Apparatus and method of control for a heated tip fuel injector
First Claim
1. A method of measuring the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
- positioning a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature in a fuel path within the fuel injector;
electrically connecting a second resistive element having a certain resistance in series with the first resistive element at a node to form a resistor-divider network;
applying a known voltage across the resistor-divider network while measuring the voltage present at the node, the measured voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector;
positioning said first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector is provided. A first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature is positioned proximal the fuel within a fuel injector and a second resistive element having a known resistance is placed in series with the first resistive element and connected at a node. When a known voltage is applied across the resistor-divider network, the voltage generated at the node corresponds to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector. The first resistive element may also be used to heat the fuel within the injector to a predetermined temperature. Logic circuitry prevents energizing the first resistive heating element if any fuel injector coils are energized, thereby ensuring full voltage is available to drive the fuel injector coils.
42 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
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positioning a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature in a fuel path within the fuel injector;
electrically connecting a second resistive element having a certain resistance in series with the first resistive element at a node to form a resistor-divider network;
applying a known voltage across the resistor-divider network while measuring the voltage present at the node, the measured voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector;
positioning said first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of controlling the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
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positioning a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature proximal a fuel injector;
electrically connecting a second resistive element having a certain resistance in series with the first resistive element at a node to form a resistor-divider network;
applying a known voltage across the resistor-divider network while measuring the voltage present at the node, the measured voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector;
comparing the voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector with a predetermined value;
selectively energizing the first resistive element to heat the fuel within the fuel injector if the temperature corresponding to the measured voltage is less than the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A circuit for measuring the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
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a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature positioned in a fuel path within a fuel injector;
a second resistive element having a certain resistance placed in series with the first resistive element and electrically connected at a node to form a resistor-divider network such that the application of a known voltage across the resistor-divider network generates a voltage at the node corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A circuit for measuring the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
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a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature positioned proximal the fuel within a fuel injector;
a second resistive element having a certain resistance placed in series with the first resistive element and electrically connected at a node to form a resistor-divider network, wherein applying a known voltage across the resistor-divider network generates a voltage at the node corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector;
further comprising logic circuitry that compares the voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector with a predetermined value and selectively energizes the first resistive element to heat the fuel within the fuel injector if the temperature corresponding to the measured voltage is less than the predetermined value.- View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A circuit for measuring the temperature of fuel inside a fuel injector comprising:
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a first resistive element having a resistance that varies with temperature positioned proximal the fuel within a fuel injector;
a second resistive element having a certain resistance placed in series with the first resistive element and electrically connected at a node to form a resistor-divider network, wherein applying a known voltage across the resistor-divider network generates a voltage at the node corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector;
further comprising logic circuitry that compares the voltage corresponding to the temperature of the fuel within the fuel injector with a predetermined value and selectively energizes the first resistive element to heat the fuel within the fuel injector if the temperature corresponding to the measured voltage is less than the predetermined value; and
logic circuitry that prevents energizing the first resistive element if any fuel injector coils are energized.
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Specification