Integrated fuel injector igniters having force generating assemblies for injecting and igniting fuel and associated methods of use and manufacture

An injector igniter for replacing a diesel fuel injector in an internal combustion engine, the injector igniter comprising:

• a valve movable between a closed position and an open position to introduce fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• an ignition feature positioned to generate an ignition event;
• a valve driver movable between a first position and a second position;
• a first solenoid winding configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field moves the valve driver from the first position to the second position to move the valve from the closed position to the open position;
• and
• a second solenoid winding, separate from the first solenoid winding, wherein the second solenoid winding is electrically coupled to the ignition feature, wherein the magnetic field generates ignition energy in the second solenoid winding, and wherein the second solenoid winding supplies the ignition energy to the ignition feature to generate the ignition event.

An injector igniter comprising:

• an injector body positionable at least partially within an injector port in an internal combustion engine;
• a valve positioned at least partially within the injector body and operable between a closed position and an open position;
• an electrode positioned to produce an ignition event;
• a valve driver movable to operate the valve between the closed position and the open position;
• a first solenoid positioned to produce a magnetic field that moves the driver to operate the valve and inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• and
• a second solenoid electrically coupled to the electrode to provide electrical current to the electrode to produce the ignition event, wherein the electrical current is generated via the magnetic field.

A method for injecting and igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• introducing fuel into an injector igniter;
• providing a first electrical current to a first solenoid to generate a magnetic field;
• moving a driver from a first position to a second position via the magnetic field;
• moving a valve from a closed position to an open position via the movement of the driver from the first position to the second position, wherein movement of the valve from the closed position to the open position injects the fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• generating a second electrical current in a second solenoid via the magnetic field;
• and
• transmitting the second electrical current to an electrode to ignite the fuel.