Patent ID: 8205805

Claim:
An injector for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber and igniting the fuel in the 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; an ignition feature in the nozzle portion, the ignition feature configured to generate an ignition event to at least partially ignite fuel; a valve carried by the body, wherein the valve is movable to an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber; and a valve operator assembly, the valve operator assembly including— a valve actuator movable between a first position and a second position; a sensor configured to register one or more conditions in the combustion chamber; and an acoustical force modifier configured to at least partially control distribution of fuel injected into the combustion chamber, wherein the acoustical force modifier is responsive to the sensor and configured to induce vibrations in (a) fuel in the body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) air in the combustion chamber, (c) the valve actuator to actuate the valve, and/or (d) the valve.