Motion modifiers for fuel injection systems

#The present disclosure is generally related to motion and/or displacement modifiers (e.g., displacement amplifiers, displacement dampeners) for use in applications including fuel injection systems, and associated systems and methods. Particular embodiments include, but are not limited to, hydraulic displacement, mechanical motion, and/or spring displacement (e.g., including elastomeric and/or ferrofluid) amplifiers and/or dampeners. Applications can include direct injection of gaseous fuels into internal combustion engines of various combustion chamber sizes, piston speeds, cylinders, and/or compression ratios.

#Fuel injection systems are typically used to inject a fuel spray into an inlet manifold and/or directly into a combustion chamber of an engine. Fuel injection systems have become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive engines, effectively replacing carburetors. Fuel injectors used in these fuel injection systems are generally capable of two basic functions. First, they deliver a metered amount of fuel for each combustion cycle of the engine. Second, they disperse the fuel to improve the efficiency of the combustion process. In many instances fuel injection systems are connected to a pressurized fuel supply, and the fuel can be metered into the combustion chamber by varying the pressure, flow impedance and/or time during which the injector metering valve is opened from a normally closed position. The fuel can also be dispersed into the combustion chamber by forcing the fuel through one or more small orifices in the injectors or a conduit connected (e.g., coupled, positioned or extending within) to the injector.

#Various embodiments of the fuel injection system or injector can include any one, or any combination, of any of the following. In some embodiments, the injector for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber includes an injector body including a base portion configured to receive fuel into the body and a valve coupled to the body. Wherein the valve is movable toward an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve operator assembly that includes a valve actuator coupled to the valve and movable from a first position to a second position upon receipt of an initial motion and a motion modifier (e.g., amplifier, dampener) configured to receive the initial motion from the valve actuator, alter (e.g., amplify, dampen) the initial motion, and transfer the altered (e.g., amplified, dampened) motion to the valve.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an injector configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology.

#FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of selected exemplary components of a displacement amplifier and/or dampener configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology.

#FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of selected exemplary components of a displacement amplifier and/or dampener configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology.

#The present technology is generally related to motion or displacement modifiers including displacement amplifiers (e.g., spring displacement, hydraulic displacement, mechanical motion) and/or displacement dampeners in fuel injectors. Particular embodiments are directed to spring displacement amplifiers and/or dampeners (e.g., elastomeric and/or ferrofluid motion embodiments) for use in the direct injection of gaseous fuels into combustion chambers such as may be found in internal combustion engines of various combustion chamber sizes, compression ratios, and piston speeds. In some embodiments, a fluid injector includes a motion modifier (e.g., displacement amplifier and/or dampener) that comprises a piezoelectric actuator and a constant volume chamber. The constant volume chamber has dimensions that are variable by a first input dimension motion produced by the piezoelectric actuator wherein the first input dimension is less than a second output dimension of a valve linkage to open a flow control valve from a normally closed position to allow fluid injection. The fluid injector (e.g., a gaseous fuel injector) further includes a motion modifier (e.g., displacement amplifier and/or dampener) in operable connection with the actuator. The motion modifier (e.g., displacement amplifier and/or dampener) can have a plurality of pistons in communication with the constant volume chamber (e.g., reservoir), configured to variably adjust the dimensions of the volume by an input dimension (e.g., first input dimension) and a corresponding larger output dimension (e.g., second output dimension).

#Specific details of several embodiments of the technology are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-15B. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with motion modifiers, amplifiers, dampeners, fuel injection systems, and ignition systems have not been set forth in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the technology. Many of the details, dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present technology. A person of ordinary skill in the art, therefore, will accordingly understand that the technology may have other embodiments with additional and/or different elements, or the technology may have other embodiments without one or more of the features shown and described below with reference to FIGS. 1-15B. The systems or methods can include one or more of any of the features, concepts and/or steps, in whole or in part as disclosed herein, and/or in any of the references incorporated by reference. For example, the system can include any exemplary techniques, systems, and/or devices relating to displacement amplifiers, dampeners and/or fuel injection systems as disclosed herein.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an injector 101 configured in accordance with embodiments of the technology. The injector 101 is configured to inject fuel into a combustion chamber 105 and utilize a motion or displacement modifier (e.g., amplifier and/or dampener). The motion or displacement modifier can include a displacement amplifier (e.g., displacement spring amplifier 150) to increase the amount and/or the delivery pressure of gaseous fuel entering the combustion chamber and/or utilize a displacement dampener to decrease or stop the amount and/or the delivery pressure of gaseous fuel entering the combustion chamber. In further embodiments, the fuel may be liquid, a gaseous/liquid combination, a partial solid or slurry, or other material. The motion modifier (e.g., displacement spring amplifier 150 and/or dampener) is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 and can be positioned at any location on the injector 101 and coupled to any of the features described in detail below. Moreover, in certain embodiments the motion modifier (e.g., displacement spring amplifier 150 and/or dampener) can be integral with one or more of the valve actuating components described in detail below. Furthermore, although several of the additional features of the illustrated injector 101 described below are shown schematically for purposes of illustration, several of these schematically-illustrated features are described in detail below with reference to various features of embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the relative location, position, size, orientation, etc., of the schematically-illustrated components of the Figures are not intended to limit the present disclosure.