Methanol Injector Valve Seat Coating for Corrosion and Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Methanol direct injection injectors face challenges due to poor lubricity, corrosion, wear, and cavitation issues in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, leading to reliability problems and abnormal injection, as traditional materials struggle to balance corrosion resistance and hardness requirements.

Innovation Solution

The injector valve seat features a multi-layer protective coating comprising a Ti primer layer, a CrN intermediate layer, and a Ti surface layer, or a nitrided layer with a silicon coating and chromium nitride coating, along with a conical injection hole design to mitigate corrosion, wear, and cavitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If low-carbon stainless steel is used for the valve seat body, then corrosion resistance to high-temperature methanol and formic acid is improved, but hardness and wear resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidhardness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite material principle by combining low-carbon stainless steel substrate with multiple coating layers (Ti primer layer, CrN intermediate layer, and Ti surface layer or chromium nitride coating). This composite structure allows the base material to provide corrosion resistance while the coating layers provide enhanced hardness and wear resistance, effectively resolving the contradiction between corrosion resistance and hardness requirements for methanol direct injection valve seats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional single-layer coating is applied, then manufacturing process is simple, but protection against corrosion, wear, and cavitation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating process complexityVSAvoidprotection performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation principle by dividing the protective coating into multiple functional layers: Ti primer layer for adhesion, CrN intermediate layer for corrosion resistance and stress relief, and Ti surface layer or chromium nitride coating for wear and cavitation resistance. Each layer performs a specific function, and the multi-layer structure provides comprehensive protection against corrosion, wear, and cavitation while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If high carbon content steel is used, then hardness is improved, but corrosion resistance to methanol and formic acid deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehardnessVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality principle by using low-carbon stainless steel for the valve seat body to ensure uniform corrosion resistance throughout the component, while applying hard coating layers (Ti and CrN) locally on the surface to provide enhanced wear and cavitation resistance. This localized application of different material properties allows the bulk material to maintain corrosion resistance while the surface provides hardness, effectively resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enhances the corrosion and wear resistance of the injector valve seat, improving the reliability and performance of methanol direct-injection systems by preventing deformation and maintaining structural integrity under harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a protective coating provided at an outer surface of the valve seat body, a material of the protective coating includes Ti and CrN

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

a protective coating includes a nitrided layer provided at the contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNitriding: Nitriding

Data Source

PatentEP4696880A1Injector valve seat and preparation method therefor, injector, engine, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 ZHEJIANG INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CENTER
  • EP4696880A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4696880A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4696880A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present application provides an injector valve seat, applied to a methanol direct injection injector. The injector valve seat includes a valve seat body and a protective coating provided at the outer surface of the valve seat body. The present application also provides a method for preparing the injector valve seat, an injector, an engine, and a vehicle using the injector valve seat. The injector valve seat, the injector, the engine, and the vehicle provided herein are suitable for use with methanol fuel, improving not only the corrosion and wear resistance of the injector valve seat but also the reliability of the injector, the engine, and the vehicle.