Method and system for valve position monitoring
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsDaniel R. Puckett, Andrew O. Marrack, Michael E. Sattler, Mitchell B. Juchems
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system includes applying a pull-in current to close a spill valve of the fuel injector and detecting a timing at which the spill valve closes. The method also includes adjusting at least one of an amplitude of the pull-in current, a duration of the pull-in current, or a timing of a start of an application of the pull-in current based on the detected timing of the closing of the spill valve.
Claims20
A method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system, the method comprising:
- applying a pull-in current to close a spill valve of the fuel injector;
- detecting a timing at which the spill valve closes while supplying energy with a battery;
- and
- adjusting at least one of an amplitude of the pull-in current, a duration of the pull-in current, or a timing of a start of an application of the pull-in current based on the detected timing of the closing of the spill valve.
A fuel injection method for controlling a fuel injector of an engine system, comprising:
- applying current having a first current level to a solenoid to actuate a valve from a resting position toward an actuated position;
- detecting a timing at which the valve reaches the actuated position, while applying energy to continue applying current to the solenoid, based on a change in a level of the current applied to the solenoid;
- and
- adjusting at least one of an amplitude of a pull-in current, a duration of the pull-in current, or a timing of a start of an application of the pull-in current based on the detected timing.
A fuel injection control system, comprising:
- at least one power source;
- a fuel injector including a spill valve and a control valve, the spill valve being biased towards an open position and including a spill valve solenoid, the control valve being actuated separately from the spill valve;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- apply a pull-in current to close the spill valve of the fuel injector;
- detect a timing at which the spill valve closes;
- and
- adjust at least one of an amplitude of a pull-in current, a duration of the pull-in current, or a timing of a start of an application of the pull-in current based on the detected timing of the closing of the spill valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.