Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6405707
-
Patent Number
6,405,707
-
Date Filed
Monday, December 18, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 18, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 123 320
- 123 321
- 123 322
- 123 323
- 123 324
- 123 446
- 123 447
- 123 501
- 123 9012
- 123 9013
- 123 9016
-
International Classifications
- F02D1304
- F02M5500
- F01L1306
-
Abstract
An integral engine fueling and engine compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) system comprises a fuel injection piston. A brake rocker arm extends transversely through the fuel injector and axially accommodates the fuel injector plunger and plunger return spring. The brake rocker arm is also operatively connected to the engine exhaust valve rocker arm, and a camming shaft, having a flat or planar surface portion, is operatively connected to an end portion of the brake rocker arm. When the end portion of the brake rocker arm is disposed in contact with the flat or planar surface portion of the camming shaft, normal fuel injection can occur in accordance with an electronic control module (ECM). When the electronic control module (ECM) actuates a servomechanism for rotating the camming shaft such that the end portion of the brake rocker arm is disposed in contact with a curved portion of the camming shaft, a brake actuation sleeve, mounted upon the brake rocker arm, engages the fuel injection piston such that upon actuation of the fuel injection piston, the brake rocker arm causes the exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate the exhaust valve so as to achieve engine compression braking.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a structural system which permits the engine fuel injector plunger piston to in effect control actuation of one or more of the engine exhaust valves so as to achieve compression braking of the engine.
BACKGROUND ART
In order to achieve compression braking, it is usually required to incorporate into the structural operating system various auxiliary operating components, such as, for example, pumps or other similar pumping or actuating mechanisms in order to appropriately control the engine exhaust valve which will be actuated in order to achieve the compression braking mode of the engine. The incorporation of such auxiliary actuating components into the structural operating system of the engine, however, in order to achieve the compression braking operating mode of the engine, adds substantially to the overall engine costs.
The present invention is directed to overcome on or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing need is achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system which comprises an engine cylinder; a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the engine cylinder such that the fuel can be combusted; a piston for causing pressurization of the fuel to be delivered to the fuel injector; an exhaust valve operatively associated with the engine cylinder for controlling the exhaust of gaseous products from the engine cylinder; an exhaust valve rocker arm operatively connected to the exhaust valve so as to control the opening of the exhaust valve when the exhaust of gaseous products from the engine cylinder is desired; a compression brake actuating system for operatively interconnecting the piston to the exhaust valve rocker arm; and a control system operatively connected to the compression brake actuating system for alternatively disposing the compression brake actuating system in two different operative modes wherein when the compression brake actuating system is disposed in a first one of the two different operative modes, the compression brake actuating system is operatively disconnected from the piston such that movement of the piston causes normal engine fuel injection to occur, and wherein when the compression brake actuating system is disposed in a second one of the two different operative modes, the compression brake actuating system is operatively connected to the piston such that movement of the piston causes the compression brake actuating system to actuate the exhaust valve rocker arm so as to in turn actuate the exhaust valve such that compression braking can occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system constructed showing the cooperative parts thereof; and
FIG. 2
is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to that of
FIG. 1
showing, however, another embodiment of an internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system constructed showing the cooperative parts thereof.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIG. 1
thereof, there is disclosed an embodiment of an internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system which is constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and which is generally indicated by the reference character
10
. As disclosed in
FIG. 1
, the injector mechanism or system
10
has a fuel injector member or element
12
for injecting fuel into an engine cylinder
14
which has operatively associated therewith an exhaust valve
16
for controlling the discharge of exhaust gases from the cylinder
14
through an exhaust passage or exhaust port
18
which is defined within a cylinder head
20
.
As is conventional, the fuel injector member or element
12
has operatively associated therewith a plunger mechanism or element
22
which controls the intake and pressurization of fuel to the fuel injector member or element
12
. The plunger mechanism or element
22
has a plunger return spring
24
operatively associated therewith so as to bias the plunger mechanism or element
22
upwardly. During the upward stroke, fuel is ingested into the fuel injector member or element
12
through a fuel supply port, not shown. The bottom or lower end of the plunger return spring
24
is seated upon a support platform or plate
26
of the fuel injector member or element
12
. The top or upper end of the plunger return spring
24
is engaged with an annular collar
28
fixedly mounted upon an axially central portion of the plunger mechanism or element
22
.
The upper end portion of the plunger mechanism or element
22
is engaged with a substantially inverted U-shaped or cup-shaped piston
30
. The piston
30
is fluidically or hydraulically connected to an injector control valve
32
which controls hydraulic fluid or oil to the piston
30
. The injector control valve
32
is, in turn, electronically connected to a solenoid
34
. And, an electronic control module (ECM)
36
is electronically connected to the solenoid
34
. The electronic control module (ECM)
36
controls the timing and duration of the period during which the solenoid
34
is energized or activated which, in turn, controls the opening and closing of the injector control valve
32
so as to permit or terminate the supply of hydraulic fluid or oil to the piston
30
.
The fuel injector member or element
12
is provided with a transversely or radially disposed passage or through-slot
38
through or within which there is transversely disposed a brake rocker arm
40
. The brake rocker arm
40
similarly has a centrally located, axially oriented passage or through-slot
42
which and within which the fuel injector plunger
22
and the plunger return spring
24
are respectively axially disposed and accommodated. The lower or bottom portion
44
of the brake rocker arm
40
is adapted to be seated atop or upon the support platform or plate
26
of the fuel injector member or element
12
. A tubular brake actuation sleeve
46
is adapted to be seated upon or atop an upper or top surface region of a central portion
48
of the brake rocker arm
40
.
The tubular brake actuation sleeve
46
has a flanged or headed portion
50
which is adapted to be seated upon or atop the upper or top surface region of the central portion
48
of the brake rocker arm
40
. A tubular shank portion
52
is concentrically or coaxially disposed around the upper axial end of the fuel injector plunger
22
. The axially upper end portion of the tubular shank portion
52
is disposed concentrically or coaxially within the lower end portion of the fuel injector piston
30
. The uppermost or distal end portion
54
of the tubular shank portion
52
of the brake actuation sleeve
46
is spaced from the upper transversely disposed base portion
56
of the fuel injector piston
30
as shown at
58
. During a normal fuel injection mode, as determined by the electronic control module (ECM)
36
, the brake actuation sleeve
46
is simply disposed atop the brake rocker arm
40
and does not interfere with the axially downward movement of the fuel injector piston
30
.
With reference continuing to be made to
FIG. 1
, a cam shaft
60
is rotatably disposed upon or fixed at a predetermined vertical position with respect to the upper surface of the engine cylinder head
20
. The cam shaft
60
is operatively connected to the electronic control module (ECM)
36
as shown at
62
such that the electronic control module (ECM)
36
can control the rotational or pivotal disposition of the cam shaft
60
, for example, by a suitable servomechanism, not shown. As viewed in
FIG. 1
, brake rocker arm
40
has a right end portion
64
which is normally disposed in contact with a flattened or planar portion
66
of the cam shaft
60
. In order to maintain the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
in contact with the flattened or planar portion
66
of the camming shaft
60
, a biasing spring
68
is interposed the upper surface section of the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
and an engine support surface
70
.
Brake rocker arm
40
has a left end portion
72
which is provided with a bore
74
through which an adjustable braking rod
76
extends. The lower end portion of the adjustable braking rod
76
is provided with a head or collar portion
78
which engages an undersurface portion
80
of the left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
. An exhaust valve rocker arm
82
is provided for conventionally controlling the opening of the engine exhaust valve
16
in response to actuation of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
. The engine camshaft
84
acts upon a roller member
86
disposed upon a left end portion of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
. The camshaft
84
pivots or rotates the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
in the clockwise direction around its rocker arm shaft
87
. And in a reverse manner, the closing of the engine exhaust valve
16
is achieved by an exhaust valve return spring
88
.
As can be seen from
FIG. 1
, the lower end portion of the exhaust valve return spring
88
is seated upon or atop the cylinder head
20
. The upper end portion of the exhaust valve return spring
88
is engaged with a collar
90
which is fixed upon an upper end portion, not shown, of the engine exhaust valve stem
92
. The engine exhaust valve stem
92
is actually disposed behind the adjustable braking rod
76
operatively associated with the brake rocker arm
40
. The upper end portion, not shown, of the engine exhaust valve stem
92
is disposed within the right end portion
93
of the exhaust rocker arm
82
of a suitable fixture assembly, also not shown. The right end portion
93
of the exhaust rocker arm
82
is disposed in contact with the collar portion
90
as a result of the upward biasing of the collar portion
90
of the exhaust valve return spring
88
.
In a similar manner, exhaust rocker arm
82
is provided with a through-bore
94
through which the upper end portion of the adjustable braking rod
76
is disposed. An adjustment nut
96
is threadedly engaged with the upper end portion of the adjustable braking rod
76
and is seated upon or atop the exhaust rocker arm
82
. Thus, to properly adjust the disposition of the adjustable braking rod
76
, and in particular, its collar portion
78
, with respect to the brake rocker arm
40
, the collar portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
must be properly engaged with the lower undersurface or underside portion
80
of the brake rocker arm
40
.
It is to be further appreciated that the upper end portion of the adjustable braking rod
76
and the through-bore
94
provided within the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
are predeterminedly sized with respect to each other. When the camshaft
84
actuates the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
causing the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
to pivot in a clockwise manner, with respect to its rocker arm shaft
87
, causing the engine exhaust valve
16
to open during a normal exhaust mode of the engine, there is no corresponding actuation or movement of the adjustable braking rod
76
or the brake rocker arm
40
. To the contrary, when the brake rocker arm
40
is actuated, as will be described more in detail hereinafter, the downward and counterclockwise movement of the brake rocker arm
40
will be transmitted to the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
by the collar portion
78
and the nut
96
of the adjustable braking rod
76
. The actuation causes clockwise pivotal movement of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
with respect to its rocker arm shaft
87
. The engine exhaust valve
16
, in turn, is caused to be opened by the connection between the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
and the stem portion
92
of the engine exhaust valve
16
. The cylinder head
20
is provided with a stop member
98
which is normally spaced from collar portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
. The stop member
98
limits the downward and counterclockwise movement of the left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
as a result of the collar portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
engaging the stop member
98
.
With reference now being made to
FIG. 2
, another embodiment of the internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system is generally indicated by the reference character
110
. The internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system
10
of the present invention as disclosed in
FIG. 1
are designated by similar reference characters except that the reference characters designating the various components of the mechanism or system
110
of the present invention as disclosed within
FIG. 2
will be within the 100 series.
The internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism
10
of the present invention as disclosed in
FIG. 1
, however, it is to be appreciated that the arrangement of such component parts of the embodiment system or mechanism
110
shown in
FIG. 2
is somewhat different than that arrangement of the component parts of the first embodiment system or mechanism
10
of FIG.
1
. Accordingly, the following discussion and description of the embodiment system or mechanism
110
as disclosed within
FIG. 2
will focus only upon such different arrangement of the noted component parts of the system or mechanism
110
.
With reference therefore being made to
FIG. 2
, the embodiment of the internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system
10
disclosed within
FIG. 1
except for the arrangement or relative disposition of the brake rocker arm
140
with respect to the fuel injector plunger
122
, the adjustable braking rod
176
, and the camming shaft
160
. For example, it is readily apparent that, in lieu of the cam shaft
60
being disposed remote from the exhaust rocker arm
82
and the cam shaft
84
and being disposed upon one side of the fuel injector
12
and the fuel injector plunger mechanism
22
. The exhaust rocker arm
82
and the cam shaft
84
are disposed upon the opposite side of the fuel injector
12
and the fuel injector plunger mechanism
22
. In accordance with the structural arrangement of the mechanism or system
110
, the cam shaft
160
is disposed adjacent to or within the vicinity of the exhaust rocker arm
182
and the cam shaft
184
. Therefore, the cam shaft
160
, the cam shaft
184
, and the exhaust rocker arm
182
are all disposed upon the same side of the fuel injector
112
and the fuel injector plunger mechanism
122
.
In addition, in lieu of the axially oriented passage or through-slot
42
, within which the fuel injector plunger mechanism
22
and the plunger return spring
24
are axially disposed, being defined or provided within a central portion of the brake rocker
40
, an axially oriented passage or through-slot
142
is provided within the right side or right end portion
164
of the brake rocker arm
140
so as to accommodate the fuel injector plunger mechanism
122
and the plunger return spring
124
. Still further, the cam shaft
160
is operatively engaged with the left side or left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
. A biasing spring
168
is interposed the left side or left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
. A recessed support portion
170
is defined within the cylinder head
120
so as to maintain the left side or left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
engaged with the cam shaft
160
. The central portion of the brake rocker arm
140
is provided with a through-bore
174
for accommodating the passage therethrough of the adjustable braking rod
176
.
Industrial Applicability
In operation during normal fuel injection of the internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system
10
, the electronic control module (ECM)
36
is energized. A signal is sent to the solenoid
34
, activated which in turn controls the disposition of the injector control valve
32
. The injector control valve
32
controls the flow of hydraulic fluid or oil to actuate the fuel injector piston
30
. The fuel injector piston
30
actuates the fuel injector plunger mechanism
22
so as to achieve fuel injection. The space
58
between the upper end portion
56
of the fuel injector piston
30
and the upper end portion
54
of the brake actuation sleeve
46
, as well as the provision of the through-passage or slot
42
within the brake rocker arm
40
, the upward and downward movements of the fuel injector piston
30
and the fuel injector plunger mechanism
22
can occur without any interference being encountered with the brake rocker arm
40
or the brake actuation sleeve
46
.
Alternatively, when engine compression braking is desired, the electronic control module (ECM)
36
transmits a signal to the solenoid
34
for controlling the injector control valve
32
, and in turn the fuel injector piston
30
, in accordance with engine compression braking timing and duration. Simultaneously with the transmission of the signal to the solenoid
34
, the electronic control module (ECM)
36
also transmits a signal to the servomechanism or the like, not shown, operatively associated with the cam shaft
60
by signal line
62
.
As a result of such signal the cam shaft
60
is pivoted or rotated. For example, through an angle of 90 degrees, such that in lieu of the flattened or planar surface portion
66
of the cam shaft
60
being disposed in contact or engagement with the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
, the curved cam surface of the cam shaft
60
is disposed in contact or engagement with the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
. As a result of this altered disposition of the cam shaft
60
, the right end portion
64
and the central portion of the brake rocker arm
40
are elevated with respect to the left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
. This serves as a pivotal fulcrum as a result of the left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
being seated upon the head or collar portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
. The left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
cannot move lower at this stage because it is seated upon the head or collar portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
. The adjustable braking rod
76
is prevented from moving axially lower in view of the axial disposition of the adjustable braking rod
76
. The adjustable braking rod
76
is in effect fixed by the nut
96
which is seated upon the right end portion
93
of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
. The right end portion
93
of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
is also disposed at its elevated position as a result of the cam shaft
84
being disposed at a relative rotational position. At this stage, this does not cause the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
to pivot in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, the right end portion
93
of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
is disposed at its elevated position as a result of being acted upon by the collar
90
and the exhaust valve return spring
88
.
As a result of the elevation of the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
, and in particular, as a result of the elevation of the central portion
48
of the brake rocker arm
40
, the brake actuation sleeve
46
, which is seated atop the central portion
48
of the brake rocker arm
40
, is elevated such that the uppermost end portion
54
of the brake actuation sleeve
46
will now be nearly engaged with the base portion
56
of the fuel injector piston
30
. As a result of this relative disposition defined between the brake actuation sleeve
46
and the fuel injector piston
30
, when the electronic control module (ECM)
36
sends the signal to the solenoid
34
for controlling the injector control valve
32
, and in turn the fuel injector piston
30
, in accordance with engine compression braking timing and duration, the fuel injector piston
30
will be moved downwardly. Accordingly, as a result of the noted engagement or contact defined between the fuel injector piston
30
and the brake actuation sleeve
46
, the brake actuation sleeve
46
will also be moved downwardly.
The downward movement of the brake actuation sleeve
46
causes the brake rocker arm
40
to tend to move lower or downwardly. However, since the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
is in effect fixed as a result of being engaged with the curved portion of the cam shaft
66
, and since the cam shaft
66
is seated atop or otherwise vertically fixed in position with respect to the cylinder head
20
, the only way that the brake rocker arm
40
can in effect move lower or downwardly is for the central and left end portions
48
,
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
to in effect pivot or rotate in a counterclockwise manner with respect to the right end portion
64
of the brake rocker arm
40
. This position serves as a fulcrum as a result of being seated upon and engaged with the camshaft
60
. The downward or lowered movement of the left end portion
72
of the brake rocker arm
40
causes a clockwise pivotal or rotational movement of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
. The connection defined between the adjustable braking rod
76
and the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
causes downward movement and consequent opening of the engine exhaust valve
16
through the connection defined between the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
and the valve stem
92
. Compression braking is therefore able to be achieved. As a result of the disposition of the stop member
98
upon the cylinder head
20
, collar or head portion
78
of the adjustable braking rod
76
will encounter the same so as to predeterminedly limit the downward movement of the adjustable braking rod
76
. And the disposition of the stop member
98
results in the pivotal movement of the brake rocker arm
40
, the pivotal movement of the exhaust valve rocker arm
82
, and the downward or opening movement of the engine exhaust valve
16
.
In a similar manner, in connection with the operation of another embodiment of the internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) mechanism or system
110
, normal fuel injection operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment previously discussed. The operation of the system
110
of this embodiment is essentially the same as that of the system
10
of the other embodiment. Although the actual movements and disposition of the various structural components of the system
110
of this embodiment are different with respect to the corresponding components of the system
10
of the other embodiment.
When compression braking is to be initiated, the electronic control module (ECM)
136
sends a signal to the servomechanism or the like, not shown, controlling the cam shaft
160
. The cam shaft
160
is rotated or pivoted such that the flattened surface
166
of the shaft
160
is no longer in contact with the left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
. Accordingly, the left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
is caused to move downwardly against the biasing force of the spring
168
. And since the adjustable braking rod
176
is in effect positionally fixed in a vertical or axial mode for the same reasons that the adjustable braking rod
76
of the first embodiment was similarly fixed at this stage. The brake rocker arm
140
is caused to be pivoted or rotated in the counterclockwise direction, thus, the right end portion
164
of the brake rocker arm
140
is, in effect, moved upwardly. As a result of such upward movement of the right end portion
164
of the brake rocker arm
140
, brake actuation sleeve
146
is moved upwardly such that the uppermost or distal end portion
154
is disposed into close engagement with the base or transverse portion
156
of the fuel injector piston
130
.
Consequently, the electronic control module (ECM)
136
sends a signal to the solenoid
134
so as to initiate compression braking and control. The actuation of the injector control valve
132
which, in turn, controls the actuation of the fuel injector piston
130
, downward movement of the fuel injector piston
130
will cause downward movement of the brake actuation sleeve
146
. As a result of the engagement of the brake actuation sleeve
146
with the right end portion
164
of the brake rocker arm
140
, the right end portion
164
of the brake rocker arm
140
is caused to move downwardly. Since the left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
is in effect vertically or elevationally fixed by the disposition of the cam shaft
160
, and more particularly as a result of the aforenoted engagement of the curved portion of the cam shaft
160
with the left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
, the left end portion
172
of the brake rocker arm
140
now serves as the pivot point or fulcrum about which the brake rocker arm
140
is pivoted or rotated in the clockwise direction. Such pivotal or rotational movement of the brake rocker arm
140
causes the downward or lowered movement of the adjustable braking rod
176
. As a result of the engagement of the collar or head portion
178
of the adjustable braking rod
176
with the brake rocker arm
140
, the exhaust valve rocker arm
182
is caused to be pivoted or rotated in the clockwise direction. This movement of the exhaust valve rocker arm
182
causes downward or lowered movement of the exhaust valve stem
192
. Thus, the exhaust valve
116
is opened so as to achieve compression braking. Downward movement of the adjustable braking rod
176
is noted as being limited as a result of the engagement of the head or collar portion
178
of the adjustable braking rod
176
with the stop member
198
formed upon the cylinder head
120
.
Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, the fuel injector piston is utilized to achieve normal fuel injection and is also used to control the actuation of the engine exhaust valve in conjunction with the achievement of engine compression braking such that additional or auxiliary structural components, such as pumps or similar pumping mechanisms, are not required whereby the cost of the engine compression braking may be contained.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking system, comprising:an engine cylinder; a fuel injector for injecting fuel into said engine cylinder so as to be combusted; a fuel injector piston for causing pressurization of fuel to be delivered to said fuel injector; an exhaust valve operatively associated with said engine cylinder for controlling the exhaust of gaseous products from said engine cylinder; an exhaust valve rocker arm operatively connected to said exhaust valve so as to control opening of said exhaust valve when exhaust of gaseous products from said engine cylinder is desired; a compression brake actuating system for operatively interconnecting said piston to said exhaust valve rocker arm; and a control system operatively connected to said compression brake actuating system for alternatively disposing said compression brake actuating system in two different modes wherein when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in a first one of said two different modes, said compression brake actuating system is operatively disconnected from said piston such that movement of said piston causes normal engine fuel injection to occur, and wherein when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in a second one of said two different modes, said compression brake actuating system is operatively connected to said piston such that movement of said piston causes said compression brake actuating system to actuate said exhaust valve rocker arm so as to in turn actuate said exhaust valve such that compression braking can occur.
- 2. The system as set forth in claim 1, including an injector control valve for fluidically controlling said fuel injector piston, a solenoid for controlling operation of said injector control valve, and an electronic control module (ECM) for transmitting a signal to said solenoid for actuating said solenoid so as to control said injector control valve when both engine fuel injection and engine compression braking modes are to be initiated.
- 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compression brake actuating system includes a brake rocker arm, a brake actuation sleeve mounted upon said brake rocker arm and operatively engageable with said piston when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in said second one of said two different modes, and an adjustable braking rod interconnecting said brake rocker arm to said exhaust valve rocker arm.
- 4. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said fuel injector has a transversely oriented bore defined therein, and said brake rocker arm extends through said transversely oriented bore defined within said fuel injector.
- 5. The system as set forth in claim 3 including an injector control valve for fluidically controlling said fuel injector piston, a solenoid for controlling operation of said injector control valve, and an electronic control module (ECM) for transmitting a signal to said solenoid for actuating said solenoid so as to control said injector control valve when both engine fuel injection and engine compression braking modes are to be initiated.
- 6. The system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control system includes a cam shaft operatively connected to said electronic control module (ECM) and operatively engaged with said brake rocker arm for moving said brake rocker arm, in response to an electrical signal received from said electronic control module (ECM), such that said brake actuation sleeve is engaged with said fuel injector piston whereupon actuation of said fuel injector piston, said brake rocker arm causes said exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate said exhaust valve to its open position so as to achieve engine compression braking.
- 7. The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fuel injector piston has a substantially inverted cup-shaped configuration, a fuel injector plunger is operatively connected to said fuel injector piston, and said brake actuation sleeve includes a tubular member radially interposed said fuel injector plunger and said fuel injector piston such that said brake actuation sleeve surrounds a portion of said fuel injector plunger and is encompassed within said fuel injector piston.
- 8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said brake rocker arm has an axially oriented passage defined therein, said fuel injector plunger has a return spring operatively connected thereto, and said fuel injector plunger and said return spring are housingly accommodated within said axially oriented passage defined within said brake rocker arm.
- 9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said axially oriented passage is defined within a central portion of said brake rocker arm, said adjustable braking rod is operatively connected to a first end portion of said brake rocker arm, and said control system includes a cam shaft operatively engaged with a second opposite end of said brake rocker arm for moving said brake rocker arm such that said brake actuation sleeve is engaged with said fuel injector piston whereupon actuation of said fuel injector piston, said brake rocker arm causes said exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate said exhaust valve to its open position so as to achieve engine compression braking.
- 10. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said axially oriented passage is defined within a first end portion of said brake rocker arm, said adjustable braking rod is operatively connected to a central portion of said brake rocker arm, and said control system includes a cam shaft operatively engaged with a second opposite end of said brake rocker arm for moving said brake rocker arm such that said brake actuation sleeve is engaged with said fuel injector piston whereupon actuation of said fuel injector piston, said brake rocker arm causes said exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate said exhaust valve to its open position so as to achieve engine compression braking.
- 11. An internal combustion engine fueling and compression braking system, comprising:an engine cylinder; a fuel injector for injecting fuel into said engine cylinder so as to be combusted; a piston for causing pressurization of fuel to be delivered to said fuel injector; an exhaust valve operatively associated with said engine cylinder for controlling the exhaust of gaseous products from said engine cylinder; an exhaust valve rocker arm operatively connected to said exhaust valve so as to control opening of said exhaust valve when exhaust of gaseous products from said engine cylinder is desired; and a compression brake actuating system operatively connected to said exhaust valve rocker arm and being alternatively disposable in two different modes wherein when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in a first one of said two different modes, said compression brake actuating system is operatively disconnected from said piston such that movement of said piston causes normal engine fuel injection to occur, and wherein when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in a second one of said two different modes, said compression brake actuating system is operatively connected to said piston such that movement of said piston causes said compression brake actuating system to actuate said exhaust valve rocker arm so as to in turn actuate said exhaust valve such that compression braking can occur.
- 12. The system as set forth in claim 11 including an injector control valve for fluidically controlling said fuel injector piston, a solenoid for controlling operation of said injector control valve, and an electronic control module (ECM) for transmitting a signal to said solenoid for actuating said solenoid so as to control said injector control valve when both engine fuel injection and engine compression braking modes are to be initiated.
- 13. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said compression brake actuating system includes a brake rocker arm, a brake actuation sleeve mounted upon said brake rocker arm and operatively engageable with said piston when said compression brake actuating system is disposed in said second one of said two different modes, and an adjustable braking rod interconnecting said brake rocker arm to said exhaust valve rocker arm.
- 14. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fuel injector has a transversely oriented bore defined therein, and said brake rocker arm extends through said transversely oriented bore defined within said fuel injector.
- 15. The system as set forth in claim 13, including an injector control valve for fluidically controlling said fuel injector piston, a solenoid for controlling operation of said injector control valve, and an electronic control module (ECM) for transmitting a signal to said solenoid for actuating said solenoid so as to control said injector control valve when both engine fuel injection and engine compression braking modes are to be initiated.
- 16. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fuel injector piston has a substantially inverted cup-shaped configuration, a fuel injector plunger is operatively connected to said fuel injector piston, and said brake actuation sleeve includes a tubular member radially interposed said fuel injector plunger and said fuel injector piston such that said brake actuation sleeve surrounds a portion of said fuel injector plunger and is encompassed within said fuel injector piston.
- 17. The system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said brake rocker arm has an axially oriented passage defined therein, said fuel injector plunger has a return spring operatively connected thereto, and said fuel injector plunger and said return spring are housingly accommodated within said axially oriented passage defined within said brake rocker arm.
- 18. The system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said axially oriented passage is defined within a central portion of said brake rocker arm, said adjustable braking rod is operatively connected to a first end portion of said brake rocker arm, and a camming shaft is operatively engaged with a second opposite end of said brake rocker arm for moving said brake rocker arm such that said brake actuation sleeve is engaged with said fuel injector piston whereupon actuation of said fuel injector piston, said brake rocker arm causes said exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate said exhaust valve to its open position so as to achieve engine compression braking.
- 19. The system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said axially oriented passage is defined within a first end portion of said brake rocker arm, said adjustable braking rod is operatively connected to a central portion of said brake rocker arm, and a cam shaft is operatively engaged with a second opposite end of said brake rocker arm for moving said brake rocker arm such that said brake actuation sleeve is engaged with said fuel injector piston whereupon actuation of said fuel injector piston, said brake rocker arm causes said exhaust valve rocker arm to actuate said exhaust valve to its open position so as to achieve engine compression braking.
US Referenced Citations (22)