Diesel injection igniter and method

A fuel injector for a diesel engine, said injector comprising:

• an electrically-conductive nozzle body including an orificed tip with an internal valve seat and a fuel passage leading to the valve seat, the body being connectible to one side of an igniter system;
• an electrically-conductive injection valve reciprocable in the nozzle body and seatable on the valve seat to stop fuel flow through the orificed tip, the injection valve being electrically insulated from the body except at its contact with the valve seat;
• and
• conductor means for conducting an electrical charge to the injection valve during opening of the valve;
• whereby an electrical spark discharge is generated between the injection valve and the valve seat upon opening of the valve.

A method for reducing ignition lag in diesel engines comprising:

• providing the engine with a fuel injection nozzle including a fuel supply and having a valve seat and an injection valve seatable on the valve seat to close the nozzle to fuel flow, the valve being openable to permit fuel flow between the valve and seat;
• providing fuel conditioning energy supply means adjacent the valve seat to supply conditioning energy to fuel injected when the valve is opened;
• and
• operating the injection nozzle in the engine to supply energy to the injected fuel upon opening of the valve, thereby conditioning the fuel for essentially immediate compression ignition upon entry into a compressed air charge of an associated engine cylinder, thus reducing ignition lag of the diesel fuel combustion process.

A method for reducing ignition lag in diesel engines comprising:

• providing the engine with a fuel injection nozzle including a fuel supply and having an electrically-conductive valve seat and an electrically-conductive injection valve seatable on the valve seat to close the nozzle to fuel flow, the valve being openable to permit fuel flow between the valve and seat;
• electrically connecting the valve and seat in an electrical circuit having means to cause an electrical discharge between the valve and seat when the valve is opened;
• and
• operating the injection nozzle in the engine to cause an electrical discharge through the fuel passing between the valve and seat upon opening of the valve, thereby conditioning the fuel for essentially immediate compression ignition upon entry into a compressed air charge of an associated engine cylinder, thus reducing ignition lag of the diesel fuel combustion process.