Modular Gas Injector With Interchangeable Coupling Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for feeding gas fuel to internal combustion engines are costly and lack flexibility due to the need for different types of injectors tailored to specific feed manifolds and cylinders.

Innovation Solution

The injector design incorporates interchangeable coupling blocks and modules, allowing standardization of components, reduced production costs, and increased flexibility by enabling the same inlet module to be configured for various cylinder connections through different coupling options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different types of injectors are provided for different types of feed manifolds and cylinders, then the system achieves proper functionality for each configuration, but the system becomes costly and lacks flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper functionalityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The injector body is designed with a universal coupling system that can accommodate different types of feed manifolds and cylinder configurations through interchangeable coupling blocks. The coupling block includes a body portion that couples to the feed manifold and a cylinder portion that couples to the cylinder, allowing a single injector design to serve multiple applications without requiring different injector types for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If different types of injectors are provided for different types of feed manifolds and cylinders, then the system achieves proper functionality for each configuration, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into separate, interchangeable components: a coupling block that can be removed and replaced, and a corresponding receptacle on the injector body. This segmentation allows the main injector body to remain standardized while only the coupling block needs to be changed for different configurations, thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to having completely different injector types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If different types of injectors are provided for different types of feed manifolds and cylinders, then the system achieves proper functionality for each configuration, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The injector body is designed with a universal coupling system that can accommodate different types of feed manifolds and cylinder configurations through interchangeable coupling blocks. The coupling block includes a body portion that couples to the feed manifold and a cylinder portion that couples to the cylinder, allowing a single injector design to serve multiple applications without requiring different injector types for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances flexibility and reduces costs by allowing the same injector to be adapted for various cylinder configurations, improving the system's overall efficiency and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic actuator to displace the shutter from the closed position thereof to the open position thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an elastic thrust device to displace the shutter from the open position thereof to the closed position thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic thrust: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2761160B1Modular injector set for a system for feeding gas fuel to an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 MATRIX SPA
  • EP2761160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2761160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2761160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An injector for a system (2) for feeding gas fuel to an internal combustion engine (3) has an inlet mouth (8) for the fuel into the injector, houses therein a shutter (29) which is moveable between a closed position and an open position of an outlet mouth (26; 51) of the fuel from the injector, and is defined by an inlet body (6) provided with the inlet mouth (8) and a first actuating device (16) to displace the shutter (29) in an open position thereof and at least two interchangeable outlet modules (21; 49), each of which is adapted to be releasably fixed to the inlet module (6), and is provided with a relative outlet mouth (26; 51), a relative shutter (29), and a relative second actuating device (33) to displace the shutter (29) in a closed position thereof.