초록 ▼

A fuel injector system (10) includes a piezoelectric sensor (52) mounted along a spool valve axis (18) of the injector body (12). The piezoelectric sensor (52) is mounted within a spool valve stop (41). As the spool valve (16) reaches the stop (41), the piezoelectric sensor (52) identifies the force

A fuel injector system (10) includes a piezoelectric sensor (52) mounted along a spool valve axis (18) of the injector body (12). The piezoelectric sensor (52) is mounted within a spool valve stop (41). As the spool valve (16) reaches the stop (41), the piezoelectric sensor (52) identifies the force exerted thereupon and transmits the generated signal to the controller (44). Through communication with piezoelectric sensor (52) the controller determines when the spool valve (16) has reached a predetermined position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of injecting fuel comprising the steps of:(1) providing a fuel to a spool valve movable between a first and a second coil such that the spool valve selectively provides fuel flow to a fuel injector when the spool valve is located in a first position and prevents fuel flow to the fuel inj

1. A method of injecting fuel comprising the steps of:(1) providing a fuel to a spool valve movable between a first and a second coil such that the spool valve selectively provides fuel flow to a fuel injector when the spool valve is located in a first position and prevents fuel flow to the fuel injector in a second position; (2) locating a piezoelectric sensor adjacent the spool valve; (3) measuring a signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; (4) determining a predetermined position of the spool valve in response to said step (3); and (5) locating a measurement window within a time period defined between a first command signal and a second command signal. 2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (3) is performed within a predetermined timing window.3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal is a voltage.4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of locating the piezoelectric sensor within a stop adjacent the spool valve.5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: identifying a signal from the piezoelectric sensor in response to contact between the spool valve and the piezoelectric sensor.6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of: determining whether the signal from the piezoelectric sensor is within the measurement window.7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (2) comprisesmoving the spool valve along a spool valve axis to selectively contact the piezoelectric sensor.