INJECTING APPARATUS

Abstract: A fuel injector is actuated by cylinder compression pressure acting against the exposed face (31) of piston means (30, 35) to compress fuel in high pressure chamber (45) in injector body (10). The piston means (30, 35) moves against spring (36) and controllable fuel pressure in low pressure chamber (37). The high pressure chamber (45) communicates with injection orifice (68) via delivery chamber (65) and non-return delivery valve (56). Fuel delivery is regulated by varying fuel pressure in low pressure chamber (37) and various means are disclosed for controlling this pressure.

Description: INJECTING APPARATUS This invention relates to injecting apparatus for injecting a fluid under pressure, e.g. fuel injecting apparatus for internal combustion engines, apparatus for injecting liquids, e.g. a catalyst into chemical reaction vessels under pressure, and other apparatus for injecting a dose of fluid. Although the present invention is applicable to any situation where a measured dose of fluid is to be injected under pressure, it will be convenient to describe the invention with particulai reference to injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. Fuel injectors used in internal combustion engines, including both spark ignition and compression ignition tor diesel ■ engine? generally utilise- an external pump for " supplying the fuel uπαe_ sufficient pressure to be injected into the engine cylinde.. The timing of the injection point in the engine operating cycle is determined by externally controlling the operation of an injector valve by mechanical means. One disadvantage of providing external pumping and control is the need for the provision and servicing of such external systems. A general problem with injectors, particularly ones supplied from an external pump, is lack of responsiveness to any faulty- condition in the associated cylinder. For example, if a piston ring is broken, known injectors will continue to inject fuel charges into the cylinder. Thus fuel will be exhausted frorr: the engine leading tu air pollution by exhausted unburnt fuel. It has been proposed in the past to utilise the build up of pressure within the cylinder of an internal combustion engine during the compression stroke to provide the motive force to compress fuel within the injector body. For example, there has been proposed a fuel injector which has a body, and a piston which is movable within the body under the action of cylinder pressure. The movement of the piston in the injector body causes an increase in pressure of a fuel charge introduced into the body to a point where the pressure enables a non-returr: valve associated with the injector nozzle to open and allow the fuel to be injected und..- pressure into the engins cylinder. Problems with this device include difficulty and uncertainty in closing of the valve leading to fuel continuing to dribble from the injector after the desired cut off point, and also a general lack of control over the operation of the injector. US patent No. 2,5lb,690 in the name of French shows a fuel injector which utilises the associated engine cylinder pressure to develop the pressure to inject the fuel. The French apparatus has a simple spring biased non-return valve at the injection nozzle so that the opening and closing of the injection nozzle is solely controlled by pressure differential and spring force. Some control of pressure developed is provided bv ._ non-return valve ir. an outlet from the pumping chamber and an adjustable flow restπctor downstream of the non-return valve. The French apparatus has verv limited abilitv to enable control of the iπjectoi operation including timing, injection pressure, volume of fluid injected, and degree of positiveness in action. US patent 4,394,856 in the name of Smith also shows an injector using engine cylinder pressure to develop the injecting pressure. The Smith apparatu uses a non-return valve as the injection valve. A solenoid operated non-return valve is provided in the outlet fro;-, the pumping chamber and an adjustable flow restrictor is provided in the outlet line downstrea:: of the non-return valve to enable adjustment of the possible rate cf flow when the solenoid non-return valve is opened. In a similai manner to th * -* French US patent, the* Smith injector has very limited abilitv to enable control of the injector operation including timing, injection pressure, volume of fluid injected, and degree of positiveness in action. US patent No. 4,427.151 in the nare of Trenne shows a similar injector to the Smith injector except that there is provision for adjusting the clearance between the outlet valve member controlled by the solenoid and its associated seat so that that adjustment enables some control of the flow rate for fuel flowing out of the control chamber. As with the French and Smith specifications, the Trenne injector has lir_.ited degrees cf control and limited positiveness in operation, particularly the non-return injector valvt. According to the present invention there is provided an injecting apparatus fc_ injec in:- : fluid under pressure, the injecting apparatus including: a body, piston means movable in the body under the action of externallv applied fluid pressure, the piston means being operable to compress in a high pressure chamber, fluid to be injected the piston means being movable against the *- ■ action of fluid pressure in a low pressure chamber whereby the movement of the piston means is selectively controllable by controlling the fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber, and an injection valve and an associated injection orifice in fluid communication with the high pressure chambei whereby high pressure -* * - 1 fluid from the high pressure chamber can be injected through the injection orifice upon opening of the injection valve. Preferably the injection valve which controls injection of high pressurt fluid through the orifice is selectively controllable in its operation. The injection valve may include ;., valve membei movable 15 against the action of fluid pressure in a control chamber, the fluid pressure in the control chambe_ being selectively controllable to control operation of the injection valve. The control chamber is preferably in fluid communication with the low pressure chamber whereby an increase in fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber to ~® resist movement of the piston means also increases the fluid pressure in the control chamber resisting opening of the injection valve. In the preferred embodiment the high pressur e chamber communicates with the injection orifice through a deliverv chamber, the high pressure fluid from the high pressure chamber being supplied - • - 1 to the delivery chamber through a non-return delivery valve, " the non-return delivery valve being operable to close the delivery chamber and maintain in the deliverv chamber a charge of fluid stored undei pressure. Preferablv the non-return delivery valve has a valve member having a first stage of movement in which it moves to stop 30 co munication from the pressure chamber to the deliverv chamber and a second stage of movement in which the valve member after having completed its first stage of movement allows limited pressure relief iii the delivery chamber so as to therebv reduce the fluid pressure upstream of the injection ■ * ■ --' The piston means is preferablv movable under the action of th*- externallv applied fluid pressuie against the actioi. of a main spring, the force applied by th<- main spring at leas, in part determining the externally applied fluid pressure necessary to initiate movement of the piston means, the injecting apparatus further including a delivery spring against the action of which the injection valve moves to allow fluid injection through the orifice, the strength of the delivery spring determining at least in part the pressure of fluid in the high pressure chamber necessary to open the injection valve to allow fluid injection through injection orifice. Preferably there is provided a bleed path for high pressure fluid to bleed fror.. the high pressure chamber upon movement of the piston means bv a predetermined maximum extent, the opening of the bleed path as a result of said predetermined maximum movement occurring relieving fluid pressure in the high pressure chamber to an extent sufficient to s op injection of fluid through the injection valve. The present invention also provides an injecting system comprising an injecting apparatus according to the invention, a fluid pressure relief path through which fluid pressure in the low pressure, chamber can be controllablv relieved to permit and control mox * ement of the piston means, and an associated fluid pressure governor means, the governor means being selectivelv controllable to control the fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber by selectively preventing or progressive!\ limiting relief of pressure from the low pressure chamber through th- fluid pressure relief patr in response to movement of the piston means.In this injecting syster.. the governor means may include a flo-.- restriction means in the fluid pressure relief path to selectivelv control the cross sectional area of the fluid pressure relief path, the flow restriction means having an associated driv. mean? so a_- ~ to drive the flow restriction means to varv the cross sectiona. area of the relief path, the governor means further including a back pressure valve located in the fluid pressure relief path, downstream of the flow restriction means, the bad- pressure valve being operative to maintain a predetermined minimum back pressure in the fluid pressure relief path b* only opening when the predetermined mimπ.u: back pressure is exceeded. The fluid pressur- lelief path pre erat!' includes a pressure compensating means which includes a restriction and varying means foi varving th- size of th- restriction in respond- to changes in fluid pressure downstream thereof, the varying means being operative to reduce the area of th restriction tn maintain a predetermined pressure downstream of the pressure compensating means. The pressure compensating means av comprise a chamber which communicates with the low pressure chambei , the pressure compensating means further including a shuttle valve responsive to the pressure differential between the fluid pressure in that chambei and a point furthei downstream in the fluid pressure relief path and being operative in response to an increase in the pressure differential to reduce tht- area of the restriction and thereby retard pressure relief from the chamber to the point further downstream. The injecting system mav further include a controllable da pei means in communication with the fluid pressure relief path, th* dampei means including a movable damper mernbei responsive to a pressure increase in the fluid pressure relief path to yield so as to thereby relieve pressure in the fluid pressure relief path, the damper means further including an adjustable limiting means associated with the movable damper member to controllable limit th- extent of yielding movement, the limiting means thereby effectivel . determining the pressure relief provided by the damper means. The movable damper member may comprise a lebilient damper disc which defines one wall of a chambei which is n communication with th.e fluiα pressure relief path, the limiting means comprising a limiting stop which is adjustable, so as to be contacted 1 the damper disc . The injecting system in another embodiment may be characterised in that the fluid pressure relief path includes a high speed solenoid valve operative to open and close the fluid pressure relief path in response to actuation signals, the governor means being located downstream of the solenoid valve and being to adjustably limit in continuous increments the flow of fluid through the fluid pressure relief path. Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Howeve. it is to be understock ' th_.' the features illustrated ιr_ and described with reference tπ the drawing? are not to b ' e construed as limiting on the scope c: the invention. In th*. drawings: Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view through an injectoi according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a cross sectional view through one possible arrangement of a governor o accelerator for use in controlling operation of the injector, Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through an alternative construction of injector according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view through the rear portion of a further possible construction of injector showing various means for enabling control of the injector operation. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the detailed section marked "Λ" in Fig. 4. and Fig. 6 s a sectional view along the lm*-* VI - VI m Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 1. the injecto; includes a bodv 10 which comprises a front bodv part 11 which can fo_ example have a threaded end 12 for engagement in a threaded port associated with an engine, and a rear body part 13. An inlet 15 is provided in the body 10, the inlet 15 having a non-return valve 16 operated bv spring 17. In use, fuel is supplied or induced under low pressure into the inlet 15 sufficient to overcome the action of spring 17. The strength of spring 17 is not critical. The fuel pressure can be relativel y lo so that high pressure fuel lines are not required. An outlet 20 has an associated non-return valve 21 acting bv means of spring 22. the strength of which is no * critical. Kith this arrangement, fuel can contmuoush be pumped or induced under low pressure into inlet 15, through passage 25 and out through outlet 20. This continuous fuel flow can - provide cooling although supplementarv cooling could be provided. The injector includes a low pressure piston 30 slidable in the front body 11 when engine cylinder pressure acts on the front face 31. Compression ring 32 and oil scraper ring 33 are provided for conventional purposes. Screwed to the low pressure piston 30 is n high pressure piston 35. The piston assemble 3C. 35 moves within the bod' 10 against the action cf main spring 36. Tn*-* force applied 1>* main spring 36 determine-, in pait. whether the piston asserhlv 3C. 35 will move under the action cf cylinder pressure on face 31. Also, the main spring 3* s- located in ._ low pressure chambe. 37 which ι_- in fluid communication through space 3δ with the passage 25 and through valve 21 with the outlet 20 so that the fluid pressure in low pressure chamber 37 resisting movement of the piston assembly 30, 35 can be relatively low, subject to control to be described later. 5 A possible variation of the preferred construction illustrated and described is the replacement of the main spring 36 with a pneumatic or other biasing means. The high pressure piston 35 has an extension 40 of relativel . small cross sectional area which travels within a bore 41 provided 10 within a high pressure body 42. The high pressure body 42 comprises a base section 43 and a high pressure barrel 44 in which th extension 40 travels. The base section 43 and high pressure barre"- 44 are secured together and define a high pressure chamber 4 " in which fuel is compressed to high pressure ) ■ the extension 40 of th" 15 high pressure piston 35. Non-return valve 46 operated by a spring 47 allows fuel to enter the high pressure chamber 45 from the passage 25 upon retraction of the high pressure piston extension 40 in the bore 41. The strength of spring 47 is not critical. In the extension 40 there ι<-. provided a ble p d bore 50 and 20 extending through the high pressure barrel 44 is a bleed bore 51 which opens into the low pressure chambej 37. If the stroke of tin* piston asserπbl' 30, 35 is sufficient for the bleed bore 50 to align *,- i 111 the bleed bore 51, the fuel within th " high pressui*- charr.br> 45. is immediatelv placed in c m un catr n with the low pi.ssure chambei 25 37 and the fuel pressure in high pressure chamber 45 ..ill i rne iat elv drop so that there will be insufficient pressure for fuel injection to continue will be described later . Thus the longitudinal separation between th bleed bore 50 and the bleed bore 1 effectived define*- th*-- maximur fuel charge that can be injected 30 during one stroke of the piston assembly 30, 35 and this, in turn, effectively limits the speed of running of the associated engine to a predetermined maximum determined by the maximum fuel charge. Running longitudinal] v through the extension 40 of " high pressure piston 35 j - < fuel passage 55 along which pi ssuπ** 1 -! fuel 35 fror th- high pressυie chamber 45 travels a? the piston assemb]-. 30. 3 " moves under the action of the pressur* . The fuel passes ._ rion-retui;; deliver * - valv- 5- ' which is shown resting agaju*--' shoulder 57 under the action of spring 55. In operation, high pressure fuel moves valve 5^ a a> from shoulder 57 against the action of spring 5S. Fuel flows past the valve 5b onlv when it has moved sufficiently for the shoulder 59 of the valve to move past the end of passage 60 formed on the inside surface of the high pressure piston 35. Kith this arrangement, when delivery valve 5b is closing, fuel flow past the valve 56 is stopped when the shoulder 59 reaches the end of the passage 60, after which the valve 56 continues to move by a further limited extent until the valve 56 reaches shoulder 57. This continued movement of valve 56 after the valve has closed off fuel flow relieves pressure on the downstream side of the valve 56 for a purpose which will be describe'" later. The low pressure piston 30 has a deliverv chambei 65 into which high pressure fuel i- introduced through bore 66 provided in the spacer 67. At forward end cf the deliverv chambei 65 is a delivery- orifice 6S provided in an insert 69. The orifice 68 is shown closed by needle type deliverv valve 70 which seats against the insert 69 unde,- the action of deliverv spring 71. When the pressure of fuel in the deliverv chamber 65 ι> sufficiently great, the needle valve 70 moves against the action of deliver spring 71 and opens the orifice 6S and fuel is injected through the orifice 65 into the associated engine cylinder. Th- commencement of injection through orifice 6-* cause- an immediate drop m fuel pressure i r, del v-"! * -- chamb". 65 and the needlp valve 7C * will tend to close the orific- 6S again. This, in turn, will allow pressure in deliverv chamber 65 to rise and again open needle valve 70. This process continues so that the needle valve 70 opens and closes the orifice 6S at high speed. This action is known as "buzzing" of the delivery needle valve 70 and causes the fuel to be injected through orifice 6S in waves aiH this is believed to improve fuel combustion efficiency. The needle valve 70 has a shank 75 which moves within a guide 76. The end 77 of the shank 75 remote frorr the deliverv orifice 68 closes a control chambei 78. Control chamber 78 communicates through ( aligned' boies 78, 80 provided in the spacei 67 and low pressure piston 30 respectivelv a d through the space 81 around the outside of the low pressure pist ;. 3 " ' with the low pressure chamber 37. Thus the control chamber 7- J . nor.allv n communication with low pressure fuel allowing the needle valve 70 and shank 75 to move away from the insert 69 to open the orifice 68 under the pressure of fuel in the delivery chamber 65. Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown an accelerator or governor means which enables control of the flow of fuel on the downstream ' side of the injector. In particular, in use, the governor means shown in Fig. 2 comprises a body 85 having a bore 86 which is in communication with the outlet 20 of the injector. The downstream end of the bore 86 is provided with a chamfered seat 87. Longitudinally 0 selectively movable within the bore 86 is a governor 90 which has a complementary chamfered shoulder 91 which can close against seat 87 to compl ' etelv close bore 56. The governor 90 has a shank 92 which extends into the bore 86 and is a close fit within the bore. The shank 92 ha? a groove 93 which tapers from the shoulder 91 to the 5 upstream end 94 of the shank 92. The fuel can flow into the bore 86 along the groove 93 and between the shoulder 91 and seat 87 when the governor 90 is retracted longitudinally in the direction of arrow A. If the governor 90 is retracted only slightly from the seat 57, flow- along the groove 93 is significantly restricted since the fuel must 0 flow through the shallowest end of the groove 93 where the seat 87 meets the bore 86 at point 95. If the governor' 90 is retracted further in the direction of arrow A, greater flow past point 95 is possible because of th deepening of the groove 93 towards the end 94. Thus the selective retraction and insertion of the governor 90 5 from and into the bore 86 enables control of the pressure in low pressure chamber 37 of the injector, which in turn, can control the stroke of the piston assembly 30, 35. If the governor 90 is moved to contact the shoulder 91 against the seat S7, the fuel flow through outlet 20 of the injector is prevented and this will hydraulically 0 lock the piston assembly 30, 35 against movement by blocking the pressure relief path for fuel from low pressure chamber 37. The movement of the governor 90 in Fig. 2 can be achieved bv anv suitable means such as a mechanical adjustment of the position of governor 90. Alternative^ the governor 90 could be moved by a DC J electric motor or linear motor enabling electronic control cf th* fuel injection. In this way, it is possible to infinite] v vary th- fuel injection by controlling governc 90 in a continuous manner. thereby controlling continuously the low pressure side of the injector which in turn enables control of the point in an operating cycle at which movement of the piston assembly 30, 35 is allowed to commence. In general terms, the hydraulic control of the low pressure side of the piston assembly 30, 35 of the injector enables precise control of the point of commencement of the stroke of the piston assembly 30, 35 which controls the amount of fuel injected, up to a maximum charge determined bv the spacing of the bleed bore 50 and 51. 0 In operation of the injector in an internal combustion engine, the increasing pressure on the front face 31 of the low pressure piston 30 during the compression state of the engine will tend to move the piston assembly 30, 35 against the action of both the main spring 36 and the fluid pressure in chamber 37. If the pressure -» relief froπ the low pressure chamber 37 through outlet 20 is permitted, the piston assembly 30, 35 retracts to compress fuel in high pressure chamber 45. The fuel flows through fuel passage 55, past delivery valve 56 and into delivery chambei 65. The pressure in chamber 65 causes the needle valve 70 to open against the action of both deliverv spring 71 and the pressure in low pressure chamber 37 which, in turn, is in communication with control chamber 75 so that fuel injection through orifice 65 commences. Initially, fuel will be injected in relative! 1 - large droplets since the pressure in the engine cvlinder is still relatively low. However, in thp case of a compression ignition engine, immediately ignition of the fuel in the cylinder occurs, there is a rapid increase in cylinder pressure which acts on face 31 of the piston 30. This pressure jump immediatelv causes a multiplication of the fuel injection pressure so that the fuel being injected through orifice 68 at a greatly increased pressure will emerge in much smaller droplets which improves the combustion efficiency. The initial injection pressure jump may be from 4000 psi to 25000 psi. The ratio of injection pressure to input pressure mav be between 6:1 and 12:1. It is possible to control the proportion of the total fuel charge which is injected at the initial relative!', low pressure by adjustmen of the .strength-- c the mam spring 3-.. and the delivery spring 71. For example, increasing the strength of the main spring 36 retards the point of movement of the piston assembly 30, 35 thus delaying the commencement of injection and reducing the proportion of the fuel which is injected during the initial low pressure injection stage prior to ignition. By adjustment of these spring forces, it is possible to affect the efficiency of combustion and hence control emissions, e.g. for differerU cylinder sizes. The ratio of the high and low pressures of injection is also controllable. The maximum fuel charge is determined by the spacing of the bleed bores 50, 51 which effectively also provides a maximum engine speed limiter. In particular , when the bleed bores 50 and 51 align, the. fuel pressure i the high pressure chamber 45 is immediatelv relieved through the bleed bores 50, 51 and this pressure drop is immediately conveyed to the deliverv chamber 65 so that the needle valve 70 immediately closet.. The external control of the pressure relief through the outlet 20 of the injector, e.g. bv means of the governor means shown in Fig. 2, not only- controls the point of opening movement of the piston assembly 30, 35 but also controls the low pressure side in chamber 37 during an injection operation. If the pressure relief through outlet 20 is retarded, the movement of piston assembly 30, 35 is limited by the relief of pressure in the low pressure chamber 37 and also the opening movemeni of the needle valve 70 is resisted bv the retarded relief of pressure in control chamber 78 acting against face 77 of the shank 75 of the needle valve 70. Thu l pressure side hydraulic lock up controls termination of the fuel injection operation. Alternatively, the termination of the injection operation occurs when the maximum fuel charge is injected and the bleed bores 50, 51 align and cause an immediate high pressure side pressure drop. In either case, the delivery needle valve 70 closes the orifice 68. The delivery valve 56 also will immediately move towards its closed position under the action of spring 58 so that the shoulder 59 reache? the end of passage 60 thus closing off communication between th- high pressure chambei 45 and the deliver * chambei 65. Because the delivery valv* 56 continues to move b p om! the point at which should'. 59 reaches the end of passage <- , . • . the fluid pressure in deliverv chamber 65 can continue to be relieved preventing opening of needle valve 70 until high pressure is again built up in deliverv chamber 65. These combined actions of hydraulic lock up of the low pressure side or high pressure side pressure relief, together with the two stage movement of the delivery valve 56 5 ensure immediate and positive termination of the fuel injection. The injector shown in Fig. 3 is in most, respects the same as the injector shown in Fig. 1 and the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts. Different feature.*:- in Fig. 3 include the modified needle valve 10 70 which, instead of a conical tip, includes a blunt nose portion 70a which substantiallv fills the "sack" 72 which is a small space immediately upstrea- of th* orifice t> : . Th " fuel remaining in the _ft sack 72 in prioi injectors was sometimes a cause of continued fuel introduction into the c iind°ι afte. the desired cut off point. 5 Also in Fig. 3, the spacer 67 is provided with a non-return valve 100 arranged to allow the flow from the control chamber 78 to the low pressure charbei 3" but preventing a shock loading at any ¬ time from being transmitted into the chamber 78. In Fig.. 3, th' inlet 15 is shown in a different location with a 0 relativelv small inlet valve 16 allowing fuel undei low pressure to pass from the inlet 15 τ_o an inlet manifold 102 which encircles the bodv 10 and enables fluid t * pass from th" annulai -..mi fold spac" 103 through passages 104 f- th" low pressure chambei 57. Also in Fig. 3, then is provided ._ high speed solenoid 105 5 having an associated valve member 106 arranged to selectivel close the outlet 20. The solenoid 105 can be energised under the control of an electrical switching means 107 by " means of which the time of commencement of injection is contr-.l lable and also the length of the period of injection is also controllable. In particular, the opening 0 of the valve 106 by solenoid 105 undei the control of the control means 107 enables the injection to commence. Prior to opening of the valve 106 the piston asse blv 30. 35 is effectivelv hvdraulica!ly locked against movement. Similarly " , closing cf the valve 106 will again- loci, the pistu* assemblv 30. 3 " again? * rovemen' therebv 5 terminating the injection. Downstrea- of the l* "1 - there is an outlet port 110 through which pressure- relieving flo- can take place when the valve 10*- is open. Associated with the outlet port 110 or downstream thereof there is preferably provided an adjustable flow restriction means to enable selective control of the rate of pressure relieving flow through the outlet port 110, the adjustable flow restriction comprising a governor arrangement such as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 showns an alternative injector control arrangement located at the rear body 13 of the injector, although the control arrangement may be a separate unit connected in the fluid pressure relief path frorr the low pressure chamber 37. In the embodiment in 0 Fig. 4, pressure relief from the chamber 37 is provided through a fluid pressure relief path comprising a first chamber 120 which communicates with an intermediate chamber 121 through a pressure compensating means 122 comprising a restriction 123 (Fig. 5' shown in the form of a slot provided within sleeve 124. Inside the sleeve 5 there is provided a shuttlp valve member 125 having a head 12b which progressively closes or opens the slot 123 as the shuttle valve 125 moves within the sleeve 124. The fluid pressure relief path also includes a downstream low- pressure chamber 130. The fluid pressure in chamber 130, together 0 with the force of spring 131 opposes movement of the shuttle valve 125 under the influence of fluid pressure from, the chamber 120 passed to the intermediate chamber 121. However if the pressure differentia] between intermediate chamber 121 and low pressure chamber 130 rises sufficiently, the shuttle val e 125 will move and '_ the head 126 will restrict the pressuie relieving flow through the slot 123 thereby enabling the pressure in the intermediate chambei 121 to reduce by means of flow to low pressure chamber 130. Interposed in the fluid pressure relief path between the intermediate chamber 121 and the low pressure chamber 130 is a 0 selectively controllable flow restriction means 135 which comprises a needle valve 136 having a tapered nose portion 137 located in the passage 138 extending between intermediate chamber 121 and low- pressure chamber 130. The needle valve 136 is selectively movable by means of electrical or mechanical control means 139 so as to enable > selective control of the rate of pressure relief through the passage 138. This, in turn, enables control of the injection rate. Downstream of the flow restriction mean- 13 r then, i a non-return valv- 140 which function? tc maintain a minimum back pressure determined by the force of spring 141 which is a function of the spring itself and the position of adjustable seat 142 for the spring 141. At low idle speeds of an associated engine, the valve 140 determines the minimum back pressure. At higher engine speeds, the valve 140 remains open substantially all of the time. The system, shown in Fig. 4 also provides a controllable damper means 150, illustrated more clearly in Fig. 6. The damper means 150 includes a movable damper member 151 illustrated as a damper disc- mounted in a damper chamber 152 which is in communication through 0 duct 153 with the intermediate chamber 121. The damper disc 151 yields resilient!v upon an increasing pressure in the intermediate chamber 121. There is an adjustable stot re bei ]55 which ι.-_ adjustable by means of set screw 156 to enable selective setting of the limit of resilient movement of the damper disc 151. v adjusting 5 the position of the stoj rembei 155, the idle setting or speed of associated engine can be effectively controlled. In particular, a relatively large gap between the stop member 155 and the damper disc 151 enables a larger stroke cf the piston assemblv 30, 35 before the other flow limiting means . pressure relief limiting -reaus become 0 effective, thereby enabling a higher idle speed to be set. The embodiment of the injector svster shown in Frgs. 4 to 6 and - described above provides grea * deal of control over the operatic-' of th" injector , including control over the tr ing. (■' " the -ttrt and end of injection, the rat- o' " injection. ldl*- speed, and even 5 variation in rate of inj e ction within a single injection cycle. The' greater degree of control that is possible makes the injector system particularly suitable for direct fired internal combustion engines. The construction and arrangement of the injector*- " and associated controllers illustrated and described with reference to the drawings enables accurate and repeatable control of the point of commencement of the injection, accurate and repeatable control of the charge of liquid which is injected during each injection cvcle, and accurate and repeatable point of termination of the injection. The three stage positive termination of injection makes the injector suitable for high speed two stroke engines. Automatic pollutioi control i- one benefit cf using the cv-linder pressure to develop th" in.rctiou pressuie. In pa/ticulai . if the engine cvlmde. develops _ι fault, such as a broken piston ring, leading to a drop in pressure in the cylinder, the pressure drop will immediately prevent or at least reduce the charge of fuel that the injector will introduce into that cylinder. Thus the engine will exhaust less unburnt fuel compared to an engine where a full charge continues to be injected into a faulty cylinder. This ' compensation also occurs in the case of normal wear of components so that pollution reduction and wear compensation results. Another benefit of the injector is that it provides automatic- timing adjustment. In particular, as an associated engine increases in running speed, ideally, the commencement of injection should be advanced in the operating cycle since the fuel needs a- predetermined minimum time to burn completely regardless of the speed of the engine. With the injector of the present invention, as the engine piston commences the compression cycl p , there i? a faster build up cf pressure in the cvlindei at higher engine speeds since the heat is not escaping as quickly from the engine as at lower speeds. This more rapid increase in pressure will automatically advance the commencement of injection to earlier points in the engine cycle. This advancement can be in excess of 15° f om initial setting to the point of injection at maximum engine speed. A further advantage of the preferred injectors described and illustrated is the lowered average combustion overall pressure which results from the new combustion mode. This in turn can lead to tin- use of lighter components. The "new combustion mode" results from the different phases of the combustion of the fuel. If a pressure versus time graph for a conventional engine were shown, the graph rises sharply to a peak and drops rapidly. With the injectors of the preferred embodiment, . the control of the injected droplet sizes and the injection pressures enables control of the combustion process so that the pressure time graph can have a relatively flat plateau so that the area under the graph which relates to the work can be the same as conventional engines but the lower maximum pressure leads to less stress in the motor and the abilitv to use smaller or lightei components. Because the injector;-, described and 11lostrated requires lov> levels of lubrication clue to the absence of bearing components, th" injector? will function with a no wax diesel fuel making it possible to work in cold climates. With careful material selection, LPG can be directly used. A further advantage of the preferred injector construction a d operation is the ability to automatically prime the injector for a subsequent operation. Bv closing the external governor means, there is a hydraulic lock up of the low pressure side, and fuel will be stored in the delivery chamber 65 since the fuel cannot be released through the orifice 68 or through the deliverv valve 56. Thus, wien the associated engine is to be re-started, the first compression cycle of the associated engine will enable fuel under pressure in the delivery chamber 65 to be injected for commencing normal operation of the engine. In the particulai construction of injectors shown in the drawings, metal to metal contacts are used to provid- sealing between immovable parts. For example, the front body 11 and reai body 13 are connected together with metal to metal contact between a sharp step 96 provided on the rear bodv 13 and a chamfered face 97 provided on the front body 11. Thrs also applies to connections between the spacer 67 and the low pressure piston 30. between the spacer 67 and the high pressure piston 35, and between the high pressure barrel 44 and the base section 43. These connections are modified "Lenz ring seats" and provide good sealing under high pressures. The valve-. including the inlet vtlve 1•?, outlet valve 21, non-return valve 4b, deliver' valve 5^ and the needle valve 70 preferably have sealing contact between the valve members and associated seats with an internal angle less than 90°, and preferably at about 60°. For example, the included angle in the point of the needle valve 70 is preferablv about 60°. This relatively shallow- angle of seating has been found to provide good sealing at a wide range of fluid pressures.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An injecting apparatus , for injecting a fluid under pressure, the injecting apparatus including: a body (10) , 5 piston means (30, 35.) movable in the body (10) under the action of externally applied fluid pressure, the piston means (30, 35 ' ' being operable to compress fluid to be injected in a high pressure chamber (45), the piston means (30, 35) being movable against the action of fluid pressure in a low pressure chamber (37) whereby the movement of 10 the piston means (30, 35) is selectively controllable by controlling the fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber (37 " ', an injection valve (70 ' and an associated injection orifi^ (68 ' * in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber ''45' whereby high pressure fluid from the high pressure chamber (45 ■ can 15 be injected through the injection orifice (68) upon opening of the injection valve (70). 2. An injecting apparatus as claimed in Claim. 1 characterised in that the injection valve (70'' which controls injection of high pressure fluid through the orifice (68) is selectively controllable 20 in its operation. 3. An injecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the injection valve (70) includes a valve member movable against the action of fluid pressure in a control chamber ■ " 78 ' *, the fluid pressure in the control chamber (78 ) being selectively controllable 25 to control operation of the injection valve HO ) , 4. An injecting apparatus as claimed in Claim. 3 characterised in that the control chamber (78) is in fluid communication with the low- pressure chambei (37. 1 whereby an increase in fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber ( 37) to resist movement of the piston means (30, 30 35) also increases the fluid pressure in the control chamber C78) resisting opening of the injection valve (70). 5. An injecting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the high pressure chamber ''45 "< communicates with the injection orifice ' 5' through a delivery 35 chamber (65), the high pressure fluid from the high pressure chamber ( 45 ■ -being supplied to the deliverv chamber ( 65 * through a non-ietum deliverv valve ''56 " '. the non-return deliverv valve ''56' being operable to close the delivery chambei (65 ■ and maintain in the delivery chamber a charge of fluid stored under pressure. 6. An injecting apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the non-return delivery .valve (56) has a movable valve member having a first stage of movement in which it moves to stop communication from the high pressure chamber (45' to the delivery chamber (65 " ' and a second stage of movement in which the valve member after having completed its first stage of movement allows limited pressure relief in the delivery chamber (65. so as to thereby reduce the fluid pressure upstream of the injection valve (70 ) . 7. An injecting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claim;- characterised in that the piston means (30, 35) is movable _**- under the action of the externally applied fluid pressure against the action of a main spring '36', the force applied b * . the main spring (36) at least in part determining the externally applied fluid pressure necessary to initiate movement of the piston means (30, 35), the injecting apparatus further including a delivery spring (71 ) against the action of which the injection valve * " 70' moves to allow fluid injection through the orifice (65', the strength of the delivery spring ''71'' determining at least in part the pressure of fluid in the high pressure chambei t ' 45 V| necessary to open the injection valve "'70' to allow fluid injection through the injection orifice < 68_ . 5. An injecting apparatus as claimed in ai.v * one of the preceding claims characterised in that there is provided a bleed path (50, 51) for high pressure fluid to bleed from the high pressure chamber (45.' upon movement of the piston means (30, 35) by a predetermined maximum extent, the opening cf the bleed path '50, 5! ■ as a result of said predetermined maximum movement occurring relieving fluid pressure in the high pressure chamber ( 45' to an extent sufficient to stop injection of fluid through the injection valve (70). 9. An injecting system comprising an injecting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, a fluid pressure relief path (120. 121, 130 ' through which fluid pressure in the low pressure chambei (37 ■ can be controllablv relieved tt permit and control movemen* of the piston mean? ''3C. 35 ' . and an associated fluid pressure governor means '85, 90, 135, 139 *, the governor means being-. selectively controllable to control the fluid pressure in the low pressure chamber (37' by selective!*- preventing oi progressive^ limiting relief of pressure fro * , the low pressure chamber (37.' through the fluid pressure relief path in response to movement of the piston means (30, 35'. 10. An injecting svstem as claimed in Claim. 9 characterised in that th" governot means includes a flow restriction means ■ ' 135' in tin- fluid pressure relief path to selectively control the cross sectional area of the fluid pressure relief path, the flow restriction means C 135 " > having .an associated drive means ( 13 ' so as to drive the flow restriction means to vary the cross sectional area of the' relief path, the governoi means furthet including back pressure valve ' 140' located in the fluid pressure relief path, downst ea m of the flow restriction means (135', the back piε-ssL e valve '140' being operative to maintain a predetermined minimuπ back pressure in the fluid pressure relief path by only opening when the predetermined minimum back pressure is exceeded. 11. An injecting svster a? claimed in Clai*. 9 t 10 characterised n that the fluid pressure relief path • " 120, 121, 130.' includes a pressure compensating mean? (122' which includes a rest iction • ' 123* and varving means ''125, 12 1 fo_ varying, th" size of th'- restriction .123 '1 i respond t* changes in fluid pressure downst _ pa * thereof, th"- vai ng * means ' ' 125, 12 1' 1 being opera * t i-ciu'e th" Tf -> of the restriction t* maintain a predeter m ined pi'*, sun* downst rear of the pressure compensating means. 12. An injecting system a? claimed in Clam 11 characterised in that the pressure compensating means ■' 122 > comprises a chamber C120 ■ which communicates with the low pressure chambei '37 ■ , the pressure- compensating means furthei including a shuttle valve (125' responsiv- to the pressure differential between the fluid pressure in said chambei '120 ' and a point (130' further downstream in the fluid pressure relief path and being operative in response to an increase in the pressure differential to reduce the area of th*-- restriction ''123- and thereby letard pressure relief fro* the chamb-- ' . ' 120' tι- th" point (13° l m ther downstream. 13. An injecting svster a claimed in an on- o'~ flam- r - to 12 chai acterised in tha* Ui- svste: fυrthe. inclυd* - a coin ro!lab! •• on damper means (150' in communication with the fluid pressure relief path, the darper means * ' 150- including a r.ovabl*- * dar.pei member '151 ' responsive to a pressui e increase in the fluid pressure relief path to vield se a- t- thereb y relieve pressui in the fluid pressure 5 relief path. the dampei means ' 150' forth", including an adjustable limiting mean- • 15 ' associated with the movable dampei member ''151 ■ to control lab] v limit the extent of vιel d ng -"υve en* . the limiting means <.155 • he eb y effectivelv determining the pressure relief provided by the dampei means. 10 14. An injecting system as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that the movable dampei membe_ ' ' 151 ■ comprises a tesilient dampe- dis. ''151 which defines one wall of a chamb i ' 152' which is i* communjcation with th*-- fluid pressure relief __ t i. , th " limiting mean.- (155' comprising a i_.::rtrn; stop which ι- adjustable so as t:* he 15 contacted the damper disc .151 j . 15. An injecting system as claimed in Cla r ' " -i characterised in that the fluid pressure: relief path includes a h gh speed solenoid valv-- (105, 10*-* ■ operative to open and close the fluid p_-ssure relief path in response to actuation signals, the governor means (85, 90, 135, 20 139 1 being located dowπstiear of the solenoid . ,]ve ' ' 105, 10^ • and being operative to a justablv limit in continuous increments the flow of fluid through thu fle • p_tssei_« relief path, 0

Inventors: KUKLER RONALD, KUKLER, RONALD
Applicants: INTERLOCKING BUILDINGS PTY LTD, INTERLOCKING BUILDINGS PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: F02M49
IPC codes: F02M47, F02M49, F02M67