초록 ▼

A method of preheating fuel in a fuel injector with an internal heater energized to reduce emissions. The heater being a ceramic hollow cylinder disposed within a valve body just upstream of a valve seat where fuel is injected through an orifice into the engine. Conductors for energizing the heater

A method of preheating fuel in a fuel injector with an internal heater energized to reduce emissions. The heater being a ceramic hollow cylinder disposed within a valve body just upstream of a valve seat where fuel is injected through an orifice into the engine. Conductors for energizing the heater extend into the valve body and are sealed against the escape of pressurized fuel. In one version, the conductors are extended through an O-ring to be sealed. In another version the conductors include pins extending through the valve body sidewall with glass seals fused to the valve body and the pins. The conductors may comprise flat foil strips clamped between the O-ring and an elastomeric washer. The conductors also may be molded into the magnetic coil bobbin and sealed where the conductors emerge into the fuel cavity. The heater has metallized surfaces to create current flow through its wall thickness, and the conductors are electrically connected respectively to the inner end and outer surfaces of the hollow cylinder by metallization patterns enabling both mechanical contacts to be made on the outside of the heater.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of preheating fuel to be injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector, comprising the steps of:installing an electrical heater in a valve body bore of the fuel injector upstream of an injection valve seat and downstream

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of preheating fuel to be injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector, comprising the steps of:installing an electrical heater in a valve body bore of the fuel injector upstream of an injection valve seat and downstream of a magnetic coil assembly so that the fuel surrounds the heater; andenergizing the heater so that the fuel is preheated immediately prior to injection to maximize the efficiency of heating while only heating surfaces that are continuously wet with fuel.