Using a coated fuel injector and method of making
US5783261A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02M61/168
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of using an amorphous carbon-based coating to extend the operating life of a fuel injector having a needle operating within a valve body, the valve body, the valve and body having steel surfaces subject to repeated impact and sliding friction contact over the operating life of the injector. The method comprises (a) providing the steel surfaces of at least one of the needle and body with an ion implanted stabilized amorphous carbon-based coating in a thickness of 1-10 micrometers, the coating having low internal stresses and low coefficient of friction independent of humidity and being stabilized by the presence of up to 30% by weight of carbide forming material selected from the group of silicon, titanium and tungsten, and (b) repeatedly and rapidly actuating the fuel injector in time periods of 0.5-1.5 micro-seconds for a single acutations thereby subjecting the valve coated surfaces to substantially continuous sliding contact and needle impact forces of 70,000-200,000 psi, the actuation being carried out in the absence of lubricious fuel at the coated surfaces whereby wear is significantly reduced by atomic transfer of coating atoms to mating surfaces during impact or sl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.