Reduced energy waveform for energizing solenoid actuator in fuel injector valve
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsAndrew O. Marrack, Daniel Reese Puckett, Mitchell B. Juchems
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Operating an engine system and fuel system includes energizing a solenoid actuator for a spill valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle via a standard waveform to inject a shot of fuel. Operating an engine system and fuel system further includes determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system, and energizing the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability so as to inject one or more shots of fuel in a second engine cycle. The operating methodology and control logic can extend an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine.
Claims20
A method of operating a fuel system for an engine comprising:
- energizing a solenoid actuator for a valve of a fuel injector in a first engine cycle of an engine via a standard waveform;
- injecting a shot of fuel in the first engine cycle based on the energizing a solenoid actuator via a standard waveform;
- determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system;
- energizing the solenoid actuator in a second engine cycle of the engine via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system;
- and
- injecting a shot of fuel in the second engine cycle based on the energizing a solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform.
A fuel system for an engine comprising:
- a fueling control unit including an energizing waveform controller structured to:
- energize a solenoid actuator via a standard waveform to actuate a valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle;
- energize the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform to actuate the valve in a second engine cycle;
- and
- switch from a higher voltage power supply to a lower voltage power supply during the energizing of the solenoid actuator in a second engine cycle.
A method of extending an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine comprising:
- actuating a valve of a fuel injector for the engine a plurality of times in an engine cycle;
- injecting a plurality of shots of fuel into a combustion cylinder of the engine in the engine cycle based on the actuating a valve a plurality of times;
- and
- energizing a solenoid actuator of the valve via a reduced energy waveform to cause at least one of the actuations of the valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.