Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned within said body for axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary plunger; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle; passages in said body of said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and means for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel including an electronically operated control valve for controlling the flow of fuel among said passages, said timing chamber, and said metering chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned within said body for axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary plunger; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle; passages in said body of said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and means for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel including an electronically operated control valve for controlling the flow of fuel among said passages, said timing chamber, and said metering chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 1 wherein said electronic control valve controls the admission of fuel at supply pressure into said timing chamber creating a hydraulic link between said primary pumping and secondary plungers to selectively hydraulically connect said primary pumping plunger and said secondary plunger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 2 wherein said electronic control valve is at one of a closed or opened state to create a pressure equilibrium condition in said timing chamber to permit independent movement of said primary pumping plunger relative to said secondary plunger during a portion of the operation of the injector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 3 further including spring means situated in said central bore for biasing the secondary plunger toward said nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 4 wherein the lower end of said primary pumping plunger has a cavity defined therein and the upper end of said secondary plunger has a recess defined therein, the opposite ends of said spring means being seated in said cavity and said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 2 further including a first check valve interconnected to control fuel flow between said timing chamber and said passages for periodically eliminating said hydraulic link between said primary pumping and said secondary plungers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 6 wherein said first check valve is unseated to release fuel from said timing chamber into said passages when the secondary plunger approaches its most downward position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary plunger has elongated axially extending passages (124, 126) defined in its lower end, said passages opening at one end into said metering chamber, and said passages momentarily dumping fuel at high pressures back into said axial passages when the injection phase of the cycle of operation is terminated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary plunger has an annulus defined near its midsection, said annulus leading into a cross-hole which communicates with a short axial passage, said short axial passage communicating with said elongated axially extending passages that open into said metering chamber, a check valve (112), and a spring (116) to normally bias said check valve against its seat to prevent communication between said annulus and said metering chamber, said check valve being unseated only during the metering phase of the cycle of operation to allow fuel at supply pressure in the axial passages to enter the annulus and proceed downwardly into the metering chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 1 wherein the volumes of said timing chamber and said metering chamber are varied during the cycle of operation of said fuel injector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 10 wherein a portion of said operation is metering and said metering chamber volume is varied linearly during said metering portion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of electronically operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body remote from the primary pumping plunger, a timing chamber defined in said body between said plungers, a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle, passages in said body for introducing fuel into said chambers, and electronically operated control valve means situated proximate said passages and said timing chamber, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into said passages and said chambers; applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move same axially; supplying an electrical signal to the control valve means to seal the timing chamber and form a hydraulic link between the primary and secondary plungers and moving said plungers in concert; discharging the fuel in the metering chamber through the nozzle while maintaining the electrical signal; and terminating the electrical signal to the control valve means to open the timing chamber and break the hydraulic link between the plungers and moving said primary pumping plunger independently of said second plunger.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of electronically operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body remote from the primary pumping plunger, a timing chamber defined in said body between said plungers, a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle, passages in said body for introducing fuel into said chambers, and electronically operated control valve means situated proximate said passages and said timing chamber, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into said passages and said chambers; applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move same axially; supplying an electrical signal to the control valve means to seal the timing chamber and form a hydraulic link between the primary and secondary plungers and moving said plungers in concert; discharging the fuel in the metering chamber through the nozzle while maintaining the electrical signal; and terminating the electrical signal to the control valve means to open the timing chamber and break the hydraulic link between the plungers and moving said primary pumping plunger independently of said second plunger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of locking the secondary plunger in a fixed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of aligning passages in the secondary plunger with the passages in the body of the injector after discharging the fuel so that excess fuel trapped in the nozzle, metering chamber and timing chamber can be readily vented.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of filling the metering chamber to a desired level during the interval that the plungers move in concert subsequent to venting the excess fuel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
216 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned within said body for axial movement; a nozzle situated at the end of the said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary plunger; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; electronically operated control valve means for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, said control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary plunger and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary and secondary plungers whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger towards said secondary plunger causes movement of said secondary plunger and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
216 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary plunger positioned within said body for axial movement; a nozzle situated at the end of the said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary plunger; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary plunger and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; electronically operated control valve means for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, said control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary plunger and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary and secondary plungers whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger towards said secondary plunger causes movement of said secondary plunger and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel injector as recited in claim 16 including means for moving said primary plunger in relation to the operating cycle of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of electronically operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body from the primary pumping plunger, a metering chamber adjacent said nozzle, means separating said chamber from said plunger, passages in said body for flowing fuel in said injector, electronically operated control valve means controlling said passages, and an electronic control unit, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into the passages and chamber. applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move the plunger axially; supplying an electrical signal to the control valve means; discharging the fuel through the nozzle and metering fuel for a subsequent discharge of fuel in response to the electrical signal; the start of said electrical signal initiating said discharge and the termination of said signal terminating metering; and said signal being maintained between said start and said termination.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of electronically operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body from the primary pumping plunger, a metering chamber adjacent said nozzle, means separating said chamber from said plunger, passages in said body for flowing fuel in said injector, electronically operated control valve means controlling said passages, and an electronic control unit, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into the passages and chamber. applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move the plunger axially; supplying an electrical signal to the control valve means; discharging the fuel through the nozzle and metering fuel for a subsequent discharge of fuel in response to the electrical signal; the start of said electrical signal initiating said discharge and the termination of said signal terminating metering; and said signal being maintained between said start and said termination.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said discharge is terminated prior to said metering.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said control unit generates an electrical signal for each discharge.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
141 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine comprising; a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and an electromagnetic control element for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
141 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine comprising; a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and an electromagnetic control element for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 21 wherein said secondary element is a plunger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 21 or 22 wherein valve means controls the admission of fuel into said timing chamber for creating a hydraulic link between said primary plunger and secondary element to selectively hydraulically connect said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 23 wherein said valve means is at one of a closed or opened state to create a pressure equilibrium condition in said timing chamber to permit independent movement of said primary pumping plunger relative to said secondary element or plunger during a portion of the operation of the injector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 24 wherein said secondary element or plunger is biased a normal position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 25 wherein the lower end of said primary pumping plunger has a cavity defined therein and the upper end of said secondary element or plunger has a recess defined therein, the injector further including spring means, the opposite ends of said spring means being seated in said cavity and said recess.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 22 further including a first check valve interconnected to control fuel flow between said timing chamber and said passages for periodically eliminating said hydraulic link between said primary pumping and said secondary plungers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 27 wherein said first check valve is unseated to release fuel from said timing chamber into said passages when the secondary plunger approaches its most downward position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
59 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 22 wherein said secondary plunger has elongated axially extending passages (124, 126) defined in its lower end, said passages opening at one end into said metering chamber, and said passages momentarily dumping fuel at high pressures back into said axial passages when the injection phase of the cycle of operation is terminated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 29 wherein said secondary plunger has an annulus defined near its midsection, said annulus leading into a cross-hole which communicates with a short axial passage, said short axial passage communicating with said elongated axially extending passages that open into said metering chamber, a check valve (112), and a spring (116) to normally bias said check valve against its seat to prevent communication between said annulus and said metering chamber, said check valve being unseated only during the metering phase of the cycle of operation to allow fuel at supply pressure in the axial passages to enter the annulus and proceed downwardly into the metering chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 21 wherein the volumes of said timing chamber and said metering chamber are varied during the cycle of operation of said fuel injector.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fuel injector as defined in claim 31 wherein a portion of said operation is metering and said metering chamber volume is varied linearly during said metering portion.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
214 words
A method of operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body remote from the primary pumping plunger, a timing chamber defined in said body between said plunger and said element, a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle, passages for introducing fuel into said chambers, and control valve means situated proximate said passages and said timing chamber, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into said passages and said chambers; applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move said plunger; operating the control valve to seal the timing chamber and form a hydraulic link between the primary plunger and secondary element and moving said plunger and element in concert; discharing the fuel in the metering chamber through the nozzle in response to the operation of the valve means; and terminating the operation of the control valve means to open the timing chamber and break the hydraulic link between the plunger and element and moving said primary plunger independently of said secondary element.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
214 words
A method of operating a fuel injector disposed in operative relationship to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector including a body having an axially extending bore, a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned therewithin for axial movement, a nozzle situated at one end of the body remote from the primary pumping plunger, a timing chamber defined in said body between said plunger and said element, a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle, passages for introducing fuel into said chambers, and control valve means situated proximate said passages and said timing chamber, said method comprising the steps of: introducing fuel at supply pressure into said passages and said chambers; applying force to the primary pumping plunger to move said plunger; operating the control valve to seal the timing chamber and form a hydraulic link between the primary plunger and secondary element and moving said plunger and element in concert; discharing the fuel in the metering chamber through the nozzle in response to the operation of the valve means; and terminating the operation of the control valve means to open the timing chamber and break the hydraulic link between the plunger and element and moving said primary plunger independently of said secondary element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 33 further including the step of locking the secondary element in a fixed position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 33 further including the step of aligning passages in the secondary element with the passages in the body of the injector after discharging the fuel so that excess fuel trapped in the nozzle, metering chamber and timing chamber can be readily vented.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 33 further including the step of filling the metering chamber to a desired level during the interval that the plunger and element move in concert subsequent to venting the excess fuel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
254 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement; a nozzle situated at the end of the said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; an electromagnetic control valve for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, and in turn to and from said metering chamber, said control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary element and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary plunger and secondary element whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger in a direction towards said secondary element causes movement of at least a portion of said secondary element and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle, and axial movement in a direction away from said secondary element causes fuel flow into said metering chamber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
254 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, said injector comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement; a nozzle situated at the end of the said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; an electromagnetic control valve for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, and in turn to and from said metering chamber, said control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary element and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary plunger and secondary element whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger in a direction towards said secondary element causes movement of at least a portion of said secondary element and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle, and axial movement in a direction away from said secondary element causes fuel flow into said metering chamber.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel injector as recited in claim 37 including means for moving said primary plunger in relation to the operating cycle of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
173 words
A fuel injector for controlling the flow of fuel to an internal combustion engine with a control valve comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pump plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body of said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and means for receiving the control valve for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel, the control valve controlling both said timing and the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
173 words
A fuel injector for controlling the flow of fuel to an internal combustion engine with a control valve comprising: a body having an axially extending central bore; a primary pump plunger and a secondary element positioned within said body for at least partial axial movement therein; a nozzle situated at the end of said central bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body of said injector for receiving pressurized fuel and transmitting said fuel into said timing chamber and said metering chamber; and means for receiving the control valve for controlling (1) the timing of the discharge of fuel from the metering chamber through the nozzle and (2) the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber subsequent to said discharge of fuel, the control valve controlling both said timing and the quantity of fuel stored in said metering chamber.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
249 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector being controlled by a control valve, said injector comprising: a body having a bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned for movement within said bore; a nozzle situated at the end of the said bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; means formed to receive the control valve for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, the control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary element and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary plunger and secondary element whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger in a direction towards said secondary element causes movement of at least a portion of said secondary element and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle, and axial movement in a direction away from said secondary element causes fuel flow into said metering chamber.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
249 words
A fuel injector adapted to be disposed in operative relationship to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector being controlled by a control valve, said injector comprising: a body having a bore; a primary pumping plunger and a secondary element positioned for movement within said bore; a nozzle situated at the end of the said bore remote from said primary pumping plunger; a timing chamber defined in said body between said primary pumping plunger and said secondary element; a metering chamber defined in said body between said secondary element and said nozzle; passages in said body adapted to receive and transmit fuel to said timing chamber and said metering chamber; means formed to receive the control valve for controlling the flow of fuel to and from said timing chamber, the control valve means operable in one position to prevent fuel from flowing out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically coupling said primary plunger to said secondary element and operable in another position to allow fuel to flow out of said timing chamber thereby hydraulically uncoupling said primary plunger and secondary element whereby when said valve is in said one position axial movement of said primary plunger in a direction towards said secondary element causes movement of at least a portion of said secondary element and hence fuel flow from said metering chamber and out of said nozzle, and axial movement in a direction away from said secondary element causes fuel flow into said metering chamber.