Multi-Jet Fuel Injector Spray Pattern for DI Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving stable combustion and minimizing fuel contact with cylinder walls and valves, especially during cold starts and high-speed operations, leading to inefficiencies and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel injector system with specific jet orientations, including a first plurality of jets angled for stratified mode operation and a second plurality of jets angled for homogeneous mode operation, to create a rich air-fuel mixture cloud near the spark plug and reduce cylinder wall wetting, enhancing combustion stability and homogeneity across various operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an injector with evenly distributed fuel spray is used, then homogeneous charge mixing is improved, but stratified charge combustion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injector is divided into multiple independent jets (first plurality of jets and second plurality of jets) with different spray orientations. The first jets spray downward toward the piston bowl for stratified charge, while the second jets spray across the cylinder for homogeneous charge, allowing each segment to serve its specific combustion mode function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the combustion chamber are targeted with different spray patterns. The first jets create a rich air-fuel mixture cloud specifically at the spark plug location for stratified charge stability, while the second jets provide homogeneous mixing across the entire cylinder volume, with each region receiving the appropriate mixture type.
2Reliability
If jets are closely arranged to form fuel cloud around spark plug, then stratified mode operation is improved, but homogeneous mode charge homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is segmented into two functional groups: first plurality of jets oriented downward for stratified charge formation around the spark plug, and second plurality of jets oriented across the cylinder for homogeneous charge distribution. This segmentation allows both modes to function effectively without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray patterns operate in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The first jets spray vertically downward into the piston bowl, while the second jets spray horizontally across the cylinder, creating three-dimensional spray patterns that simultaneously support both stratified and homogeneous charge formation in different regions.
3Reliability
If fuel is injected to support stratified charge, then cold start combustion stability is improved, but cylinder wall wetting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first plurality of jets is specifically oriented to spray fuel downward toward the piston bowl, concentrating the rich air-fuel mixture cloud at the spark plug location where it is needed for cold start stability, while minimizing fuel deposition on the cylinder wall and valves.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fuel is injected across the cylinder for homogeneous mode, then air-fuel mixture homogeneity is improved, but fuel contact with valves and piston increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second plurality of jets is oriented to spray fuel across the cylinder toward the exhaust valves, creating homogeneous mixing in the upper cylinder volume where it is most effective, while the spray trajectory is controlled to minimize direct contact with the valves and piston surface.
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 described injector spray pattern improves cold start combustion stability, reduces emissions, and increases fuel efficiency by providing improved air-fuel mixture homogeneity and reduced emissions, as validated by computer simulations and dynamometer testing.
Implementation Method 1
injecting fuel in a plurality of fuel jets of the fuel injector directly into a corresponding cylinder
Implementation Method 2
provide a rich air-fuel mixture cloud at the spark plug location
Implementation Method 3
provide improved air-fuel mixture homogeneity at high-speed wide-open throttle operating conditions
Implementation Method 4
ignition source having an associated ignition location
Implementation Method 5
direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engines
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating an internal combustion engine include injecting fuel through a plurality of fuel jets of a fuel injector directly into a corresponding cylinder with at least a first plurality jets oriented to primarily support operation in a stratified mode and a second plurality of jets oriented to primarily support operation in a homogeneous mode. The first plurality of jets is oriented to spray fuel generally downward toward the piston bowl and the second plurality of jets is oriented to spray fuel generally across the cylinder toward the exhaust valves. The spray jets reduce or eliminate valve, liner, and piston wetting while providing good mixing in homogeneous mode and good combustion stability for light stratified charge during cold starts to achieve desired targets for feedgas emissions and combustion efficiency.