FUEL INJECTOR

Function
Function of the Fuel injector
The function of the injector is to disperse the fuel through out
the compressed charge of air in the combustions pace.
To accomplish this adequate degree of penetration and
Fineness of spray droplets are required and are achieved by
passing the fuel at high velocity through small bore holesi n
the injector nozzle.
Fig shows a section through a hydraulically operated fuel
injector as fitted to a large two-stroke diesel engine.
The general design is similar for most engines and
Consists of a spring-loaded non-return needle valve operated
hydraulically by a fuel Pressure wave from the fuel pump to
discharge fuel at high pressure through an
atomiser.
Main Components
The main components are the valve body or nozzle
holder to which the nozzle or atomiser is secured by a
retaining nut.
The complete injector is inserted in the fuel valve pocket
of the engine cylinder head .
The retaining nut has a ground surface to make a gas-
tight face joint at the landing in the pocket to seal off
the combustion chamber.
The valve is secured in position by studs and nuts.
The ideal position for the fuel injector is in the centre of
the engine cylinder head.
This allows a symmetrical fuel spray pattern in the
combustion chamber.
This position may be altered in some engine designs due
to the position of exhaust valves, or in an opposed
piston engine where a number of valves are fitted,
displaced
Cirrcumferentially around the combustion chamber.
valve body contains the spring, compression nut and an
intermediate spindle.
There is a passage to convey fuel oil to the atomiser and
in most cases there will also be cooling passages.
Lower end of the body is ground flat with a hardened
surface accurately lapped to form an oil pressure tight
face joint with the atomiser.
The atomiser has its top surface similarly ground and
lapped to match with the body.
This face will also include matching passages for fuel oil
and cooling and a dowel is fitted to ensure these are
aligned.
The needle valve is lapped into the bore of the atomiser.
These are accurately matched and must be kept as one
unit.
At the base of the atomiser there are two chambers
As shown in Fig. 3.
The upper chamber i s charged with fuel oil from
the
pump ,and it is sealed by the needle valve.
At the lower end the mitre seat is accurately
ground and lapped to form a positive oil seal
while at the top of the
Chamber the larger-diameter of the needle valve
above its shoulder also forms an effective oil seal.
The lower chamber which is also sealed by the
mitre seat of the needle valve has a number of
small atomiser holes of correct size and pattern
to atomise and distribute the fuel spray into the
combustion chamber.
Operation
The valve will open when from the fuel pump acting on
the shoulder of the needle valve overcomes the
spring compression.
As the needle valve lifts, oil flows the lower chamber in
the atomiser.
The additional area of the needle mitre now subjected
to
Pressure cause the needle to lift rapidly allowing fuel
at high pressure to pass through atomiser holes into
the combustion chamber.
When the fuel pump cuts off pressure, the valve will
close under spring compression.
Since the full area of the needle is now exposed to
pressure, closing will now occur at a pressure lower
than at which it opened.
The action of the needle valve must be rapid and
positive with no leakage.
Injector spring compression is adjusted under test
and a compression ring fitted.
It is set to allow the needle valve to lift or open at
pre-determined fuel pressure.
The inter mediate spindle conveys the spring
compression to the needle valve and may be
arranged to limit its lift.