Abstract:
Apparatus to facilitate dual mode combustion within a compression ignition internal combustion engine and a method of operating that apparatus. The apparatus comprises a nozzle arrangement for a fuel injector that can independently deliver a fuel spray suited to a conventional combustion mode or a pre-mixed combustion mode. The apparatus comprises a fuel injector nozzle arrangement for use with a dual pressure fuel supply that can deliver fuel for diffusion combustion through one or more radial fuel outlets (21) and that can deliver fuel for pre-mixed combustion through an axial fuel outlet (25). The apparatus also comprises a compression ignition engine architecture having a dual combustion chamber.
Abstract:
A fuel system for use in a combustion chamber of a compression ignition internal combustion engine comprises a pump arrangement having a pump chamber (54) for fluid and a piston (38) which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber (12) in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber (12) as a result of combustion so as to pressurise fluid within the pump chamber (54). The system also includes a control valve assembly (70) for controlling the supply of fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber (54) to an accumulator volume (80). In one particular aspect, the invention provides a fuel system for use in an engine having at least two engine cylinders, comprising a first pump arrangement associated with one of the engine cylinders and a second pump arrangement associated with the other of the engine cylinders, each of the first and second pump arrangements having a pump chamber for fluid and a piston which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber as a result of combustion so as to pressurise fuel within the pump chamber. At least one control valve assembly controls the supply of fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber of at least one of the pump arrangements to an accumulator volume.
Abstract:
An exhaust valve arrangement for use in a combustion chamber (12) of a compression ignition internal combustion engine, includes a piston (72) which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber (12) in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber (12) as a result of combustion, and an outer sleeve (70) within which the piston (72) is movable. The outer sleeve (70) is an exhaust valve which is actuable between open and closed positions to open and close, respectively, an exhaust passage (40) from the combustion chamber (12). The exhaust valve arrangement further includes a pump chamber (77) for receiving fluid, and a pumping plunger (73) coupled to the piston (72) and movable with the piston (72) so as to pressurise fluid (e.g. fuel) within the pump chamber (77) as the piston (72) is urged outwardly from the combustion chamber (12). The pressure within the pump chamber (77) is proportional to cylinder pressure and is sensed by a sensor (14) which provides an output signal to an Engine Control Unit (ECU 16). An accumulator volume (125) receives fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber (77). Where the fluid is fuel, the accumulator volume (125) is arranged to deliver fuel to one or more injectors (14) of a common rail fuel injection system. Alternatively the accumulator volume (125) may be arranged to deliver pressurised fluid to one or more engine systems e.g. for actuation purposes.
Abstract:
A fluid delivery system for delivering a metered dose of fluid from a supply tank (28) to a downstream chamber or vessel (10), comprises a pump apparatus (20) comprising a pump plunger (32) which is operable to perform a pumping stroke under the control of an electromagnetic actuator (36), including a solenoid (36a), to effect delivery of the fluid and a control unit (24) for supplying an input signal (58) to the solenoid (36a) to initiate a current flow to the solenoid (36a) and thereby initiate movement of the pump plunger (32). An electronic device (54) provides an output signal to indicate that movement of the pump plunger has stopped at the end of the pumping stroke, and a timer determines a time difference between the input signal (58) being supplied to the solenoid (36a) and the output signal being output by the electronic device (54). A processor (26) compares the time difference with a predetermined time difference and determines, as a result of the comparison, whether or not the pump plunger (32) has performed a valid pumping stroke in which an intended volume of fluid is displaced and which may therefore be used in a totalized flow calculation.
Abstract:
An exhaust valve arrangement for use in a combustion chamber (12) of a compression ignition internal combustion engine, includes a piston (72) which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber (12) in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber (12) as a result of combustion, and an outer sleeve (70) within which the piston (72) is movable. The outer sleeve (70) is an exhaust valve which is actuable between open and closed positions to open and close, respectively, an exhaust passage (40) from the combustion chamber (12). The exhaust valve arrangement further includes a pump chamber (77) for receiving fluid, and a pumping plunger (73) coupled to the piston (72) and movable with the piston (72) so as to pressurise fluid (e.g. fuel) within the pump chamber (77) as the piston (72) is urged outwardly from the combustion chamber (12). The pressure within the pump chamber (77) is proportional to cylinder pressure and is sensed by a sensor (14) which provides an output signal to an Engine Control Unit (ECU 16). An accumulator volume (125) receives fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber (77). Where the fluid is fuel, the accumulator volume (125) is arranged to deliver fuel to one or more injectors (14) of a common rail fuel injection system. Alternatively the accumulator volume (125) may be arranged to deliver pressurised fluid to one or more engine systems e.g. for actuation purposes.
Abstract:
A method of dosing a reagent into an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine (3) having an SCR catalyst (13), the method comprising injecting reagent from a reagent tank (21) into the exhaust gas stream at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst (13) using a reagent injector (40) in accordance with a first dosing schedule in order to remediate a predetermined proportion of NOx in the exhaust gas stream, the first dosing schedule being associated with a first range of engine operating conditions; and injecting reagent from the reagent tank (21) into the exhaust gas stream at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst (13) using a reagent injector (40) in accordance with a second dosing schedule in order to enable heat transfer between the reagent injector (40) and said injected reagent, the second dosing schedule being associated with a second range of engine operating conditions. Dosing in accordance with said first or said second dosing schedule is carried out in dependence on whether engine operating conditions lie within said first or said second range of engine operating conditions, and the proportion of NOx in the exhaust gas stream which is remediated by dosing using said second dosing schedule is less than said predetermined portion. A reagent dosing system (1) is also provided for dosing a reagent into the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine (3), comprising a reagent tank (21) for storing a supply of reagent, an injector module (40) comprising an atomising dispenser (42) and a positive-displacement metering pump (41) which draws reagent from the reagent tank (21) and delivers it to the dispenser (42) a supply line (35) coupling the reagent tank (21) to the injector module (40), and a dosing control unit (70) operable to control the injector module (40) to inject reagent into the exhaust gas stream. A priming pump (80) is provided to urge reagent along the supply line (35) toward the injector module (40) under selected conditions.
Abstract:
A fuel system for use in a combustion chamber of a compression ignition internal combustion engine comprises a pump arrangement having a pump chamber (54) for fluid and a piston (38) which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber (12) in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber (12) as a result of combustion so as to pressurise fluid within the pump chamber (54). The system also includes a control valve assembly (70) for controlling the supply of fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber (54) to an accumulator volume (80). In one particular aspect, the invention provides a fuel system for use in an engine having at least two engine cylinders, comprising a first pump arrangement associated with one of the engine cylinders and a second pump arrangement associated with the other of the engine cylinders, each of the first and second pump arrangements having a pump chamber for fluid and a piston which is movable outwardly from the combustion chamber in response to pressure generated within the combustion chamber as a result of combustion so as to pressurise fuel within the pump chamber. At least one control valve assembly controls the supply of fluid that is pressurised within the pump chamber of at least one of the pump arrangements to an accumulator volume.