Methods and systems are provided for detection of a closing time for a solenoid valve. In one example, a method may include monitoring a current of the solenoid valve, filtering the current, and determining the closing time of the solenoid valve based on each of the current and the filtered current. In some examples, the solenoid valve may be an electrically-actuated fuel injection valve. In some examples, determining the closing time may include using the filtered current to determine an inflection point of the current.

A fuel system for an internal combustion piston engine includes a first fuel section and a second fuel section in which the first fuel section has a first inlet line connecting respective inlets of the injectors to a tank, and the second fuel section has a second inlet line connecting respective inlets of the injectors to a fuel tank. The second fuel section is arranged to inject the fuel into the combustion chambers for igniting the first fuel, in which first fuel section the inlet line extends from a high pressure pump to the respective injectors, and a fuel return line of the first fuel section extends from each of the injectors to the tank. The fuel return line has a pressure increasing means arranged to the fuel return line of the first fuel section between the injectors and the tank.

A fuel injector control valve assembly is provided that comprises a valve actuating mechanism, a cage member that is operatively connected to the valve actuating mechanism, a poppet valve member that is operatively connected to the cage member and that defines a perimeter and a longitudinal axis, a valve sleeve member that is disposed about the poppet valve member, a shim that includes an upper surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the cage member and a lower surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the sleeve member, thereby providing a fluid seal about the perimeter of the poppet valve member, and a bounce limiting mechanism that is adjacent the shim and that is interposed between the cage member and at least one of either the poppet valve member and the valve sleeve member.

A fuel metering valve includes a main flow path extending axially between an inlet and an outlet. Also included is a plunger disposed around a portion of a plunger guide, the plunger and the plunger guide configured to translate between an open position and a closed position to selectively distribute a fuel flowing through the main flow path to the outlet of the fuel metering valve. Further included is a solenoid coil disposed between a solenoid outer body and a solenoid inner body, the solenoid coil configured to magnetically attract the plunger to the open position. Yet further included is a secondary flow path for routing a stagnant volume of fuel upon translation of the plunger from the closed position to the open position.

An injector is designed to provide continuously variable injection rate shaping. With a hydro-mechanical internal feedback mechanism, injector needle position can be determined by controlling a feedback valve's on/off timing. According to the needle position, an injection needle valve opening can be controlled, and then the injection flow rate can be delivered proportionally. Also in accordance with the present invention a CRDI systems are provided including injectors of the present invention, wherein results demonstrate that injector designs of the present invention not only achieve rate shaping capability but also solve the above-noted problems of the current CRDI system. Finally, an iterative learning controller has also been developed to track the desired injection rate, and an injection rate estimator is designed to realize a cycle to cycle feedback control.

A valve device for switching or metering a fluid includes a housing, a flow channel defined by the housing, and a valve body arranged in the flow channel. The valve body has a sealing section which contacts a housing-side sealing seat when the valve device is closed. The sealing section at least slightly protrudes beyond a surface of the valve body facing the sealing seat.

Methods and systems are provided for detection of a closing time for a solenoid valve. In one example, a method may include monitoring a current of the solenoid valve, filtering the current, and determining the closing time of the solenoid valve based on each of the current and the filtered current. In some examples, the solenoid valve may be an electrically-actuated fuel injection valve. In some examples, determining the closing time may include using the filtered current to determine an inflection point of the current.

A fuel injector includes an upper housing having an outer peripheral surface; a nozzle tip with a nozzle opening which serves as an outlet to fuel from the fuel injector; and a valve needle which is selectively moveable between a first position which prevents fuel flow and a second position which permits fuel flow. The fuel injector also includes an inlet sleeve which includes an inner peripheral surface which circumferentially surrounds, and mates with, the outer peripheral surface of the upper housing. The inlet sleeve is fixed to the upper housing, thereby preventing relative movement between the inlet sleeve and the upper housing. The inlet sleeve includes external threads which are configured to mate with complementary internal threads of a nut which secures a fuel supply conduit to the upper housing.

In order to provide a solenoid valve (1) with a valve housing (2), in which an electric coil (3) and a magnet armature (5) are arranged, and with a valve element (8) which can be actuated by the magnet armature (5) in an axial actuation direction for opening and closing the solenoid valve (1), wherein a valve lift of the valve element (8) can be limited in a simple manner, it is provided according to the invention that the coil (3) be arranged on a coil carrier (4), wherein an end section (4a), axially facing the magnet armature (5), of the coil carrier (4) is designed as an end stop for the magnet armature (5) in order to limit an axial movement of the magnet armature (5), and that the coil carrier (4) be formed from a plastic, wherein the coil (3) is at least partially integrated into the coil carrier (4).

A solenoid-actuated valve includes a solenoid portion extending along a longitudinal axis. The solenoid portion includes a solenoid housing defining a solenoid interior, a coil, and an armature, with the armature being moveable along the longitudinal axis in response to energization of the coil. The solenoid-actuated valve also includes a valve portion coupled to the solenoid portion. The valve portion includes a valve member moveable by the armature. The solenoid-actuated valve further includes a valve filter disposed in the solenoid interior and/or coupled to the solenoid housing and configured to separate the solenoid interior from a hydraulic circuit when the valve portion is coupled to a valve housing for allowing fluid to flow into and out of the solenoid interior upon actuation of the armature.