Fuel injector for internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine

Abstract

To provide a new type fuel injector for an internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine provided with the same.SOLUTION: A fuel injector (10) for an internal combustion engine comprises a first nozzle needle (14) interacting with a first fuel injection orifice (16) so as to open or shut off a fuel flow of a first fuel through the first fuel injection orifice (16), a second nozzle needle (15) interacting with a second fuel injection orifice (17) so as to open or shut off a fuel flow of a second fuel through the second fuel injection orifice (17), and first and second solenoid valves (20, 21) integrated in the fuel injector (10) for controlling the first and second nozzle needles (14, 15). A first and a second solenoid valve (20, 21) are integrated in the fuel injector (10) such that they are each arranged between the nozzle needle (14, 15) and at least one fuel storage space (22, 23) of the fuel injector (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the invention relates to an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injector. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention particularly relates to the field of so-called large engines or large internal combustion engines, in which the cylinders have a piston diameter of at least 140 mm, in particular at least 175 mm. Such large internal combustion engines are, for example, marine engines. Dual-fuel internal combustion engines for marine engines are already known. Conventionally known dual-fuel internal combustion engines can be operated in a first operating mode in which a first fuel, in particular a relatively ignitable fuel, is burned, and in a second operating mode in which a second fuel, in particular a relatively less-ignitable fuel, is burned. The first relatively ignitable fuel can be, for example, diesel fuel. The second relatively less-ignitable fuel can be, for example, methanol, ethanol, or ammonia. In the second operating mode, the second relatively less-ignitable fuel, in particular methanol, ethanol, or ammonia, can be ignited via the first relatively ignitable fuel, in particular diesel fuel.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel injector that can introduce both a first fuel with relatively high ignition property and a second fuel with relatively low ignition property into the combustion chamber of a cylinder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent No. 102013000048 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a new type of fuel injector for an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine equipped with the same. This object is achieved by the fuel injector described in claim 1 and the internal combustion engine described in claim 13. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fuel injector includes a first nozzle needle movably guided in a first needle guide, the first nozzle needle interacting with a first fuel injection orifice to open or block a fuel flow of a first fuel therethrough depending on its position, and a second nozzle needle movably guided in a second needle guide, the second nozzle needle interacting with a second fuel injection orifice to open or block a fuel flow of a second fuel therethrough depending on its position. The fuel injector according to the present invention also includes a first solenoid valve integrated into the fuel injector for controlling a first nozzle needle and a second solenoid valve integrated into the fuel injector for controlling a second nozzle needle, the first and second solenoid valves being integrated into the fuel injector so as to be disposed in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector between the nozzle needle and at least one fuel storage space of the fuel injector, preferably between two nozzle needles and the fuel storage spaces of the first and second fuels integrated into the fuel injector, respectively. The present invention provides an embodiment that saves the complete installation space of a fuel injector for two different fuels.

[0007] Both solenoid valves are integrated into the fuel injector, i.e., the two solenoid valves are arranged longitudinally or axially between the nozzle needle and at least one fuel storage chamber of the fuel injector, thereby minimizing the distance between the solenoid valves and the nozzle needle.

[0008] The distance between the two solenoid valves and their respective nozzle needles is shortest when the two solenoid valves are integrated into the fuel injector so as to be laterally adjacent to each other in the lateral or radial direction of the fuel injector, i.e., so as to overlap in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector but not in the lateral or radial direction.

[0009] Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the control pins of the first and second solenoid valves extend parallel to each other and to the central longitudinal axis of the fuel injector, and similarly, the longitudinal axes of the first and second nozzle needles extend parallel to each other and to the central longitudinal axis of the fuel injector, which is particularly preferred for a compact and simple design of the fuel injector.

[0010] The longitudinal axis of the control pin of the first solenoid valve can extend coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle, and the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the second solenoid valve can extend coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle. In particular, if the control pin of the first solenoid valve extends coaxially with respect to the first nozzle needle and the control pin of the second solenoid valve extends coaxially with respect to the second nozzle needle, a particularly simple embodiment of the fuel injector with a compact design is possible.

[0011] Alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the first solenoid valve may be offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle and / or the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the second solenoid valve may be offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle.

[0012] In particular, when the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the first solenoid valve is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle, the ratio C1 / CA of the distance C1 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the first solenoid valve and the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle to the distance CA between the longitudinal axes of the control pins of the two solenoid valves is 0.05 to 0.25, and / or the ratio C1 / CB of the distance C1 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the first solenoid valve and the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle to the distance CB between the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles is 0.05 to 0.25. In particular, if the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the second solenoid valve is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle, the ratio C2 / CA of the distance C2 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the second solenoid valve and the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle and the distance CA between the longitudinal axes of the control pins of the two solenoid valves is 0.05 to 0.25 and / or the ratio C2 / CB of the distance C2 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin of the second solenoid valve and the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle and the distance CB between the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles is 0.05 to 0.25. In particular, if the control pin of the first solenoid valve is offset with respect to the first nozzle needle and / or if the control pin of the second solenoid valve is offset with respect to the second nozzle needle, a simple embodiment of the fuel injector can likewise be ensured with minimal installation space requirements.

[0013] Preferably, the control bore for controlling the first nozzle needle extends from the first solenoid valve, and the control bore for controlling the second nozzle needle extends from the second solenoid valve via a common control plate of the fuel injector, the common control plate being arranged between a nozzle needle receiver of the fuel injector that receives the two nozzle needles and a solenoid valve receiver of the fuel injector that receives two solenoid valves, preferably at least one of both solenoid valves, which also helps to provide a fuel injector with a simple and compact design for two different fuels.

[0014] Preferred further developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal or axial cross-sectional view of a first fuel injector according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal or axial cross-section through a second fuel injector according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0017] The present invention relates to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, which supplies fuel to the combustion chamber of a cylinder of the engine.

[0018] The fuel injector according to the invention serves to supply different fuels to an internal combustion engine, in particular designed as a dual-fuel internal combustion engine, namely a first relatively ignitable fuel in a first operating mode and a second relatively less ignitable fuel in a second operating mode, and to ignite the first relatively ignitable fuel and ignite the second relatively less ignitable fuel via the first relatively ignitable fuel.

[0019] The first relatively ignitable fuel is in particular diesel fuel, and the second relatively less ignitable fuel may be methanol, ethanol or ammonia.

[0020] 1 shows a cross section of a first fuel injector 10 according to the invention, the fuel injector 10 comprising a nozzle needle receiving body 11 providing a first needle guide 12 for a first nozzle needle 14 and a second needle guide 13 for a second nozzle needle 15. The nozzle needle receiving body 11 also defines a first fuel injection orifice 16 and a second fuel injection orifice 17. Depending on the position of the nozzle needles 14, 15, the nozzle needles 14, 15 open or block fuel flow through the fuel injection orifices 16, 17.

[0021] The fuel injector 10 according to the present invention further comprises a fuel storage space receptacle 18 and, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, a solenoid valve receptacle 19 arranged between the fuel storage space receptacle 18 and the nozzle needle receptacle 11.

[0022] A first solenoid valve 20 disposed within the solenoid valve receptacle 19 serves to control the first nozzle needle 14 to change its position and thereby open or block fuel flow through the first fuel injection orifice 16. A second solenoid valve 21 disposed within the solenoid valve receptacle 19 serves to control the second nozzle needle 15 to change its position and accordingly open or block fuel flow of a second fuel through the second fuel injection orifice 17.

[0023] As described above, the fuel injector 10 includes the fuel storage space receiver 18. In the fuel injector 10, i.e., in the fuel storage space receiver 18, the first fuel storage space 22 for the first fuel and the second fuel storage space 23 for the second fuel are preferably integrated together.

[0024] At least one first fuel storage space 22 of the fuel injector 10 of the present invention is connected to the nozzle needle receptor 11 via a first fuel line 24, and at least one second fuel storage space 23 of the fuel injector 10 of the present invention is connected to the nozzle needle receptor 11 via a second fuel line 25, and these fuel lines 24, 25 extend from the fuel storage space receptor 18 toward the nozzle needle receptor 11 via the solenoid valve receptor 19 and preferably a plate-shaped intermediate body 26 arranged between the solenoid valve receptor 19 and the nozzle needle receptor 11. Hereinafter, the intermediate body 26 will be referred to as a control plate.

[0025] 1 also shows a sleeve body 27, in which the solenoid valve receptacle 19 and the control plate 26 are completely arranged, and the nozzle needle receptacle 11 and the fuel storage space receptacle 18 are partially arranged. Via the sleeve body 27, the fuel injector 10 can be mounted, for example, in a corresponding recess in the cylinder head of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine.

[0026] In the fuel injector 10 according to the invention, a first solenoid valve 20 for a first fuel and a second solenoid valve 21 for a second fuel are integrated into the fuel injector 10, i.e., into the solenoid valve receiver 19, i.e., the first solenoid valve 20 and the second solenoid valve 21 are respectively arranged in the longitudinal or axial direction X of the fuel injector 10 between the nozzle needles 14, 15 and at least one fuel space of the fuel injector 10. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, both solenoid valves 20, 21 are arranged between the two nozzle needles 14, 15 for two different fuels and the two fuel storage spaces 22, 23 for two different fuels.

[0027] 1, the two solenoid valves 20, 21 are integrated into the fuel injector 10 adjacent to each other in the radial or lateral direction of the fuel injector 10, i.e., overlapping in the longitudinal or axial direction X of the fuel injector 10 but not overlapping in the lateral or radial direction Y of the fuel injector 10. In this case, the two solenoid valves 20, 21 are received in a common solenoid valve receptacle 19.

[0028] As is clear from FIG. 1, the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles 14, 15 are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal central axis of the fuel injector 10, and the two longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles 14, 15 are parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the fuel injector 10.

[0029] FIG. 1 indicates by the distance CB the distance between the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles 14, 15 of the fuel injector 10.

[0030] Each of the solenoid valves 20, 21 of the fuel injector 10 has a control pin 28, 29, respectively, and according to FIG. 1, the longitudinal axis of the control pin 28 of the first solenoid valve 20 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control pin 29 of the second solenoid valve 21, which in turn extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the fuel injector 10.

[0031] FIG. 1 indicates by the distance CA the distance between the longitudinal axes of the two control pins 28, 29 of the two solenoid valves 20, 21 of the fuel injector 10.

[0032] In Figure 1, the distance CA is greater than the distance CB. However, the distance CA may be equal to the distance CB. Alternatively, the distance CA may be smaller than the distance CB. The ratio CA / CB may be between 0.75 and 1.25.

[0033] In particular, when the distance CA coincides with the distance CB, the longitudinal axis of the control pin 28 of the first solenoid valve 20 extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle 14 of the fuel injector 10, and the longitudinal axis of the control pin 29 of the second solenoid valve 21 extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle 15 of the fuel injector 10.

[0034] 1, the longitudinal axis of the control pin 28 of the first solenoid valve 20 of the fuel injector 10 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle 14 in the lateral or radial direction Y of the fuel injector 10, where C1 corresponds to the distance between the longitudinal axis of the control pin 28 of the first solenoid valve 20 and the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle 14. Similarly, in FIG. 1, the longitudinal axis of the control pin 29 of the second solenoid valve 21 of the fuel injector 10 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle 15, where C2 corresponds to the distance between the longitudinal axis of the control pin 29 of the second solenoid valve 21 and the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle 15.

[0035] In particular, when the longitudinal axis of the control pin 28 of the first solenoid valve 20 of the fuel injector 10 is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle 14 of the fuel injector 10, the ratio C1 / CA is 0.05 to 0.25 and / or the ratio C1 / CB is 0.05 to 0.25. In particular, the ratio C1 / CA is smaller than the ratio C1 / CB. These ratios may also be equal.

[0036] In particular, when the longitudinal axis of the control pin 29 of the second solenoid valve 21 of the fuel injector 10 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle 15 of the fuel injector 10, the ratio C2 / CA is preferably 0.05 to 0.25, and / or the ratio C2 / CB is 0.05 to 0.25. In FIG. 1, the ratio C2 / CA is smaller than the ratio C2 / CB. The two ratios may be equal.

[0037] 1, the control plate 26 is arranged between the nozzle needle receptacle 11, which receives the two nozzle needles 14, 15, and the solenoid valve receptacle 19, which receives the two solenoid valves 20, 21, through which the fuel lines 24, 25 extend, as well as through the control lines 30, 31, via which the solenoid valves 20, 21 control the nozzle needles 14, 15. This allows for a compact and particularly simple design of the fuel injector 10.

[0038] A variant of the fuel injector 10 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, two solenoid valves 20, 21 are integrated into the fuel injector 10 between the two nozzle needles 14, 15 and the fuel storage spaces 22, 23, the two solenoid valves 20, 21 being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal or axial direction X and partially overlapping in the transverse or radial direction Y but not in the longitudinal or axial direction X. According to Fig. 2, for each of the solenoid valves 20, 21 there is a separate solenoid valve receptacle 19a, 19b, respectively, which is also arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal or axial direction X of the fuel injector 10. In all remaining details, the fuel injector 10 of Fig. 2 corresponds to the fuel injector 10 of Fig. 1, so that to avoid repetition, the same reference numerals are used for the same assemblies and reference is made to the description relating to the fuel injector 10 of Fig. 1.

[0039] Therefore, in both embodiments, both solenoid valves 20, 21 interacting with nozzle needles 14, 15 for different fuels are integrated into the fuel injector 10, i.e., into at least one solenoid valve receptacle 19 and 19a, 19b, respectively, which is arranged between the nozzle needle receptacle 11 and the fuel storage space receptacle 18. In Fig. 1, the solenoid valves 20, 21 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction Y and one after the other in the axial direction X, in Fig. 2. The control lines 30, 31 and the fuel lines 24, 25 each extend in sections through a common control plate 26.

[0040] The solenoid valves 20, 21 are controlled via electrical cables and plug connectors. Figures 1 and 2 show an electrical plug connector 32 for the first solenoid valve 20 and an electrical plug connector 33 for the second solenoid valve 21. These plug connectors 32, 33 are connected to electrical cables 34, 35, respectively, which run through corresponding recesses in the fuel storage space receptacle 18 and in the at least one solenoid valve receptacle 19, 19a, 19b. The installation space required for electrical contact of the solenoid valves 20, 21 is provided in particular by offsetting the solenoid valves 20, 21 in the lateral direction Y. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 10 Fuel Injectors 11 Nozzle needle receiver 12 First needle guide 13 Second needle guide 14 First nozzle needle 15 Second nozzle needle 16 First fuel injection orifice 17 Second fuel injection orifice 18 Fuel storage space receptor 19 Solenoid valve receptor 20 First solenoid valve 21 Second solenoid valve 22 First fuel storage space 23 Second fuel storage space 24 First fuel line 25 Second fuel line 26 Intermediate body, control plate 27 Sleeve body 28 control pins 29 control pins 30 control line 31 Control Line 32 plug connector 33 Plug Connector 34 Cable 35 Cable

Claims

1. A fuel injector (10) for an internal combustion engine for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, comprising: a first nozzle needle (14) movably guided within a first needle guide (12), the first nozzle needle (14) interacting with the first fuel injection orifice (16) to open or block fuel flow of a first fuel through the first fuel injection orifice (16) depending on the position of the first nozzle needle (14); a second nozzle needle (15) movably guided in a second needle guide (13) and interacting with the second fuel injection orifice (17) so as to open or block the fuel flow of the second fuel through the second fuel injection orifice (17) depending on its position; a first solenoid valve (20) integrated into the fuel injector (10) for controlling the first nozzle needle (14); a second solenoid valve (21) integrated in the fuel injector (10) for controlling the second nozzle needle (15); Equipped with the first and second solenoid valves (20, 21) are integrated into the fuel injector (10) so as to be respectively disposed between the nozzle needle (14, 15) and at least one fuel storage space (22, 23) of the fuel injector (10) in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector (10); Fuel injector.

2. 2. The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second solenoid valves (20, 21) are integrated into the fuel injector (10), and the two solenoid valves are arranged in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector (10) between the two nozzle needles (14, 15) and fuel storage spaces (22, 23) for the first and second fuels integrated into the fuel injector (10).

3. 3. The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the first solenoid valve (20) and the second solenoid valve (21) are integrated into the fuel injector (10) so as to be laterally adjacent to each other in a lateral or radial direction of the fuel injector (10) and overlap in a longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector (10) but not overlap in a lateral or radial direction of the fuel injector (10).

4. 3. The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are integrated in a front-to-back arrangement in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector so as to partially overlap each other in the lateral or radial direction of the fuel injector but not in the longitudinal or axial direction of the fuel injector.

5. 5. The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the control pin (28) of the first solenoid valve (20) and a longitudinal axis of the control pin (29) of the second solenoid valve (21) are parallel to each other.

6. 6. The fuel injector according to claim 5, wherein a longitudinal axis of a control pin (28) of the first solenoid valve (20) extends coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle (14) and / or a longitudinal axis of a control pin (29) of the second solenoid valve (21) extends coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle (15).

7. 7. A fuel injector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the longitudinal axis of the control pin (28) of the first solenoid valve (20) is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle (14) and / or the longitudinal axis of the control pin (29) of the second solenoid valve (21) is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle (15).

8. the ratio C1 / CA between the distance C1 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin (28) of the first solenoid valve (20) and the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle (14) and the distance CA between the longitudinal axes of the control pins (28, 29) of the two solenoid valves (20, 21) is between 0.05 and 0.25; and / or 8. The fuel injector according to claim 7, wherein a ratio C2 / CA of a distance C2 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin (29) of the second solenoid valve (21) relative to the longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle (15) and a distance CA between the longitudinal axes of the control pins (28, 29) of the two solenoid valves (20, 21) is 0.05 to 0.

25.

9. a ratio C1 / CB of a distance C1 between the longitudinal axis of the control pin (28) of the first solenoid valve (20) relative to the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle needle (14) and a distance CB between the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles (14, 15) is 0.05 to 0.25; 9. The fuel injector according to claim 7, wherein a ratio C2 / CB of a distance C2 between a longitudinal axis of the control pin (29) of the second solenoid valve (21) and a longitudinal axis of the second nozzle needle (15) to a distance CB between the longitudinal axes of the two nozzle needles (14, 15) is 0.05 to 0.

25.

10. 10. The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein a control line (30) for controlling the first nozzle needle (14) coming from the first solenoid valve (20) and a control line (31) for controlling the second nozzle needle (15) coming from the second solenoid valve (21) extend on a common control plate (26) of the fuel injector (10) that is arranged between a nozzle needle receiver (11) of the fuel injector that receives the two nozzle needles (14, 15) and a solenoid valve receiver (19, 19B) that receives at least one, preferably both, of the two solenoid valves (20, 21).

11. 11. The fuel injector according to claim 2 or 10, wherein, in particular, when the first solenoid valve (20) and the second solenoid valve (21) are integrated in the fuel injector (10) so as to be laterally adjacent to each other, both solenoid valves (20, 21) are received in a common solenoid valve receiver (19) of the fuel injector (10).

12. 11. The fuel injector according to claim 3 or 10, wherein, in particular, when the first solenoid valve (20) and the second solenoid valve (21) are integrated one after the other in the fuel injector (10), both solenoid valves (20, 21) are received in respective solenoid valve receivers (19a, 19b) of the fuel injector (10).

13. An internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being equipped with a fuel injector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images