EP3208456A1 - Nozzle assembly and fuel injector - Google Patents
Nozzle assembly and fuel injector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3208456A1 EP3208456A1 EP17155490.0A EP17155490A EP3208456A1 EP 3208456 A1 EP3208456 A1 EP 3208456A1 EP 17155490 A EP17155490 A EP 17155490A EP 3208456 A1 EP3208456 A1 EP 3208456A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- needle
- bore
- nozzle assembly
- spring
- valve seat
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 17
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008094 contradictory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013256 coordination polymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012811 non-conductive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
- F02M51/00—Fuel-injection apparatus characterised by being operated electrically
- F02M51/06—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle
- F02M51/061—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using electromagnetic operating means
- F02M51/0625—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using electromagnetic operating means characterised by arrangement of mobile armatures
- F02M51/0635—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using electromagnetic operating means characterised by arrangement of mobile armatures having a plate-shaped or undulated armature not entering the winding
- F02M51/0642—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using electromagnetic operating means characterised by arrangement of mobile armatures having a plate-shaped or undulated armature not entering the winding the armature having a valve attached thereto
- F02M51/0653—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using electromagnetic operating means characterised by arrangement of mobile armatures having a plate-shaped or undulated armature not entering the winding the armature having a valve attached thereto the valve being an elongated body, e.g. a needle valve
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- 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
- F02M61/00—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00
- F02M61/04—Fuel-injectors not provided for in groups F02M39/00 - F02M57/00 or F02M67/00 having valves, e.g. having a plurality of valves in series
- F02M61/10—Other injectors with elongated valve bodies, i.e. of needle-valve type
- F02M61/12—Other injectors with elongated valve bodies, i.e. of needle-valve type characterised by the provision of guiding or centring means for valve bodies
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- 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
- F02M65/00—Testing fuel-injection apparatus, e.g. testing injection timing ; Cleaning of fuel-injection apparatus
- F02M65/005—Measuring or detecting injection-valve lift, e.g. to determine injection timing
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- 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
- F02M2200/26—Fuel-injection apparatus with elastically deformable elements other than coil springs
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- 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
- F02M2200/50—Arrangements of springs for valves used in fuel injectors or fuel injection pumps
-
- 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
- F02M2200/90—Selection of particular materials
- F02M2200/9015—Elastomeric or plastic materials
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a nozzle assembly of a fuel injector particularly adapted to close loop control of the injector.
- a known fuel injector comprises a nozzle assembly having a cylindrical body defining an inner bore, an extremity of which defining a tapered valve seat face.
- the nozzle assembly is also provided with a needle valve slidably arranged in the bore, the needle having a tapered extremity defining a complementary tapered valve seating face.
- the needle valve axially commutes between a closed position where fuel injection is prevented the two complementary tapered faces being in sealing contact and, an open position enabling fuel injection the two complementary tapered faces being distant from each other.
- the needle valve and the bore are designed to be coaxial so that when initiating an opening displacement the tapered faces immediately split from each other.
- the needle In reality, due to manufacturing tolerances, fuel pressure and other operating conditions, the needle is not perfectly coaxial to the bore and, when initiating an opening displacement the tapered valve seat face of the needle slides against the tapered valve seating face of the bore. During this sliding phase, the tapered faces remain in contact while the needle is no longer in closed position and fuel injection has started through injection holes.
- the injector is provided with a first electrical circuit for commanding displacement of the needle, and also with a second electrical circuit for monitoring the needle position.
- the second circuit is closed when the tapered faces are in contact and, said second circuit is open when the tapered faces are split away.
- a control unit is arranged to deliver a command signal to the actuator via the first circuit, and to receive a needle position signal from the second circuit, the command signal being computed in a command unit (ECU) as a function of the needle position signal.
- ECU command unit
- the second circuit remains closed delivering a position signal corresponding to a closed position of the needle, while in reality the needle has started to lift and fuel injection has been initiated.
- said sliding phase corresponds to a non-coaxiality of the needle and the bore that is dependent upon each injector and its operating conditions. Certain injectors may have no sliding phase, while others have a much longer sliding phase.
- the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle body having a peripheral wall defining an inner bore extending along a main axis.
- the bore forms at a first extremity a tapered fixed valve seat adapted to receive in sealing contact a complementary tapered needle seating face of a needle valve.
- the needle valve is slidably arranged in the bore, and it is adapted to translate along the main axis between a closed position where the needle seating face is in sealing contact with the fixed valve seat and, a fully open position where the needle seating face is lifted away from the fixed valve seat.
- the nozzle assembly is further provided with a spring assembly radially compressed between the needle and the bore so that, in use, when beginning a lift of the needle from the closed position toward the open position, the tapered needle seating face slides and remains in contact against the fixed valve seat instead of coaxially separating immediately.
- the spring assembly comprises a fixing portion fixed to the needle and a resilient protruding portion protruding from the needle to a distant extremity that is in contact against the bore.
- the spring assembly is a coil spring fixedly wound around the needle, the last turn of the spring enlarging and separating from the needle toward an extremity contacting the bore.
- the spring assembly is a collar member having a circular base arranged around the needle and an outwardly resiliently bent tong extending from said base toward a distant end in contact with the bore.
- the needle is provided with a radial blind hole in which is arranged the spring assembly.
- the spring assembly comprises a spherical pushing member and a spring compressed in the blind hole, the spherical member being outwardly pushed from the hole and biased in contact against the bore.
- the spring is electrically isolated.
- the invention further extands to a fuel injector having an actuator portion and a nozzle assembly as described above.
- Said fuel injector is further provided with an electrical circuit that is closed when the needle seating face is in contact with the fixed valve seat, and that is open when the needle seating face is distant from the fixed valve seat so that an electrical signal S can be obtained said signal S varying as a function of the needle position.
- FIG. 1 An axial section of a fuel injector 10 is represented on figure 1 .
- the elongated shape of the injector 10 extends along a main axis X, the injector 10 comprising an actuator portion 12 fixedly arranged over a hydraulic portion 14.
- figure 1 The general top-down orientation of figure 1 is only utilized for easiness and clarity of the description therefore, words and expressions such as “over, under, up, down” may be used without any intent to limit the scope of the invention.
- the actuator portion 12 has a body 16 provided in its lower end with a bore in which is arranged an electromagnetic actuator 18.
- the actuator 18 is electrically connected via electrical cables 20 to a connector 22 arranged on the top of the injector 10.
- the hydraulic portion 14 comprises a valve member 24 and a nozzle assembly 26, the valve member 24 being fixedly maintained compressed between the bottom of the actuator portion 12 and the nozzle assembly 26.
- the nozzle assembly 26 has a body 28 defined by a peripheral wall 30 downwardly extending toward a bottom tip end 32, said wall 30 defining an inner volume 34 in which is slidably guided along the main axis X an elongated needle valve 36.
- the bottom end of the nozzle body 28, better visible on figure 2 is narrower than the top portion and, the very bottom of the inner volume 34 forms a sac 38 from which injection holes 40 extend through the wall 30 toward an outlet opening in the outer face of the wall. Above said sac 38, the inner face 41 of the wall defines a tapered fixed valve seat 42.
- the needle valve 36 is a shaft comprising several coaxial X cylindrical portions extending from a top guiding portion 44 toward a bottom tip end 46 and, in order to be guided along the main axis X, it is provided with a complementary bottom guiding portion 48 adjusted to slide against an inner guiding portion 50 of the inner face 41 of the nozzle body 28.
- the cross-section of said bottom guiding portion 48 has an quasi-isosceles triangular shape which three vertices are truncated, rounded and adjusted to the circular profile of said inner guiding portion 50, the three flats extending between the vertices enabling, in use, non-restricting fuel passage toward the injection holes 40.
- the bottom tip end 46 of the needle defines a tapered seating face 52 complementary adjusted to the tapered fixed valve seat 42 of the body.
- a spring 54 is arranged to permanently generate on the needle valve 36 a radial force F and, figure 2 represents a first embodiment of said spring 54 that is a coil spring fixedly wound around the needle 36 the final turn 56 of the spring enlarging and moving away from the needle so that it comes in pressure contact with the inner face 41 of the nozzle body.
- the spring 54 Being in contact with both the needle and the nozzle body, the spring 54 is electrically isolated.
- This electrical insolation can be achieved for instance by utilising a spring material having intrinsically isolating properties or, by covering a metallic spring with isolation coating.
- the coating can entirely cover the spring or can be limited to the end portion of the final turn 56 which contacts the nozzle body also, the coating can be made on the spring 54 alone or after being assembled on the needle, said coating also isolating part of the needle.
- a further alternative is to arrange on said contact end portion an isolating covering member or capsule.
- the main portion of the spring is wound slightly smaller in section than the needle and, when it is arranged around the needle said main portion is elastically enlarged and engaged in place over the needle prior to be relieved so that it fixedly tighten on the needle.
- the last turn 56 has resilient properties and it acts as a compression spring against the inner face 41, generating the force F pushing the needle 36 away from the coaxial position.
- the fuel injector 10 further accommodates a high pressure fuel circuit 60 extending through the injector from an inlet arranged by the head of the actuator portion to the injection holes 40.
- said hydraulic circuit 60 occupies the inner volume 34.
- a command circuit comprising the connector 22 and the cables 20 for transmitting an injection signal S1 from an electronic command unit, hereafter ECU, 62 to the actuator 18, the fuel injector, and more particularly the nozzle assembly 26 is provided with a needle position electrical circuit 64 adapted to be connected to the ECU 62 for close loop control of the injector.
- Said circuit 64 comprises the needle valve 36 and the nozzle body 28 that are electrically isolated from each other except for the two tapered faces of the valve seat 42, 52, which are electrically conductive.
- the fuel injector 10 is arranged in an injection equipment (FIE) generally controlled by the ECU 62.
- Pressurized fuel is received in the high pressure circuit 60 from a high pressure reservoir, such as a well-known common rail.
- the ECU 62 generates and sends the injection signal S1 to the actuator 18, forcing the needle 36 to slide in the nozzle body 28 and to lift from a closed position PC, where the complementary tapered seating faces 42, 52, are in sealing contact with each other preventing any fuel flow toward the injection holes 40 to, an open position PO where said tapered faces are distant from each other, no longer in contact with each other, enabling fuel flow toward the holes 40 and an injection event.
- the needle position electrical circuit 64 When the needle 36 is in closed position PC, the needle position electrical circuit 64 is closed and, a correspondent closed needle position signal S2 is received by the ECU 62.
- the needle position electrical circuit 64 When the needle 36 is in open position PO, the needle position electrical circuit 64 is open and, a correspondent open needle position signal S3 is received by the ECU 62.
- the reason for which the spring 54 must be electrically isolated is here clearly apparent since, in case an electrical contact would occur via the spring 54, this would create a permanent short between the needle and the nozzle body permanently closing the needle position electrical circuit 64.
- the needle 36 stars to lift-up and it is radially pushed by the spring 54 away from the coaxial alignment.
- the tapered seating face 52 of the needle instead of immediately splitting away from the fixed valve seat 42 of the body as if the needle were in a perfect coaxial position, it slides against a generatrix of the tapered face maintaining electrical contact between the tapered faces 42, 52, before splitting away.
- a flow passage to the injection holes 40 is therefore open during said initial opening sliding phase OSP, the electrical needle position circuit 64 being still closed, the ECU 62 receiving the closed needle position signal S2 while the needle is no longer in closed position PC.
- the needle 36 is biased back toward the closed position PC and, since the needle is radially pushed by the spring 54 when approaching the closing position PC, the tapered faces 42, 52, get in contact with each other and close the needle position electrical circuit 64 before the needle reaches the closed position PC.
- a flow passage to the injection holes 40 remains therefore open during said final closing sliding phase CSP, the electrical position circuit 64 being already closed, the ECU 62 receiving the closed needle position signal S2 while the needle is not yet in closed position CP.
- the described embodiment provides a major advantage in that the opening sliding phase OSP and the closing sliding phase CSP are reproducible, easily determined, they do not change over time and, they are consistent from an injector to another. Therefore the sliding duration T1 of said opening sliding phase OSP and the sliding duration T2 of said closing sliding phase CSP are known and determined and are taken into account in the close loop command method for controlling the fuel injector 10.
- the relative position of the needle 36 to the nozzle body 28 varies, since the needle 36 may rotate about the main axis X in the nozzle body, the tapered faces 42, 52, not being always in contact along the same generatrix, the sliding phases in opening and in closing varying.
- said variation generates uncontrolled changes in the closed needle position signal S2.
- the needle 36 is radially biased, the rotations of the needle 36 inside the nozzle body and consequent changes in sliding contact generatrix have no influence on the closed needle position signal S2.
- the needle is consistently radially biased and, whichever the contact sliding generatrix of the sliding phases is, the misalignment of the needle does not vary and the durations T1, T2, of the sliding phases remain identical.
- a second embodiment of the invention is presented on figure 4 where a resilient member 66 fixedly attached to the needle 36 protrudes from said needle and extends toward contacting the inner face 41 of the nozzle body.
- the member 66 comprises a fixing portion 68 and a resilient protruding portion 70.
- the fixing portion 68 can be cylindrical and inserted in a complementary hole of the needle and therein secured by welding, press-fitting or even by screwing.
- the resilient protruding portion 70 can be accommodated with various shapes such as being bent by the contacting extremity so that it provides improved resilient properties.
- a third embodiment of the invention is proposed on figures 5 and 6 where a an resilient collar member 72 is arranged around the needle 36.
- the resilient collar member 72 comprises an annular base 74 from which upwardly protrude three T-shaped arms 76 and a resilient tong 78. Said tong 78 is bent so that it firstly extends upwardly from the base 74, then it is curved for half-turn prior to downwardly extend toward a final portion, said final portion of the tong being radially distant from the annular base 74.
- the arrangement of the collar member 72 over the needle 36 is shown on figure 5 where the collar is inserted by the tip end 46 of the needle so the annular base 74 adjusts just below the quasi-triangular bottom guiding portion 48 of the needle.
- Each of the T-shaped arm 76 upwardly extend along a flat between the vertices so the upper horizontal bar of the T-shaped arm 80 can be arranged over the guiding portion 48 around the needle.
- the resilient tong 78 radially extends from the base 74, the final portion of the tong being in resilient contact against the inner face 41 if the nozzle body.
- the collar 72 is electrically isolated, either entirely or partially limited to the tong 78. Being bent as shown and described, the tong 78 has resilient properties generating the radial force F that biases the needle 36 on the side away from the coaxial X position.
- the bottom guiding portion 48 of the needle is provided with a radial blind hole 82 opening in one of the flats that is between the vertices.
- a spring 84 for instance a coil spring
- a pin 86 having a cylindrical body 88 and a semi-spherical head 90, the cylindrical body 88 connecting to the head 90 in the centre of the flat under face of the head 90.
- the spring 84 is arranged around the cylindrical body 88 and, in use, said spring 84 get compressed between the bottom end of the blind hole 82 and said flat under face of the head 90, the spherical face 90 of the head being outwardly pushed in contact against the inner face 41 of the nozzle body, so generating the radial force F proportional to the compression of the spring 84 that biases the needle on the side, away from the coaxially aligned position.
- the pin 86 can be a made in ceramic or any nonconductive material or, the spherical head 90 can be coated as previously mentioned.
- the pin could be replaced by a spherical ball outwardly pushed by the spring 84, the ball being made in ceramic, or being coated,.
- This ball alternative enables the rolling of the sphere against the inner face 41 while in the pin alternative the spherical face slides against the inner face 41.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly of a fuel injector particularly adapted to close loop control of the injector.
- A known fuel injector comprises a nozzle assembly having a cylindrical body defining an inner bore, an extremity of which defining a tapered valve seat face. The nozzle assembly is also provided with a needle valve slidably arranged in the bore, the needle having a tapered extremity defining a complementary tapered valve seating face. In use, the needle valve axially commutes between a closed position where fuel injection is prevented the two complementary tapered faces being in sealing contact and, an open position enabling fuel injection the two complementary tapered faces being distant from each other. The needle valve and the bore are designed to be coaxial so that when initiating an opening displacement the tapered faces immediately split from each other.
- In reality, due to manufacturing tolerances, fuel pressure and other operating conditions, the needle is not perfectly coaxial to the bore and, when initiating an opening displacement the tapered valve seat face of the needle slides against the tapered valve seating face of the bore. During this sliding phase, the tapered faces remain in contact while the needle is no longer in closed position and fuel injection has started through injection holes.
- In close loop control fuel injection equipment, the injector is provided with a first electrical circuit for commanding displacement of the needle, and also with a second electrical circuit for monitoring the needle position. The second circuit is closed when the tapered faces are in contact and, said second circuit is open when the tapered faces are split away. A control unit is arranged to deliver a command signal to the actuator via the first circuit, and to receive a needle position signal from the second circuit, the command signal being computed in a command unit (ECU) as a function of the needle position signal.
- Unfortunately, during the sliding phase the second circuit remains closed delivering a position signal corresponding to a closed position of the needle, while in reality the needle has started to lift and fuel injection has been initiated. Furthermore, said sliding phase corresponds to a non-coaxiality of the needle and the bore that is dependent upon each injector and its operating conditions. Certain injectors may have no sliding phase, while others have a much longer sliding phase.
- Technologies have been developed in an attempt to monitor this sliding phase and in particular, coating the tapered faces with resistive piezo material enables the position signal to continuously vary as a function of the contact pressure between the tapered faces. This technology is difficult to implement to ensure that coating will last the expected life span of an injector, to ensure that the delivered signal will not shift during said life span and to ensure proper computing of the command signal. More simple and reliable method is required.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to resolve the above mentioned problems in providing a nozzle assembly of a fuel injector. The nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle body having a peripheral wall defining an inner bore extending along a main axis. The bore forms at a first extremity a tapered fixed valve seat adapted to receive in sealing contact a complementary tapered needle seating face of a needle valve. The needle valve is slidably arranged in the bore, and it is adapted to translate along the main axis between a closed position where the needle seating face is in sealing contact with the fixed valve seat and, a fully open position where the needle seating face is lifted away from the fixed valve seat.
- Advantageously, the nozzle assembly is further provided with a spring assembly radially compressed between the needle and the bore so that, in use, when beginning a lift of the needle from the closed position toward the open position, the tapered needle seating face slides and remains in contact against the fixed valve seat instead of coaxially separating immediately.
- Particularly, the spring assembly comprises a fixing portion fixed to the needle and a resilient protruding portion protruding from the needle to a distant extremity that is in contact against the bore.
- In an embodiment, the spring assembly is a coil spring fixedly wound around the needle, the last turn of the spring enlarging and separating from the needle toward an extremity contacting the bore.
- In another embodiment the spring assembly is a collar member having a circular base arranged around the needle and an outwardly resiliently bent tong extending from said base toward a distant end in contact with the bore.
- In yet another embodiment, the needle is provided with a radial blind hole in which is arranged the spring assembly.
- More particularly, in said embodiment the spring assembly comprises a spherical pushing member and a spring compressed in the blind hole, the spherical member being outwardly pushed from the hole and biased in contact against the bore.
- In any case, the spring is electrically isolated.
- The invention further extands to a fuel injector having an actuator portion and a nozzle assembly as described above. Said fuel injector is further provided with an electrical circuit that is closed when the needle seating face is in contact with the fixed valve seat, and that is open when the needle seating face is distant from the fixed valve seat so that an electrical signal S can be obtained said signal S varying as a function of the needle position.
- The present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
Figure 1 is an axial section of a fuel injector as per the invention. -
Figure 2 is an axial section magnifying the nozzle end of the injector offigure 1 provided with a spring member as per a first embodiment of the invention. -
Figure 3 is a top section offigure 2 . -
Figure 4 is a top section of a second embodiment of the invention. -
Figure 5 is an axial section magnifying the nozzle end of the injector offigure 1 provided with a spring member as per a third embodiment of the invention. -
Figure 6 is an isometric view the spring member offigure 5 . -
Figure 7 and 8 represent a fourth embodiment of the invention. - An axial section of a
fuel injector 10 is represented onfigure 1 . The elongated shape of theinjector 10 extends along a main axis X, theinjector 10 comprising anactuator portion 12 fixedly arranged over ahydraulic portion 14. - The general top-down orientation of
figure 1 is only utilized for easiness and clarity of the description therefore, words and expressions such as "over, under, up, down" may be used without any intent to limit the scope of the invention. - The
actuator portion 12 has abody 16 provided in its lower end with a bore in which is arranged anelectromagnetic actuator 18. Theactuator 18 is electrically connected viaelectrical cables 20 to aconnector 22 arranged on the top of theinjector 10. - The
hydraulic portion 14 comprises avalve member 24 and anozzle assembly 26, thevalve member 24 being fixedly maintained compressed between the bottom of theactuator portion 12 and thenozzle assembly 26. - The
nozzle assembly 26 has a body 28 defined by aperipheral wall 30 downwardly extending toward abottom tip end 32, saidwall 30 defining aninner volume 34 in which is slidably guided along the main axis X anelongated needle valve 36. - The bottom end of the nozzle body 28, better visible on
figure 2 , is narrower than the top portion and, the very bottom of theinner volume 34 forms asac 38 from which injection holes 40 extend through thewall 30 toward an outlet opening in the outer face of the wall. Above saidsac 38, theinner face 41 of the wall defines a tapered fixedvalve seat 42. - The
needle valve 36 is a shaft comprising several coaxial X cylindrical portions extending from a top guidingportion 44 toward abottom tip end 46 and, in order to be guided along the main axis X, it is provided with a complementarybottom guiding portion 48 adjusted to slide against aninner guiding portion 50 of theinner face 41 of the nozzle body 28. As visible on the transverse section offigure 3 , the cross-section of saidbottom guiding portion 48 has an quasi-isosceles triangular shape which three vertices are truncated, rounded and adjusted to the circular profile of said inner guidingportion 50, the three flats extending between the vertices enabling, in use, non-restricting fuel passage toward the injection holes 40. Furthermore, thebottom tip end 46 of the needle defines a taperedseating face 52 complementary adjusted to the tapered fixedvalve seat 42 of the body. - A
spring 54 is arranged to permanently generate on the needle valve 36 a radial force F and,figure 2 represents a first embodiment of saidspring 54 that is a coil spring fixedly wound around theneedle 36 thefinal turn 56 of the spring enlarging and moving away from the needle so that it comes in pressure contact with theinner face 41 of the nozzle body. - Being in contact with both the needle and the nozzle body, the
spring 54 is electrically isolated. This electrical insolation can be achieved for instance by utilising a spring material having intrinsically isolating properties or, by covering a metallic spring with isolation coating. The coating can entirely cover the spring or can be limited to the end portion of thefinal turn 56 which contacts the nozzle body also, the coating can be made on thespring 54 alone or after being assembled on the needle, said coating also isolating part of the needle. A further alternative is to arrange on said contact end portion an isolating covering member or capsule. - The main portion of the spring is wound slightly smaller in section than the needle and, when it is arranged around the needle said main portion is elastically enlarged and engaged in place over the needle prior to be relieved so that it fixedly tighten on the needle. The
last turn 56 has resilient properties and it acts as a compression spring against theinner face 41, generating the force F pushing theneedle 36 away from the coaxial position. - As well-known, so just briefly mentioned, the
fuel injector 10 further accommodates a highpressure fuel circuit 60 extending through the injector from an inlet arranged by the head of the actuator portion to the injection holes 40. In thenozzle assembly 26 saidhydraulic circuit 60 occupies theinner volume 34. - From an electrical and control stand point, in addition to a command circuit comprising the
connector 22 and thecables 20 for transmitting an injection signal S1 from an electronic command unit, hereafter ECU, 62 to theactuator 18, the fuel injector, and more particularly thenozzle assembly 26 is provided with a needle positionelectrical circuit 64 adapted to be connected to theECU 62 for close loop control of the injector. Saidcircuit 64 comprises theneedle valve 36 and the nozzle body 28 that are electrically isolated from each other except for the two tapered faces of thevalve seat - In use, the
fuel injector 10 is arranged in an injection equipment (FIE) generally controlled by theECU 62. Pressurized fuel is received in thehigh pressure circuit 60 from a high pressure reservoir, such as a well-known common rail. TheECU 62 generates and sends the injection signal S1 to theactuator 18, forcing theneedle 36 to slide in the nozzle body 28 and to lift from a closed position PC, where the complementary tapered seating faces 42, 52, are in sealing contact with each other preventing any fuel flow toward the injection holes 40 to, an open position PO where said tapered faces are distant from each other, no longer in contact with each other, enabling fuel flow toward theholes 40 and an injection event. When theneedle 36 is in closed position PC, the needle positionelectrical circuit 64 is closed and, a correspondent closed needle position signal S2 is received by theECU 62. When theneedle 36 is in open position PO, the needle positionelectrical circuit 64 is open and, a correspondent open needle position signal S3 is received by theECU 62. The reason for which thespring 54 must be electrically isolated is here clearly apparent since, in case an electrical contact would occur via thespring 54, this would create a permanent short between the needle and the nozzle body permanently closing the needle positionelectrical circuit 64. - When the command signal S1 is received by the
actuator 18, theneedle 36 stars to lift-up and it is radially pushed by thespring 54 away from the coaxial alignment. When initially lifting, the taperedseating face 52 of the needle, instead of immediately splitting away from the fixedvalve seat 42 of the body as if the needle were in a perfect coaxial position, it slides against a generatrix of the tapered face maintaining electrical contact between the tapered faces 42, 52, before splitting away. A flow passage to the injection holes 40 is therefore open during said initial opening sliding phase OSP, the electricalneedle position circuit 64 being still closed, theECU 62 receiving the closed needle position signal S2 while the needle is no longer in closed position PC. - Similarly, when the command signal S1 is interrupted, the
needle 36 is biased back toward the closed position PC and, since the needle is radially pushed by thespring 54 when approaching the closing position PC, the tapered faces 42, 52, get in contact with each other and close the needle positionelectrical circuit 64 before the needle reaches the closed position PC. A flow passage to the injection holes 40 remains therefore open during said final closing sliding phase CSP, theelectrical position circuit 64 being already closed, theECU 62 receiving the closed needle position signal S2 while the needle is not yet in closed position CP. - Although opening a fuel passage while maintaining closed the
position circuit 64 may seem to be contradictory events, the described embodiment provides a major advantage in that the opening sliding phase OSP and the closing sliding phase CSP are reproducible, easily determined, they do not change over time and, they are consistent from an injector to another. Therefore the sliding duration T1 of said opening sliding phase OSP and the sliding duration T2 of said closing sliding phase CSP are known and determined and are taken into account in the close loop command method for controlling thefuel injector 10. - Furthermore, as it is well-known, in use the relative position of the
needle 36 to the nozzle body 28 varies, since theneedle 36 may rotate about the main axis X in the nozzle body, the tapered faces 42, 52, not being always in contact along the same generatrix, the sliding phases in opening and in closing varying. In a prior art embodiment where the needle is not radially biased, said variation generates uncontrolled changes in the closed needle position signal S2. Thanks to the embodiment presented where theneedle 36 is radially biased, the rotations of theneedle 36 inside the nozzle body and consequent changes in sliding contact generatrix have no influence on the closed needle position signal S2. Indeed, the needle is consistently radially biased and, whichever the contact sliding generatrix of the sliding phases is, the misalignment of the needle does not vary and the durations T1, T2, of the sliding phases remain identical. - A second embodiment of the invention is presented on
figure 4 where aresilient member 66 fixedly attached to theneedle 36 protrudes from said needle and extends toward contacting theinner face 41 of the nozzle body. Themember 66 comprises a fixingportion 68 and a resilient protrudingportion 70. For instance, the fixingportion 68 can be cylindrical and inserted in a complementary hole of the needle and therein secured by welding, press-fitting or even by screwing. Also, the resilient protrudingportion 70 can be accommodated with various shapes such as being bent by the contacting extremity so that it provides improved resilient properties. - A third embodiment of the invention is proposed on
figures 5 and 6 where a anresilient collar member 72 is arranged around theneedle 36. - The
resilient collar member 72 comprises anannular base 74 from which upwardly protrude three T-shapedarms 76 and aresilient tong 78. Saidtong 78 is bent so that it firstly extends upwardly from thebase 74, then it is curved for half-turn prior to downwardly extend toward a final portion, said final portion of the tong being radially distant from theannular base 74. - The arrangement of the
collar member 72 over theneedle 36 is shown onfigure 5 where the collar is inserted by thetip end 46 of the needle so theannular base 74 adjusts just below the quasi-triangularbottom guiding portion 48 of the needle. Each of the T-shapedarm 76 upwardly extend along a flat between the vertices so the upper horizontal bar of the T-shapedarm 80 can be arranged over the guidingportion 48 around the needle. Theresilient tong 78 radially extends from thebase 74, the final portion of the tong being in resilient contact against theinner face 41 if the nozzle body. There again, thecollar 72 is electrically isolated, either entirely or partially limited to thetong 78. Being bent as shown and described, thetong 78 has resilient properties generating the radial force F that biases theneedle 36 on the side away from the coaxial X position. - A fourth embodiment of the invention is now described in reference to
figures 7 and 8 . As shown, thebottom guiding portion 48 of the needle is provided with a radialblind hole 82 opening in one of the flats that is between the vertices. In saidblind hole 82 is arranged aspring 84, for instance a coil spring, and apin 86 having acylindrical body 88 and asemi-spherical head 90, thecylindrical body 88 connecting to thehead 90 in the centre of the flat under face of thehead 90. - The
spring 84 is arranged around thecylindrical body 88 and, in use, saidspring 84 get compressed between the bottom end of theblind hole 82 and said flat under face of thehead 90, thespherical face 90 of the head being outwardly pushed in contact against theinner face 41 of the nozzle body, so generating the radial force F proportional to the compression of thespring 84 that biases the needle on the side, away from the coaxially aligned position. To ensure the required electrical isolation, thepin 86 can be a made in ceramic or any nonconductive material or, thespherical head 90 can be coated as previously mentioned. - In an alternative, the pin could be replaced by a spherical ball outwardly pushed by the
spring 84, the ball being made in ceramic, or being coated,. This ball alternative enables the rolling of the sphere against theinner face 41 while in the pin alternative the spherical face slides against theinner face 41. -
- X
- main axis
- S1
- command signal
- S2
- closed needle position signal
- S3
- open needle position signal
- PO
- open position
- PC
- closed position
- SP
- sliding phase
- T1
- opening sliding duration
- T2
- closing sliding duration
- P
- adjustment parameter
- OSP
- open sliding phase
- CSP
- closing sliding phase
- 10
- injector
- 12
- actuator portion
- 14
- hydraulic portion
- 16
- body of the actuator portion
- 18
- actuator
- 20
- cables
- 22
- connector
- 24
- valve member
- 26
- nozzle assembly
- 28
- nozzle body
- 30
- peripheral wall of the nozzle
- 32
- tip end
- 34
- inner volume
- 36
- needle valve
- 38
- sac
- 40
- injection hole
- 41
- inner face of the nozzle body
- 42
- fixed valve seat
- 44
- top guiding portion
- 46
- tip end of the needle
- 48
- bottom guiding portion of the needle
- 50
- inner guiding portion of the nozzle body
- 52
- tapered seating face of the needle
- 54
- coil spring
- 56
- final turn of the spring
- 60
- high pressure hydraulic circuit
- 62
- electrical command unit (ECU)
- 64
- needle position electrical circuit
- 66
- resilient member
- 68
- fixing portion
- 70
- resilient protruding portion
- 72
- resilient collar member
- 74
- annular base
- 76
- T-shaped arm
- 78
- resilient tong
- 80
- horizontal bar of the T-shaped arm
- 82
- blind hole
- 84
- spring
- 86
- pin
- 88
- cylindrical body of the pin
- 90
- spherical head of the pin
Claims (8)
- Nozzle assembly (26) of a fuel injector (10), said nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body (28) having a peripheral wall (30) defining an inner bore extending along a main axis (X), said bore forming at a first extremity a tapered fixed valve seat (42) adapted to receive in sealing contact a complementary tapered needle seating face (52) of a needle valve slidably arranged in the bore, and adapted to translate along the main axis (X) between a closed position (PC) where the needle seating face (52) is in sealing contact with the fixed valve seat (42) and, a fully open position (PO) where the needle seating face is lifted away from the fixed valve seat,
characterized in that
the nozzle assembly (26) is further provided with a spring assembly (54, 66, 72, 84, 86) radially compressed between the needle and the bore so that in use, when beginning a lift of the needle (36) from the closed position (PC) toward the open position (PO), the tapered needle seating face (52) slides and remains in contact against the fixed valve seat (52) instead of coaxially separating immediately. - Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring assembly (66) comprises a fixing portion (68) fixed to the needle (36) and a resilient protruding portion (70) protruding from the needle to a distant extremity that is in contact against the bore.
- Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring assembly (54) is a coil spring fixedly wound around the needle (36), the last turn (56) of the spring enlarging and separating from the needle toward an extremity contacting the bore.
- Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring assembly (72) is a collar member (72) having a circular base (74) arranged around the needle and an outwardly resiliently bent tong (78) extending from said base toward a distant end in contact with the bore.
- Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the needle is provided with a radial blind hole (82) in which is arranged the spring assembly (84, 86).
- Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 5 wherein the spring assembly (84, 86) comprises a spherical pushing member (90) and a spring (84) compressed in the blind hole (82), the spherical member (90) being outwardly pushed from the hole and biased in contact against the bore.
- Nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims wherein the spring is electrically isolated.
- Fuel injector (10) having an actuator portion (14) and a nozzle assembly (26) as claimed in claim 5, said fuel injector being further provided with an electrical circuit (64) that is closed when the needle seating face (52) is in contact with the fixed valve seat (42), and that is open when the needle seating face (52) is distant from the fixed valve seat (42) so that an electrical signal (S2) can be obtained said signal (S2) varying as a function of the needle position.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1602694.0A GB201602694D0 (en) | 2016-02-16 | 2016-02-16 | Nozzle assembly and fuel injector |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3208456A1 true EP3208456A1 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
EP3208456B1 EP3208456B1 (en) | 2020-04-15 |
Family
ID=55697738
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17155490.0A Active EP3208456B1 (en) | 2016-02-16 | 2017-02-09 | Nozzle assembly and fuel injector |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3208456B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB201602694D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020025262A1 (en) * | 2018-08-01 | 2020-02-06 | Delphi Technologies Ip Limited | Fuel injector with closed loop detection |
US11067028B2 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2021-07-20 | Caterpillar Inc. | Fuel injector |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1619383A2 (en) * | 2004-07-23 | 2006-01-25 | Magneti Marelli Holding S.p.A. | Electromagnetically actuated fuel injector |
DE102004043707A1 (en) * | 2004-09-09 | 2006-03-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Fuel injection valve for fuel injection system of internal combustion engine has spring sleeve acting upon valve needle and has axially elastic spring section and radially elastic sleeve section |
DE102009001099A1 (en) * | 2009-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Fuel injection valve for internal-combustion engine, has valve unit partially guided in sleeve, and spring element surrounding sleeve and subjecting sleeve with compressive force for position fixation in axial and/or radial directions |
US20110303192A1 (en) * | 2007-05-02 | 2011-12-15 | Klaus Jung | Internal combustion engine with sealing protection for a fuel injection valve |
US20140306034A1 (en) * | 2013-04-11 | 2014-10-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Valve for metering fluid |
EP3112661A1 (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-04 | Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.à r.l. | Sealing arrangement |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102015222162A1 (en) * | 2015-11-11 | 2017-05-11 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | A nozzle assembly for a fuel injector for injecting a gaseous and / or liquid fuel, fuel injector |
-
2016
- 2016-02-16 GB GBGB1602694.0A patent/GB201602694D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2017
- 2017-02-09 EP EP17155490.0A patent/EP3208456B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1619383A2 (en) * | 2004-07-23 | 2006-01-25 | Magneti Marelli Holding S.p.A. | Electromagnetically actuated fuel injector |
DE102004043707A1 (en) * | 2004-09-09 | 2006-03-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Fuel injection valve for fuel injection system of internal combustion engine has spring sleeve acting upon valve needle and has axially elastic spring section and radially elastic sleeve section |
US20110303192A1 (en) * | 2007-05-02 | 2011-12-15 | Klaus Jung | Internal combustion engine with sealing protection for a fuel injection valve |
DE102009001099A1 (en) * | 2009-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Fuel injection valve for internal-combustion engine, has valve unit partially guided in sleeve, and spring element surrounding sleeve and subjecting sleeve with compressive force for position fixation in axial and/or radial directions |
US20140306034A1 (en) * | 2013-04-11 | 2014-10-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Valve for metering fluid |
EP3112661A1 (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-04 | Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.à r.l. | Sealing arrangement |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2020025262A1 (en) * | 2018-08-01 | 2020-02-06 | Delphi Technologies Ip Limited | Fuel injector with closed loop detection |
US11067028B2 (en) | 2019-01-16 | 2021-07-20 | Caterpillar Inc. | Fuel injector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3208456B1 (en) | 2020-04-15 |
GB201602694D0 (en) | 2016-03-30 |
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