FUEL INJECTION SERVICE APPARATUS

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for testing and/or cleaning electronic fuel injectors comprising a fuel circuit in which an electric pump (3) supplies fuel or cleaning fluid under pressure to at least one injector (8). Facilities include volumetric measuring cylinders (10), a timer (18) and provision for variable injector operating voltage and pulsed operation of the injectors (8).

Description: -1- FUEL INJECTION SERVICE APPARATUS The present invention relates to fuel injection service apparatus, and in particular to apparatus which is able to be used on all kinds of fuel systems including carburettor systems as well as all types of fuel injection systems inclusive of diesel injection. BACKGROUND "ART It is envisaged that in the near future the majority of motor vehicles will be fuel injected for successful anti-polution control. A. greater servicing demand will also be necessary to ensure that the fuel injection systems operate in a correct and efficient manner. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved fuel injection service apparatus which will be substantially able to meet the demands of servicing fuel injection systems. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a fuel injection service apparatus for servicing at least one fuel injector, said apparatus comprising a fuel circuit having a pump means to supply fuel to said injector at a variable and/or pulsed pressure, at ieast one measuring apparatus to measure the fuel supplied to a corresponding said injector wherein a variable voltage is applied to said, injector to operate said injector and hence service said injector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a fuel injection system of the preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fuel circuit of the injection apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a schematic electric circuit of the control apparatus to be used in the fuel injection apparatus of Fig. 1. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The apparatus 1 as Illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is locatable in a box 2. A pump/electric motor 3 is located in a fuel circuit 4. A fuel line 21 connects the pump 3 to a pressure regulator 5. The pressure regulator 5 is connected via a fuel line 22 having a plurality of ends 17 to which a corresponding plurality of injectors 8 are able to be connected into the fuel circuit 4. The fuel line 22 has a pressure gauge 7 and an in-line visual filter 6 located therein. A plurality of volumetric measuring cylinders 10 are connected into the fuel circuit 4 each having a seal 9 at both ends thereof. The volumetric measuring cylinders 10 are likewise connected to another fuel line 23 via a plurality ends 11. The injectors are connectable to the ends 17 and the seal 9 adjacent the cylinders 10. Another fuel line 24 is connected between the pressure regulator 5 and a flow restricter 12 which connects onto one end of the fuel line 23. The fuel line 23 completes the fuel circuit 4 by connecting to a gauze filter 14 which in turn is attached to the pump 3. A depressurizing valve 13 connects the fuel line 22 to the fuel line 23. An electric control circuit 30 is illustrated in Fig. 3. A 12 volts direct current supply is applied to the circuit 30 which has a fuse 31, e main switch 32, and a pilot light 33 connected to a bus 56. The injectors 8 are able connected to the main bus 56 by either switch 14 which provides a series of pulses to the injector 8 or by switch 17 which provides a continuous electric current to the injector 8. : A pilot light 15 indicates whether the switches 14 and 17 are closed. If a different test is required an electric timer 18 is connected via a sychronized switch 21 to the injectors 8. A voltmeter 19 and a voltage regulator 20 are to ensure a preselected voltage is supplied. A timer start switch 23 and a synchronization start switch 24 are provided to initiate this operation. Another pilot light 25 indicates when the synchronization switch 24 is closed. Another synchronizing switch 29 and pulse switch 26 are provided to supply power via a diode 30 and relay 31 to the pump 3 to thereby pressurize the fuel circuit 4. A switch 33 is provided to supply continuous voltage to the pump 3. A pair of pilot lights 27 and 28 indicate when the pump 3 has a voltage applied thereto. Another switch 34 is used to operate the de-pressur1zing valve 13. In operation, the apparatus 1 is used to test and clean the fuel Injectors 8. The fuel circuit 4 is provided with fuel in the measuring cylinders 10 and the fuel circuit 4 is pressurized when switching on the pump 3. The injectors 8 are able to be cleaned when in the apparatus 1 with variable pressure and speed timing for electronic injectors, manual injectors, and C.I.S. injectors. Electric injectors and the C.I.S. mechanical injectors are able to be back flushed with variable pulses from 1 to 6000 pulses per minute with a variable pressure range from 0 to 100 psi. Variable voltage settings to the injector solenoids are supplied by means of the voltage regulator 20. This ensures that a whole range of voltages are available to the differing types of Injectors being tested. The electric timer 18 is used to provide the range of pulses to the injectors. The hand controlled pressure regulator 5 is used to provide variable pressure settings for the back flushing of injectors 8 in addition to providing additional variable liquid pressure pulses controlled by the electronic timer for positive cleaning action. The panel mounted electric timer 18 controls the injectors which are triggered by means of the switches 14,17,21 ,23,24. The switches 26 and 33 switch the high pressure pump 3. The pressure' pulses in the fuel circuit ' is established depending on the required timing action. The same voltage regulator 20 also provides the voltage to the pump 3. Thus it is possible to have constant pressure from the pump to the injectors 8 which are switched by pulses or to have a pulsed fuel pressure to the injectors which are constantly activated. The interchangeable measuring cylinders 10 have gradients from 1 to 100ml and are installed directly above and to the rear of the box 2 so as to provide a firm base. Internally metal pipes 8mm diameter interconnect the measuring cylinders 10 in series and in any application from 2, to 8 test tubes when up to 8 injectors 8 can be serviced at once. There are 3 different clip-on measuring cylinder 10 units. This provides a simple and quick change over of units, made possible by blocking off the extended metal piping and exchanging one unit for another. This is done at a back panel orifice, and by connecting the discharge pressure regulator hose 24 and the pump suction adaptor. The 2 measuring cylinder 10 unit is for servicing 1 or 2 injectors, or used for "on car running mode" one measuring cylinder being used for car fuel injection system return flow, to visually observe the amount of dirt which will be exposed right at the start in the measuring cylinder 10. The second measuring cylinder 10 being used for the insertion of the correct mixture of fuel and concentrated injector cleaner decarbonising chemical. The 6 measuring unit is used for a 6 cylinder car, and the 8 measuring cylinder unit for the 8 cylinder car injector. The manual pressure regulator valve 5 is permanently fixed to the • piping of the measuring cylinder 10 units. Injectors 8 have to be inserted into the measuring cylinder alone or with the injector rail or hose for bench cleaning. If a leakage test is applicable, a pressure meter reading from the control panel will indicate a leak of injectors or injector bodies. An inbuilt check valve in the pump will return a constant pressure where it is set by a momentry pump activation switch. The momentry solenoid activation switch is mainly used for releasing the built up pressure between the pump and the " injector, to prevent the chemicals squirting about when disconnecting an injector line, this switch can also be used to activate the cold start injector, on car, whilst using the running mode and also for testing. When using high pressure injectors like C.I.S. or diesel injectors where the resting line pressure reaches 100 psi or more, the inbuilt electronic line-pressure release valve 13 takes care of safe disconnection of the high pressure, and higly pressurised car fuel system. This electronic pressure release valve 13 is controlled by a momentry push button switch. The release valve 1s fitted into the unit between the high pressure line and the outlet of the internal preset pressure regulator 5 and pump 3. To release the pressure from the line the manual regulator valve must be used In conjunction with the momentry push button and opened very slowly to release the line pressure back into the test tubes. A quick release will cause a frothy build up in the measuring cylinder. This fuel injection service apparatus will enable the automative engineer to make a full fuel injection service, on the car, whilst the engine is running is actually running off this service apparatus at all engine speeds and loads, also diesel engines and carburettor cars even decarbonisation of the intake valves and combustion chamber. One electronic injector adapted in a special way to the intake manifold will over ride the entire fuel injection system; carburettor system, or diesel system for cleaning or breakdown purposes and 1t will bleed a diesel system by this same method, which will prevent the draining of the battery. This injector service, apparatus can be used as a lift pump with concentrated cleaning chemical injecting into the diesel injector pump to achieve a fast and positive, clean result. It will be quicker to find a fault in a mechanical breakdown. If no changes occur in this situation then the operator must look for a mechanical fault. It could save very costly repairs to the injector pump and injectors, when they were only impeded by dirt. ADDITIONAL FEATURES ARE AS LISTED BELOW:- 1. Operating line pressure test of the car fuel system. 2. Leakage test of injectors or the fuel system including pressure regulator, check valve in the fuel pump, system pressure valve in fuel distributors, C.I.S. injection and cold starting injectors. 3. Output test of car fuel pump to check if it is still in the required pressure range or If a replacement pump may be required for correct performance. This may be an intermittant fault and can be detected in the servicing procedures. 4. Electronic control to the cold start injector for cleaning purposes and other tests for rpm drop to check if the cold start injector I functioning correctly. 5. Variable pulsation settings from 0 to 6000 per minute with unlimited intermediate settings. 6. To by-pass the electronic car computor and car fuel pump, the car will actually run from the fuel injection service apparatus. This is an asset to any automotive service firm with a breakdown or for determination of an electrical or fuel system fault which will be easier then to pinpoint. 7. Fully portable anywhere; workshop of field as it runs on 12 volt car battery power. 8. Bleeding air from any fuel systems.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A fuel injection service apparatus for servicing at least one fuel injector, said apparatus comprising a fuel circuit having a pump means to supply fuel to said injector at a variable and/or pulsed pressure, at least one measuring apparatus to measure the fuel supplied to a corresponding said injector wherein a variable voltage " .is applied to said injector to operate said injector and hence service said injector. 2. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said injectors are serviced whilst in a motor vehicle and/or whilst removed from said motor vehicle and connected to said apparatus. 3. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 2 wherein at least one fuel line is provided between said apparatus and the fuel lines of said motor vehicle so that the injectors are able to be serviced whilst located insitu. 4. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the apparatus flushes a fuel circuit comprising said injectors and fuel distributor of said motor ' vehicle and pumps a cleaning solvent through the fuel circuit whilst the fuel tank of the motor vehicle is disconnected. 5. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 4 wherein apparatus is used to detect the fuel flow rate of said fuel circuit and hence to detect fuel blockages, vapour locks and/or any valve leaks. 6. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said measuring apparatus comprises a transparent measuring cylinder so as to obtain a visual indication of a fault said injector. 7. A fuel injection apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said variable voltage is direct current and is variable in pulse frequency from 0 - 1000 Hz and voltage from 0 - 12 volts. 8. A fuel injection apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pressure of the fuel is variable from 0-100 psi. 9. The fuel injector service apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said voltage supply is used to provide for reverse polarity demagnetisation of said injectors.

Inventors: KARNAUCHOW BETTY, KARNAUCHOW LEONID, KARNAUCHOW, BETTY, KARNAUCHOW, LEONID
Applicants: KARNAUCHOW BETTY, KARNAUCHOW LEONID, KARNAUCHOW, BETTY, KARNAUCHOW, LEONID
Application year: 1989
Main classification: F02B77
IPC codes: F02B3, F02M65