Two stage intensifier
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorDana R. Coldren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A two stage intensifier capable of multiple intensification rates comprises a stepped top portion and a shoulder portion, each being actuated by separate fluid passages. A stepped top portion is received into an upper bore of a piston bore and a shoulder is received into a lower bore. The stepped top forms a seal with the upper bore to prevent direct fluid communication between a first actuation cavity above the stepped top and a second actuation cavity above the shoulder.
Claims24
A fuel injector comprising:
- a barrel defining a first fluid passage, a second fluid passage and a piston bore including an upper bore and a lower bore;
- an intensifier piston including a shoulder and a stepped top;
- a first actuation cavity defined by said upper bore, said stepped top and said first fluid passage;
- a second actuation cavity defined by said lower bore, said shoulder and said second fluid passage;
- said piston being slidably received in said piston bore wherein said shoulder is received in said lower bore and said stepped top is received in said upper bore;
- said stepped top having a first surface open to fluid pressure in said first actuation cavity and said shoulder having a second surface open to fluid pressure in said second actuation cavity;
- said piston being moveable between a first position and a second position;
- said stepped top being sealable with said upper bore when said piston moves between said first position and said second position;
- a source of actuation fluid;
- a drain passage;
- a control valve to open and close fluid communication between said first and second fluid passages and said source of actuation fluid and said drain passage.
A method of operating an intensifier piston arrangement, an intensifier piston having a first effective area partially defining a first actuation cavity and a second effective area partially defining a second actuation cavity, the method comprising:
- delivering a first fluid flow from a common fluid source to said first actuation cavity;
- moving said intensifier piston a first preselected distance;
- delivering a second fluid flow from said common fluid source to said second actuation cavity;
- moving said intensifier piston a second preselected distance;
- maintaining said first area in direct fluid isolation from said second actuation cavity.
A method of operating a intensifier piston system comprising:
- delivering a first signal;
- moving a valve to a first position in response to said first signal;
- allowing fluid flow to a first effective area of an intensifier piston, said first area partially defining a first actuation cavity;
- delivering a second signal;
- moving said valve to a second position in response to said second signal;
- allowing a fluid flow to a second effective area of said intensifier piston, said second area partially defining a second actuation cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.