INDUCTIVE HEATED INJECTOR USING VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. A first coil receives a first signal from a driver to generate a first magnetic field that moves an armature between an open and closed position. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The alternating current signal produces a time varying second magnetic field that induces heating of a magnetically active component with the fuel flow that in turn heats the fuel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of an example fuel injector assembly.

FIG. 2A is a sketch representing an example drive signal including an alternating current signal interposed on a direct current signal.

FIG. 2B is another sketch representing an example drive signal including only the direct current signal.

FIG. 3 is schematic representation of another example fuel injector assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a portion of another example fuel injector assembly.

Claims

1. A fuel injector assembly comprising: a first coil for generating a first magnetic field responsive to a first signal;a second coil generating a second magnetic field responsive to a second signal sent to the first coil; anda component within a fuel flow path heated responsive to the second magnetic field generated by the second coil.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a direct current and the second signal comprises an alternating current superimposed onto the first direct current signal.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the first signal and the second signal operate independent of each other.

4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, including an armature movable responsive to the first magnetic field for controlling a flow of fuel, wherein a portion of the armature is inductively heated by the second magnetic field.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, including an armature movable within a tube that defines an annular fuel flow channel between the armature and the tube.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the second coil is disposed within the fuel flow path.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the second coil is nested within the first coil.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the second magnetic field comprises a time varying magnetic field that induces hysteretic and eddy current loses within the component that generate heat within component within the fuel flow path.

10. A method of heating fuel comprising the steps of: a) generating a first magnetic field in a first coil responsive to a first signal;b) generating a second magnetic field in a second coil responsive to a second signal transmitted to the first coil; andc) heating a component within a flow of fuel with the second magnetic field generated by the second coil.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, including the step of inducing the second magnetic field in the second coil with the second signal to the first coil.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the second coil is disposed within the flow of fuel.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the first signal is a direct current signal and the second signal is an alternating current interposed onto the direct current signal.

14. The method as recited in claim 10, including the step of moving an armature responsive to generation of the first magnetic field.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step b, comprise a generating time varying magnetic field with the alternating current signal.