Metering valve for fuel injection

Claim 2

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and a nozzle for delivering fuel to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said nozzle; a valving member moveable in said bore along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage while said passage means traverses said one passage opening; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said valving member and operative to allow fuel communication between said pump and nozzle when said valving member is moved along said path from said first position to said second position and operative to block said fuel communication between said pump and said nozzle when said valving member is moving along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 3

The injection system of claim 1, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed whereby said traversing occurs at a velocity independent of engine speed.

Claim 4

The injection system of claim 1, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed and load, whereby said traversing occurs at a velocity independent of engine speed and load.

Claim 5

The injection system of claim 1, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member axially in said bore from said first position to said second position.

Claim 6

The injection system of claim 1, further including: solenoid means for moving said valving member from said first position to said second position.

Claim 7

The injection system of claim 1, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member axially in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed, whereby the pressure and amount of fuel metered during axial traversing of said one of said openings is independent of engine speed while said valving member is moving from said first position to said second position.

Claim 8

The injection system of claim 1, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member from said first position to said second position and from said second position to said first position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine speed.

Claim 9

The injection system of claim 1, wherein said nozzle delivers fuel directly to said combustion chamber, wherein said system includes a second nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a second combustion chamber of said engine, wherein said valving member moves axially in said bore along said path, and wherein said blocking means comprises: distributor means sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage of said valve housing with the first mentioned nozzle while said valving member moves along said path from said first position to said second position, then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member moves back along said path from said second position to said first position, then communicate said outlet passage with said second nozzle while said valving member again moves along said path from said first position to said second position, and then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member again moves back along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 10

The injection system of claim 8, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member axially in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed.

Claim 11

The injection system of claim 8, further including: solenoid means for moving said valving member from said first position to said second position.

Claim 12

The injection system of claim 1, wherein said nozzle delivers fuel directly to said combustion chamber, wherein said system includes a second nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a second combustion chamber of said engine, wherein said valving member moves axially along said path, and wherein said blocking means comprises: distributor means sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage of said valve housing with the first mentioned nozzle while said valving member moves along said path from said first position to said second position and then communicate said outlet passage with said second nozzle while said valving member moves back along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 13

The injection system of claim 11, further including: actuation means for axially reciprocating said valving member between said first and second positions with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine speed.

Claim 14

The injection system of claim 11, further including: solenoid means for axially reciprocating said valving member between said first and second positions.

Claim 15

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and a nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member axially moveable in said bore along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said outlet passage during said traversing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said valving member and operative to allow fuel communication between said pump and nozzle when said valving member is moved along said path from said first position to said second position and operative to block said fuel communication when said valving member is moving along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 16

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and a nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member axially moveable in said bore along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said outlet passage during said traversing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said valving member and operative to allow fuel communication between said pump and nozzle when said valving member is moved along said path from said first position to said second position and operative to block said fuel communication when said valving member is moving along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 17

The injection system of claim 14, wherein said control means for varying the amount of fuel in said pulse includes: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle means and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 18

The injection system of claim 14, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member axially in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed, whereby said traversing occurs at a velocity independent of engine speed.

Claim 19

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and first and second nozzles respectively associated with first and second combustion chambers of a piston engine and operative to deliver fuel directly to said combustion chambers, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member moveable in said bore along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said outlet passage during said traversing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and distributor means driven in a timed relation with said engine and sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage with said first nozzle while said valving member moves along said path from said first position to said second position, then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member moves back along said path from said second position to said first position, then communicate said outlet passage with said second nozzle while said valving member again moves along said path from said first position to said second position, and then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member again moves back along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 20

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and first and second nozzles respectively associated with first and second combustion chambers of a piston engine and operative to deliver fuel directly to said combustion chambers, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member moveable in said bore along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said outlet passage during said traversing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and distributor means driven in a timed relation with said engine and sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage with said first nozzle while said valving member moves along said path from said first position to said second position, then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member moves back along said path from said second position to said first position, then communicate said outlet passage with said second nozzle while said valving member again moves along said path from said first position to said second position, and then block communication between said outlet passage and said nozzles while said valving member again moves back along said path from said second position to said first position.

Claim 21

The injection system of claim 17, wherein said control means for varying the amount of fuel in said pulse includes: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 22

The injection system of claim 17, further including: actuation means for moving said valving member axially in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine rotational speed, whereby said traversing occurs at a velocity independent of engine speed.

Claim 23

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and a nozzle for delivering fuel to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said nozzle; a valving member moveable in said bore from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; and actuation means operative to move said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing and metering a pulse of fuel at injection pressure to said nozzle during said traversing.

Claim 24

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and a nozzle for delivering fuel to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at its other end with said nozzle; a valving member moveable in said bore from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; and actuation means operative to move said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing and metering a pulse of fuel at injection pressure to said nozzle during said traversing.

Claim 25

The injection system of claim 20, wherein said actuation means moves said valving member with a velocity that, at any given time, is also independent of engine load.

Claim 26

The injection system of claim 20, wherein said actuation means also includes means for moving said valving member from said second position to said first position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of engine speed.

Claim 27

The injection system of claim 20, wherein said actuation means axially moves said valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that is the same for all engine operating conditions.

Claim 28

The injection system of claim 20, wherein said actuation means includes: solenoid means for moving said valving member from said first position to said second position.

Claim 29

The injection system of claim 20, wherein said actuation means includes: solenoid means for axially moving said valving member from said first position to said second position.

Claim 30

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, a throttle means, and a nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member axially moveable in said bore along a path between first and second positions which both block communication between said inlet and outlet passages; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said nozzle during said traversing as said valving member moves from said first position to said second position; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and actuation means operative to move said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing and metering said pulse of fuel independent of the rotational speed of said engine.

Claim 31

In a fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, a throttle means, and a nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: a valve housing including a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle; a valving member axially moveable in said bore along a path between first and second positions which both block communication between said inlet and outlet passages; passage means in said valving member operative at some point during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage for metering a pulse of fuel to said nozzle during said traversing as said valving member moves from said first position to said second position; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in said pulse in response to the position of said throttle means; and actuation means operative to move said valving member in said bore from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing and metering said pulse of fuel independent of the rotational speed of said engine.

Claim 32

The injection system of claim 26, wherein the control means for varying the amount of fuel in said pulse includes: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle means and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 33

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position and thereafter move said main valving member from said first position to said second position; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said engine and actuation means and operative to allow fuel communication between said high pressure fuel pump and said nozzle means when said pilot and main valving members are moved along said path from said first positions to said second positions and operative to block said fuel communication between said pump and nozzle means when said valving members are moved back along said path from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 34

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position and thereafter move said main valving member from said first position to said second position; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said engine and actuation means and operative to allow fuel communication between said high pressure fuel pump and said nozzle means when said pilot and main valving members are moved along said path from said first positions to said second positions and operative to block said fuel communication between said pump and nozzle means when said valving members are moved back along said path from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 35

The injection system of claim 28, wherein said actuation means includes: means for moving said valving members in said bores from said first positions to said second positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine rotational speed, whereby said traversings occur at velocities independent of engine speed.

Claim 36

The injection system of claim 28 wherein said actuation means includes: means for moving said valving members in said bores from said first positions to said second positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine rotational speed and load, whereby said traversings occur at velocities independent of engine speed and load.

Claim 37

The injection system of claim 28, wherein said actuation means includes: solenoid means for moving said valving members from said first positions to said second positions.

Claim 38

The injection system of claim 28 wherein said actuation means includes: means for moving said valving members from said first positions to said second positions and from said second positions to said first positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine speed.

Claim 39

The injection system of claim 28 wherein said system includes a second nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a second combustion chamber of said engine, wherein said valving member moves axially in said bore along said path, and wherein said blocking means comprises: distributor means sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passages of said valve housings with the first mentioned nozzle means while said valving members move along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzles while said valving members move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions, then communicate said outlet passages with said second nozzle means while said valving members again move along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, and then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzle means while said valving members move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 40

The injection system of claim 33 wherein said actuation means include: means for moving said valving members axially in said bores from said first positions to said second positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine speed.

Claim 41

The injection system of claim 33 wherein said actuation means include: solenoid means for moving said valving members from said first positions to said second positions.

Claim 42

The injection system of claim 28 wherein said system includes a second nozzle for delivering fuel directly to a second combustion chamber of said engine, wherein said valving members move axially along said paths, and wherein said blocking means comprises: distributor means sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passages of said valve housings with the first mentioned nozzle means while said valving members move along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, and then communicate said outlet passages with said second nozzle means while said valving members move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 43

The injection system of claim 36 wherein said actuation means include: means for axially reciprocating said valving members between said first and second positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine rotational speed.

Claim 44

The injection system of claim 36 wherein said actuation means include: solenoid means for axially reciprocating said valving members between said first and second positions.

Claim 45

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communciation between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said pilot valve and meter a pilot fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the pilot valve housing, said actuation means thereafter operative to move the main valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said main valve and meter a main fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the main valve housing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said engine and actuation means and operative to allow fuel communication between said outlet passages and said nozzle means when said pilot and main valving members are moved along said paths from said first positions to said second positions and operative to block said fuel communication between said outlet passages and nozzle means when said valving members are moved back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 46

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communciation between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said pilot valve and meter a pilot fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the pilot valve housing, said actuation means thereafter operative to move the main valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said main valve and meter a main fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the main valve housing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means; and blocking means driven in a timed relation with said engine and actuation means and operative to allow fuel communication between said outlet passages and said nozzle means when said pilot and main valving members are moved along said paths from said first positions to said second positions and operative to block said fuel communication between said outlet passages and nozzle means when said valving members are moved back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 47

The injection system of claim 39 wherein said control means for varying the amount of fuel in said one pulse include: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle means and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 48

The injection system of claim 39 wherein said actuation means include: means for moving said valving members axially in said bore at velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine rotational speed.

Claim 49

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and first and second nozzle means respectively associated with first and second combustion chambers of a piston engine and operative to deliver fuel directly to said combustion chambers, said improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said pilot valve and metering of a pilot fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the pilot valve housing, said actuation means thereafter operative to move the main valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said main valve and metering of a main fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the main valve housing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means; distributor means driven in a timed relation with said engine and sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passages with said first nozzle means while said pilot and main valving members move along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzles while said valving members move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions, then communicate said outlet passages with said second nozzle means while said valving members move again along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, and then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzle means while said valving members again move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 50

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and first and second nozzle means respectively associated with first and second combustion chambers of a piston engine and operative to deliver fuel directly to said combustion chambers, said improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said pilot valve and metering of a pilot fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the pilot valve housing, said actuation means thereafter operative to move the main valving member from said first position to said second position to effect said traversing for said main valve and metering of a main fuel pulse to the outlet passage of the main valve housing; control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means; distributor means driven in a timed relation with said engine and sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passages with said first nozzle means while said pilot and main valving members move along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzles while said valving members move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions, then communicate said outlet passages with said second nozzle means while said valving members move again along said paths from said first positions to said second positions, and then block communication between said outlet passages and said nozzle means while said valving members again move back along said paths from said second positions to said first positions.

Claim 51

The injection system of claim 42 wherein said control means for varying the amount of fuel in said one pulse include: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle means and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 52

The injection system of claim 42 wherein said actuation means include: means for moving said valving member axially in said bore at velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine rotational speed.

Claim 53

In a pilot injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member moveable in said bore from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; and actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said pilot valve and metering of a pilot fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing, and thereafter move the main valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said main valve and metering a main fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing.

Claim 54

In a pilot injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member moveable in said bore from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member between said first and second positions to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; and actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said pilot valve and metering of a pilot fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing, and thereafter move the main valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said main valve and metering a main fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing.

Claim 55

The injection system of claim 45 wherein said actuation means moves said valving members with velocities that, at any given time, are also independent of engine load.

Claim 56

The injection system of claim 45 wherein said actuation means also includes means for moving said valving members from said second positions to said first positions with velocities that, at any given time, are independent of engine speed.

Claim 57

The injection system of claim 45 wherein said actuation means include: solenoid means for moving said valving members from said first positions to said second positions.

Claim 58

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said pilot valve and metering a pilot fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing and thereafter move the main valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said main valve and metering a main fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing; and control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means.

Claim 59

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump, throttle means, and nozzle means for delivering fuel directly to a combustion chamber of a piston engine, the improvement comprising: pilot and main fuel metering valves each including a housing having a bore, an inlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said high pressure fuel pump, and an outlet passage having an opening communicating at one end with said bore and at the other end with said nozzle means, a valving member disposed in said bore and moveable along a path from a first position blocking communication between said inlet and outlet passages to a second position also blocking said communication, and passage means in said valving member operative during movement of said valving member along said path to traverse one of said passage openings for momentarily defining a continuous passage through said valve housing by serially connecting said inlet passage, said passage means, and said outlet passage; actuation means operative to move the pilot valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said pilot valve and metering a pilot fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing and thereafter move the main valving member from said first position to said second position with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine for effecting said traversing for said main valve and metering a main fuel pulse at injection pressure to said nozzle means during said traversing; and control means operative to vary the amount of fuel in at least one of said pulses in response to the position of said throttle means.

Claim 60

The injection system of claim 49 wherein said control means for varying the amount of fuel in said one pulse includes: means for varying the time period of said traversing in response to the position of said throttle means and independent of the moving velocity of said valving member.

Claim 61

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering pulses of fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: valve means for momentarily connecting said pump with said nozzle means and operative to sequentially meter a pilot fuel pulse and then a main fuel pulse, said valve means including a valve housing having bore means, inlet passage means connected at one end to said high pressure fuel pump and defining opening means at the other end communicating with said bore means, and outlet passage means connected at one end to said nozzle means and defining opening means at the other end communicating with said bore means; valving means in said bore means moveable between first and second static positions blocking fuel communication between said inlet and outlet passage means; pilot and main passages in said valving means operative during movement of said valving means between said first and second positions to completely traverse one of said opening means; actuation means operative to move said valving means from said first static position to said second static position to effect a sequential traversing of said one opening means by said pilot and main passage means for sequentially metering said pilot pulse and then said main pulse.

Claim 62

In a pilot fuel injection system of the type including a high pressure fuel pump and nozzle means for delivering pulses of fuel directly to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the improvement comprising: valve means for momentarily connecting said pump with said nozzle means and operative to sequentially meter a pilot fuel pulse and then a main fuel pulse, said valve means including a valve housing having bore means, inlet passage means connected at one end to said high pressure fuel pump and defining opening means at the other end communicating with said bore means, and outlet passage means connected at one end to said nozzle means and defining opening means at the other end communicating with said bore means; valving means in said bore means moveable between first and second static positions blocking fuel communication between said inlet and outlet passage means; pilot and main passages in said valving means operative during movement of said valving means between said first and second positions to completely traverse one of said opening means; actuation means operative to move said valving means from said first static position to said second static position to effect a sequential traversing of said one opening means by said pilot and main passage means for sequentially metering said pilot pulse and then said main pulse.

Claim 63

The pilot fuel injection system of claim 51 wherein actuation means moves said valving means with a velocity that, at any given time, is independent of the rotational speed of said engine.

Claim 64

The pilot fuel injection system of claim 51, further includes: distributor means driven in a timed relation with said valving means and operative to allow fuel communication between said pump and said nozzle means while said pilot and main passage traverse said one opening means during movement of said valving means from said first static position to said second static position.

Claim 65

The pilot fuel injection system of claim 51, further including: second nozzle means for delivering pulses of fuel to a second combustion chamber of said engine; and distributor means driven in a timed relation with said valving means and sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage means of said valve means with the first mentioned nozzle means while said valving means moves in one direction between said first and second static positions, then block communication between said outlet passage means and said nozzles while said valving means moves in the other direction between said first and second positions, then communicate said outlet passage means with said second nozzle means while said valving means again moves in said one direction, and then blocks communication between said outlet passage means and said nozzle means while said valving means again moves in said other direction.

Claim 66

The pilot fuel injection system of claim 51 further including: second nozzle means for delivering pulses of fuel to a second combustion chamber of said engine; and distributor means sequentially operative to communicate said outlet passage means of said valve means with the first mentioned nozzle while said valving means moves in one direction between said first and second static positions and then communicate said outlet passage means with said second nozzle means while said valving means moves in the other direction between said first and second positions.

Claim 67

The pilot fuel injection system of claim 55 wherein said actuation means moves said valving means in both directions with a velocity that is the same for all engine operating conditions.