An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.

A nozzle hole of a nozzle plate is connected to a fuel injection nozzle of a fuel injection unit through a swirl chamber and first and second fuel guide grooves opened to the swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is an oval recess provided with the nozzle orifice in its center. A first fuel guide groove is opened to one end side of a major axis of the oval recess, and a second fuel guide groove is opened to the other end side of the major axis of the oval recess. The first and second fuel guide grooves are formed such that the same amount of fuel flows to the swirl chamber. The same amount of fuel flowing from the first and second fuel guide grooves to the swirl chamber is guided to the nozzle orifice at the same time while revolving inside the swirl chamber in the same direction.

A nozzle hole of a nozzle plate is connected to a fuel injection nozzle of a fuel injection unit through a swirl chamber and first and second fuel guide grooves opened to the swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is an oval recess provided with the nozzle orifice in its center. A first fuel guide groove is opened to one end side of a major axis of the oval recess, and a second fuel guide groove is opened to the other end side of the major axis of the oval recess. The first and second fuel guide grooves are formed such that the same amount of fuel flows to the swirl chamber. The same amount of fuel flowing from the first and second fuel guide grooves to the swirl chamber is guided to the nozzle orifice at the same time while revolving inside the swirl chamber in the same direction.

One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic fuel injection module including a throttle body including a throat extending between an inlet port and an outlet port and a fuel delivery injector too unit. The fuel delivery injector unit includes a cavity, a fuel inlet, a magnetic assembly, a pumping assembly, a spring, a valve seat, a valve, and an out valve. The fuel inlet receives fuel and directs fuel into the cavity. The magnetic assembly is within the cavity and includes a magnet, a pole, and a hollow sleeve. The pumping assembly includes a bobbin and piston. The bobbin is configured to move the pumping assembly. The piston is coupled to the bobbin. The valve seat is located at one end of the piston. The valve selectively allows fuel to flow into a pressure chamber. The out valve is configured to provide fuel to the throat.

One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic fuel injection module including a throttle body including a throat extending between an inlet port and an outlet port and a fuel delivery injector too unit. The fuel delivery injector unit includes a cavity, a fuel inlet, a magnetic assembly, a pumping assembly, a spring, a valve seat, a valve, and an out valve. The fuel inlet receives fuel and directs fuel into the cavity. The magnetic assembly is within the cavity and includes a magnet, a pole, and a hollow sleeve. The pumping assembly includes a bobbin and piston. The bobbin is configured to move the pumping assembly. The piston is coupled to the bobbin. The valve seat is located at one end of the piston. The valve selectively allows fuel to flow into a pressure chamber. The out valve is configured to provide fuel to the throat.

A gas injector for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a valve-closing element for releasing and sealing a through opening at a sealing seat; a shielding element, which is situated at an end of the valve-closing element on a side of the combustion chamber and which shields the valve-closing element and the sealing seat with respect to the combustion chamber; and a cooling ring having a first contact area designed for direct contact with the shielding element and a second contact area designed for direct contact with a component of the internal combustion engine, in particular with a cylinder head.

A fuel injector includes a housing defining a longitudinal bore having a proximal end and a distal end, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture at the distal end of the longitudinal bore. A poppet valve is disposed in the longitudinal bore and includes a valve head that is engageable with the valve seat surface. An actuator device is disposed at the proximal end of the longitudinal bore and a hydraulic coupler is disposed between the actuator and the poppet valve within the longitudinal bore. The hydraulic coupler defines a chamber that receives low pressure fuel for providing a hydraulic lash adjuster between the actuator and the poppet valve.

A fuel supply device includes an injector, a fuel pressurization device and an ECU. The fuel pressurization device includes an electromagnetic valve. The fuel pressurization device is configured to pressurize a fuel in accordance with opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve and discharge the fuel toward the injector. The ECU is configured: to control the opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve to adjust the fuel amount discharged toward the injector; to execute an operation sound suppression control during a low-load operation of an engine by reducing an opening/closing frequency of the electromagnetic valve and increasing the fuel amount discharged for each opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve; not to execute the operation sound suppression control when a partial lift injection is in progress; and to execute the operation sound suppression control when the partial lift injection is not in progress.

A fuel supply device includes an injector, a fuel pressurization device and an ECU. The fuel pressurization device includes an electromagnetic valve. The fuel pressurization device is configured to pressurize a fuel in accordance with opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve and discharge the fuel toward the injector. The ECU is configured: to control the opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve to adjust the fuel amount discharged toward the injector; to execute an operation sound suppression control during a low-load operation of an engine by reducing an opening/closing frequency of the electromagnetic valve and increasing the fuel amount discharged for each opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve; not to execute the operation sound suppression control when a partial lift injection is in progress; and to execute the operation sound suppression control when the partial lift injection is not in progress.

A fuel injector is provided that creates variable spray characteristics to effectively reduce emissions, such as NOx emissions and particulate matter. The injector includes a nozzle valve element of the outwardly opening type including a fuel delivery passage and spray holes. The nozzle valve element is operable to move to a low lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to impinge on the injector body and to deflect toward the combustion chamber, and to move to a high lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to avoid impingement on injector body and flow in an obstructed manner directly into the combustion chamber. An annular chamber may be formed in the nozzle valve element adjacent the spray holes to receive fuel.