Patent US5494219A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5494219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel injection control valve with dual solenoids
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1994-06-02
•
Granted: 1996-02-27
•
Expires: 2014-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector includes a valve seat with fluid inlet and fluid outlet. A poppet valve controls the flow of fluid through the valve seat. A pair of electrical actuators are selectively operably energized for releasing the poppet and moving the poppet to valve open and closed positions. Split fuel injection can be provided using either sequential operation or concurrent operation, i.e., phasing. Permanent magnets, holding current and residual magnetism enable the latching of the poppet valve in each of the valve open and closed positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale C. Maley
- 👤 Ronald D. Shinogle
- 👤 Mark F. Sommars
- 👤 Oded E. Sturman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:25
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M59/00; F02M59/44; F02M59/46; F02M59/466; F02M45/00; F02M45/02; F02M45/04; F02M45/06; F02M59/20; F02M59/36; F02M59/366; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/14; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector capable of injecting fuel during a fuel injection cycle, said control valve assembly comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector capable of injecting fuel during a fuel injection cycle, said control valve assembly comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes a permanent magnet for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 2, including a second permanent magnet for the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control valve according to claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein one of said electrical actuators is a solenoid and including solenoid holding current for maintaining said poppet valve in the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first of said fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle supplies significantly less fuel over a smaller portion of said cycle compared to the second of said fuel injections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly for a fuel injector comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; permanent magnet means coupled to said poppet valve forming suitable magnetic forces for latching said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators operably energized for forming suitable counter magnetic forces to said permanent magnet means for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly for a fuel injector comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; permanent magnet means coupled to said poppet valve forming suitable magnetic forces for latching said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators operably energized for forming suitable counter magnetic forces to said permanent magnet means for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
235 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports, and including a flat seating surface; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between respective poppet valve positions, with one poppet end having a poppet end portion including a concave end portion for sealingly engaging said flat seating surface of said valve seat to block said fluid inlet; a first permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end setting up a first magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in one of said poppet valve positions; a first electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end and operably energized for setting up a first counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said one poppet valve position; a second electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end and operably energized for setting up a second counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force for moving said poppet valve into said sealing engagement with said valve seat at said other poppet valve position; and a second permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end setting up a second magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in said other poppet valve position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
235 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports, and including a flat seating surface; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between respective poppet valve positions, with one poppet end having a poppet end portion including a concave end portion for sealingly engaging said flat seating surface of said valve seat to block said fluid inlet; a first permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end setting up a first magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in one of said poppet valve positions; a first electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end and operably energized for setting up a first counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said one poppet valve position; a second electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end and operably energized for setting up a second counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force for moving said poppet valve into said sealing engagement with said valve seat at said other poppet valve position; and a second permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end setting up a second magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in said other poppet valve position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 8, including return means for returning said poppet valve from said other poppet valve position to said one poppet valve position, said return means including energizing said second electrical actuator for setting up a reverse magnetic force to said second magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said other poppet valve position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 9, said return means including energizing said first electrical actuator for setting up a reverse magnetic force to said second magnetic force for disengaging said poppet end portion from said valve seat and returning said poppet valve to said one valve position where it is held by said first permanent magnet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein said poppet valve concave end portion includes a knife edge for sealingly engaging said flat seating surface of said valve seat in a flat seat seal on valve closing during pressurized fuel injection and for responding to pressurizing fluid for rapidly opening said poppet valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein said fuel injector is a unit fuel pump-injector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of said electrical actuators is a solenoid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 8, including means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first of said fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle supplies significantly less fuel over a smaller portion of said cycle compared to the second of said fuel injections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
192 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
192 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 16, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes a permanent magnet for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 17, including a second permanent magnet for the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 16, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 19, wherein one of said electrical actuators is a solenoid and including solenoid holding current for maintaining said poppet valve in the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 16, wherein the first of said fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle supplies significantly less fuel over a smaller portion of said cycle compared to the second of said fuel injections.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
190 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a pressure control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said pressure control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between said opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
190 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a pressure control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said pressure control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between said opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions; first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system according to claim 22, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes a permanent magnet for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system according to claim 23, wherein each of said electrical actuators is a solenoid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system according to claim 22, wherein said means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions includes residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system according to claim 25, wherein one of said electrical actuators is a solenoid and including solenoid holding current for maintaining said poppet valve in the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electronically-controlled fuel injector system according to claim 22, wherein said at least two fuel injections comprise a small amount of fuel followed by a much larger amount of fuel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
239 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between respective poppet valve positions, with one poppet end portion sealingly engagable with said valve seat to block said fluid inlet; a first permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion setting up a first magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in one of said poppet valve positions; a first electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion and operably energized for setting up a first counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said one poppet valve position; a second electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion and operably energized for setting up a second counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force for moving said poppet valve into said sealing engagement with said valve seat at said other poppet valve position; a second permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion setting up a second magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in said other poppet valve position; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
239 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between respective poppet valve positions, with one poppet end portion sealingly engagable with said valve seat to block said fluid inlet; a first permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion setting up a first magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in one of said poppet valve positions; a first electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion and operably energized for setting up a first counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said one poppet valve position; a second electrical actuator adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion and operably energized for setting up a second counter-magnetic force to said first magnetic force for moving said poppet valve into said sealing engagement with said valve seat at said other poppet valve position; a second permanent magnet adapted for mounting at the other poppet end portion setting up a second magnetic force for holding said poppet valve in said other poppet valve position; and means for selectively energizing said electrical actuators to provide at least two separate fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 28, including return means for returning said poppet valve from said other poppet valve position to said one poppet valve position, said return means including energizing said second electrical actuator for setting up a reverse magnetic force to said second magnetic force tending to release said poppet valve from said other poppet valve position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 29, said return means including energizing said first electrical actuator for setting up a reverse magnetic force to said second magnetic force for disengaging said poppet end portion from said valve seat and returning said poppet valve to said one valve position where it is held by said first permanent magnet.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 28, wherein said fuel injector is a unit fuel pump-injector.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 28, wherein each of said electrical actuators is a solenoid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 28, wherein the first of said fuel injections during said fuel injection cycle supplies significantly less fuel over a smaller portion of said cycle compared to the second of said fuel injections.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
142 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector capable of injecting fuel during a fuel injection cycle, said control valve assembly comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions including residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions; and first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
142 words
A fluid pressure control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector capable of injecting fuel during a fuel injection cycle, said control valve assembly comprising: a valve body with fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; a valve seat communicating with said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports; a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet ports through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions including residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions; and first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control valve assembly according to claim 34, wherein one of said electrical actuators is a solenoid and including solenoid holding current for maintaining said poppet valve in the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions including residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions; and first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector providing a fuel injection cycle comprising: an injector body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; a fuel injection pumping assembly, including a nozzle receiving fuel from said fuel inlet for injecting said fuel under pressure from said pumping assembly; a control valve assembly for controlling the injecting of said fuel, said control valve assembly including a valve body with a valve seat having a valve seat inlet connected to said injector body fuel outlet and having a drain fuel outlet; said control valve assembly including, a poppet valve slidably mounted in said valve body between opposite respective fuel injection and non-fuel injection poppet valve positions controlling said fuel inlet and said fuel outlet through said valve seat; means for maintaining said poppet valve in said opposite respective poppet valve positions including residual magnetism means for at least one of said poppet valve positions; and first and second electrical actuators selectively operably energized for releasing said poppet valve from one of said poppet valve positions and for moving said poppet valve to the other of said poppet valve positions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronically-controlled unit fuel pump-injector according to claim 36, wherein one of said electrical actuators is a solenoid and including solenoid holding current for maintaining said poppet valve in the other of said poppet valve positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-26 | 1999-08-28 | 2000-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-26 | 2003-08-28 | 2004-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-26 | 2007-08-28 | 2008-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |