LIQUID COOLED FUEL INJECTION VALVE AND METHOD OF OPERATING A LIQUID COOLED FUEL INJECTION VALVE

摘要

A liquid cooled fuel injection valve is operable to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber through a nozzle orifice provided in an injector tip. The fuel injection valve further comprises a cooling system for draining fuel from a fuel cavity disposed within the injector tip and a drain valve that opens when pressure within the fuel cavity is greater than a predetermined set point. Fuel drained through the cooling system is directed to a drain system that may be combined with drain passages typically found in fuel injection valves. In a preferred embodiment, the drain valve is disposed within the fuel injection valve. A preferred method of operating the liquid cooled fuel injection valve comprises stopping flow through the cooling system when cooling is not required by maintaining a fuel pressure within the fuel cavity that is less than the predetermined set point, and opening the drain valve to increase fuel flow through the fuel injection valve by elevating the pressure within the fuel cavity above the predetermined set point.