Fuel Injector Resistive Heating for Low Temperature Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel injector systems face performance degradation at lower temperatures and increased viscosity of working fluids, leading to inconsistent fuel delivery and poor engine air-fuel ratios, which affects engine performance and emissions.
Innovation Solution
Conductive heating of fuel injector components to reduce viscosity and friction, allowing for improved movement of the spool valve and enhanced fuel flow by increasing the temperature of the working oil and injector body, thereby improving response time and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the magnetic field from the coil is increased to move the spool valve, then the magnetic force increases, but the meniscus forces and oil resistance increase at lower temperatures make it difficult to overcome the valve movement resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the injector body to change the temperature parameter of the working fluid. This temperature change reduces the viscosity and meniscus forces of the oil, allowing the spool valve to move reliably with the available magnetic force. The heating system modifies the physical state of the fluid to resolve the contradiction between magnetic force capability and valve movement resistance at low temperatures.
2Temperature
If the viscosity of the working fluid increases at lower temperatures, then the oil resistance increases, but this causes inconsistent fuel delivery and degrades injector performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the working fluid through a heating system. By maintaining the working fluid at an elevated temperature, the viscosity and resistance are reduced, ensuring consistent fuel delivery and reliable injector performance across a range of ambient temperatures. This directly addresses the contradiction between temperature effects on fluid properties and delivery consistency.
3Force
If the coefficient of friction between the spool valve and valve body is high, then the magnetic force required to move the valve increases, but this leads to slower response time and degraded performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the injector body to reduce the coefficient of friction between the spool valve and valve body. This temperature-induced reduction in friction allows the valve to respond more quickly to magnetic actuation forces, improving response time while reducing the peak magnetic force required for valve movement. The heating system modifies the tribological properties of the interface to resolve the contradiction.
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 method enhances engine starting consistency, reduces lean air-fuel ratios, and improves fuel injector performance across a range of temperatures, leading to better engine efficiency and reduced emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The spool valve position is changed by flowing current to a charge coil or a discharge coil. When current is allowed to flow to the charge coil, the spool valve is attracted to the charge coil
Implementation Method 2
The charge and discharge coils position the spool valve so that the working fluid (i.e., pressurized oil), acts on the intensifier piston to compress the fuel in the intensifier chamber
Implementation Method 3
By transmitting force from the larger area intensifier piston to the smaller area second piston, the fuel pressure is multiplied
Implementation Method 4
resistive heating can also increase the temperature of the fuel injector body and improve the flow of the working oil through the fuel injector body, thereby improving the fuel injector response time
Implementation Method 5
Fuel injector performance can be improved by heating an injector through conduction. By conductively heating the injector, the viscosity of the oil between the spool valve mating surfaces can be decreased
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.