Radial Fuel Injector Cylinder Liner Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine systems face inefficiencies in radial fuel injection, particularly in gaseous fuel-powered locomotive engines, where fuel can escape through air inlet ports and exhaust valves, leading to waste and incompatibility with liquid-cooled engines, and lack a retrofit solution for existing engines.
Innovation Solution
An engine system with a radial fuel injector that passes through the cylinder bore and threadingly engages the cylinder liner, allowing fuel injection to begin before the intake air port closes and stop before the piston reaches top-dead-center, and can be retrofitted by drilling bores and machining sealing faces, enabling efficient fuel retention and compatibility with liquid-cooled engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If gaseous fuel is injected through the air inlet port in existing engines, then fuel can be introduced into the cylinder, but fuel is wasted by passing back out through the air inlet port or exhaust valve
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel injection system transitions from axial injection through air inlet ports to radial injection through the cylinder liner wall. This dimensional change in injection direction allows fuel to be introduced directly into the combustion chamber from the side, preventing fuel escape through air inlet ports and exhaust valves while maintaining injection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder liner serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates radial fuel injection. By drilling bores through the cylinder liner and installing injectors, the system creates a new fuel introduction pathway that mediates between the fuel supply system and the combustion chamber, avoiding direct injection through air inlet ports
2Adaptability or versatility
If the delivery conduit opens above the air inlet ports as in the '206 patent, then natural gas injection timing can be delayed, but the design is incompatible with liquid-cooled engines having water jackets
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system moves from axial injection above the air inlet ports to radial injection through the cylinder liner wall. This dimensional change allows the injector to be positioned within the water jacket area without interfering with cooling passages, while still delivering fuel effectively into the combustion chamber before piston arrival
3Loss of substance
If fuel injection is performed through existing air inlet ports, then injection timing is advanced, but some injected fuel exits the cylinder via still open exhaust valves
Solution Approach 1:
The radial injector is positioned and timed to deliver fuel radially into the combustion chamber just before the piston reaches top dead center. This preliminary action ensures fuel is introduced at the optimal moment when the combustion chamber is sealed, preventing fuel escape through exhaust valves while maximizing fuel retention and combustion efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine block at least partially defining a cylinder bore, and a cylinder liner disposed within the cylinder bore. The engine system may also include a fuel injector configured to pass radially through the cylinder bore and threadingly engage the cylinder liner.