Fuel Injector Nozzle Assembly with Rotating Outer Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ducted fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines face limitations in controlling fuel delivery parameters and emissions, particularly in managing particulate matter and NOx emissions, as they lack flexibility in adjusting fuel injection patterns and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector nozzle assembly with a concentric check assembly that allows for rotation of the outer check relative to the nozzle case, enabling fluid connection between different sets of spray orifices and transfer passages, allowing for selective fuel injection through various angular orientations and configurations, including ducted and unducted spray paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single set of spray orifices and ducts is used in the fuel injector, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility in adjusting fuel injection patterns and controlling emissions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injector is segmented into multiple functional zones with separate spray orifice sets (ducted and unducted) and corresponding transfer passages. The outer check valve divides these passages, allowing selective activation of different spray patterns based on operating conditions, thereby achieving multiple injection modes without requiring completely separate injector units.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fuel injector body is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both ducted and unducted spray orifices that can be selectively activated. The rotation mechanism enables the same injector to switch between different fuel injection patterns (ducted for mixing enhancement, unducted for direct injection), making the device adaptable to various combustion modes and emissions control requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spray orifice sets with different configurations are provided, then fuel delivery control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spray orifice sets (ducted and unducted) and their associated transfer passages are merged into a single integrated injector body. The outer check valve serves as a common control element that manages fuel distribution to multiple orifice sets, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each spray pattern and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer passages are nested within the injector body structure, with the outer check valve positioned to control access to these passages. The ducted spray orifices and unducted spray orifices are arranged in a nested configuration where both can coexist within the same injector housing, sharing common structural elements and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the outer check valve can be rotated to different angular orientations, then the ability to selectively connect transfer passages to spray orifices is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the rotation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer check valve is designed with rotational capability, transforming from a static component to a dynamic one that can be rotated to different angular orientations. This rotational movement dynamically changes the alignment between transfer passages and spray orifices, enabling selective connection control through a simple rotational motion rather than complex switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism utilizes rotational movement in the angular dimension to achieve selective connection between transfer passages and spray orifices. By rotating the outer check valve around the central axis of the injector, the system switches between different spray patterns (ducted/unducted) without requiring linear displacement or complex multi-axis mechanisms, simplifying the overall control structure.
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
This solution enhances fuel mixing and reduces emissions by allowing for adjustable fuel injection patterns, enabling better control over fuel delivery parameters and emissions, improving the efficiency and flexibility of fuel injection systems.
Implementation Method 1
an outer check positioned within the nozzle case and having transfer passages formed therein arranged in a first passage set and a second passage set, and the outer check being rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the nozzle case
Implementation Method 2
an inner check positioned within the outer check and movable relative to the outer check between a retracted position and an advanced position. At the advanced position the inner check is in contact with the outer check and blocks the transfer passages from the fuel volume
Implementation Method 3
spray ducts coupled to the nozzle case and in spray path alignment with the first orifice set... The spray orifices and the transfer passages together define a first angular alignment pattern... and a second angular alignment pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel injector includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle case, and a concentric check assembly within the nozzle case. Transfer passages are formed in an outer check of the check assembly, and spray orifices are formed in the nozzle case. A fuel volume is formed between the outer check and an inner check, and the inner check is movable to fluidly connect the transfer passages to the fuel volume. The outer check is rotatable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation to fluidly connect separate sets of the transfer passages to separate sets of the spray orifices. Spray ducts are in spray path alignment with at least one of the sets of spray orifices.