Port injection systems for gaseous fuels

Abstract

A port injection system for gaseous fuels may include an injector body defining a hydraulic fluid inlet chamber, a hydraulic fluid exit passageway, a hydraulic fluid actuation passageway, a check valve inlet passageway fluidly connected with the hydraulic fluid actuation passageway, a valve chamber, and a gaseous fuel inlet chamber. An electrical solenoid actuator may be mounted to the injector body, with the electrical solenoid actuator including a movable armature, and a poppet valve connected to the movable armature and disposed within the valve chamber. The poppet valve may be movable between a pressurized hydraulic fluid flow blocking position and a pressurized hydraulic fluid flow passing position. A check valve may be disposed within the check valve inlet passageway. A gas admission valve may be disposed at least partially within the gaseous fuel inlet chamber and in contact with the check valve such that movement of the check valve by hydraulic fluid entering the check valve inlet passageway results in actuation of the gas admission valve away from a normally closed position closing off the gaseous fuel inlet chamber to a fuel injection position wherein gaseous fuel is allowed to flow from the gaseous fuel inlet chamber into an intake manifold or intake port of an engine on which the injector body is mounted.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to port injection systems, and more particularly to port injection systems for gaseous fuels. Background technique [0002] Engines powered by gaseous fuels are commonly used in many applications. For example, a locomotive engine may be powered by natural gas (or other gaseous fuel) alone, or by a mixture of natural gas and diesel. Natural gas is more plentiful and therefore cheaper than diesel. Additionally, natural gas can burn cleaner in some applications. [0003] Traditionally, natural gas is introduced into the engine's cylinders via solenoid-operated intake valves. While effective in some applications, in other applications, solenoid-operated intake valves may not have the speed and / or force necessary to open quickly enough or resist high boost. [0004] One attempt to improve gas injection is disclosed in US Patent 5,996,558 issued December 7, 1999 to Ouellette et al. (the '558 patent). In particular...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, relying on pump pressure to actuate an injector may require very precise pump control, and such control may be complex and costly

Additionally, a different pump may be required for each injector of a multi-cylinder engine

Furthermore, the injector design shown in the '558 patent may lack broad applicability in engines with tight space constraints (eg, in dual fuel engines)

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