Fuel injection lubrication mechanism for continuous self lubrication of a fuel injector

A plunger for a fuel injector comprising:

• a first and a second opposed ridge formed within and encircling an axial portion of the plunger;
• a recessed channel positioned between the first and second opposed ridges, wherein the recessed channel being defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger;
• a first control surface adjacent to the first ridge and a second control surface adjacent to the second ridge;
• a lubricating fuel reservoir formed within the first control surface comprising up to about 10 percent of a total surface area of the outer circumference of the first control surface.

A fuel injection mechanism for regulating the volume of fuel injected comprising:

• a body wherein the body housing a rotatable plunger slidably fitting within a bushing;
• a first and a second port opening formed within the bushing;
• and
• wherein the plunger includes a first and a second opposed ridge and a recessed channel positioned there between, the recessed channel defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separating the outer circumference of the plunger and defining a first and second control surface of the plunger, and
• helical grooves residing in a portion of the control surface of the plunger, and wherein the grooves have a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger of up to about 0.1 inches.

A diesel engine, comprising:

• a fuel system, the fuel system including,
• a plurality of cylinders;
• a plurality of fuel injection mechanisms seated in respective cylinders, each injection mechanism including a body, a rotatable plunger slidably fitting within a bushing, and a nozzle spray tip;
• helical grooves formed within the plunger for lubricating the plunger within the bushing and wherein the grooves have a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger of up to about 0.1 inches;
• a rack and governor constructed and arranged to control rotation of the plunger;
• a fuel supply line to supply fuel to the injection mechanisms;
• and
• a fuel return line to return fuel to a fuel supply tank cooperating with the engine.

A method of lubricating a fuel injection mechanism for regulating the volume of fuel injected;

• forming within an outer axial surface of a plunger fuel reservoirs, wherein the helical fuel reservoirs to a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger up to about 0.1 inches;
• supplying to the fuel reservoirs a quantity of fuel;
• and
• lubricating walls of a bushing in cooperation with the plunger with the fuel supplied to the fuel reservoirs.