A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuation event utilizing a current waveform for the actuator characterized by an initial peak pull-in current in a first direction of current flow when the actuator is commanded to an actuated position; and a reversed peak current in a second opposite direction of current flow applied after the actuator is commanded to a rest position. The reversed peak current has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the initial peak pull-in current.

A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.

A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.

An electrical connector includes two lateral mounting bush. A knock sensor which delivers data representative of the operation of a fuel injector is integrally overmoulded in one of the mounting bush. The knock sensor includes a piezoelectric member arranged between a base member and a seismic member.

Various embodiments may include a method for operating a piezo-actuator in a piezo-operated injector for a fuel injection system comprising: producing a measuring pulse at a position at which the usable signal which is to be measured is expected; then producing a reference pulse which corresponds to the measuring pulse, in the same cycle; subtracting a first actuator voltage measured during the reference pulse from a second actuator voltage measured during the measuring pulse; using a resulting voltage signal difference to calculate a force sensed by the piezo-actuator; and using the force sensed to correct an injection amount for the injector.

A nozzle assembly of a fuel injector includes a nozzle body in which a needle member is adapted to translate. The nozzle assembly is further provided with an electrical circuit so that an electrical signal enabling contact detection is measurable between the needle member and the nozzle body. The nozzle assembly also includes a piezoresistive device which continuously varies the electrical signal during the final closing displacements, or the initial opening displacements, of the needle, the variations of the signal being a function of a differential pressure.

An engine, fuel injector, and method are disclosed. The method may include aligning an exhaust gas passage with an exhaust gas source to allow exhaust gas to enter a pre-chamber for a first duration; aligning a fuel passage with a fuel source to allow fuel to enter the pre-chamber for a second duration; and aligning injector nozzle connectors with injector nozzles, for a third duration, to allow a mixture of the fuel and the exhaust gas to be injected from the pre-chamber to the combustion chamber.

An engine, fuel injector, and method are disclosed. The method may include aligning an exhaust gas passage with an exhaust gas source to allow exhaust gas to enter a pre-chamber for a first duration; aligning a fuel passage with a fuel source to allow fuel to enter the pre-chamber for a second duration; and aligning injector nozzle connectors with injector nozzles, for a third duration, to allow a mixture of the fuel and the exhaust gas to be injected from the pre-chamber to the combustion chamber.

A filter assembly for a fuel injector is provided. The filter assembly includes a first ring. The first ring includes a plurality of first apertures provided along a circumference thereof. The filter assembly also includes a second ring disposed concentrically with respect to the first ring. The second ring includes a plurality of second apertures provided along a circumference thereof. Each of the plurality of second apertures is disposed misaligned with respect to each of the plurality of first apertures respectively. The filter assembly further includes an actuation mechanism operably coupled to the second ring. The actuation mechanism is adapted to selectively rotate the second ring about an axis with respect to the first ring to, at least partially, align each of the plurality of first apertures with respect to each of the plurality of second apertures respectively to provide an unfiltered flow of a fluid through the filter assembly.

A fuel atomizer (100) has a conduit (105) for passage of fuel (101) and an object (113) in the conduit (105) which creates continual and repetitive turbulence in the fuel (101). The turbulent fuel exits the conduit (105) via a nozzle (111) into a spray of fine mist (103). The object (113) is a movable magnet (601) which is repelled by another magnet (701) at the outlet (109) of the conduit (105). The flow of fuel (101) carries the movable magnet (601) towards the outlet (109) of the conduit (105) while the other magnet (701) repels the movable magnet (601) backwards. So the movable magnet (601) moves repetitively.