Fuel Injector Control Valve Pressure Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In common rail fuel injection systems, high hydraulic pressures cause stress and deformation issues in control valves, leading to dynamic leakage and pressure oscillations that disturb the operation of the control valve, particularly due to significant jet forces against the solenoid armature.

Innovation Solution

A control valve design featuring a cylindrical liner with an axial passage and a sealing seat, where the closure rod slides to open and close the passage, and an annular compensation chamber surrounds the liner, allowing high-pressure fuel communication to balance pressures and prevent fuel jets from reaching the actuator, thus reducing dynamic disturbances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control valve with a sealing seat and closure member is used in high pressure fuel injection systems, then the valve can control fuel flow to the injection nozzle, but the high pressure fuel creates dynamic leakage and jet forces that disturb the solenoid actuator operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol valve operationVSAvoidfuel jet disturbances on actuator
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first chamber for solenoid actuation, a second chamber for fuel flow control, and a third chamber for pressure compensation. This segmentation isolates the actuator from harmful fuel jets while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A compensation chamber acts as an intermediary between the high pressure fuel source and the solenoid actuator. This intermediate chamber balances pressures and prevents direct exposure of the actuator to high velocity fuel jets, eliminating dynamic disturbances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the control valve allows high pressure fuel to flow through the seat, then fuel injection is enabled, but pressure oscillations and dynamic leakage occur that affect valve performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel injection capabilityVSAvoidpressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation chamber serves as a pressure-balancing intermediary that stabilizes fuel pressure fluctuations. By providing a buffer volume and controlled flow paths, it dampens pressure oscillations while maintaining the ability to deliver high pressure fuel for injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve design incorporates multiple pressure zones with different pressure levels. The compensation chamber maintains a intermediate pressure that balances forces on the closure member, reducing dynamic leakage and stabilizing pressure conditions during fuel flow operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the closure member is positioned close to the sealing seat for precise control, then fuel flow control is improved, but the high pressure jet forces create instability in the actuator system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve seat sealing precisionVSAvoidactuator stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator system is separated into an independent first chamber that is pressure-compensated and isolated from the high velocity fuel flow path. This segmentation allows the solenoid to operate stably while the closure member maintains precise positioning at the sealing seat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation chamber provides counterbalancing pressure forces that offset the destabilizing jet forces acting on the actuator. This pressure balancing creates a stable operating condition for the solenoid while maintaining precise valve control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances pressure compensation and dynamic stability by preventing fuel jets from affecting the actuator, resulting in improved operational behavior and mechanical robustness, while maintaining simplicity in implementation.

Implementation Method 1

The compensating chamber surrounds the insert and is in communication with the control chamber, while pressurized fuel enters the insert through a side port therein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure balancing: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

The closure member has, on the side of the first end, a seat which cooperates with the sealing seat in the central passage to open and close the valve, being manipulated by a solenoid or piezoelectric actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3253961B1Control valve for fuel injector
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 DELPHI INT OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG SARL
  • EP3253961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3253961B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3253961B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control valve for a control chamber of a fuel injector, which valve includes a body (34) provided with a bore (36); a generally cylindrical jacket (38) inserted into the bore (36) and including an axial passage (40), a cross-section of which defines an inner fuel passage (44) with a sealing seat (50); a sealing rod (42) sliding axially inside the jacket (38) and configured to enable or prevent the flow of fuel downstream from the seat (50), the sealing rod (42) including an actuating end (48) for connecting to an actuating device (28) outside of the jacket. An annular compensation chamber (52) surrounds the jacket (38). The inner fuel passage (44) has an outlet opening (48) located downstream from the sealing seat (50) in the jacket portion opposite the actuating end (48) of the sealing rod (42).