62 is able to cut off the fluid communication between the hydraulic control chamber 50 and the second cavity 34.

Le fonctionnement et les avantages de l'injecteur de carburant 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention découlent directement de la description qui vient d'en être faite.The operation and advantages of the fuel injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention flow directly from the description which has just been made.

Lorsque le carburant sous pression entre dans le corps 12 de l'injecteur 44 par l'orifice d'alimentation 20, il se propage dans la première cavité 18 et dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50.When the pressurized fuel enters the body 12 of the injector 44 through the supply port 20, it propagates in the first cavity 18 and in the hydraulic control chamber 50.

Lorsque la vanne 62 n'est pas alimentée électriquement, elle est fermée et la communication de fluide entre la seconde cavité 34 et la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 est interrompue. Le carburant ne s'évacue donc par vers la seconde cavité 34. La pression du carburant dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 reste donc élevée, c'est-à-dire supérieure à la pression du carburant se trouvant dans la seconde cavité 34. C'est pourquoi le carburant pousse le piston 46 selon l'axe x-x' en direction de la masse 28. Ainsi, le piston 46 maintient la masse 28 dans sa position initiale en plaquant la masse 28 contre la pièce d'appui 48. Cette position initiale de la masse 28 et la tension initiale dans la tige 24 sont obtenues par construction, notamment au moyen du ressort 30 disposé dans la seconde cavité 34.When the valve 62 is not electrically powered, it is closed and the fluid communication between the second cavity 34 and the hydraulic control chamber 50 is interrupted. The fuel therefore does not escape to the second cavity 34. The fuel pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 thus remains high, that is to say greater than the fuel pressure in the second cavity 34. This is why the fuel pushes the piston 46 along the axis xx 'towards the mass 28. Thus, the piston 46 maintains the mass 28 in its initial position by pressing the mass 28 against the support piece 48. initial position of the mass 28 and the initial tension in the rod 24 are obtained by construction, in particular by means of the spring 30 disposed in the second cavity 34.

Lorsque la vanne 62 est alimentée électriquement, elle s'ouvre. Le carburant est alors évacué vers la seconde cavité 34. La pression dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 baisse alors et le piston 46 réduit son étreinte. La masse 28 est libérée et la tension dans la tige 24 reprend la valeur que le ressort 30 lui impose.When the valve 62 is electrically powered, it opens. The fuel is then discharged to the second cavity 34. The pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 then drops and the piston 46 reduces its grip. The mass 28 is released and the tension in the rod 24 resumes the value that the spring 30 imposes on it.

Cette commande d'ouverture de la vanne 62 se fait périodiquement (par exemple toutes les minutes) et pour des durées très courtes, de l'ordre de quelques centaines de millisecondes afin de permettre à la tension dans la tige 24 de reprendre la valeur imposée par le ressort 30, et d'éliminer des surtensions qui peuvent apparaître dans la tige 24 à cause des dilatations différentielles entre le corps 12 de l'injecteur 44 et la tige 24. L'ouverture de cette vanne 62 peut, par exemple, être réalisée entre deux injections successives.This command to open the valve 62 is done periodically (for example every minute) and for very short periods, of the order of a few hundred milliseconds to allow the voltage in the rod 24 to return to the imposed value. by the spring 30, and to eliminate overvoltages which may appear in the rod 24 because of the differential expansions between the body 12 of the injector 44 and the rod 24. The opening of this valve 62 may, for example, be performed between two successive injections.

Il est à noter que le carburant qui est toujours fourni sous pression par une pompe, continue à exercer une pression sur le piston 46. Donc, malgré l'ouverture de la vanne 62, le carburant peut avoir tendance à conserver une pression, dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50, supérieure à la pression dans la seconde cavité 34. Ce problème est résolu par le fait que l'arrivée du carburant dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 se fait via un conduit de dérivation 53 fin, et que l'évacuation du carburant hors de la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 est réalisée au moyen d'un orifice d'évacuation 56 et d'un conduit d'évacuation 60 de diamètre plus important que le diamètre du conduit de dérivation 53. Ainsi, la perte de charge à l'évacuation du carburant hors de la chambre de commande 50 est inférieure à la perte de charge au remplissage de cette chambre de commande 50. Il est ainsi possible de favoriser l'évacuation du carburant hors de la chambre de commande 50 de manière à faire diminuer, de manière très rapide, la pression du carburant dans la chambre de commande 50.It should be noted that the fuel which is always supplied under pressure by a pump, continues to exert pressure on the piston 46. Thus, despite the opening of the valve 62, the fuel may tend to maintain a pressure, in the hydraulic control chamber 50, greater than the pressure in the second cavity 34. This problem is solved by the fact that the arrival of the fuel in the hydraulic control chamber 50 is via a bypass conduit 53 end, and that the the discharge of the fuel out of the hydraulic control chamber 50 is carried out by means of a discharge orifice 56 and a discharge duct 60 of larger diameter than the diameter of the bypass duct 53. Thus, the loss of charge to the evacuation of the fuel from the control chamber 50 is less than the pressure drop at the filling of the control chamber 50. It is thus possible to promote the evacuation of fuel out of the control chamber. of 50 so as to decrease, very rapidly, the fuel pressure in the control chamber 50.

La vanne 62 offre de préférence une faible perte de charge afin que la pression dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 48 baisse rapidement. Le conduit de dérivation 53 résiste suffisamment à la remontée de pression dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50. Ainsi, la pression du carburant dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 n'a pas le temps de remonter pour s'opposer à la libération de la masse 28.The valve 62 preferably provides a small pressure drop so that the pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 48 drops rapidly. The bypass duct 53 is sufficiently resistant to the rise in pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50. Thus, the fuel pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 does not have time to rise to oppose the release of the pressure. mass 28.

Lorsque la vanne 62 n'est plus alimentée, elle se ferme de manière à bloquer la communication de fluide entre la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 et la seconde cavité 34. La pression dans la chambre hydraulique de commande 50 augmente alors. Le piston 46 est alors plaqué sur la masse 28 contre la pièce d'appui 48 de manière à bloquer la masse 28, comme cela est représenté figure 2. Immédiatement après blocage, la force dans la tige 24 est à la valeur que le ressort 30 impose, la tige 24 étant débarrassée des efforts supplémentaires qui ont pu se créer suite à des dilatations différentielles.When the valve 62 is no longer powered, it closes so as to block the fluid communication between the hydraulic control chamber 50 and the second cavity 34. The pressure in the hydraulic control chamber 50 then increases. The piston 46 is then pressed against the mass 28 against the support piece 48 so as to block the mass 28, as shown figure 2 . Immediately after blocking, the force in the rod 24 is at the value that the spring 30 imposes, the rod 24 being freed of additional forces that may have been created due to differential expansion.

La figure 3 présente un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'injecteur selon l'invention. L'injecteur 66 représenté figure 3 se différencie de l'injecteur 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention en cela qu'il s'agit d'un injecteur du type à aiguille entrante. Ainsi, afin d'obturer l'orifice d'injection 68, la tige 24 est plaquée, au repos, sur la face intérieure de l'extrémité inférieure 22 de la buse 16 sous l'effet du ressort 30 qui est monté dans la seconde cavité 34.The figure 3 presents a second embodiment of the injector according to the invention. The injector 66 shown figure 3 is different from the injector 44 according to the first embodiment of the invention in that it is an injector of the needle type incoming. Thus, in order to close the injection orifice 68, the rod 24 is plated, at rest, on the inner face of the lower end 22 of the nozzle 16 under the effect of the spring 30 which is mounted in the second cavity 34.

La figure 4 présente un troisième mode de réalisation de l'injecteur selon l'invention. L'injecteur 70 représenté figure 4 se différencie de l'injecteur 44 selon le premier mode de réalisation en cela qu'il ne présente pas d'empilement 36 de composants actifs, par exemple piézo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs, monté sur le corps de l'injecteur. En effet, un empilement 72 de composants actifs aptes à se déformer sous l'effet d'un champs électrique ou magnétique, de préférence des composants piézo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs, est monté solidaire sur la tige 24 de manière à ce que la déformation de cet empilement 72 de composants actifs provoque directement la mise en vibration longitudinale de la tige 24.The figure 4 presents a third embodiment of the injector according to the invention. The injector 70 shown figure 4 differs from the injector 44 according to the first embodiment in that it does not present a stack 36 of active components, for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, mounted on the body of the injector. Indeed, a stack 72 of active components able to deform under the effect of an electric or magnetic field, preferably piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components, is mounted integral on the rod 24 so that the deformation of this stack 72 of active components directly causes longitudinal vibration of the rod 24.

La figure 5 présente un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'injecteur selon l'invention. L'injecteur 74 représenté figure 5 se différencie de l'injecteur 66 selon le deuxième mode de réalisation en cela qu'il ne présente pas d'empilement 36 de composants actifs, par exemple piézo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs, monté sur le corps de l'injecteur. En effet, comme cela a été décrit pour l'injecteur 70 selon le troisième mode de réalisation, un empilement 72 de composants actifs aptes à se déformer sous l'effet d'un courant électrique, par exemple des éléments piézo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs, est monté solidaire sur la tige 24 de manière à ce que la déformation de cet empilement 72 de composants actifs provoque directement la mise en vibration longitudinale de la tige 24.The figure 5 presents a fourth embodiment of the injector according to the invention. The injector 74 shown figure 5 differs from the injector 66 according to the second embodiment in that it does not present a stack 36 of active components, for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, mounted on the body of the injector. Indeed, as has been described for the injector 70 according to the third embodiment, a stack 72 of active components capable of deform under the effect of an electric current, for example piezoelectric or magnetostrictive elements, is mounted integral with the rod 24 so that the deformation of this stack 72 of active components directly causes the longitudinal vibration of the stem 24.

Bien entendu la présente invention ne se réduit pas aux modes de réalisation présentés ci-avant à titre d'exemples illustratifs et non limitatifs et de nombreuses modifications sont possibles sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples and many modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Ainsi, le piston de blocage et la pièce d'appui peuvent coopérer directement avec la tige, la masse pouvant alors être éventuellement supprimée.Thus, the locking piston and the support piece can cooperate directly with the rod, the mass then possibly being removed.

Par ailleurs, bien que le dispositif à piston 46 et pièce d'appui 48 présente une forme de réalisation avantageuse de moyens de blocage sélectivement activables, ces éléments peuvent être remplacés par tout dispositif sélectivement activable permettant effectivement de réaliser le blocage de la masse et/ou de la tige. On peut notamment citer, à titre d'exemples, un vérin électrique ou hydraulique ou un blocage par électroaimant.Moreover, although the piston device 46 and support piece 48 has an advantageous embodiment of selectively activatable locking means, these elements can be replaced by any selectively activatable device that effectively makes it possible to block the mass and / or or the stem. There may be mentioned, by way of examples, an electric or hydraulic jack or a locking by electromagnet.

Claims (9)

  1. Fuel injector (44, 66, 70, 74) for an internal combustion engine, in particular of the inward-opening valve type or the outward-opening valve type, including:
    - an injector body (12) forming in particular a nozzle (16) terminating in an injection hole;
    - means of closing said injection hole of said injector body, said means of closing including a vibrating pin (24) terminating in a valve head (26) for closing said injection hole, the other end of the vibrating pin (24) being provided with a weight (28);
    - means of returning (30) said means of closing to the position for closing said injection hole; and
    - means (36, 72) of setting said pin (24) and/or said nozzle (16) in cyclic longitudinal vibration so as to alternately open and close the injection hole, at an excitation frequency of several tens of kilohertz,
    the value of the weight (28) and the stiffness of the return means (30) are selected to form a system having a very long response time compared with the excitation times,
    characterized in that said injector (44, 66, 70, 74) includes selectively activatable means of immobilizing (46, 48) said pin (24) in relation to said body (12),
    Said immobilizing means being able to cooperate with said pin (24) and/or with the weight (28) so as to create a mechanical impedance break.
  2. Fuel injector according to Claim 1, characterized in that said means of immobilizing (46, 48) include a piston (46) which can slide in a direction generally perpendicular to said pin (24).
  3. Fuel injector according to Claim 2, characterized in that it includes a hydraulic control chamber (50) for controlling the movement of said piston (46).
  4. Fuel injector according to Claim 3, characterized in that said hydraulic control chamber (50) includes at least one fuel inlet hole (52) which passes fluid to a fuel supply hole (20) of said injector (44, 66, 70, 74).
  5. Fuel injector according to Claim 4, characterized in that said hydraulic control chamber (50) also includes at least one fuel outlet hole (56), the total cross section of said at least one inlet hole (52) being less than the total cross section of said at least one outlet hole (56).
  6. Fuel injector according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that it includes means (62) for controlling the filling or the emptying of said hydraulic control chamber (50) of the magnetostrictive or electromagnetic or electrostrictive or piezoelectric type.
  7. Injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means of setting said pin (24) and/or said nozzle (16) in cyclic vibration are of the piezoelectric and/or magnetostrictive and/or electromagnetic type.
  8. Injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means of setting said pin (24) and/or said nozzle (16) in cyclic vibration can cause elastic deformations of said pin (24) and/or said nozzle (16) at ultrasonic frequencies.
  9. Injector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means of setting said pin (24) and/or said nozzle in cyclic vibration are solidly mounted on said body (12) and/or said pin (24).
EP06842058A 2005-12-19 2006-11-29 Fuel injector for an internal combustion engine Not-in-force EP1963665B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0512894A FR2895031B1 (en) 2005-12-19 2005-12-19 FUEL INJECTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
PCT/FR2006/051247 WO2007071863A1 (en) 2005-12-19 2006-11-29 Fuel injector for an internal combustion engine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1963665A1 EP1963665A1 (en) 2008-09-03
EP1963665B1 true EP1963665B1 (en) 2011-04-27

Family

ID=36968668

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06842058A Not-in-force EP1963665B1 (en) 2005-12-19 2006-11-29 Fuel injector for an internal combustion engine

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US8038080B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1963665B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2009520153A (en)
AT (1) ATE507391T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602006021621D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2895031B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007071863A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2914024A1 (en) * 2007-03-23 2008-09-26 Renault Sas FUEL INJECTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
FR2918123A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2009-01-02 Renault Sas FLUID INJECTION DEVICE.
FR2922289A1 (en) * 2007-10-16 2009-04-17 Renault Sas FLUID INJECTION DEVICE
DE102008000760A1 (en) * 2008-03-19 2009-09-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh Component pairing and device with component pairing
FR2929656A1 (en) * 2008-04-03 2009-10-09 Renault Sas FLUID INJECTOR, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUCH INJECTOR
FR2936025A1 (en) * 2008-09-16 2010-03-19 Renault Sas DEVICE FOR INJECTING FUID.
FR2936024B1 (en) * 2008-09-16 2014-08-08 Renault Sas FLUID INJECTION DEVICE.
JP5695050B2 (en) * 2009-08-27 2015-04-01 マクアリスター テクノロジーズ エルエルシー Integrated fuel injector and igniter and related uses and manufacturing methods
US20130068200A1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-21 Paul Reynolds Injector Valve with Miniscule Actuator Displacement
US8978364B2 (en) 2012-05-07 2015-03-17 Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. Reagent injector
US8910884B2 (en) 2012-05-10 2014-12-16 Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. Coaxial flow injector
US20140116032A1 (en) * 2012-10-31 2014-05-01 Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. Injector with Capillary Aerosol Generator
US9562500B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-02-07 Mcalister Technologies, Llc Injector-igniter with fuel characterization
US10297567B2 (en) * 2015-12-18 2019-05-21 Intel Corporation Thermocompression bonding using plasma gas
CN109759255A (en) * 2019-03-05 2019-05-17 深圳万苍科技有限公司 A kind of injection spraying valve
CN112431693B (en) * 2020-11-19 2021-11-30 北京航空航天大学 Pin injector, rocket engine and rocket
CN112780443B (en) * 2021-03-02 2022-03-01 北京航空航天大学 Adjusting mechanism of piezoelectric ceramic micro-motion pintle injector

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19531652A1 (en) * 1995-08-29 1997-05-07 Bosch Gmbh Robert Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines
DE19932760A1 (en) * 1999-07-14 2001-01-18 Bosch Gmbh Robert Fuel injector
FR2801346B1 (en) 1999-11-19 2002-10-31 Renault FUEL INJECTION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
US6543700B2 (en) * 2000-12-11 2003-04-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Ultrasonic unitized fuel injector with ceramic valve body
DE10135735B4 (en) * 2001-07-21 2009-04-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular with direct injection, and computer program and control and / or regulating device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2895031A1 (en) 2007-06-22
ATE507391T1 (en) 2011-05-15
JP2009520153A (en) 2009-05-21
FR2895031B1 (en) 2011-06-03
US20090014554A1 (en) 2009-01-15
US8038080B2 (en) 2011-10-18
EP1963665A1 (en) 2008-09-03
DE602006021621D1 (en) 2011-06-09
WO2007071863A1 (en) 2007-06-28

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