A fuel injector includes a nozzle body, and spray ducts coupled to the nozzle body and in spray path alignment with spray orifices therein. A nozzle check is movable within the nozzle body to open and close the spray orifices. Each of the spray ducts defines a duct center axis, and includes a center body forming, together with a duct inner surface, a spray jet passage circumferential of the duct center axis and reduced in area in a direction of spray jet advancement from the nozzle body.

A fuel injector includes a nozzle body, and spray ducts coupled to the nozzle body and in spray path alignment with spray orifices therein. A nozzle check is movable within the nozzle body to open and close the spray orifices. Each of the spray ducts defines a duct center axis, and includes a center body forming, together with a duct inner surface, a spray jet passage circumferential of the duct center axis and reduced in area in a direction of spray jet advancement from the nozzle body.

A reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head that has an inlet valve that can be supplied with combustion air from a cylinder inlet line connected to the inlet valve, comprising a pressure accumulator, out of which an additional medium that promotes the combustion in the cylinder can be supplied to the cylinder in a controlled manner, and an injection nozzle, via which fuel can be injected into the cylinder. The additional medium is a combustion air/fuel mixture according to the invention. The pressure accumulator is connected to the injection nozzle which has a nozzle needle, and the additional medium can be introduced into the cylinder in a controlled manner by means of the injection nozzle.

A reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head that has an inlet valve that can be supplied with combustion air from a cylinder inlet line connected to the inlet valve, comprising a pressure accumulator, out of which an additional medium that promotes the combustion in the cylinder can be supplied to the cylinder in a controlled manner, and an injection nozzle, via which fuel can be injected into the cylinder. The additional medium is a combustion air/fuel mixture according to the invention. The pressure accumulator is connected to the injection nozzle which has a nozzle needle, and the additional medium can be introduced into the cylinder in a controlled manner by means of the injection nozzle.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Disclosed is an air-assisted fuel injection system, comprising a cylindrical bore; a plunger and a barrel within the cylindrical bore, the plunger having a flat surface; and a securing means abutting against the flat surface to keep the plunger from rotating within the cylindrical bore.

Disclosed is an air-assisted fuel injection system, comprising a cylindrical bore; a plunger and a barrel within the cylindrical bore, the plunger having a flat surface; and a securing means abutting against the flat surface to keep the plunger from rotating within the cylindrical bore.