CAPILLARY FUEL INJECTOR AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING POWER BY COMBUSTION OF VAPORIZED OR AEROSOLIZED FUEL MIXTURES

摘要

A fuel injector for delivering vaporized or aerosolized fuel mixtures to a spark ignited internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes a fuel injector body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, the fuel injector body comprising a valve assembly positioned within the fuel injector body and adjacent the first end, and a solenoid for actuating the valve assembly, the solenoid positioned within the fuel injector body between the first end and the second end; at least one capillary flow passage positioned along the outer surface of the fuel injector body, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the fuel within the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to permit at least a portion of the fuel to transition from a liquid state to a vapor state downstream of the fuel injector; wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve and a valve seat, the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage positioned adjacent to and upstream of the valve seat to minimize heat transfer from the heated fuel to the fuel injector. A fuel system having multi-fuel capability for delivering vaporized or aerosolized fuel mixtures to a spark ignited internal combustion engine and a method of operating a spark-ignited engine on middle-distillate fuel are also provided.

主权项

1. A fuel injector for delivering vaporized or aerosolized fuel mixtures to a spark ignited internal combustion engine, comprising:
(a) a fuel injector body having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, the fuel injector body comprising a valve assembly positioned within the fuel injector body and adjacent the first end, and a solenoid for actuating the valve assembly, the solenoid positioned within the fuel injector body between the first end and the second end; (b) at least one capillary flow passage positioned along the outer surface of the fuel injector body, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end; and (c) a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the fuel within the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to permit at least a portion of the fuel to transition from a liquid state to a vapor state downstream of the fuel injector; wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve and a valve seat, the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage positioned adjacent to and upstream of the valve seat to minimize heat transfer from the heated fuel to the fuel injector.