EP3234341B1 - A fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine - Google Patents
A fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3234341B1 EP3234341B1 EP14824862.8A EP14824862A EP3234341B1 EP 3234341 B1 EP3234341 B1 EP 3234341B1 EP 14824862 A EP14824862 A EP 14824862A EP 3234341 B1 EP3234341 B1 EP 3234341B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- injector
- space
- needle arrangement
- control piston
- 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.)
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- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims description 157
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 13
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011263 electroactive material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 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
- F02M51/0603—Injectors peculiar thereto with means directly operating the valve needle using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating means
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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
- F02M2200/70—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger
- F02M2200/703—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger hydraulic
- F02M2200/705—Linkage between actuator and actuated element, e.g. between piezoelectric actuator and needle valve or pump plunger hydraulic with means for filling or emptying hydraulic chamber, e.g. for compensating clearance or thermal expansion
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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
- F02M61/16—Details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the apparatus of groups F02M61/02 - F02M61/14
- F02M61/167—Means for compensating clearance or thermal expansion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine according to the preamble of claim 1. More particularly, the invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine comprising an injector body provided with a fuel space in the body, a fuel inlet for admission of pressurized fuel into the fuel space, at least one nozzle orifice through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine, an injector needle arrangement, a first end of which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice for opening or closing the orifice, a spring element forcing the injector needle towards a position closing the nozzle orifice, and a piezoelectric actuator arranged to control the position of the injector needle arrangement so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice.
- the fuel is injected as a fine mist from the fuel injector into the cylinder of the engine such that with eddies of air is achieved a good mixture of fuel and combustion air and combustion.
- Fuel injected by the fuel injector as tiny droplets vaporizes quickly as combustion begins after a short ignition delay.
- a spring-loaded injector needle is typically used as a shut-off element in the fuel injector. The injector needle is generally guided hydraulically by the pressure of the fuel or other hydraulic fluid.
- One means of achieving these goals is to adjust with a greater accuracy the amount of the fuel injection and the timing and duration of injection during the injection event.
- the accuracy of adjustment of fuel injection can be improved by guiding the injector needle of the fuel injector by a piezoelectric actuator.
- WO 2013160536 A1 is related to a fuel injector for a reciprocating engine.
- the fuel injector comprises an injector needle for opening and closing a flow communication between a fuel chamber and a nozzle opening, and a movable control piston, a fuel space delimited by the control piston and the injector needle, whereby fuel pressure in the fuel space is arranged to press the injector needle towards a closing position.
- EP 1342913 A1 discloses a fuel injector comprising a body with an injection orifice at the end of the body to deliver fuel, a moving needle so as to opening and closing a flow path via the injection orifice, a piezoelectric actuator, and a return spring. Movement amplification between the actuator and the needle is provided with a hydraulic chamber with one end closed by the moving surface of the actuator and the other end closed by a surface attached to the needle. The needle is allowed to move a distance which is greater than a movement of the actuator.
- JP 2010223195 A is related to a fuel injection in an internal combustion engine comprising a piezoelectric actuator.
- the reliability of the piezoelectric actuator is enhanced while improving energy efficiency in a direct-acting type fuel injection valve having a variable displacement magnification which is opened when the piezoelectric actuator is charged.
- US 2008/0163852 A1 discloses an injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular, direct-injecting diesel engines.
- the injector comprises a piezoelectric actuator contained in an injector body and acted in by a first spring mechanism so that it remains in contact with the injector body at one end and with a sleeve-like booster piston on the other end.
- FR 2 941 745 A3 discloses an injecting device having an electro-active material actuator arranged to trigger movement of a needle.
- the injecting device comprises a hydraulic chamber defined by an actuator piston and a needle piston.
- the hydraulic chamber is connected to a duct for maintaining the hydraulic chamber supplied with liquid.
- An object of the invention is to provide a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine in which the performance is considerably improved compared to the prior art solutions.
- a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine comprising an injector body provided with a fuel space in the body, a fuel inlet for admission of pressurized fuel into the fuel space, at least one nozzle orifice through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine, an injector needle arrangement, a first end of which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice for opening or closing the orifice, a spring element forcing the injector needle towards a position closing the nozzle orifice, and a piezoelectric actuator arranged to control the position of the injector needle arrangement so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice.
- the piezoelectric actuator is in direct connection with a control piston at a first end of the control piston, a second end of which control piston is arranged to extend into a cylinder space arranged into the injector body, the control piston having a first cross sectional area at its second end, a second end of the injector needle arrangement is arranged to extend from the fuel space into the cylinder space towards the control piston, the second end of the injector needle arrangement having a second cross sectional area, being smaller than the first cross sectional area, the cylinder space is arranged in flow connection with the fuel space via a gap between the second end of the injector needle arrangement extending into the cylinder space and the injector body so that the cylinder space is filled with the fuel, and the injector body is provided with a fuel discharge duct which opens into the cylinder space and the fuel space is continuously in flow communication with the discharge duct for discharging fuel from the fuel space via a flow path successively comprising the gap between the second end of the injector needle arrangement and the injector body,
- This provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine which performance is considerably improved.
- the fuel injector is accurate, fast and easy to control.
- This type of fuel injector is a so-called direct acting.
- a minor amount of fuel may leak through the gap into the cylinder space from the fuel space and further discharges from the fuel injector via the discharge duct. This keeps the gap clean.
- the discharge duct is in flow communication to a low pressure fuel system, for example, a fuel return duct and a tank. This will prevent additional leakages in the fuel injector and enhances the durability of the fuel injector.
- the invention provides a very fast injector wherein a small movement of the piezoelectric actuator is transferred to a larger movement of the injector needle arrangement. This is due to the cylinder space which amplifies the movement of the injector needle arrangement.
- the fuel is moving via the gaps and thus substantially continuously changing in the fuel space, it keeps clean moving parts of the injector needle arrangement. This is desirable, at least with fuels which are poor in properties i.e. problematic or which are not substantially clean partially because the fuel may not be stuck in the fuel injector. There is no need for additional control oil systems for operating the fuel injector.
- the flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice into the cylinder of the engine is openable by activating the piezoelectric actuator causing a retraction movement of the control piston from the cylinder space and thus moving the injector needle arrangement away from the nozzle orifice, wherein the movement of the injector needle arrangement is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area of the control piston and the second cross sectional area of the injector needle arrangement.
- the piezoelectric actuator comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements isolated from contact with fuel in the injector body when in use. This protects the piezoelectric actuator from the fuel. In other words, the fuel space is not in flow communication with the piezoelectric actuator.
- the piezoelectric actuator is isolated from the discharge duct in addition to the fuel inlet.
- the first end of the control piston is attached to the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric actuator.
- the spring element is arranged in a spring chamber that is in flow communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel space.
- the flow communication from the fuel space via the at least one nozzle orifice is arranged to be open, at least a portion of the second end of the injector needle arrangement extends into the cylinder space.
- a surface of the second end of the control piston is in contact with a surface of the second end of the injector needle arrangement.
- Figure 1 depicts schematically a fuel injector 10 for an internal combustion piston engine comprising an injector body 12 provided with a fuel space 14 in the body 12.
- the fuel space 14 is in connection with a fuel inlet 16 in the body 12 and receives pressurized fuel via the fuel inlet 16 from e.g. a pressure accumulator (not shown).
- the fuel injector 10 is provided with at least one nozzle orifice 18 at and end of the body 12 through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine.
- Fig. 1 there are schematically shown two nozzle orifices 18. In practice, however, the number of nozzle orifices may vary.
- the fuel injector 10 further comprises an injector needle arrangement 22 which is provided with a first end 21 which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice 18 in the body 12 for opening or closing the orifice 18 depending on the position of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the fuel injector 10 comprises a spring element 24 forcing the needle arrangement 22 towards a position closing the nozzle orifice 18, that is when the needle tip is against end of the nozzle.
- the spring element 24 is a helical spring.
- Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a situation when the flow communication is closed from the fuel space 14 via the nozzle orifice(s) 18.
- the spring element 24 is arranged into a spring chamber 25 and surrounding a portion of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the spring chamber 25 is in direct flow communication with the fuel inlet 16 and with the fuel space 14. There is a clearance between the injector needle arrangement 22 and the injector body via which the spring chamber 25 is in flow communication with the fuel space 14.
- fuel pressure in the fuel space 14 is arranged to subject a force component in the direction of a longitudinal axis A of the fuel injector 10 to the injector needle arrangement 22. The actual position and movement of the needle arrangement is ruled by co-operation of the spring element and the forces subjected by the fuel pressure to the needle.
- piezoelectric actuator 26 arranged to the fuel injection to control the position of the injector needle arrangement 22 so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from the fuel space 14 through the at least one nozzle orifice 18 into the cylinder 20 of the engine, when being installed into the engine.
- control piston arranged in connection with the piezoelectric actuator 26, which is in direct connection with the control piston 28, more specifically with a first end 29 of the control piston.
- a second end 27 of the control piston 28 is arranged to extend into a cylinder space 30 arranged into the injector body 12.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 is supported into the body so that it may apply force to the control piston 28, for example by arranging the end opposite to the control piston to be supported by the body.
- the control piston 28 has a first cross sectional area A1 specifically at the second end 27 thereof.
- the control piston 28 has a first diameter D1 specifically at the second end 27 thereof which second end 27 is substantially cylinder.
- the form of the second end 27 of the control piston 28 is not limited only to cylinder. Thus any other shape is possible for the second end 27 of the control piston 28, for instance, a rectangular prism.
- the control piston 28 as well as the piezoelectric actuator 26 is movable in a direction of the longitudinal axis A of the fuel injector 10.
- the injector needle arrangement 22 is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the fuel injector 10.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 and the injector needle arrangement 22 work in co-operation but according to the invention the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 can even be up to five times greater than the movement of the control piston 28 which is moved by the piezoelectric actuator 26..
- a second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 is arranged to extend from the fuel space 14 into the cylinder space 30 towards the control piston 28.
- the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 has a second cross sectional area A2 that is smaller than the first cross sectional area A1.
- a form of the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 is cylindrical having a second diameter D2 that is smaller than the first diameter D1 of the control piston 28.
- a surface 27' of the second end 27 of the control piston 28 is substantially of greater cross sectional area than a surface 23' of the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the control piston 28 is arranged between the piezoelectric actuator 26 and the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the shape of the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 is not limited only to cylindrical shapes. Thus any other shape is possible for the second end 23 of the injector needle, for instance, a rectangular prism.
- the cylinder space 30 is arranged in flow connection with the fuel space 14 via a gap 32 between the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 extending into the cylinder space 30 and the injector body 12 so that the cylinder space 30 is filled with the fuel when in use.
- the cylinder space 30 may be called as a hydraulic volume because it amplifies a relatively small movement of the piezoelectric actuator 26, and this way also the movement of the control piston, to a larger movement of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- ⁇ V ( ⁇ D1 2 /4). x.
- z ⁇ V /( ⁇ D2 2 /4).
- the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area A1 of the control piston 28 and the second cross sectional area A2 of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to a square of the ratio of the first diameter D1 of the control piston 28 and the second diameter D2 of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the injector body is provided with the fuel discharge duct 34 which opens into the cylinder space 30.
- the fuel space 14 is continuously in flow communication with the discharge duct 34 for discharging fuel from the fuel space 14 via a flow path comprising the gap 32 between the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 and the injector body 12, the cylinder space 30, a gap 36 between the second end 27 of the control piston 28 and the injector body 12, and the discharge duct 34.
- the fuel is changing in the fuel injector 10 and the fuel injector 10 is kept clean by the fuel.
- the fuel introduced into the fuel space 14 at least a portion of fuel is substantially continuously discharged via the discharge duct 34, also, when the flow communication from the fuel space 14 into the cylinder 20 of the engine is closed.
- the discharge duct 34 is in flow communication to a low pressure fuel system, for example a fuel return duct and a tank, which are not shown in figures.
- a low pressure fuel system for example a fuel return duct and a tank, which are not shown in figures.
- the discharge duct 34 opens into the cylinder space 30 at a longitudinal location nearer to the first end 29 of the control piston 28 than the second end 27 of the control piston which improves the cleaning effect described above,
- the flow communication from the fuel space 14 through the at least one nozzle orifice 18 into the cylinder 20 of the engine is openable by activating the piezoelectric actuator 26 causing a retraction movement of the control piston 28 from the cylinder space 30 and thus moving the injector needle arrangement 22 away from the nozzle orifice 18, wherein according to an embodiment of the invention, the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area A1 of the control piston 28 and the second cross sectional area A2 of the injector needle arrangement 22. According to an embodiment of the invention, the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to a square of the ratio of the first diameter D1 of the control piston 28 and the second diameter D2 of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 and the injector needle arrangement 22 work in co-operation but the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is larger than the movement of the piezoelectric actuator 26.
- the function of the piezoelectric actuator 26 is based on the piezoelectric phenomenon.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 comprises piezoelectric elements 26' which comprise piezoelectric crystals made generally from PZT ceramics.
- the PZT ceramics comprise lead, zirconium and titanium.
- the piezoelectric elements 26' are arranged one above another so as to form a so-called a piezoelectric stack.
- Figure 1 illustrates the piezoelectric actuator 26 that comprises the stack of piezoelectric elements isolated from contact with fuel in the injector body 12 when in use. In other words, the fuel is not allowed to flow into the piezoelectric actuator 26 from the fuel space 14.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 is isolated from the discharge duct 34 and the fuel inlet 16. This protects the piezoelectric actuator 26 and the piezoelectric elements 26' from the fuel.
- the fuel space 14 is not in flow communication with the piezoelectric actuator 26.
- the first end 29 of the control piston 28 is attached to the piezoelectric element 26' of the piezoelectric actuator 26.
- a length of the piezoelectric actuator 26 changes in response to an electrical field.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 is energized.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 is compressed or exposed to retraction that is the length of the piezoelectric elements 26' is shortened.
- the needle arrangement 22 is moving away from the closing position and the at least one nozzle orifice 18 towards the control piston 28 so as to open the flow communication from the fuel space 14 into the cylinder 20 of the engine.
- Figure 2 illustrates schematically a position when the flow communication from the fuel space 14 is open into the cylinder 20 of the engine via the nozzle orifice 18.
- a hydraulic pressure due to the fuel flowing into the fuel space 14 and the cylinder space 30 forces the needle arrangement 22 into the position wherein the flow communication from the fuel space 14 to the cylinder 20 of the engine is open.
- the cylinder space 30 amplifies the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 towards the control piston 28.
- FIG. 2 it is illustrated that the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 is not in contact with the second end 27 of the control piston 28 in the cylinder space 30.
- a small retraction movement of the piezoelectric actuator 26 is transferred to a greater opening movement of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- a movement of the piezoelectric actuator 26 can be e.g. five times smaller than a movement of the injector needle arrangement 22.
- at least a portion of the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 extends into the cylinder space 30 when the flow communication from the fuel space 14 is open into the cylinder 20 of the engine via the at least one nozzle orifice 18.
- the surface 23' of the second end 23 of the injector needle arrangement 22 is not in contact with the surface 27' of the second end 27 of the control piston 28.
- the fuel injector needle arrangement 22 When to the piezoelectric actuator 26 is de-energized, the fuel injector needle arrangement 22 is in a closing position and thus the flow communication from the fuel space 14 to the cylinder 20 of the engine is closed as illustrated in Figure 1 .
- the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 is very fast due to the fact that the cylinder space 30 is filled with the fuel and amplifies the movement of the injector needle arrangement 22 towards the at least one nozzle orifices 18, in Fig. 1 towards the two nozzle orifices 18.
- the piezoelectric actuator 26 when the piezoelectric actuator 26 is de-energized, the length of the piezoelectric actuator grows and the movement of the piezoelectric actuator is towards the injector needle arrangement 22 when expanding. This forces the injector needle arrangement 22 to its closing position.
- Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate an embodiment of the fuel injector 10 having only one control piston 28, according to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to have more than one control piston element 28 in the fuel injector 10.
Description
- The present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine according to the preamble of claim 1. More particularly, the invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine comprising an injector body provided with a fuel space in the body, a fuel inlet for admission of pressurized fuel into the fuel space, at least one nozzle orifice through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine, an injector needle arrangement, a first end of which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice for opening or closing the orifice, a spring element forcing the injector needle towards a position closing the nozzle orifice, and a piezoelectric actuator arranged to control the position of the injector needle arrangement so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice.
- In diesel engines, the fuel is injected as a fine mist from the fuel injector into the cylinder of the engine such that with eddies of air is achieved a good mixture of fuel and combustion air and combustion. Fuel injected by the fuel injector as tiny droplets vaporizes quickly as combustion begins after a short ignition delay. A spring-loaded injector needle is typically used as a shut-off element in the fuel injector. The injector needle is generally guided hydraulically by the pressure of the fuel or other hydraulic fluid.
- Due to ever more stringent emission regulations, the emissions created by diesel engines must be decreased. It is, however, desired that the performance of the engine is kept at the same operational level or even improved. One means of achieving these goals is to adjust with a greater accuracy the amount of the fuel injection and the timing and duration of injection during the injection event. The accuracy of adjustment of fuel injection can be improved by guiding the injector needle of the fuel injector by a piezoelectric actuator.
-
WO 2013160536 A1 is related to a fuel injector for a reciprocating engine. The fuel injector comprises an injector needle for opening and closing a flow communication between a fuel chamber and a nozzle opening, and a movable control piston, a fuel space delimited by the control piston and the injector needle, whereby fuel pressure in the fuel space is arranged to press the injector needle towards a closing position. -
EP 1342913 A1 discloses a fuel injector comprising a body with an injection orifice at the end of the body to deliver fuel, a moving needle so as to opening and closing a flow path via the injection orifice, a piezoelectric actuator, and a return spring. Movement amplification between the actuator and the needle is provided with a hydraulic chamber with one end closed by the moving surface of the actuator and the other end closed by a surface attached to the needle. The needle is allowed to move a distance which is greater than a movement of the actuator. -
JP 2010223195 A -
US 2008/0163852 A1 discloses an injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular, direct-injecting diesel engines. The injector comprises a piezoelectric actuator contained in an injector body and acted in by a first spring mechanism so that it remains in contact with the injector body at one end and with a sleeve-like booster piston on the other end. -
FR 2 941 745 A3 - An object of the invention is to provide a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine in which the performance is considerably improved compared to the prior art solutions.
- An object of the invention is substantially met by a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine comprising an injector body provided with a fuel space in the body, a fuel inlet for admission of pressurized fuel into the fuel space, at least one nozzle orifice through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine, an injector needle arrangement, a first end of which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice for opening or closing the orifice, a spring element forcing the injector needle towards a position closing the nozzle orifice, and a piezoelectric actuator arranged to control the position of the injector needle arrangement so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice. It is characteristic to the invention that the piezoelectric actuator is in direct connection with a control piston at a first end of the control piston, a second end of which control piston is arranged to extend into a cylinder space arranged into the injector body, the control piston having a first cross sectional area at its second end, a second end of the injector needle arrangement is arranged to extend from the fuel space into the cylinder space towards the control piston, the second end of the injector needle arrangement having a second cross sectional area, being smaller than the first cross sectional area, the cylinder space is arranged in flow connection with the fuel space via a gap between the second end of the injector needle arrangement extending into the cylinder space and the injector body so that the cylinder space is filled with the fuel, and the injector body is provided with a fuel discharge duct which opens into the cylinder space and the fuel space is continuously in flow communication with the discharge duct for discharging fuel from the fuel space via a flow path successively comprising the gap between the second end of the injector needle arrangement and the injector body, the cylinder space, a gap between the second end of control piston and the injector body, and the discharge duct.
- This provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine which performance is considerably improved. The fuel injector is accurate, fast and easy to control. This type of fuel injector is a so-called direct acting. Advantageously, a minor amount of fuel may leak through the gap into the cylinder space from the fuel space and further discharges from the fuel injector via the discharge duct. This keeps the gap clean. The discharge duct is in flow communication to a low pressure fuel system, for example, a fuel return duct and a tank. This will prevent additional leakages in the fuel injector and enhances the durability of the fuel injector. More advantageously, the invention provides a very fast injector wherein a small movement of the piezoelectric actuator is transferred to a larger movement of the injector needle arrangement. This is due to the cylinder space which amplifies the movement of the injector needle arrangement.
- The fuel is moving via the gaps and thus substantially continuously changing in the fuel space, it keeps clean moving parts of the injector needle arrangement. This is desirable, at least with fuels which are poor in properties i.e. problematic or which are not substantially clean partially because the fuel may not be stuck in the fuel injector. There is no need for additional control oil systems for operating the fuel injector.
- According to another embodiment of the invention, the flow communication from the fuel space through the at least one nozzle orifice into the cylinder of the engine is openable by activating the piezoelectric actuator causing a retraction movement of the control piston from the cylinder space and thus moving the injector needle arrangement away from the nozzle orifice, wherein the movement of the injector needle arrangement is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area of the control piston and the second cross sectional area of the injector needle arrangement.
- According to a yet another embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric actuator comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements isolated from contact with fuel in the injector body when in use. This protects the piezoelectric actuator from the fuel. In other words, the fuel space is not in flow communication with the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is isolated from the discharge duct in addition to the fuel inlet.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, the first end of the control piston is attached to the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric actuator.
- According to another embodiment of the invention, the spring element is arranged in a spring chamber that is in flow communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel space.
- According to an embodiment of the invention, when the flow communication from the fuel space via the at least one nozzle orifice is arranged to be open, at least a portion of the second end of the injector needle arrangement extends into the cylinder space.
- According to a yet another embodiment of the invention, when the flow communication from the fuel space via the at least one nozzle orifice is arranged to be open, a surface of the second end of the control piston is in contact with a surface of the second end of the injector needle arrangement.
- In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying exemplary, schematic drawings, in which
-
Figure 1 illustrates a fuel injection system for an internal combustion piston engine according to the first embodiment of the invention, and -
Figure 2 illustrates a fuel injection system for an internal combustion piston engine according to another embodiment of the invention. -
Figure 1 depicts schematically afuel injector 10 for an internal combustion piston engine comprising aninjector body 12 provided with afuel space 14 in thebody 12. Thefuel space 14 is in connection with afuel inlet 16 in thebody 12 and receives pressurized fuel via thefuel inlet 16 from e.g. a pressure accumulator (not shown). Thefuel injector 10 is provided with at least onenozzle orifice 18 at and end of thebody 12 through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder of the engine. InFig. 1 , there are schematically shown twonozzle orifices 18. In practice, however, the number of nozzle orifices may vary. - The
fuel injector 10 further comprises aninjector needle arrangement 22 which is provided with afirst end 21 which is arranged in co-operation with thenozzle orifice 18 in thebody 12 for opening or closing theorifice 18 depending on the position of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Thefuel injector 10 comprises aspring element 24 forcing theneedle arrangement 22 towards a position closing thenozzle orifice 18, that is when the needle tip is against end of the nozzle. Typically thespring element 24 is a helical spring. Specifically,Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a situation when the flow communication is closed from thefuel space 14 via the nozzle orifice(s) 18. Thespring element 24 is arranged into aspring chamber 25 and surrounding a portion of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Thespring chamber 25 is in direct flow communication with thefuel inlet 16 and with thefuel space 14. There is a clearance between theinjector needle arrangement 22 and the injector body via which thespring chamber 25 is in flow communication with thefuel space 14. In addition to thespring element 24, also fuel pressure in thefuel space 14 is arranged to subject a force component in the direction of a longitudinal axis A of thefuel injector 10 to theinjector needle arrangement 22. The actual position and movement of the needle arrangement is ruled by co-operation of the spring element and the forces subjected by the fuel pressure to the needle. - There is a
piezoelectric actuator 26 arranged to the fuel injection to control the position of theinjector needle arrangement 22 so as to control opening and closing of a flow communication from thefuel space 14 through the at least onenozzle orifice 18 into thecylinder 20 of the engine, when being installed into the engine. There is control piston arranged in connection with thepiezoelectric actuator 26, which is in direct connection with thecontrol piston 28, more specifically with afirst end 29 of the control piston. Asecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 is arranged to extend into acylinder space 30 arranged into theinjector body 12. Thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is supported into the body so that it may apply force to thecontrol piston 28, for example by arranging the end opposite to the control piston to be supported by the body. Thecontrol piston 28 has a first cross sectional area A1 specifically at thesecond end 27 thereof. In this embodiment thecontrol piston 28 has a first diameter D1 specifically at thesecond end 27 thereof whichsecond end 27 is substantially cylinder. It should be, however, noted that the form of thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 is not limited only to cylinder. Thus any other shape is possible for thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28, for instance, a rectangular prism. Thecontrol piston 28 as well as thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is movable in a direction of the longitudinal axis A of thefuel injector 10. Similarly, theinjector needle arrangement 22 is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of thefuel injector 10. Obviously, thepiezoelectric actuator 26 and theinjector needle arrangement 22 work in co-operation but according to the invention the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 can even be up to five times greater than the movement of thecontrol piston 28 which is moved by thepiezoelectric actuator 26.. - A
second end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is arranged to extend from thefuel space 14 into thecylinder space 30 towards thecontrol piston 28. Thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 has a second cross sectional area A2 that is smaller than the first cross sectional area A1. A form of thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is cylindrical having a second diameter D2 that is smaller than the first diameter D1 of thecontrol piston 28. In other words, a surface 27' of thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 is substantially of greater cross sectional area than a surface 23' of thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Thecontrol piston 28 is arranged between thepiezoelectric actuator 26 and theinjector needle arrangement 22. It should be also noted herein that the shape of thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is not limited only to cylindrical shapes. Thus any other shape is possible for thesecond end 23 of the injector needle, for instance, a rectangular prism. - The
cylinder space 30 is arranged in flow connection with thefuel space 14 via agap 32 between thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 extending into thecylinder space 30 and theinjector body 12 so that thecylinder space 30 is filled with the fuel when in use. Thecylinder space 30 may be called as a hydraulic volume because it amplifies a relatively small movement of thepiezoelectric actuator 26, and this way also the movement of the control piston, to a larger movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22. When the control piston moves a distance x it replaces a volume ΔV = A1 · x. In this embodiment when thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 is cylindrical, thus ΔV = (π D12/4). x. The change in volume ΔV in turn causes the piston arrangement to move a distance z = ΔV /A2. In this embodiment, when thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is cylindrical, z = ΔV /(π D22/4). In other words, the distance z can be written as z = x ·(A1/A2). Thus, the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area A1 of thecontrol piston 28 and the second cross sectional area A2 of theinjector needle arrangement 22. In this embodiment as the distance z can be written as z = x · (D1/D2)2. Thus, in this embodiment, the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to a square of the ratio of the first diameter D1 of thecontrol piston 28 and the second diameter D2 of theinjector needle arrangement 22. - The injector body is provided with the
fuel discharge duct 34 which opens into thecylinder space 30. Thefuel space 14 is continuously in flow communication with thedischarge duct 34 for discharging fuel from thefuel space 14 via a flow path comprising thegap 32 between thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 and theinjector body 12, thecylinder space 30, agap 36 between thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 and theinjector body 12, and thedischarge duct 34. Advantageously, due to the continuous flow communication from thefuel space 14 into thedischarge duct 34, the fuel is changing in thefuel injector 10 and thefuel injector 10 is kept clean by the fuel. In other words, the fuel introduced into thefuel space 14, at least a portion of fuel is substantially continuously discharged via thedischarge duct 34, also, when the flow communication from thefuel space 14 into thecylinder 20 of the engine is closed. Thedischarge duct 34 is in flow communication to a low pressure fuel system, for example a fuel return duct and a tank, which are not shown in figures. Preferably thedischarge duct 34 opens into thecylinder space 30 at a longitudinal location nearer to thefirst end 29 of thecontrol piston 28 than thesecond end 27 of the control piston which improves the cleaning effect described above, - The flow communication from the
fuel space 14 through the at least onenozzle orifice 18 into thecylinder 20 of the engine is openable by activating thepiezoelectric actuator 26 causing a retraction movement of thecontrol piston 28 from thecylinder space 30 and thus moving theinjector needle arrangement 22 away from thenozzle orifice 18, wherein according to an embodiment of the invention, the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area A1 of thecontrol piston 28 and the second cross sectional area A2 of theinjector needle arrangement 22. According to an embodiment of the invention, the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is proportional to a square of the ratio of the first diameter D1 of thecontrol piston 28 and the second diameter D2 of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Thepiezoelectric actuator 26 and theinjector needle arrangement 22 work in co-operation but the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is larger than the movement of thepiezoelectric actuator 26. - The function of the
piezoelectric actuator 26 is based on the piezoelectric phenomenon. Thepiezoelectric actuator 26 comprises piezoelectric elements 26' which comprise piezoelectric crystals made generally from PZT ceramics. The PZT ceramics comprise lead, zirconium and titanium. The piezoelectric elements 26' are arranged one above another so as to form a so-called a piezoelectric stack.Figure 1 illustrates thepiezoelectric actuator 26 that comprises the stack of piezoelectric elements isolated from contact with fuel in theinjector body 12 when in use. In other words, the fuel is not allowed to flow into thepiezoelectric actuator 26 from thefuel space 14. This means also that thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is isolated from thedischarge duct 34 and the fuel inlet 16.This protects thepiezoelectric actuator 26 and the piezoelectric elements 26' from the fuel. Thefuel space 14 is not in flow communication with thepiezoelectric actuator 26. Thefirst end 29 of thecontrol piston 28 is attached to the piezoelectric element 26' of thepiezoelectric actuator 26. - A length of the
piezoelectric actuator 26 changes in response to an electrical field. In order to initiate the fuel injection into thecylinder 20 of the engine, thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is energized. According to one embodiment of the invention, when thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is energized, thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is compressed or exposed to retraction that is the length of the piezoelectric elements 26' is shortened. Then theneedle arrangement 22 is moving away from the closing position and the at least onenozzle orifice 18 towards thecontrol piston 28 so as to open the flow communication from thefuel space 14 into thecylinder 20 of the engine.Figure 2 illustrates schematically a position when the flow communication from thefuel space 14 is open into thecylinder 20 of the engine via thenozzle orifice 18. Specifically, a hydraulic pressure due to the fuel flowing into thefuel space 14 and thecylinder space 30 forces theneedle arrangement 22 into the position wherein the flow communication from thefuel space 14 to thecylinder 20 of the engine is open. Specifically, thecylinder space 30 amplifies the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 towards thecontrol piston 28. - In
Figure 2 , it is illustrated that thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is not in contact with thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28 in thecylinder space 30. This way, a small retraction movement of thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is transferred to a greater opening movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Namely, a movement of thepiezoelectric actuator 26 can be e.g. five times smaller than a movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22. Particularly, at least a portion of thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 extends into thecylinder space 30 when the flow communication from thefuel space 14 is open into thecylinder 20 of the engine via the at least onenozzle orifice 18. Thus, in some embodiment, the surface 23' of thesecond end 23 of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is not in contact with the surface 27' of thesecond end 27 of thecontrol piston 28. - When to the
piezoelectric actuator 26 is de-energized, the fuelinjector needle arrangement 22 is in a closing position and thus the flow communication from thefuel space 14 to thecylinder 20 of the engine is closed as illustrated inFigure 1 . The movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 is very fast due to the fact that thecylinder space 30 is filled with the fuel and amplifies the movement of theinjector needle arrangement 22 towards the at least onenozzle orifices 18, inFig. 1 towards the twonozzle orifices 18. Furthermore, when thepiezoelectric actuator 26 is de-energized, the length of the piezoelectric actuator grows and the movement of the piezoelectric actuator is towards theinjector needle arrangement 22 when expanding. This forces theinjector needle arrangement 22 to its closing position. - Even though,
Figure 1 andFigure 2 illustrate an embodiment of thefuel injector 10 having only onecontrol piston 28, according to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to have more than onecontrol piston element 28 in thefuel injector 10. - While the invention has been described herein by way of examples in connection with what are, at present, considered to be the most preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various combinations or modifications of its features, and several other applications included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (7)
- A fuel injector (10) for an internal combustion piston engine comprising- an injector body (12) provided with a fuel space (14) in the body (12),- a fuel inlet (16) for admission of pressurized fuel into the fuel space (14),- at least one nozzle orifice (18) through which fuel may be injected into a cylinder (20) of the engine,- an injector needle arrangement (22), a first end (21) of which is arranged in co-operation with the nozzle orifice (18) for opening or closing the orifice (18),- a spring element (24) forcing the injector needle arrangement (22) towards a position closing the nozzle orifice (18), and- a piezoelectric actuator (26) arranged to control the position of the injector needle arrangement (22) so as to control opening of a flow communication from the fuel space (14) through the at least one nozzle orifice (18) by retraction movement,- the piezoelectric actuator (26) is in direct connection with a control piston (28) at a first end (29) of the control piston (28), a second end (27) of which control piston (28) is arranged to extend into a cylinder space (30) arranged into the injector body (12), and the second end of control piston (28) having a first cross sectional area (A1),- a second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22) is arranged to extend from the fuel space (14) into the cylinder space (30) towards the control piston (28), the second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22) having a second cross sectional area (A2), being smaller than the first cross sectional area (A1) of the control piston (28),- the injector body (12) is provided with a fuel discharge duct (34) which opens into the cylinder space (30), and characterized in that- the cylinder space (30) is arranged in flow connection with the fuel space (14) via a gap between the second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22) extending into the cylinder space (30) and the injector body (12) so that the cylinder space (30) is filled with the fuel, and- that the fuel space (14) is continuously in flow communication with the discharge duct (34) for discharging fuel from the fuel space (14) via a flow path successively comprising the gap (32) between the second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22) and the injector body (12), the cylinder space (30), a gap (36) between the second end (27) of control piston (28) and the injector body (12), and the discharge duct (34).
- A fuel injector according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow communication from the fuel space (14) through the at least one nozzle orifice (18) into the cylinder (20) of the engine is openable by activating the piezoelectric actuator (26) causing a retraction movement of the control piston (28) from the cylinder space (30) and thus moving the injector needle arrangement (22) away from the nozzle orifice (18), wherein the movement of the injector needle arrangement (22) is proportional to the ratio of the first cross sectional area (A1) of the control piston and the second cross sectional area (A2) of the injector needle arrangement (22).
- A fuel injector according to claim 1, characterized in that the piezoelectric actuator (26) comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements (26') isolated from contact with fuel in the injector body (12) when in use.
- A fuel injector according to claim 3, characterized in that the first end (29) of the control piston (28) is attached to the piezoelectric element (26') of the piezoelectric actuator (26).
- A fuel injector according to anyone of preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the spring element (24) is arranged in a spring chamber (25) that is in flow communication with the fuel inlet (16) and the fuel space (14).
- A fuel injector according to anyone of preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that when the flow communication from the fuel space (14) via the at least one nozzle orifice (18) is arranged to be open, at least a portion of the second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22) extends into the cylinder space (30).
- A fuel injector according to anyone of preceding claims 1-6, characterized in that when the flow communication from the fuel space (14) via the at least one nozzle orifice (18) is arranged to be open, a surface (27') of the second end (27) of the control piston (28) is in contact with a surface (23') of the second end (23) of the injector needle arrangement (22).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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PCT/FI2014/051031 WO2016097463A1 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2014-12-19 | A fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine |
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EP3234341A1 EP3234341A1 (en) | 2017-10-25 |
EP3234341B1 true EP3234341B1 (en) | 2019-02-06 |
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EP14824862.8A Active EP3234341B1 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2014-12-19 | A fuel injector for an internal combustion piston engine |
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SE545024C2 (en) * | 2019-10-01 | 2023-02-28 | Scania Cv Ab | Fuel injector arrangement for an internal combustion engine and method for operating said arrangement |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FR2836518B1 (en) | 2002-02-22 | 2005-12-02 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | FUEL INJECTOR |
DE10217594A1 (en) * | 2002-04-19 | 2003-11-06 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Fuel injection valve for IC engines has throttle gap formed by Laser/erosion drilling, and positioned separate from guide gaps, for cheaper fabrication of gaps |
DE10302863B3 (en) * | 2003-01-25 | 2004-09-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Hydraulic coupler for piezo-injectors in motor vehicle with improved filling, has piston side wall region deformable outwards near end facing inside of housing, and inside of region connected to hollow volume |
DE10336327B4 (en) | 2003-08-07 | 2016-03-17 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular direct injection diesel engines |
FR2941745A3 (en) * | 2009-02-02 | 2010-08-06 | Renault Sas | Liquid i.e. fuel, injecting device, has electroactive material actuator triggering movement of head of needle, needle piston carried by end of needle, and hydraulic chamber connected to duct to maintain chamber supplied with liquid |
JP5024320B2 (en) | 2009-03-25 | 2012-09-12 | 株式会社デンソー | Fuel injection valve |
FI123570B (en) | 2012-04-24 | 2013-07-15 | Waertsilae Finland Oy | fuel injector |
-
2014
- 2014-12-19 WO PCT/FI2014/051031 patent/WO2016097463A1/en active Application Filing
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