Patent · US Active

Piezoelectric fuel injector system, method for estimating timing characteristics of a fuel injection event

US8863727B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
9References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 2011
Grant dateOct 21, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02M2200/704
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This disclosure provides a fuel injector system and method in which the timing of events in during period of fuel injection of a piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector are estimated based on sensed forces within the injector. The force sensor is positioned between a piezoelectric actuator and a hydraulic link assembly mechanically coupled with the piezoelectric actuator, and the force sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to forces between the piezoelectric actuator and the hydraulic link assembly. From information contained in the sensor output signal, timing in the injection period of at least one fueling characteristic based can be estimated to allow for adjusting fuel injector characteristics to compensate for variations affecting fuel injection, such as manufacturing tolerances, environmental conditions, and deterioration/wear.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.