Fuel injector with air bubble/fuel dispersion prior to injection and method of operation

摘要

A fuel injector for an engine includes a fuel volume (24) having an air inlet port (30) having a porous membrane (38). The membrane (38) is permeable to air and impermeable to fuel whereby air inlet to the fuel volume (24) forms a two-phase air bubble/fuel dispersion within the fuel volume (24). Upon actuation of the needle valve (18) of the injector, this two-phase air bubble/fuel dispersion flows through the orifice (28) into the engine whereby improved atomization, burn and fuel economy with resultant reduction in emissions are provided.