MECHANICAL MOTION AMPLIFICATION FOR NEW THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
The present technology relates generally to mechanical motion amplification for fuel injectors. In some embodiments, an injector for introducing gaseous or liquid fuel into a combustion chamber includes an injector body having a base portion configured to receive fuel into the body and a valve coupled to the body. The valve can be movable to an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve operator assembly. The valve operator assembly can include a valve actuator coupled to the valve and movable between a first position and a second position, and a prime mover configured to generate an initial motion. The valve operator assembly can also include a mechanical stroke modifier configured to alter at least one of a direction or magnitude of the initial motion and convey the altered motion to the valve actuator.
1 . A gaseous fuel injector, comprising:
a piezoelectric actuator; and
a mechanical stroke amplifier, including:
an input plunger connected to a surrounding transfer sleeve via a first lever, wherein the first lever is mounted to a first fulcrum disposed between the input plunger and the transfer sleeve; and
an output plunger connected to the transfer sleeve via a second lever mounted to a second fulcrum disposed between the output plunger and the transfer sleeve.
2 . The fuel injector according to claim 1 wherein the first lever and second lever extend laterally from the transfer sleeve.
3 . The fuel injector according to claim 1 wherein the first lever is pivotably mounted at a pivot location along a length of the first lever to the first fulcrum, wherein the pivot location is closer to the input plunger than the transfer sleeve.
4 . The fuel injector according to claim 1 wherein the input plunger and output plunger are nonparallel.
5 . The fuel injector according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical stroke amplifier further includes at least one of a spring, magnet, or pneumatic cylinder coupled to at least one of the input plunger or output plunger and configured to return the mechanical stroke amplifier to a starting position at the end of a mechanical stroke amplification cycle.
6 . A fuel injector for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber, the injector comprising:
an injector body including—
a base portion configured to receive fuel into the body; and
a valve coupled to the body, wherein the valve is movable to an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber; and
a valve operator assembly, the valve operator assembly including—
a valve actuator coupled to the valve and movable between a first position and a second position;
a prime mover configured to generate an initial motion; and
a mechanical stroke modifier configured to alter at least one of a direction or magnitude of the initial motion and convey the altered motion to the valve actuator.
7 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein the prime mover comprises at least one of a piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, electromagnetic, electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force generator.
8 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein the mechanical stroke modifier comprises a plurality of operably connected gear racks and pinions, wherein a first pinion has a different diameter than a second pinion.
9 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein the mechanical stroke modifier comprises a lever configured to receive the initial motion via a first strut, increase or decrease the magnitude of the initial motion, and transfer the motion to a second strut.
10 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the mechanical stroke modifier comprises a low-friction material or coating.
11 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein the fuel injector comprises a combined fuel injector and fuel igniter.
12 . The fuel injector of claim 6 wherein the mechanical stroke modifier comprises at least one of an electrical or thermal barrier.
13 . The fuel injector of claim 12 , wherein:
the valve operator assembly further comprises a displacement driver configured to instigate a push, pull, and/or push and pull displacement of the valve actuator, thereby instigating movement of the valve;
the prime mover operates at a first temperature; and
the mechanical stroke modifier is configured to convey the altered motion to the displacement driver at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.
14 . A method of operating a fuel injector to inject fuel into a combustion chamber, the method comprising:
introducing fuel into a body portion of the fuel injector, the body portion including a mechanical stroke modifier and a valve adjacent to the combustion chamber, the valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position;
imparting a motion to the mechanical stroke modifier;
modifying a direction or magnitude of the motion;
actuating the valve via the modified motion to move between the closed position and the open position; and
introducing fuel from the body portion into the combustion chamber.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein imparting a motion to the mechanical stroke modifier comprises imparting motion via one or more of a piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, electromagnetic, electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic force generator.
16 . The method of claim 14 wherein modifying a direction or magnitude of the motion comprises modifying the motion with a plurality of operably connected racks and pinions.
17 . The method of claim 14 wherein modifying a direction or magnitude of the motion comprises modifying the motion with a plurality of operably connected levers and struts.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising modifying a thermal characteristic of at least a portion of the fuel injector or the fuel.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising preheating the fuel before introducing the fuel into the combustion chamber.
20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising sensing one or more conditions in the combustion chamber, and wherein modifying a direction or magnitude of the motion comprises adaptively altering, in response to the sensing, a motion of the fuel or the valve, or a thermal characteristic of the fuel.