Engine Assemblies and Multi-Fuel Injector Assemblies

Abstract

The described subject matter relates to engine assemblies and multiple fuel injector assemblies. In one embodiment, a multiple fuel injector assembly includes a first fuel injector assembly that delivers a first type of fuel and a second fuel delivery system that delivers a second type of fuel. The first fuel injector includes a first nozzle, at least one first needle, and at least one first actuator configured to move the at least one first needle. The at least one first actuator moves the at least one first needle to a first fuel delivery configuration corresponding to a first fuel mixture composition and a second fuel delivery configuration corresponding to a second fuel mixture composition.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 380,727, filed on April 10, 2019, entitled “Systems and Methods for Fuel Injector Control,” which in turn is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 197,038, filed on June 29, 2016, entitled “Systems and Methods for Fuel Injector Control.” The entire contents of the 15 / 197,038 application and the 16 / 380,727 application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The described subject matter relates to engine assemblies and multiple fuel injector assemblies. Background Art

[0004] An engine, such as an internal combustion engine, may utilize a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder. In various direct injection engines, the fuel-air mixture for combustion may be ignited by a spark, by a diesel pilot jet, or by another ignition source (e.g., laser, plasma, etc.). However, the initial rate at which the fuel energy is released in the cylinder may be faster than desired, resulting in a high pressure rise rate that may be used to limit high load engine operation due to structural limitations (e.g., peak cylinder pressure limit). Summary of the invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a fuel injector assembly is provided, comprising a nozzle, at least one needle, and at least one actuator. The nozzle comprises at least one cavity in fluid communication with a nozzle opening. The at least one needle is movably disposed within the at least one cavity and prevents fluid from passing through the nozzle opening in a closed position. The at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one needle within the cavity. The at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one needle to at least a first fuel delivery configuration and a second fuel delivery configuration (e.g., at different times in a combustion cycle). When the at least one needle is in the first fuel delivery configuration, a first amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening (e.g., at a first fuel delivery rate), and when the at least one needle is in the second fuel delivery configuration, a second amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening (e.g., at a second fuel delivery rate).

[0006] In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes moving at least one needle within at least one cavity of a nozzle from a closed position to a first fuel delivery configuration with at least one actuator to deliver a first amount of fuel (e.g., at a first fuel delivery rate) through an opening of the nozzle to a cylinder in the first fuel delivery configuration. In the closed position, fluid is prevented from flowing through the opening of the nozzle. The method also includes moving the at least one needle within the at least one cavity from the first fuel delivery configuration to a second fuel delivery configuration with the at least one actuator to deliver a second amount of fuel through the opening at a second fuel delivery rate.

[0007] In another embodiment, an engine system is provided, which includes a cylinder of an engine, a fuel injector assembly, and at least one processor. The fuel injector assembly is configured to deliver fuel to the cylinder and includes a nozzle, at least one needle, and at least one actuator. The nozzle includes at least one cavity in fluid communication with a nozzle opening. The at least one needle is movably disposed in the at least one cavity and prevents fluid from passing through the nozzle opening in a closed position. The at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one needle in the cavity. The at least one actuator is configured to move the at least one needle to at least a first fuel delivery configuration and a second fuel delivery configuration (it can be noted that additional fuel delivery configurations can be utilized in various embodiments). When the at least one needle is in the first fuel delivery configuration, a first amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening at a first fuel delivery rate, and when the at least one needle is in the second fuel delivery configuration, a second amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening at a second fuel delivery rate. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the at least one actuator and is configured to control the actuator to move the at least one needle between the closed position, the first fuel delivery configuration, and the second fuel delivery configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an engine system according to various embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2A Shown in closed position Figure 1 fuel injector components.

[0010] Figure 2B shows the first fuel delivery configuration Figure 1 fuel injector components.

[0011] Figure 2C The second fuel delivery configuration is shown. Figure 1 fuel injector components.

[0012] Figure 3A top plan view of a fuel injector assembly is shown according to various embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4A A fuel injector assembly is shown in a closed position according to various embodiments.

[0014] Figure 4B shows the first fuel delivery configuration Figure 4A fuel injector components.

[0015] Figure 4C The second fuel delivery configuration is shown. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B fuel injector components.

[0016] Figure 5A A fuel injector assembly is shown in a closed position according to various embodiments.

[0017] Figure 5B shows the first fuel delivery configuration Figure 5A fuel injector components.

[0018] Figure 5C The second fuel delivery configuration is shown. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B fuel injector components.

[0019] Fig. 6A A fuel injector assembly is shown in a closed position according to various embodiments.

[0020] Figure 6B shows the first fuel delivery configuration Fig. 6A fuel injector components.

[0021] Figure 6C The second fuel delivery configuration is shown. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B fuel injector components.

[0022] Figure 7 A flow chart of a method for operating an engine according to various embodiments is provided.

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a multiple fuel injector assembly according to various embodiments.

[0024] Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an engine system according to various embodiments.

[0025] Fig.10 A flow chart of a method for operating an engine according to various embodiments is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The various embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. With respect to the diagrams showing the functional blocks of the various embodiments, the functional blocks do not necessarily represent the division between hardware circuits. Thus, for example, one or more functional blocks (e.g., a processor, a controller, or a memory) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or random access memory, a hard disk, etc.) or in multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, any program may be a stand-alone program, may be incorporated into an operating system as a subroutine, may be a function in an installed software package, etc. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and means shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] As used herein, the term "system", "unit" or "module" may include hardware and / or software systems for performing one or more functions. For example, a module, unit or system may include a computer processor, a controller or other logic-based device that performs operations based on instructions stored on a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a computer memory). Alternatively, a module, unit or system may include a hard-wired device that performs operations based on the hard-wired logic of the device. The modules or units shown in the accompanying drawings may represent hardware that operates based on software or hard-wired instructions, software that instructs hardware to perform operations, or a combination thereof. The hardware may include an electronic circuit that includes and / or is connected to one or more logic-based devices, such as a microprocessor, a processor, a controller, etc. These devices may be off-the-shelf devices that are appropriately programmed or instructed to perform the operations described herein according to the instructions described above. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of these devices may be hard-wired with logic circuits to perform these operations.

[0028] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude a plurality of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, reference to "one embodiment" is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the described features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, an embodiment "comprising" or "having" one or more elements with a particular property may include other such elements that do not have that property.

[0029] In general, various embodiments provide, for example, adjusting the fuel energy release rate by controlling the rate of the fuel mass directly injected by one or more fuel injectors in one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine. Various combinations of needles, chambers, and actuators are used in different embodiments to provide two or more fuel delivery configurations (e.g., a first fuel delivery configuration that delivers fuel in a smaller amount or at a lower rate and a second fuel delivery configuration that delivers fuel in a larger amount or at a higher rate). In various embodiments, the first fuel delivery configuration is used to provide a smaller amount of fuel during the initial stage of the injection process to maintain the amount of energy released and the corresponding pressure rise rate within the desired operating level according to the engine speed and load. In addition, the injection rate in various embodiments is modified throughout the injection process, for example to achieve better combustion phasing, maintain the pressure rise rate under control, and optimize overall engine performance and emissions.

[0030] At least one technical effect of various embodiments includes improved control of the rate of pressure rise and peak cylinder pressure. At least one technical effect of various embodiments includes improved combustion phasing, engine performance and / or emission levels. At least one technical effect of various embodiments includes simplifying structural requirements by enabling similar or better engine performance at lower in-cylinder pressures. At least one technical effect of various embodiments includes improved reliability and durability, and / or reduced life cycle costs (e.g., due to engine operation at lower cylinder pressures and / or rates of pressure rise). At least one technical effect of various embodiments includes reduced emissions (e.g., due to improved combustion phasing and / or reduced cylinder pressure).

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an engine system 100 formed in accordance with various embodiments. Figure 1As shown, the depicted engine system 100 includes a cylinder 110, a processing unit 120, and a fuel injector assembly 130. Generally, the fuel injector assembly 130 provides fuel to the cylinder 110 for combustion to provide work output at the crankshaft (by rotating the crankshaft 190). In the illustrated embodiment, an inlet flow 101 of air is provided to the combustion chamber 112 of the cylinder 110 through an intake valve 102 and is combusted with the fuel from the fuel injector assembly 130. After combustion, an exhaust flow 103 is discharged from the combustion chamber 112 through an exhaust valve 104. The combustion in the combustion chamber 112 produces mechanical work, which drives the piston 114 in a reciprocating manner, thereby rotating the crankshaft 190. The fuel injector assembly 130 includes a nozzle 140 through which a fuel injection 105 supplies fuel to the combustion chamber 112, wherein the amount of fuel is controlled by the movement of an actuator 160 of the fuel injector assembly 130. As used herein, the amount of fuel provided or supplied to the combustion chamber 112 may be understood as the rate at which the fuel is supplied, or as a volume or mass of fuel per unit of time. Generally, the processing unit 120 controls various aspects of the engine system 100 to control the amount of fuel and air provided to the combustion chamber 112, as well as the timing of providing the fuel and air to the combustion chamber 112. For example, the depicted processing unit 120 transmits control or drive signals to control the actuator 160 to synchronize the delivery of fuel with the movement of the intake valve 102 and the exhaust valve 104. It may be noted that various embodiments may include additional components (e.g., additional cylinders or other engine components), or may not include the engine components. Figure 1 In addition, it can be noted that Figure 1 Certain aspects of system 100 shown as separate blocks may be combined into a single physical entity, and / or in Figure 1 Aspects shown as a single block in may be shared or divided between two or more physical entities. It may be noted that for a dual fuel engine, some of the fuel may be provided via the intake charge.

[0032] The fuel injector assembly 130 discussed herein is configured to deliver fuel to the cylinder 110 . Figures 2A to 2C Enlarged views of the fuel injector assembly 130 in different fuel delivery configurations are provided: Figure 2A The fuel injector assembly 130 is shown in a closed position 210 , Figure 2B The fuel injector assembly 130 is shown in a first fuel delivery configuration 220, while Figure 2C The fuel injector assembly 130 is shown in a second fuel delivery configuration 230. Figure 1 , 2A , 2B and 2C, the depicted fuel injector assembly 130 includes a nozzle 140, a needle 150 and an actuator 160. Figure 1 , 2A, 2B and 2C depict only a single nozzle, a single needle, a single chamber and a single actuator, but it can be noted that two or more nozzles, needles, chambers and / or actuators may be employed in various embodiments as discussed herein.

[0033] like Figure 2A , 2B As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2C , the nozzle 140 includes a cavity 142 and a nozzle opening 144. The needle 150 is movably disposed in the cavity 142, wherein the needle 150 is in a closed position 210 (see FIG. Figure 2A ) prevents fluid from passing through the nozzle opening 144. The actuator 160 moves the needle 150 within the cavity 142. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 160 may be used to move the needle 150 to the first fuel delivery configuration 220 (see Figure 2B ) and a second fuel delivery configuration 230 (see Figure 2C ). Again, it can be noted that FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The specific examples depicted in are provided by way of illustration and include only a single needle and actuator for purposes of clarity; however, in various embodiments, multiple needles and / or cavities and / or actuators may be employed, wherein different needle positions or arrangements of one or more needles are utilized to define a first fuel delivery configuration and a second fuel delivery configuration. In addition, additional fuel delivery configurations in addition to the first fuel delivery configuration and the second fuel delivery configuration may be employed in various embodiments. Typically, the first fuel delivery configuration 220 is used to provide fuel at a relatively low rate during the start of combustion, while the second fuel delivery configuration 230 is used to provide fuel at a relatively high rate later during combustion. In various embodiments, when the fuel injector assembly 130 (e.g., the needle 150 and / or other needles) is in the first fuel delivery configuration 220, a first amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening 144, and when the fuel injector assembly 130 (e.g., the needle 150 and / or other needles) is in the second fuel delivery configuration 230, a second amount of fuel is delivered through the nozzle opening 144 together with the first amount of fuel. For example, in some embodiments, the first fuel delivery configuration 220 may define a first fuel path ( Figures 2B to 2C Not shown, see e.g. Figures 5A to 5C and related discussion), and the second fuel delivery configuration 230 may define a second fuel path ( Figures 2B to 2C Not shown, see e.g. Figures 5A to 5C and related discussions). In the first fuel delivery configuration 220, the fuel is delivered only along the first fuel path and not along the second fuel path, while in the second fuel delivery configuration 230, the fuel is delivered along both the first fuel path and the second fuel path. (See, e.g. Figures 5A to 5C and related discussions.)

[0034] For example, Figure 2AAs shown, the needle 150 is fully inserted into the cavity 142, thereby blocking the nozzle opening 144 in the closed position 210. A spring or other mechanism may be used to push the needle 150 toward the closed position 210, wherein a force from the actuator 160 is required to move the needle 150 out of the closed position 210. Figure 2B , the actuator 160 has moved the needle away from the bottom of the cavity 142, thereby allowing a first amount of fuel 290 to flow through the nozzle opening 144. For example, the first amount of fuel 290 may be selected to provide a desired amount of fuel at the beginning of a combustion cycle. Figure 2C , the actuator 160 has moved the needle 150 further from the bottom of the cavity 142, allowing an additional second amount of fuel 292 to flow through the nozzle opening 144 in addition to the first amount of fuel 290. It can be noted that in various embodiments, in the second fuel delivery configuration 230, an additional nozzle opening 144 can be utilized to allow the second amount of fuel 292 to flow in addition to the first amount of fuel 290. (See, e.g., Figures 5A to 5C and related discussion.) Additionally or alternatively, additional one or more needles and / or cavities may be employed to allow for an additional second amount of fuel 292.

[0035] In various embodiments, the Figure 1 and 2A to Figure 2C Various modifications or alternative arrangements of the depicted examples. For example, more than one nozzle may be employed per cylinder, wherein a first nozzle provides a first amount 290 and a second nozzle provides a second amount 292. As another example, more than one cavity may be employed per nozzle, and / or more than one needle may be employed per cavity. In addition, more than one actuator may be used to move the corresponding needle (or needles). It may be noted that in some embodiments, the first fuel delivery configuration 220 and / or the second fuel delivery configuration 230 may define a fixed or single position that defines a set amount of fuel, while in other embodiments a range of positions is included to allow the amount of fuel in one or more fuel delivery configurations to be variable or adjustable. It may be noted that in various embodiments, a given actuator may be shared between two or more needles, or may be dedicated to a single needle. In addition, in some embodiments, more than one actuator may be employed for a given needle. The actuator 160 may include, for example, one or more solenoids or piezoelectric actuators and associated components.

[0036] As discussed herein, various needle / chamber / actuator combinations may be used to provide various fuel delivery configurations (e.g., first fuel delivery configuration 220 and second fuel delivery configuration 230), wherein each fuel delivery configuration provides a different amount of fuel to cylinder 210. For example, in some embodiments, multiple chambers and multiple actuators are employed. Figure 31 shows a top plan view of various aspects of a fuel injector assembly 300 according to various embodiments. One or more of the depicted example aspects of the fuel injector assembly 300 may be used, for example, in conjunction with Figure 1 and 2A to Figure 2C The fuel injector assembly 130 discussed above is used in conjunction with the fuel injector assembly 130. Figure 3 As shown, the fuel injector assembly 300 includes a nozzle 310 having a plurality of chambers (a first chamber 320, a second chamber 322, a third chamber 324, a fourth chamber 326), as well as a plurality of corresponding needles (a first needle 330, a second needle 332, a third needle 334, a fourth needle 336) and a plurality of corresponding actuators (a first actuator 340, a second actuator 342, a third actuator 344, a fourth actuator 346). It may be noted that in the illustrated example, the chambers 320, 322, 324, 326 are shown as being in a single nozzle 310; however, in various embodiments, one or more of the chambers 320, 322, 324, 326 may be disposed in a dedicated nozzle having only a single chamber. The actuators 340, 342, 346, 348 in the illustrated embodiment are shown as solenoid coils that are radially disposed around at least a portion of the needle to be moved by a given solenoid. It may be noted that Figure 3 The particular arrangement shown is by way of example for purposes of illustration, and other arrangements may be employed in various embodiments. For example, in a dual fuel embodiment, a diesel injector may be positioned at the center of the nozzle 310 .

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, each needle is movably disposed in a corresponding cavity and is configured to be moved by a corresponding actuator. Figure 3, first needle 330 is disposed in first cavity 320 and is moved by first actuator 340; second needle 332 is disposed in second cavity 322 and is moved by second actuator 342; third needle 334 is disposed in third cavity 324 and is moved by third actuator 344; and fourth needle 336 is disposed in fourth cavity 326 and is moved by fourth actuator 346. As discussed herein, with fuel injector assembly 300 in a first fuel delivery configuration (e.g., first fuel delivery configuration 220), a first amount of fuel is delivered through a nozzle opening (e.g., nozzle opening 144), and with fuel injector assembly 300 in a second fuel delivery configuration (e.g., second fuel delivery configuration 230), a second amount of fuel is delivered through a nozzle opening (e.g., nozzle opening 144). Specifically, for the depicted fuel injector assembly 300, the first fuel delivery configuration includes the first group 350 of needles being turned on (and only the first group 350 being turned on), and the second fuel delivery configuration includes the first group 350 and the second group 352 of needles being turned on. For the example shown, the first group 350 includes the first needle 340 and the third needle 344, while the second group 352 includes the second needle 342 and the fourth needle 346. Thus, the first group 350 includes two needles (the first needle 340 and the third needle 344) that are symmetrically positioned relative to each other (e.g., at noon and at the 6 o'clock position when viewed from above), while the second group 352 includes two needles (the second needle 342 and the fourth needle 346) that are symmetrically positioned relative to each other (e.g., at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions when viewed from above). In some embodiments, the second group 352 can provide a relatively larger amount of fuel than the first group 350, such that the initial amount of fuel provided by the first group 350 is less than half (e.g., 10%) of the total amount delivered later in the combustion cycle. It may also be noted that in dual fuel embodiments, additional chambers, needles, and actuators may be provided (eg, at the center of the nozzle 310 ) for diesel fuel injection.

[0038] It can be noted that in various embodiments, other numbers, arrangements, or combinations of needles can be used to form groups. For example, a single needle can be used to form one or more groups. As another example, more than two groups can be used in some embodiments. In addition, different needle positions can be used for one or more given needles in various embodiments (e.g., an intermediate position for the first fuel delivery configuration and a fully open position for the second fuel delivery configuration). For example, in the above example, for the first fuel delivery configuration, the first needle 340 and the third needle 344 can be moved to the intermediate position, while for the second fuel delivery configuration, the first needle 340 and the third needle 344 can be moved to a position more open than the intermediate position, while the second group 352 (the second needle 342 and the fourth needle 346) is also moved to the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, each needle has its own dedicated actuator; however, it can be noted that in various embodiments, the actuator can be shared between two or more needles in the same group (where the actuator group includes actuators that are all opened or closed together), and / or one or more needles can be opened or closed by more than one actuator.

[0039] Other needle / chamber / actuator arrangements may be used in various embodiments. As an example, more than one actuator may be used to move a given needle, with a first actuator being used to place the needle in a first fuel delivery configuration, and a combination of two or more actuators (e.g., a first actuator and one or more additional actuators) being used to place the needle in a second fuel delivery configuration. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Schematic diagrams of a fuel injector assembly 400 in different fuel delivery configurations are provided: Figure 4A The fuel injector assembly 400 is shown in a closed position 410 , Figure 4B The fuel injector assembly 400 is shown in a first fuel delivery configuration 420, while Figure 4C The fuel injector assembly 400 is shown in a second fuel delivery configuration 430. One or more of the depicted example aspects of the fuel injector assembly 400 may be used, for example, in conjunction with Figure 1 and 2A to Figure 2C The fuel injector assembly 130 discussed above is used in conjunction with the fuel injector assembly 130. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4CAs shown, the fuel injector assembly 400 includes a first coil 440 and a second coil 442 disposed around a common needle 450. The common needle 450 is disposed in a nozzle 460 having a cavity 462 in fluid communication with a nozzle opening 464. Activation of the first coil 440 places the common needle 450 in a first fuel delivery configuration 420 (to allow an initial amount of fuel at the start of combustion), and activation of the second coil 442 and the first coil 440 places the common needle 450 in a second fuel delivery configuration 430 (to allow an additional amount of fuel in addition to the initial amount). It may be noted that in some embodiments, activation of the second coil 442 without activating the first coil 440 may be used to place the common needle 450 in the second fuel delivery configuration 430, or in a different fuel delivery configuration.

[0040] like Figure 4A As shown, with the fuel injector assembly 400 in the closed position 410, the nozzle opening 464 is closed to flow from the fuel source and the reservoir 490 in fluid communication with the nozzle opening 464 is empty of fuel. Figure 4B , with the first coil 440 activated (e.g., allowing current to flow through the first coil 440), the common needle 450 is in a partially open or partially lifted position (which may also be referred to as providing partial flow), and the fuel injector assembly 400 is placed in the first fuel delivery configuration 420. In the first fuel delivery configuration 420, the nozzle opening 464 is open to fluid, the volume of the reservoir 490 is increased relative to the volume of the reservoir 490 in the closed position 410, and fluid is present in the reservoir 490 for delivery through the nozzle opening 464. Figure 4C 4, with the first coil 440 and the second coil 442 activated (e.g., allowing current to flow through the first coil 440 and the second coil 442), the common needle 450 is in a fully open or maximum lift position (which may also be referred to as providing maximum flow), and the fuel injector assembly 400 is placed in the second fuel delivery configuration 430. In the second fuel delivery configuration 430, the nozzle opening 464 is open to the fluid, the volume of the reservoir 490 is increased relative to the volume of the reservoir 490 in the first fuel delivery configuration 420, and the fluid is present in the reservoir 490 for delivery through the nozzle opening 464. It can be noted that in various embodiments associated with any of the figures discussed herein, one or more reservoirs used as discussed herein can have different volumes of fluid and / or different types of fuel for each of the different fuel delivery configurations. The fluid area provided by a given configuration helps control the injection rate, and the amount of time spent in the open state (together with the injection rate) controls the amount of fuel delivered. Pressure (rail or delivery pressure) can also affect the injection rate.

[0041] It may be noted that other arrangements may be used in alternative embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, only the first coil may be used to place the needle in a first fuel delivery configuration, and only the second coil may be used to place the needle in a second fuel delivery configuration. As another example, more than two coils may be used to provide more than two fuel delivery configurations. Furthermore, in some embodiments, three fuel delivery configurations may have two coils, namely a first fuel delivery configuration in which only the first coil is activated, a second fuel delivery configuration in which only the second coil is activated, and a third fuel delivery configuration in which both the first coil and the second coil are activated.

[0042] It may also be noted that in various embodiments, some nozzle openings may be closed to fluid flow in one fuel delivery configuration and open to fluid flow in a different fuel delivery configuration. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C Schematic diagrams of a fuel injector assembly 500 in different fuel delivery configurations are provided: Figure 5A The fuel injector assembly 500 is shown in a closed position 510, Figure 5B The fuel injector assembly 500 is shown in a first fuel delivery configuration 520, while Figure 5C The fuel injector assembly 500 is shown in a second fuel delivery configuration 530. One or more of the depicted example aspects of the fuel injector assembly 500 may be used, for example, in conjunction with Figure 1 and 2A to Figure 2C The fuel injector assembly 130 discussed herein and / or in conjunction with FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The fuel injector assembly 500 discussed above is used in conjunction with the fuel injector assembly 400. The fuel injector assembly 500 includes a first coil and a second coil (in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C Not shown, see FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C 560 having a cavity 562 in fluid communication with a nozzle opening 564. The nozzle opening 564 includes a first set of nozzle openings 566 and a second set of nozzle openings 568, wherein the first set 566 is closer to a bottom end 569 of the nozzle 560 than the second set 568. Activation of the first coil places the common needle 550 in the first fuel delivery configuration 520 (to allow an initial amount of fuel at the beginning of combustion), and activation of the second coil as well as the first coil places the common needle 550 in the second fuel delivery configuration 530 (to allow an additional amount of fuel in addition to the initial amount). Figure 5B and 5CAs shown, the first set of nozzle openings 566, but not the second set of nozzle openings 568, is open to the fluid in the first fuel delivery configuration 520, and the first set of nozzle openings 566 and the second set of nozzle openings 568 are open to the fluid in the second fuel delivery configuration 530. Thus, the first fuel delivery path may include the first set of nozzle openings 566, while the second fuel delivery path includes the first set of nozzle openings 566 and the second set of nozzle openings 568.

[0043] like Figure 5A As shown, with the fuel injector assembly 500 in the closed position 510, the nozzle openings 564 (of the first and second groups 566, 568) are closed to flow from the fuel source, and the reservoir 590 in fluid communication with the nozzle openings 564 is empty of fuel. Figure 5B , with the first coil activated (e.g., allowing current to flow through the first coil) or otherwise achieving the first fuel delivery configuration 520, the common needle 550 is in a partially open or partially raised position (which may also be referred to as providing partial fluid), and the fuel injector assembly 500 is placed in the first fuel delivery configuration 520. In the first fuel delivery configuration 520, with the needle 550 partially raised but still positioned distally below the second set of nozzle openings 568, the first set of nozzle openings 566 (but not the second set 568) are open to fluid, the volume of the reservoir 590 is increased relative to the volume of the reservoir 590 in the closed position 510, and fluid is present in the reservoir 590 for delivery through the first set of nozzle openings 566. Figure 5C In the case where the first coil and the second coil are activated (e.g., current is allowed to flow through the first coil and the second coil) or the second fuel delivery configuration 530 is otherwise achieved, the common valve needle 550 is in a fully open or maximum lift position (which may also be referred to as providing maximum flow), and the fuel injector assembly 500 is placed in the second fuel delivery configuration 530. In the second fuel delivery configuration 530, as Figure 5C As shown, with the needle 550 fully raised or otherwise positioned distally above the second set of nozzle openings 568, the nozzle openings 564 of the first set 566 and the second set 568 are both open to fluid, the volume of the reservoir 590 is increased relative to the volume of the reservoir 590 in the first fuel delivery configuration 520, and fluid is present in the reservoir 590 for transmission through the first set 566 and the second set 568 of nozzle openings 564.

[0044] As another example of a needle / lumen / actuator arrangement that may be employed in various embodiments, more than one needle may be used in conjunction with a lumen. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C An illustration of a fuel injector assembly 600 in different fuel delivery configurations is provided: Fig. 6AThe fuel injector assembly 600 is shown in a closed position 610, Figure 6B The fuel injector assembly 600 is shown in a first fuel delivery configuration 620, while Figure 6C The fuel injector assembly 600 is shown in a second fuel delivery configuration 630. One or more of the depicted example aspects of the fuel injector assembly 600 may be used, for example, in conjunction with Figure 1 and 2A to Figure 2C The fuel injector assembly 130 discussed above is used in conjunction with the fuel injector assembly 130. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C As shown, the fuel injector assembly 600 includes an outer needle 640 and an inner needle 642 disposed within a cavity 650. The outer needle 640 is movably disposed within the cavity 650, and the inner needle 642 is movably disposed within the outer needle 640 and the cavity 650. The distal end 643 of the inner needle 642 extends distally beyond the distal end 641 of the outer needle 640. Although an actuator is not depicted in the depicted embodiment for clarity of illustration, it is noted that the depicted inner needle 642 and outer needle 640 can be moved into and out of their respective closed positions by two separate actuators (e.g., each needle having a separate coil dedicated thereto), or by one actuator having one or two coils with different energization strategies.

[0045] Cavity 650 includes a first needle hub 652 that is configured to engage when inner needle 642 is closed (e.g., Fig. 6A ), the first needle seat receives the inner needle 642. In the closed position, the inner needle 642 prevents fluid from being delivered to the combustion chamber through the first nozzle opening 660. When the inner needle 642 is lifted or opened from the first needle seat 652 (e.g., Figure 6B and 6C ), allowing fuel to flow through the first nozzle opening 660. The chamber 650 also includes a second needle seat 654, which is used when the outer needle 640 is in the closed position (e.g., Fig. 6A and 6B ), the second needle seat receives the outer needle 640. In the closed position, the outer needle 640 prevents fluid from being delivered to the combustion chamber through the second nozzle opening 662. When the outer needle 640 is lifted or opened from the second needle seat 654 (e.g., Figure 6C ), allowing fuel to flow through the second nozzle opening 662.

[0046] In the closed position 610 (eg Fig. 6A ), the outer needle 640 and the inner needle 642 are both closed, thereby preventing fuel from being delivered through the first nozzle opening 660 and the second nozzle opening. Figure 6BIn the first fuel delivery configuration 620 shown, the outer needle 640 remains closed, but the inner needle 642 is lifted from the first needle seat 652, thereby allowing fluid to pass through the first nozzle opening 660 but not through the second nozzle opening 662, which allows a first amount of fuel to be delivered (e.g., an initial amount for the start of combustion). Figure 6C In the second fuel delivery configuration 630 shown, the outer needle 640 is lifted from the second needle seat 654, thereby allowing fluid to pass through the second nozzle opening 662, and the inner needle 642 is lifted from the first needle seat 652, thereby allowing fluid to pass through the first nozzle opening 660 and the second nozzle opening 662, which allows the second amount of fuel to be delivered (through the second nozzle opening 662) and the first amount of fuel to be delivered (through the first nozzle opening 660).

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, in the first fuel delivery configuration 620, only one of the inner needle 642 and the outer needle 640 is open (in Figure 6B In the example, the inner needle 642 is open), while the other is closed (in the example Figure 6B In the second fuel delivery configuration 630, the inner needle 642 and the outer needle 640 are both open (see Figure 6C ). Other arrangements or combinations may be used in different embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, a first fuel delivery configuration may be achieved by lifting the outer needle while the inner needle remains closed. As another example, in various embodiments, one or both of the inner or outer needles may be moved to an intermediate position as part of a first fuel delivery configuration, while the inner and outer needles are fully open in a second fuel delivery configuration. Thus, in various embodiments, a first fuel path may be defined as one of the inner and outer needles being open and the other being closed, and a second fuel path may be defined as both the inner and outer needles being open. Additionally, one or both of the inner or outer needles may have an intermediate position and / or continuous adjustment to provide additional fuel delivery configurations (e.g., more than two fuel delivery configurations) and / or to improve control or adjustability of fuel delivery amounts.

[0048] Back to Figure 1, the processing unit 120 of the illustrated embodiment is configured to control various aspects of the system 100 including the actuator 160 (e.g., controlling the positioning of one or more needles 150 to place the fuel injector assembly 130 in a desired fuel delivery configuration at a desired time). The processing unit 120 provides control signals to one or more aspects of the system 100. For example, the processing unit 120 controls the activation and deactivation of the actuator 160. In various embodiments, the processing unit 120 controls the actuator to perform or provide different movements of one or more needles to or between fuel delivery configurations. In various embodiments, the movement to or from the fuel delivery configuration (e.g., using the fuel delivery configuration relative to the time of the combustion event) is controlled by the processing unit 120 to provide the desired rate adjustment of the fuel delivery. In some embodiments, the processing unit 120 controls one or more actuators to move the needle between positions in a range of available positions for a given fuel delivery configuration (or multiple configurations) for more precise control and / or regulation. In various embodiments, the processing unit 120 receives feedback from one or more sensors (e.g., sensor 170) configured to detect one or more parameters of the system 100.

[0049] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 170 is operably coupled to the processing unit 120. The sensor 170 depicted is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas flow 103 from the cylinder 112, but may be located in an alternative location. For example, the sensor 170 may additionally or alternatively communicate with one or more of the combustion chamber, the fuel injector, or the fuel system. More than one sensor may be used in various embodiments. In the depicted example, the sensor 170 may detect or determine (or provide information from which one or more parameter values ​​may be determined) the temperature of the exhaust gas (e.g., the temperature entering the aftertreatment device), or the presence or amount of one or more materials in the exhaust gas flow 130. For example, the sensor 170 may include one or more of a pressure sensor (e.g., a cylinder pressure sensor and / or a fuel rail pressure sensor), a power sensor, a torque sensor, a speed sensor, a crank angle position sensor, a needle lift sensor, a temperature sensor, a strain gauge, a knock sensor, a NOx sensor, an oxygen sensor, a soot sensor, a particulate matter (PM) sensor, or a hydrocarbon (unburned or partially burned) sensor, etc. It may be noted that a combination of one or more of the above (or other) sensors may be employed in various embodiments. Processing unit 120 is configured to control at least one of moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) to a first fuel delivery configuration or moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) to a second fuel delivery configuration based on feedback provided from sensor 170. Movement of a given needle may be controlled by controlling or adjusting the timing of the start of needle movement relative to a combustion event (e.g., start of combustion), controlling or adjusting the speed of needle movement, and / or controlling or adjusting the amount of time a needle remains in a given position. Such needle movement control, when performed precisely, may be used to provide a desired rate of injecting fuel into an engine cylinder (which is referred to as "injection rate adjustment").

[0050] It may be noted that different types of movement to or between fuel delivery configurations may be employed. For example, moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) to a first fuel delivery configuration and / or a second fuel delivery configuration (and moving needle 150 and / or other needles to a closed position) may include moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) in a series of steps. As another example, needle 150 (and / or other needles) may be moved continuously (e.g., using a continuously variable / controllable solenoid actuator). As another example, moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) to a first fuel delivery configuration and / or a second fuel delivery configuration (and moving needle 150 and / or other needles to a closed position) may include moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) in a series of discrete pulses (e.g., movement periods between stationary positioning periods).

[0051] 150 (and / or other needles) may be continuously movable (e.g., using a continuously variable / controllable solenoid actuator). As another example, moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) to the first fuel delivery configuration and / or the second fuel delivery configuration (and moving needle 150 and / or other needles to the closed position) may include moving needle 150 (and / or other needles) in a series of discrete pulses (e.g., movement periods between stationary positioning periods).

[0052] The depicted processing unit 120 includes processing circuits configured to perform one or more tasks, functions, or steps discussed herein. The processing unit 120 of the illustrated embodiment is configured to perform one or more aspects discussed in conjunction with the method or process flow disclosed herein. It can be noted that the "processing unit" used herein does not mean that it is necessarily limited to a single processor or computer. For example, in various embodiments, the processing unit 120 may include multiple processors and / or computers, which may be integrated in a common housing or unit, or may be distributed in various units or housings. It can be noted that the operations performed by the processing unit 120 (e.g., operations corresponding to the process flow or method discussed herein or various aspects thereof) may be sufficiently complex that humans may not perform (e.g., perform sufficiently precisely, accurately, and / or repeatedly) the operations within a reasonable time period.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the processing unit 120 includes a memory 122. It may be noted that, in addition, other types, numbers, or combinations of modules may be employed in alternative embodiments. In general, various aspects of the processing unit 120 act alone or in cooperation with other aspects to perform one or more aspects of the methods, steps, or processes discussed herein. The memory 122 includes one or more computer-readable storage media. In addition, in various embodiments, the process flows and / or flow charts (or aspects thereof) discussed herein represent one or more sets of instructions stored in the memory 122 for directing the operation of the system 100.

[0054] Figure 7A flow chart of a method 700 for operating an engine (e.g., a reciprocating internal combustion engine) according to various embodiments is provided. In various embodiments, the method 700, for example, employs the structure or aspects of various embodiments (e.g., systems and / or methods) discussed herein. In various embodiments, certain steps may be omitted or added, certain steps may be combined, certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may be divided into multiple steps, certain steps may be performed in a different order, or certain steps or a series of steps may be re-performed in an iterative manner. In various embodiments, portions, aspects, and / or variations of the method 700 are used as one or more algorithms to direct hardware to perform the operations described herein. In various embodiments, one or more processors (e.g., processing unit 120) use portions, aspects, and / or variations of the method 700 as one or more algorithms for engine control.

[0055] At 702, the engine is started. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine is a reciprocating fuel injection internal combustion engine. In some embodiments, the engine may be a compression ignition engine (e.g., using diesel fuel at least during the start of the combustion cycle), while in other embodiments, the engine may be a spark ignition engine, and in still other embodiments, the engine may use other ignition sources, such as lasers, plasma, or other ignition sources, to initiate combustion in the engine cylinders. In various embodiments, the engine may use one or more of gasoline, diesel, or natural gas (liquid and / or gas). In the illustrated example, the engine includes a cylinder having at least one fuel injector assembly configured to deliver fuel to the cylinder, wherein the fuel injector assembly has at least one actuator configured to move at least one needle to open and close the fuel injector, and to move the fuel injector to different fuel delivery configurations or between different fuel delivery configurations to deliver variable amounts of fuel. For example, the described method 700 may be used to provide rate adjustment of fuel delivery so that the initial amount of fuel provided at the start of combustion is less than the later amount of fuel provided later during combustion. It may be noted that method 700 may be used to continuously control and / or vary the temporal rate of injection of the first fuel or the second fuel, or both, thereby providing a wide range of flexibility in fuel injection rate adjustments.

[0056] At 704, at least one needle within at least one chamber of the engine is moved from a closed position (in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the opening of the nozzle and fuel is not delivered) to a first fuel delivery configuration. In the first fuel delivery configuration, a first amount of fuel is delivered through the opening of the nozzle. The first amount in various embodiments is an amount configured to be used at the beginning of combustion. At least one needle is moved with at least one actuator, such as a solenoid coil, under the control of at least one processor (e.g., processing unit 120). In various embodiments, different chamber / needle / actuator combinations and different numbers of fuel injector assemblies can be used to provide the first fuel delivery configuration (as well as other fuel delivery configurations).

[0057] For example, at 706, in some embodiments, the at least one cavity includes a plurality of cavities, the at least one needle includes a plurality of corresponding needles, and the at least one actuator includes a plurality of corresponding actuators. Each needle is movably disposed within a corresponding cavity. To move the at least one needle to the first fuel delivery configuration, a first set of needles is opened.

[0058] As another example, at least one actuator includes a first coil and a second coil disposed around the common needle at 708. Moving the at least one needle to the first fuel delivery configuration includes activating the first coil to place the common needle in the first fuel delivery configuration.

[0059] As another example, at 710, the at least one needle includes an outer needle and an inner needle, wherein the inner needle is movably disposed within the outer needle (e.g., at least a portion of the inner needle is radially surrounded by the outer needle). Moving the at least one needle to the first fuel delivery configuration includes opening only one of the inner needle and the outer needle (e.g., opening the inner needle with a first solenoid coil while the outer needle remains closed).

[0060] At 712, fuel is delivered with the fuel injector assembly (or assemblies) in the first fuel delivery configuration. Fuel may be delivered from the first fuel delivery configuration at and / or near the start of combustion. In some embodiments, fuel may be delivered from the first fuel delivery configuration during an intake phase of a combustion cycle, during which a piston is lowered and air is provided to a combustion chamber of a cylinder. In some embodiments, fuel may be delivered while one or more fuel injectors are moved to or from a position in the first fuel delivery configuration, and / or at different positions in a range of positions in the first fuel delivery configuration, for example to provide adjustability.

[0061] At 714, at least one needle in at least one chamber of the engine is moved from a first fuel delivery configuration to a second fuel delivery configuration. In the second fuel delivery configuration, a second amount of fuel is delivered through an opening of the nozzle together with the first amount of fuel. In various embodiments, the first amount and the second amount provide a combined amount configured to be used later in combustion that is greater than the first amount provided by the first fuel delivery configuration. At least one needle is moved from the first fuel delivery configuration using at least one actuator, which may include one or more actuators for moving from a closed position to the first fuel delivery configuration, and / or may include one or more other actuators. In some embodiments, the nozzle includes a first set of nozzle openings and a second set of nozzle openings. The first set, but not the second set of nozzle openings, may be open to the fluid in the first fuel delivery configuration, while the first and second sets of nozzle openings are open to the fluid in the second fuel delivery configuration.

[0062] For example, at 716, in some embodiments (e.g., embodiments that perform step 706), at least one cavity includes a plurality of cavities, at least one needle includes a plurality of corresponding needles, and at least one actuator includes a plurality of corresponding actuators. Each needle is movably disposed within a corresponding cavity. To move the at least one needle to the second fuel delivery configuration, the second set of needles is opened along with the first set of needles opened at 706.

[0063] As another example, at 718, in some embodiments (e.g., embodiments that perform step 708), at least one actuator includes a first coil and a second coil disposed around a common needle. Moving at least one needle to a second fuel delivery configuration includes activating the second coil along with the first coil to place the common needle in the second fuel delivery configuration. It may be noted that in some embodiments, the first coil may be deactivated and the second coil activated to provide the second fuel delivery configuration.

[0064] As another example, at 720, in some embodiments (e.g., embodiments that perform step 710), at least one needle includes an outer needle and an inner needle, wherein the inner needle is movably disposed within the outer needle (e.g., at least a portion of the inner needle is radially surrounded by the outer needle). Moving the at least one needle to the second fuel delivery configuration includes opening both the inner needle and the outer needle (e.g., from step 710, opening the outer needle with a second solenoid coil while the inner needle remains open). It may be noted that in alternative embodiments, only one needle may be opened to achieve the second fuel delivery condition. For example, the needle that is opened at 710 may be closed while a different needle is opened (e.g., at 710 the inner needle is opened and the outer needle is closed, and at 720 the outer needle is opened and the inner needle is closed). In some embodiments, two needles may be used to provide three configurations: a first configuration in which only the first of the two needles is opened, a second configuration in which only the second of the two needles is opened, and a third configuration in which both needles are opened. It may also be noted that when two needles are opened, they may be opened sequentially (e.g., the first needle opens, then the second needle opens, with no overlap in the time that the individual needles are opened), or may be opened simultaneously or in parallel (e.g., with partial or complete overlap in the time that the individual needles are opened).

[0065] At 722, fuel is delivered from a second fuel delivery configuration. Fuel may be delivered from the second fuel delivery configuration after ignition. Because the second fuel delivery configuration provides a second amount of fuel in addition to the first amount of fuel, more fuel is delivered at 722 than at 712 (and / or the fuel delivery rate is increased). In some embodiments, fuel may be delivered in parallel with one or more fuel injectors moving to or from the position of the second fuel delivery configuration (e.g., when moving from the first fuel delivery configuration to the second fuel delivery configuration), and / or delivered at different positions in a series of positions of the second fuel delivery configuration, for example to provide adjustability. It may be noted that in some embodiments, movement to or from the first fuel delivery configuration and / or the second fuel delivery configuration may be implemented in a series of steps, or as another example, in a series of discrete pulses. It may also be noted that in various embodiments, the fuel may be liquid and gas at various different times, and method 700 may be used to control rate adjustment differently for each of the liquid and gas operating modes. Additionally, it may be noted that in various embodiments, the amount of fuel delivered in one or more fuel delivery configurations may be varied by adjusting the position of one or more needles when in a given fuel delivery configuration. Thus, adjustments to the amount of fuel or the rate of fuel delivery may be controlled, for example, to achieve better combustion phasing, maintain a controlled rate of pressure rise, and / or optimize overall engine performance and emissions.

[0066] At 724, one or more characteristics or aspects of engine operation are sensed using one or more sensors. In various embodiments, one or more parameters are sensed at 704 and / or 714 to confirm, readjust, or reconfigure movement of one or more needles. For example, in some embodiments, one or more characteristics of the exhaust flow from the engine are sensed using sensors. For example, feedback from the sensors may be used to control movement of at least one needle to a first fuel delivery configuration and / or a second fuel delivery configuration. For example, based on one or more sensed characteristics (e.g., pressure / temperature / flow of the exhaust flow, torque, instantaneous power produced, knock sensor output, composition of the exhaust (e.g., NOx, oxygen, soot, particulate matter, hydrocarbons (unburned or partially burned), etc.), the amount of fuel delivered at one or more fuel delivery configurations may be adjusted (e.g., as determined by at least one processor such as processing unit 120) to improve performance. It may be noted that, additionally or alternatively, in-cylinder conditions may be sensed, operational aspects of one or more fuel injectors may be sensed, and / or operational aspects of the fuel system may be sensed. For example, parameters such as fuel rail pressure and / or needle lift may be sensed. In various embodiments, the ECU recommended (or calibrated commanded) parameter value may be compared to the sensed parameter value and the difference used to drive corrective action to the movement of the injector needle.

[0067] At 726, it is determined whether the engine will remain in operation for an additional combustion cycle. If so, method 700 proceeds to 728, where the fuel injector assembly (or assemblies) of the engine is moved to a closed position and the nozzle (or nozzles) of the fuel injector assembly are closed, for example, after the desired total amount of fuel has been released, and during the exhaust portion of the combustion cycle. If the engine is to be stopped, method 700 terminates at 730.

[0068] In some embodiments, the fuel injector assembly disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with a multi-fuel system (e.g., a system that uses more than one type of fuel). For example, an internal combustion engine can utilize a mixture of two types of fuels. Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for precise control and / or variation of the ratio of two or more fuels used by a combustion engine.

[0069] For example, Figure 88 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-fuel injector assembly 800 formed in accordance with various embodiments. In the illustrated example, the multi-fuel injector assembly is discussed in the context of a dual-fuel system using two different types of fuels, each fuel being associated with a corresponding fuel injector assembly (or fuel delivery system) configured for use with that particular type of fuel. However, it may be noted that the multi-fuel injector assembly in other embodiments may use more than two different types of fuels and / or use more than two fuel injector assemblies (or other fuel delivery assemblies).

[0070] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the multi-fuel injector assembly includes a first fuel injector assembly 810 and a second fuel delivery system 820. The first fuel injector assembly is configured to deliver a first type of fuel, while the second fuel delivery system is configured to deliver a different second type of fuel. In various embodiments, the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system are configured to control the ratio of the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel delivered to the cylinder 801, respectively. For example, the ratio between the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel can be changed to address different operating conditions and / or to change the availability of one or more types of fuel. The first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery assembly can be controlled by one or more processors (e.g., in combination with Figure 1 The processing unit 120 discussed is controlled.

[0071] like Figure 8 As shown, the first fuel injector assembly includes a first nozzle 830, at least one first needle 840, and at least one first actuator 850. In general, the first fuel injector assembly in various embodiments includes a combination of Figures 1 to 7 One or more aspects of the fuel injector assembly discussed. For example, in Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first nozzle includes at least one first cavity 832 in fluid communication with a first nozzle opening 834. Various numbers of first cavities and first nozzle openings may be used in various embodiments. In the illustrated example, one first cavity is shown. Typically, the first type of fuel is provided to the cylinder via a passage (directly or indirectly) through the first nozzle opening. If the fluid through the first nozzle opening is completely blocked, the first type of fuel will not be delivered to the cylinder.

[0072] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, only one first needle is shown. However, it can be noted that additional first needles can be used in various embodiments. The depicted first needle is movably disposed in the first cavity. When the first valve needle is in a position such as Figure 8When the first fuel injector assembly is shown in the closed position, the first type of fuel is prevented from flowing through the first nozzle opening. The first needle is movable from the closed position to allow a controlled amount of the first type of fuel to flow through the first nozzle opening.

[0073] Figure 8 The illustrated example also shows a first actuator. However, it should be noted that additional actuators may be used in various embodiments. The depicted first actuator is configured to move at least one first needle within a first chamber. By moving the first needle, the first actuator controls the amount of the first fuel provided (e.g., within a given amount of time) and / or the rate at which the first fuel is provided from the first fuel injector assembly. The depicted first actuator moves the first needle between different positions corresponding to different fuel delivery configurations of the first fuel injector assembly. For example, the first actuator can move the first needle to a first delivery configuration corresponding to a first fuel mixture composition, and can also move the first needle to a second fuel delivery configuration corresponding to a second fuel mixture composition. Additional fuel delivery configurations and fuel mixture compositions may be used in various embodiments. Each fuel mixture composition specifies a specific percentage or proportion of each type of fuel used. For example, in the example shown, the first fuel mixture composition may include X% of the first type of fuel and (100-X)% of the second type of fuel, and the second fuel mixture composition may include Y% of the first type of fuel and (100-Y)% of the second type of fuel, where X and Y are in the range of 0 to 100 and are different from each other. With the first needle in the first fuel delivery configuration, a first amount of the first type of fuel is delivered through the first nozzle opening, and with the first needle in the second fuel delivery configuration, a second amount of the first type of fuel is delivered through the first nozzle opening. As used herein, the amount of fuel provided or delivered may be understood to include a volumetric amount, a specified amount over a period of time, and / or a specified rate at which fuel is provided.

[0074] Combination Figures 1 to 7 Discussed that Figure 8 The first fuel injector assembly of the present invention uses a variety of different arrangements and technologies for providing different fuel delivery configurations. For example, in combination with Figures 4A to 4C As discussed in further detail, the first actuator may include a first coil and a second coil disposed around the common needle, wherein activation of the first coil places the common needle in a first fuel delivery configuration, and activation of the first coil in conjunction with or in lieu of activation of the first coil places the common needle in a second fuel delivery configuration. As another example, in conjunction with Figures 5A to 5CAs discussed in further detail, in some embodiments, the first nozzle includes a first set of nozzle openings and a second set of nozzle openings. The first set of nozzle openings but not the second set of nozzle openings are open to the fluid in the first fuel delivery configuration, and the first set of nozzle openings and the second set of nozzle openings are open to the fluid in the second fuel delivery configuration. As another example, in combination with Figures 6A to 6C As discussed in further detail, the first needle may include an outer needle and an inner needle movably disposed within the outer needle. Other arrangements may be used in alternative embodiments.

[0075] The second fuel delivery system may be arranged substantially similarly to the first fuel injector assembly (e.g., including a combination of Figures 1 to 7 ), or alternatively may be arranged differently (e.g., using various known conventional fuel injector components and / or arrangements). As another example, in some embodiments, the second fuel delivery system includes one or more carburetors. The second fuel delivery system may deliver fuel directly to the cylinders (e.g., similar to Figure 8 The second fuel delivery system indirectly delivers fuel to the cylinder by first providing the fuel to the intake assembly 890 in the illustrated example. The depicted intake assembly receives fuel from the second fuel delivery system and provides the received fuel to the cylinder along with the intake air flow. The intake assembly in various embodiments includes one or more of a conduit, an intake manifold, or an intake port (e.g., a port formed in a cylinder head). The second fuel delivery system may provide fuel to the intake assembly at different locations. For example, the second fuel delivery system may include an intake port injector that injects fuel into the intake port of the cylinder. As another example, the second fuel delivery system may include a common central injector or carburetor used in conjunction with a group of multiple cylinders. In some embodiments, the second fuel delivery system may use an on / off valve, or in other embodiments, a variable flow continuous flow valve may be used. As another example, the second fuel delivery system may vary the pressure to control the flow of the second type of fuel.

[0076] The depicted second fuel delivery system includes a second nozzle 860, at least one second needle 870, and at least one second actuator 880. The example second fuel delivery system includes a single second nozzle, a single second needle, and a single second actuator. It should be noted that different numbers of one or more components may be used in alternative embodiments. In addition, it may be noted that although the depicted injector uses a needle, in other embodiments, a poppet valve or other device may be used to open and close the valve.

[0077] The depicted second nozzle includes at least one second cavity 862 (864) in fluid communication with a second nozzle opening 864. Figure 81, but additional second cavities may be used in different embodiments). A second type of fuel is provided to the cylinder through a second nozzle opening (directly or indirectly). For example, in some embodiments, the second nozzle opening is in fluid communication with an intake assembly or port, and the second fuel is provided to the intake assembly or port from a second fuel delivery system, where the second fuel is allowed to mix with the air before being provided from the intake assembly to the cylinder.

[0078] The second needle is movably disposed in the second cavity. Figure 8 , the second needle is shown in a closed position of the second fuel delivery system, wherein the second needle prevents fluid from passing through the second nozzle opening. The second needle can be moved to a different position than the closed position to provide a controlled amount of the second type of fuel. The second actuator is configured to move the second needle within the second chamber (e.g., move the second needle to a predetermined position to provide a desired amount of the second type of fuel, and / or move the second needle to a closed position of the second fuel delivery system to prevent delivery of the second type of fuel).

[0079] In various embodiments, a second fuel delivery system (e.g., position of a second needle) is controlled in conjunction with a first fuel injector assembly (e.g., position of a first needle) to provide desired amounts of each type of fuel in proportion to each other to achieve a desired fuel mixture composition (e.g., a fuel mixture including a desired percentage of the first type of fuel and a desired percentage of the second type of fuel).

[0080] Thus, as discussed herein, in various embodiments, multiple fuel injector assemblies are controlled to provide different fuel mixtures (e.g., mixtures containing different amounts or proportions of two or more fuels). For example, as also described above, a first fuel injector assembly and a second fuel delivery system may be controlled to provide a first fuel mixture composition (which includes X% of a first type of fuel and (100-X)% of a second type of fuel), and then controlled (e.g., a first actuator and a second actuator are controlled to move a first needle and a second needle, respectively) to provide a second fuel mixture composition (which includes Y% of a first type of fuel and (100-Y)% of a second type of fuel). As described above, X and Y are in the range of 0 to 100 and are different from each other.

[0081] It should be noted that in various embodiments, X or Y may be 0 or 100. One of the first fuel injector assembly or the second fuel delivery system may be placed in a closed position to prevent a given type of fuel flow (or provide 0%) for various fuel delivery configurations. For example, the first fuel mixture composition may be 100% of the first type of fuel, wherein when the first fuel injector assembly is in the first fuel delivery configuration corresponding to the first fuel mixture composition, the second fuel delivery system is in the closed position of the second fuel delivery system. Similarly, the second fuel mixture composition may include 100% of the second type of fuel, wherein when the first fuel injector assembly is in the second delivery fuel delivery configuration corresponding to the second fuel mixture composition, the first fuel injector assembly is in the closed position. In other words, when the second fuel mixture composition is 100% of the second type of fuel, the second fuel delivery configuration of the first fuel injector assembly may be in the closed position. It may also be noted that a multi-fuel injector assembly may have multiple fuel delivery configurations, wherein the second needle is in a closed position for each configuration, the composition for each configuration is 100% of the first type of fuel, and only the total amount (or rate) of the first fuel delivered varies between configurations based on the position of at least one first needle of the first fuel injector assembly. Similarly, a multi-fuel injector assembly may have multiple fuel delivery configurations, wherein the first needle is in a closed position for each configuration, the composition for each configuration is 100% of the second type of fuel, and only the total amount (or rate) of the second fuel delivered varies between configurations based on the position of at least one second needle of the second fuel delivery system. In other fuel delivery configurations, both the first needle and the second needle are away from their closed positions and deliver non-zero amounts of each type of fuel. The particular fuel mixture composition selected may be selected based on desired engine performance (e.g., the fuel mixture composition may vary based on engine speed and / or engine power) and / or the available amount of fuel.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first type of fuel can be used to promote ignition. In some embodiments, the first type of fuel is diesel fuel. In addition, in some embodiments, the second type of fuel includes at least one of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, diesel, ammonia, natural gas or methane.

[0083] As discussed above, in some embodiments, both the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system provide fuel directly to the cylinder. In other embodiments, one or both fuel injector assemblies provide fuel indirectly to the cylinder (eg, through an intake assembly). Fig. 9 An embodiment of an engine assembly 900 is shown that utilizes fuel initially provided into an intake assembly.

[0084] like Fig. 9As shown, the depicted engine assembly includes a cylinder 910, an intake assembly 920, a first fuel injector assembly 930, and a second fuel delivery system 940. In the illustrated embodiment, the intake assembly includes an intake port into which the fuel is injected directly. However, as also discussed above, other types of fuel delivery (e.g., vaporization) and / or other fuel delivery locations for the second type of fuel may be employed. Figure 1 systems and / or Figure 8 Various aspects of the multi-fuel injector assembly may be incorporated into Fig. 9 In the engine components. For example, Fig. 9 The first fuel injector assembly may be combined with Figure 8 all or a portion of a first fuel injector assembly, and Fig. 9 The second fuel delivery system can be combined with Figure 8 In general, the first fuel injector assembly provides a first fuel stream 950 of a first type of fuel directly to the cylinder (e.g., directly into the combustion chamber 912 of the cylinder), and the second fuel delivery system provides a second fuel stream 960 indirectly to the cylinder through an intake assembly. Combustion in the cylinder is used to provide a work output (e.g., at the crankshaft). In the illustrated embodiment, an inlet stream 970 of air is provided through the intake assembly, where the inlet stream of air is combined with the second fuel stream to provide a fuel-air mixture 980, which is provided to the combustion chamber of the cylinder (e.g., through an intake valve). In various embodiments, injecting fuel into the intake assembly or an aspect thereof (e.g., a port) allows the use of a low pressure injector for the second fuel delivery system.

[0085] like Fig. 9 As shown, the intake assembly is operably coupled to the cylinder in fluid communication to provide air to the cylinder. In some embodiments, the intake assembly can be formed as or include a port formed in the cylinder (e.g., within the cylinder head 914), wherein the fluid from the intake assembly to the combustion chamber is controlled by the intake valve 922. A first fuel injector assembly configured to deliver a first type of fuel directly to the cylinder is positioned toward the upper portion of the cylinder in the illustrated example. However, it can be noted that for embodiments using opposed pistons in a common cylinder, the first fuel injector assembly can be positioned elsewhere, such as along one side of the cylinder. A second fuel delivery system configured to deliver a second type of fuel to the intake assembly is positioned proximate to the intake assembly and in fluid communication with the intake assembly at a position upstream of the cylinder. In various embodiments, the first type of fuel provided directly to the cylinder is used to promote ignition in the combustion chamber and can be, for example, diesel. In various embodiments, the second type of fuel provided by the intake assembly includes one or more of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, ammonia, natural gas, or methane. Therefore, Fig. 9The engine assembly provides for injecting a first type of fuel directly into a cylinder for ignition and injecting a second type of fuel into an intake assembly to improve mixing with air prior to combustion, with the fuel being precisely and universally metered by a fuel injector assembly.

[0086] Fig.10 A flow chart of a method 1000 for operating an engine (e.g., a reciprocating internal combustion engine) according to various embodiments is provided. In various embodiments, the method 1000 employs, for example, various embodiments discussed herein (e.g., systems and / or methods, including in combination with Figure 7 In various embodiments, certain steps may be omitted or added, certain steps may be combined, certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may be performed in parallel, certain steps may be divided into multiple steps, certain steps may be performed in a different order, or certain steps or series of steps may be re-performed in an iterative manner. In various embodiments, portions, aspects, and / or variations of method 1000 are used as one or more algorithms to direct hardware to perform the operations described herein. In various embodiments, one or more processors (e.g., processing unit 120) use portions, aspects, and / or variations of method 1000 as one or more algorithms for engine control. Generally, method 1000 is used to provide a first type of fuel through a first fuel injector assembly, and a second type of fuel through a second fuel delivery system. It should be noted that in conjunction with Fig.10 The example method shown discusses the use of two types of fuels. However, other types of fuels and other fuel injector assemblies may be used in other embodiments.

[0087] At 1002, the engine is started. At 1004, at least one first needle is moved from a closed position to a first fuel delivery configuration corresponding to a first fuel mixture composition. The at least one first needle moves with at least one first actuator of a first fuel injector assembly and moves within at least one cavity of a first nozzle. Movement of the at least one first needle to the first fuel delivery configuration facilitates delivery of a first amount of a first type of fuel to a cylinder through a first opening of the first nozzle. When the first fuel injector assembly is in the closed position, fluid may be prevented from flowing through the first opening.

[0088] At 1006, while the first fuel injector assembly is in the first fuel delivery configuration, a second fuel delivery system (e.g., actuating a needle of a fuel injector) is controlled to provide a first amount of a second type of fuel corresponding to the first fuel mixture composition while or before the at least one first needle is moved to the first fuel delivery configuration. For example, at least one second actuator may move at least one second needle of the second fuel delivery system. Thus, in some embodiments, the actuators of the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel injector assembly may be used to move the corresponding needles to provide a desired amount of each of the first type and the second type of fuel, thereby providing a desired or target fuel mixture composition having a desired proportion or portion of each type of fuel. As another example, a carburetor, a variable flow valve, and / or a pressure associated with the second fuel delivery system may be adjusted to provide different amounts of the second type of fuel.

[0089] At 1008, at least one first needle is moved from a first fuel delivery configuration to a second fuel delivery configuration within at least one first cavity with at least one first actuator. The second fuel delivery configuration corresponds to a second fuel mixture composition to deliver a second amount of fuel through the first opening. For example, the at least one first needle may be moved to provide a first type of fuel at a lower rate in the second fuel delivery configuration relative to the first fuel delivery configuration. For example, where the first type of fuel is used for ignition, a larger relative amount of the first type of fuel may be used during initial warm-up, or a larger relative amount of the first type of fuel may be used during a portion of an engine cycle corresponding to ignition of a fuel-air mixture in a cylinder.

[0090] At 1010, when the first fuel injector assembly is in the second fuel delivery configuration, the second fuel delivery system is controlled to provide a second amount of a second type of fuel corresponding to a second fuel mixture composition while or before the at least one first needle is moved to the second fuel delivery configuration of the first fuel injector assembly. Thus, the percentage or share of each type of fuel in the fuel mixture can be accurately and reliably varied to address different desired performance characteristics and / or different available fuel amounts.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel may be first delivered to different parts of the engine before mixing in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first type of fuel is delivered directly to the cylinder via a first fuel injector assembly, while the second type of fuel is delivered to the intake assembly via a second fuel delivery system.

[0092] As used herein, a structure, restriction or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is particularly formed, constructed or adapted structurally in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For the purpose of clarity and avoidance of doubt, an object that can only be modified to perform a task or operation is not "configured to" perform a task or operation as used herein. On the contrary, "configured to" as used herein represents structural adaptation or characteristics, and represents the structural requirements of any structure, restriction or element described as "configured to" perform a task or operation. For example, a processing unit, processor or computer that is "configured to" perform a task or operation can be understood to be specially constructed to perform the task or operation (e.g., having one or more programs or instructions stored thereon or used in conjunction therewith, customized or intended to perform a task or operation, and / or having an arrangement of processing circuits that are customized or intended to perform a task or operation). For the purpose of clarity and avoidance of doubt, a general-purpose computer (which, if properly programmed, can be "configured to" perform a task or operation) is not "configured to" perform a task or operation unless or until it is specially programmed or structurally modified to perform a task or operation.

[0093] It should be noted that the specific arrangement (e.g., number, type, placement, etc.) of the components of the illustrated embodiments may be modified in various alternative embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, a different number of a given module or unit may be employed, one or more different types of a given module or unit may be employed, multiple modules or units (or aspects thereof) may be combined, a given module or unit may be divided into multiple modules (or sub-modules) or units (or sub-units), one or more aspects of one or more modules may be shared between modules, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

[0094] It should be noted that various embodiments may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof. Various embodiments and / or components, such as modules or components and controllers therein, may also be implemented as part of one or more computers or processors. A computer or processor may include, for example, a computing device, an input device, a display unit and an interface for accessing the Internet. A computer or processor may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to a communication bus. A computer or processor may also include a memory. The memory may include a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). A computer or processor may further include a storage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a solid state drive, an optical drive, etc. The storage device may also be other similar devices for loading a computer program or other instructions into a computer or processor.

[0095] As used herein, the terms "computer," "controller," and "module" may each include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system, including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, GPUs, FPGAs, and any other circuits or processors capable of performing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit the definition and / or meaning of the term "module" or "computer" in any way.

[0096] A computer, module or processor executes a set of instructions stored in one or more storage elements to process input data. Storage elements may also store data or other information as desired or needed. Storage elements may be in the form of a physical storage element within an information source or a processing machine.

[0097] The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct a computer, module, or processor as a processing machine to perform specific operations, such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments described and / or shown herein. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software, and may be embodied in tangible and non-transitory computer-readable media. In addition, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs or modules, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to an operator command, or in response to the results of a previous process, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.

[0098] As used herein, the terms "software" and "firmware" are interchangeable and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are therefore not limited to the types of memory that can be used to store computer programs. Various components of various embodiments may be virtualized and hosted by a cloud-type computing environment, for example, to allow dynamic allocation of computing power without requiring a user to be concerned with the location, configuration, and / or specific hardware of the computer system.

[0099] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, without departing from the scope of the present invention, many modifications can be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present invention. The sizes, material types, orientations, and the number and position of the various components described herein are intended to define the parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means restrictive, but are merely exemplary embodiments. After reading the above description, many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the full scope of the appended claims and the equivalents authorized by these claims. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "wherein" are used as the simple English equivalents of the corresponding terms "including" and "wherein". In addition, in the following claims, the terms "first", "second", and "third", etc. are used only as marks, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the following claim limitations are not written in means-plus-function form and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for..." followed by a recitation of function without further structure.

[0100] This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments and also enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various embodiments, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patent scope of the various embodiments is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if such other embodiments include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-fuel injector assembly comprising: a first fuel injector assembly configured to deliver a first type of fuel, the first fuel injector assembly comprising a first nozzle, a first needle, and a first actuator, the first nozzle including a first cavity receiving the first needle; a second fuel delivery system configured to deliver a second type of fuel, the second fuel delivery system comprising a second nozzle, a second needle, and a second actuator, the second nozzle comprising a second chamber receiving the second needle; as well as one or more processors operably connected to the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system and configured to control the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system to provide a first target fuel composition to the cylinder during a first period of engine operation and to provide a second target fuel composition to the cylinder during a second period of engine operation, the first target fuel composition being different from the second target fuel composition, wherein, to obtain the first target fuel composition, the one or more processors control the first actuator to position the first needle at a first fuel delivery position within the first chamber to deliver a non-zero first amount of the first type of fuel to the cylinder, and control the second actuator to position the second needle at a first position within the second chamber, and To obtain the second target fuel composition, the one or more processors control the first actuator to move the first needle within the first chamber to a second fuel delivery position to deliver a non-zero second amount of the first type of fuel to the cylinder, and control the second actuator to move the second needle within the second chamber from the first position to a second position to deliver a non-zero second type of fuel to the cylinder, such that the second target fuel composition includes the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

2. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first fuel injector assembly is configured to inject the first type of fuel directly into the cylinder, and The second fuel delivery system is configured to provide the second type of fuel to an intake assembly operably connected to the cylinder.

3. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first type of fuel is diesel fuel.

4. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 3, wherein: The second type of fuel includes at least one of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, ammonia, natural gas, or methane.

5. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first position of the second needle in the second chamber is in a closed position of the second fuel delivery system such that the first type of fuel is present at 100% of the first target fuel composition.

6. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first actuator comprises at least a first coil and a second coil disposed around the first needle, The one or more processors are configured to activate the first coil to place the first needle in the first fuel delivery position, and the one or more processors are configured to activate the second coil together with the first coil or in place of the first coil to place the first needle in the second fuel delivery position.

7. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first nozzle includes a first set of nozzle openings and a second set of nozzle openings, In the first fuel delivery position, the first needle allows the first type of fuel to flow from the first chamber through the first set of nozzle openings but not the second set of nozzle openings, and In the second fuel delivery position, the first needle allows the first type of fuel to flow from the first chamber through both the first set of nozzle openings and the second set of nozzle openings.

8. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first needle is an outer needle, and The first fuel injector assembly includes an inner needle movably disposed within the outer needle.

9. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 4, wherein: The first fuel injector assembly is configured to inject the diesel fuel directly into the cylinder, and the second fuel delivery system is configured to emit at least one of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, ammonia, natural gas, or methane into an intake assembly fluidly connected to the cylinder.

10. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first period of engine operation corresponds to an initial warm-up period, and the second period of engine operation is subsequent to the initial warm-up period.

11. The multiple fuel injector assembly of claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are configured to control the second actuator of the second fuel delivery system to position the second needle at the first position within the second chamber to deliver a non-zero second amount of a second type of fuel to the cylinder such that both the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel are present in each of the first target fuel composition and the second target fuel composition.

12. An engine assembly comprising: Cylinders of the engine; an air intake assembly operably coupled to the cylinder; a first fuel injector assembly configured to deliver a first type of fuel directly to the cylinder, the first fuel injector assembly comprising a first nozzle, a first needle, and a first actuator, the first nozzle including a first chamber receiving the first needle; a second fuel delivery system configured to deliver a second type of fuel to the intake assembly, the second fuel delivery system comprising a second nozzle, a second needle, and a second actuator, the second nozzle comprising a second chamber for receiving the second needle; and one or more processors operably connected to the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system and configured to control the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system to provide a first target fuel composition to the cylinder during a first period of engine operation and to provide a second target fuel composition to the cylinder during a second period of engine operation, the first target fuel composition being different from the second target fuel composition, in, To achieve the first target fuel composition, the one or more processors control the first actuator to position the first needle in a first fuel delivery position in the first chamber to deliver a non-zero first amount of the first type of fuel to the cylinder, and control the second actuator to position the second needle in a first position in the second chamber, and To obtain the second target fuel composition, the one or more processors control the first actuator to move the first needle within the first chamber to a second fuel delivery position to deliver a non-zero second amount of the first type of fuel to the cylinder, and control the second actuator to move the second needle within the second chamber from the first position to a second position to deliver a non-zero second type of fuel to the intake assembly, such that the second target fuel composition includes the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

13. The engine assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first type of fuel is diesel fuel.

14. The engine assembly of claim 13, wherein: The second type of fuel includes at least one of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, ammonia, natural gas, or methane.

15. The engine assembly of claim 12, further comprising: The processor is configured to control the second fuel delivery system to deliver only the second type of fuel to the intake assembly when the first needle of the first fuel injector assembly is in the first fuel delivery position.

16. A method for operating an engine, comprising: controlling, via one or more processors, the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system to provide a first target fuel composition to cylinders of the engine during a first period of engine operation; as well as controlling the first fuel injector assembly and the second fuel delivery system to provide a second target fuel composition to the cylinder during a second period of engine operation, the first target fuel composition being different from the second target fuel composition; The first fuel injector assembly includes a first nozzle, a first needle, and a first actuator, the first nozzle including a first cavity for accommodating the first needle, the second fuel delivery system includes a second nozzle, a second needle, and a second actuator, the second nozzle including a second cavity for accommodating the second needle, wherein the controlling to provide the first target fuel composition during the first period includes: moving the first needle in the first chamber from a closed position to a first fuel delivery position via the first actuator to deliver a non-zero first amount of a first type of fuel to the cylinder, and positioning the second needle in the second chamber at a first position via the second actuator, and The controlling to provide the second target fuel composition during a second period includes: moving a first needle within the first chamber to a second fuel delivery position via the first actuator to deliver a non-zero second amount of the first type of fuel to the cylinder, and The second needle in the second chamber is moved from the first position to a second position via the second actuator to deliver a non-zero second type of fuel to the cylinder such that the second target fuel composition includes the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: delivering the first type of fuel directly to the cylinder via the first fuel injector assembly, and The second type of fuel is delivered via the second fuel delivery system to an intake assembly operatively connected to the cylinder.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The first type of fuel is diesel fuel.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The second type of fuel includes at least one of hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, gasoline, ammonia, natural gas, or methane.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The first position of the second needle in the second chamber is a closed position of the second fuel delivery system such that the first type of fuel exhibits 100% of a first target fuel composition.

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