Fuel injector assemblies having acoustical force modifiers and associated methods of use and manufacture

• US 8,727,242 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Green Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McAlister, Roy Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): HWU, DAVIS D
• Application Number:
  US13/452,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20120204831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.1, 239/102.2, 2395251-5255, 239/533.2, 239/585, 239/5
• US Class Current: 239/533.12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/02 on interior conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/023 by determining the cylinder pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/025 by determining temperatures inside the cylinder, e.g. combustion temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/402 Multiple injections
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 51/0603 using piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/005 the devices being sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/06 the devices being sparking plugs
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/041 having vibrating means for atomizing the fuel, e.g. with sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 13/00 Sparking plugs structurally combined with other parts of internal-combustion engines connection of ignition coil to spark plug connector F02P3/02; with fuel injectors F02M57/06 ; spark plug connector per se H01T13/04 – H01T13/06; predominant aspects of sparking plug, see H01T13/40 – H01T13/44
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 23/00 Other ignition
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.

Claims

1. An injector for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber, the injector comprising:

an injector body including—

a base portion configured to receive fuel into the body; and

a nozzle portion coupled to the base portion, wherein the nozzle portion is configured to be positioned proximate to the combustion chamber for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber;

a valve carried by the body, wherein the valve is movable between a closed position and an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber; and

a valve operator assembly, the valve operator assembly including—

a valve actuator operably coupled to the valve and positioned to move the valve to the open position; and

an acoustical force modifier positioned adjacent the valve actuator and moveable to contact the valve actuator to induce vibrations in the valve actuator and the valve wherein the acoustical force modifier is a first acoustical force modifier, and wherein the valve operator assembly further includes a second acoustical force modifier positioned adjacent the valve actuator, the second acoustical force modifier operable to impart linear motion to the valve actuator and the valve.

2. The injector of claim 1 wherein the injector includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the valve moves between the open position and the closed position along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the acoustical force modifier is moveable in a direction at least generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

3. The injector of claim 1 wherein the valve actuator includes a cable, and wherein movement of the acoustical force modifier alters a tension in the cable.

4. The injector of claim 1 wherein the acoustical force modifier comprises at least one of a piezoelectric, electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force generator.

5. The injector of claim 1 wherein the second acoustical force modifier includes a rack and a pinion operable to impart the linear motion.

6. The injector of claim 1 wherein the valve operator assembly further includes a driver operably coupled to the valve actuator, the driver positioned to induce tension in the valve actuator to close the valve.

7. The injector of claim 1, further comprising means for forming a plasma of ionized air to ignite the fuel.

8. The injector of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor positioned to detect a condition in the combustion chamber; and

a controller operably coupled to the sensor and to the acoustical force modifier, wherein the controller is configured to adjust operation of the acoustical force modifier in response to the condition in the combustion chamber.

9. An injector for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber, the injector comprising:

an injector body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a base portion positioned to receive fuel into the body and a nozzle portion positioned to deliver fuel from the body;

a valve carried by the body, wherein the valve includes a valve actuator, and wherein the valve is movable along the longitudinal axis between a closed position and an open position to deliver fuel; and

an acoustical force modifier positioned adjacent the valve actuator and moveable in a direction at least generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to contact the valve actuator to induce vibrations in the valve actuator and the valve the acoustical force modifier is a first acoustical force modifier, and wherein the injector further comprises a second acoustical force modifier positioned adjacent the valve actuator, the second acoustical force modifier operable to move the valve in a direction at least generally parallel with the longitudinal axis.

10. The injector of claim 9 wherein the nozzle portion includes a sensor configured to detect combustion conditions.

11. The injector of claim 10, further comprising a controller operably coupled to the sensor and the acoustical force modifier, and wherein the controller is configured to direct operation of the acoustical force modifier in response to the combustion conditions.

12. A method of operating an injector to deliver fuel to a combustion chamber, the method comprising:

introducing fuel into a base portion of the injector;

moving a valve actuator along a longitudinal axis of the injector to open a valve and deliver fuel into the combustion chamber wherein the valve actuator includes a cable; and

inducing vibrations in the valve actuator and the valve by actuating an acoustical force modifier to contact the valve actuator, wherein actuating the acoustical force modifier includes moving the acoustical force modifier in a direction at least generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein inducing vibrations in the valve actuator and the valve includes imparting acoustical energy to at least one of the fuel or air in the combustion chamber.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising sensing a condition in the combustion chamber and adjusting operation of the acoustical force modifier in response to the condition.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising injecting a plasma into the combustion chamber.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein inducing vibrations in the valve actuator and the valve includes generating pressure waves to alter a shape of a fuel burst entering the combustion chamber.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein actuating the acoustic force modifier includes moving the acoustic force modifier via at least one of a piezoelectric, an electromechanical, a pneumatic, or a hydraulic force.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein inducing vibrations in the valve actuator includes altering a tension in the cable.