SEAL MEMBER FOR REDUCTANT DELIVERY UNIT

Abstract

A reductant delivery unit includes a fluid injector having a fluid inlet for receiving a reductant, and a fluid outlet disposed for discharging the reductant, the fluid injector defining a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The fluid injector further includes a tube having an end disposed at the fluid inlet of the fluid injector, the tube configured to pass reductant along the fluid path. A cup covers the end of the tube, including a sidewall and an axial end portion. A compressible seal member is disposed within the cup between the end of the tube and the axial end portion of the cup, the seal member occupying a volume so as to reduce an amount of space for reductant between the tube and the cup.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fluid injector of a reductant delivery unit (RDU), and particularly to a robust RDU fluid injector for non-purge applications.

BACKGROUND

Emissions regulations in Europe and North America are driving the implementation of new exhaust aftertreatment systems, particularly for lean-burn technologies such as compression-ignition (diesel) engines, and stratified-charge spark-ignited engines (usually with direct injection) that are operating under lean and ultra-lean conditions. Lean-burn engines exhibit high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) that are difficult to treat in oxygen-rich exhaust environments characteristic of lean-burn combustion. Exhaust aftertreatment technologies are currently being developed that treat NOx under these conditions.

One of these technologies includes a catalyst that facilitates the reactions of ammonia (NH₃) with the exhaust nitrogen oxides (NOx) to produce nitrogen (N₂) and water (H₂O). This technology is referred to as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Ammonia is difficult to handle in its pure form in the automotive environment, therefore it is customary with these systems to use a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and/or liquid aqueous urea solution, typically at a 32% concentration of urea (CO(NH₂)₂). The solution is referred to as AUS-32, and is also known under its commercial name of AdBlue. The reductant solution is delivered to the hot exhaust stream typically through the use of an injector, and is transformed into ammonia prior to entry in the catalyst. More specifically, the solution is delivered to the hot exhaust stream and is transformed into ammonia in the exhaust after undergoing thermolysis, or thermal decomposition, into ammonia and isocyanic acid (HNCO). The isocyanic acid then undergoes a hydrolysis with the water present in the exhaust and is transformed into ammonia and carbon dioxide (CO₂), the ammonia resulting from the thermolysis and the hydrolysis then undergoes a catalyzed reaction with the nitrogen oxides as described previously.

AUS-32, or AdBlue, has a freezing point of −11 C, and system freezing is expected to occur in cold climates. Since these fluids are aqueous, volume expansion happens after the transition to the solid state upon freezing. The expanding solid can exert significant forces on any enclosed volumes, such as an injector. This expansion may cause damage to the injection unit, so different SCR strategies exist for addressing reductant expansion.

There are two known SCR system strategies in the marketplace: purge systems and non-purge systems. In purge SCR systems, the reductant urea and/or DEF solution is purged from the RDU when the vehicle engine is turned off. In non-purge SCR systems, the reductant remains in the RDUs throughout the life of the vehicle. During normal operation of a non-purge SCR system, the RDU injector operates at temperatures which are above the freezing point of the reductant such that reductant in the RDU remains in the liquid state. When the vehicle engine is turned off in the non-purge SCR system, however, the RDU injector remains filled with reductant, thereby making the RDU injector susceptible to damage from reductant expanding in freezing conditions.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments overcome shortcomings found in existing RDU fluid injectors and provide an improved fluid injector for non-purge SCR systems in which the adverse effects from the RDU being in temperatures that are below the freezing point of reductant are reduced. According to an example embodiment, an RDU includes a fluid injector having a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of the fluid injector for receiving a reductant, and a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the fluid injector for discharging the reductant, the fluid injector defining a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The fluid injector further includes a tube member having an end disposed at the fluid inlet of the fluid injector, the tube member configured to pass reductant along the fluid path. A cup covers the end of the tube member and includes a sidewall and an end portion extending radially inwardly from the sidewall. A seal member is disposed within the cup between the end of the tube member and the end portion of the cup. The seal member occupies a volume so as to reduce an amount of space for reductant between the tube member and the cup.

The fluid injector further includes an injector component disposed in the tube member proximal to the fluid inlet of the fluid injector, and the seal member contacts the injector component.

In an example embodiment, the injector component is at least one of a filter and a cap member therefor.

In an example embodiment, the seal member is constructed from compressible material, and the seal member is under compression in the reductant delivery unit.

The seal member may extend radially outwardly such that an outer radial sidewall of the seal member contacts the sidewall of the cup.

The seal member includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a protrusion which extends from the bottom surface and is disposed within the end of the tube member. The protrusion has an outer diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the outer radial sidewall of the seal member.

The seal member includes a bore defined therethrough, the bore defining part of the fluid path through the reductant delivery unit.

The seal member may include a protrusion which extends into the end of the tube member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an RDU for a non-purge SCR system according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the inlet portion of the fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of the fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the outlet portion of the fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the inlet portion of the fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of components of the fluid injector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the inlet portion of the fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to yet another example embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of components of the fluid injector of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a component of the fluid injector of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of RDU of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seal member of the injector of the RDU of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a cutout perspective view of the seal member of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the example embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Example embodiments are generally directed to an RDU for a non-purge SCR system in which damaging effects from a reductant, DEF and/or urea solution freezing in the RDU injector are reduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates an RDU 10 of a non-purge SCR system according to an example embodiment. RDU 10 includes a solenoid fluid injector, generally indicated at 12, that provides a metering function of fluid and provides the spray preparation of the fluid into the exhaust path of a vehicle in a dosing application. Thus, fluid injector 12 is constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter (not shown). Fluid injector 12 may be an electrically operated, solenoid fuel injector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, fluid injector 12 includes an actuator unit having a coil 14 and a movable armature 16. Components of injector 12 define a fluid path for a reductant, DEF and/or urea solution through injector 12. The reductant, DEF and/or urea solution which RDU 10 is configured to inject into the exhaust path of a vehicle engine will be hereinafter referred to as “reductant” for simplicity.

Fluid injector 12 is disposed in an interior carrier 18 of RDU 10, as shown in FIG. 1. An injector shield, generally indicated at 20, is formed by upper shield 20A and lower shield 20B, which surround injector 12 and are coupled to carrier 18 by folding tangs of a flange 22 of lower shield 20B over shelf features of carrier 18 and upper shield 20A. As a result, shield 20 and carrier 18 are fixed with respect to injector 12.

An inlet cup structure of RDU 10, generally indicated at 24 in FIG. 1, includes a cup 26 and a fluid supply tube 28 integrally formed with cup 26. Fluid supply tube 28 is in communication with a source of a reductant (not shown) that is fed into a fluid inlet 30 of injector 12 for ejection from a fluid outlet 32 thereof and into the exhaust stream of a vehicle engine (not shown). Fluid inlet 30 of injector 12 is in fluid communication with fluid supply tube 28. Fluid outlet 32 is fluidly connected with a flange outlet 34 of an exhaust flange 36 that is coupled directly with an end of lower shield 20B of RDU 10.

Injector 12 includes an injector body structure in which the components of injector 12 are disposed. The injector body structure includes a first injector body portion 38 in which coil 14 and armature 16 are disposed, and a valve body portion 40 in which a valve assembly of injector 12 is at least partly disposed. First injector body portion 38 and valve body portion 40 are fixedly connected, either directly or indirectly, to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, fluid injector 12 includes a tube member 42 which is at least partly disposed within first injector body portion 38. The outer surface of tube member 42 contacts the inner surface of first injector body portion 38. An upstream end of tube member 42 is disposed within cup 26 and is in fluid communication with fluid supply tube 28. An O-ring 44 is disposed within cup 26, between an inner surface thereof and the outer surface of tube member 42, proximal to the upstream end of tube member 42. O-ring 44 serves to ensure that reductant exiting fluid supply tube 28 passes into the upstream end of tube member 42 of injector 12.

The actuator unit of fluid injector 12 further includes a pole piece 46 which is fixedly disposed within first injector body portion 38. Coil 14 at least partly surrounds pole piece 46 and armature 16. Pole piece 46 is disposed upstream of armature 16 within injector 12. Pole piece 46 includes a central bore defined axially therethrough.

Armature 16 includes a U-shaped section which defines a pocket in which at least part of a spring 50 is disposed. Spring 50, which is part of the actuator unit, biases movable armature 16 so that armature 16 is spaced apart from pole piece 46 when no current is passed through coil 14. Spring 50 partly extends within the central bore of pole piece 46. An end of spring 50 which extends within pole piece 46 contacts a spring adjustment tube 52. Spring adjustment tube 52 is at least partly disposed within the central bore of pole piece 46, upstream (relative to a direction of flow of reductant through injector 12) of spring 50. Spring adjustment tube 52 includes a bore defined axially therethrough. The throughbore of spring adjustment tube 52 partly defines the fluid path for reductant in fluid injector 12, and defines the only fluid path for reductant through pole piece 46. Due to its engagement with spring 50, spring adjustment tube 52 is used to calibrate the dynamic flow of reductant through fluid injector 12.

Armature 16 further includes one or more channels 60 (FIGS. 1 and 2) defined through the armature 16 from an interior of the pocket to an upstream end portion of pin member 58. Channels 60 may be equally spaced about armature 16. In an example embodiment, armature 16 includes a single channel which is defined entirely around the base of the pocket formed by pocket wall 16A. Channel(s) 60 allows reductant to flow from the pocket of armature 16 to the space around the upstream end of pin member 58. The pocket of armature 16 and the channel(s) 60 together partly define the reductant fluid path of the fluid injector 12 and define the only part of the fluid path passing through or around armature 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the valve assembly of injector 12 includes a seal member 54 and a seat 56. Seal member 54 is connected to armature 16 via a pin member 58, which is disposed between seal member 54 and the downstream end of armature 16. Seal member 54, pin member 58 and armature 16 may combine to form an armature assembly. When coil 14 is energized, coil 14 generates an electromagnetic force acting on armature 16 which overcomes the bias force from spring 50 and causes armature 16 to move towards pole piece 46, which correspondingly moves pin member 58 so that seal member 54 is lifted off of, and disengages from, seat 56, moving the armature assembly to an open position and thus permitting reductant to pass through fluid outlet 32 to flange outlet 34 and into the exhaust path of the vehicle engine. When coil 14 is de-energized, the electromagnetic force dissipates and spring 50 biases armature 16 so that armature 16 is moved away from pole piece 46, resulting in seal member 54 sealingly engaging with seat 56, changing the armature assembly back to a closed position. With the armature assembly in the closed position, reductant is prevented from flowing through seat 56 and flange outlet 34 and into the exhaust path of the vehicle engine.

As mentioned above, RDU 10 forms part of a non-purge SCR exhaust aftertreatment system. As a result, reductant remains in fluid injector 12 following the vehicle engine being turned off. In example embodiments, fluid injector 12 is configured so that the amount of reductant in fluid injector 12 is reduced. In other words, the total volume of the fluid path for reductant through fluid injector 12 is reduced. By having less space for reductant in injector 12, the amount of reductant in RDU 10 that may potentially freeze is reduced, thereby reducing the susceptibility of injector 12 being damaged by expansion forces from frozen reductant.

In order to reduce the volume of the reductant fluid path in fluid injector 12, the thickness of valve body portion 40 is increased. In addition, pin member 58 is constructed as a solid element such that reductant flows around the outer surface of pin member 58, instead of therethrough. The spacing between the outer surface of pin 58 and the inner surface of valve body portion 40, which partly defines the fluid path for reductant through injector 12, is narrowed. This narrowed portion of the fluid path is the only fluid path for reductant between armature 16 and seat 56 in fluid injector 12. The narrowed fluid path between pin 58 and valve body portion 40 provides a sufficient reductant flow rate through fluid injector 12 for performing reductant injection during normal operation of RDU 10 while at the same time maintaining a relatively small volume of reductant within injector 12 so as to lessen the risk of injector 12 being damage from the reductant therein freezing.

Further, the diameter of the pocket of armature 16, in which spring 50 is at least partly disposed, is reduced, which allows for the thickness of pocket wall 16A of armature 16 to be increased. In an example embodiment, the thickness of pocket wall 16A is between 45% and 75% of the diameter of pocket, such as about 60%. The increase in thickness of pocket wall 16A, as well as the increased thickness of valve body portion 40 and pin member 50 being a solid pin, result in the components of injector 12 being strengthened and thus more resistant to reductant freezing forces.

Still further, the bore of spring adjustment tube 52 is sized for reducing the volume of the reductant fluid path in injector 12. In an example embodiment, the diameter of the bore of spring adjustment tube 52 is between 12% and 22% of the outer diameter of pole piece 46, and particularly between 16% and 19% thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates an upstream portion of injector 12. Tube member 42 extends at least partly though injector 12. The reductant fluid path through injector 12 passes through tube member 42. Injector 12 includes a filter 204 disposed within tube member 42 proximal to the end thereof. Filter 204 is a structurally rigid, sintered metal filter, such as a stainless steel material, in order to better withstand expansion forces from reductant freezing. Filter 204 may have a supporting outer structure for added strength. Best seen in FIG. 3, filter 204 is disposed within a cap member 206. Cap member 206 is largely cylindrically shaped having a sidewall 206A extending circumferentially and defining an inner volume sized for receiving filter 204 therein. Cap member 206 is dimensioned to fit within tube member 42, and particularly so that the outer surface of sidewall 206A of cap member 206 contacts the inner surface of tube member 42. Cap member 206 further includes annular members 206B disposed along the axial ends of cap member 206 and extend radially inwardly from sidewall 206A. Annular members 206B serve to maintain filter 204 within cap member 206 in a fixed position. Cap member 206 is constructed of metal or like compositions.

Injector 12 further includes a retaining ring 207 which is disposed in tube member 42 upstream of, and in contact with, cap member 206, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Retainer ring 207 is fixed to tube member 42 along an inner surface thereof. Retainer ring 207 being fixed in position along tube member 42 serves to maintain downstream components of injector 12 in fixed positions within first injector body portion 38. In an example embodiment, retainer ring 207 is welded along the inner surface of tube member 42. Such weld connection is formed along an entire circumference of the upper edge of retainer ring 207. It is understood, however, that other connection mechanisms may be utilized for fixing retainer ring 207 to tube member 42.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, injector 12 further includes a volume reduction member 208 which serves to further reduce the volume of the reductant fluid path within injector 12. Reduction member 208 is largely cylindrical in shape, as shown in FIG. 4, having a top (upstream) end and a bottom (downstream) end. In an embodiment, volume reduction member 208 is constructed from a metal, such as stainless steel. It is understood, though, that volume reduction member 208 may be formed from other metals or metal compositions. The outer surface of volume reduction member 208 is sized to contact the inner surface of tube member 42.

Volume reduction member 208 further includes a bore 208A (FIGS. 2 and 3) defined in the axial direction through volume rejection member 208, from one axial (top) end to the other axial (bottom) end. Bore 208A is located along the longitudinal axis of volume reduction member 208 and itself forms part of the fluid path for passing reductant through injector 12. Bore 208A forms the only fluid path for passing reductant through or around volume reduction member 208. In an example embodiment, the diameter of bore 208A is between 12% and 20% of the outer diameter of volume reduction member 208, such as about 16%. Because volume reduction member 208 extends radially to the inner surface of tube member 42, and because the diameter of bore 208A is small relative to the outer diameter of volume reduction member 208, volume reduction member 208 reduces the space or volume in which reductant may reside within injector 12, thereby reducing the volume of the fluid path of reductant therein. Volume reduction member 208 further assists in retaining spring adjustment tube 52 in position within injector 12 such that pin adjustment tube 52 maintains a desired force on spring 50 so as to prevent a loss of calibration. Specifically, retainer ring 207 maintains the position of filter 204 and corresponding cap member 206, which maintain the position of volume reduction member 208, which maintains the position of spring adjustment member 52.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, fluid injector 12 further includes a volume compensation member 210 which is disposed between the bottom (downstream) end of volume reduction member 208 and the top of pole piece 46. Volume compensation member 210 is constructed from elastic material and serves to occupy the space between volume reduction member 208 and pole piece 46 so as to further lessen the volume of the reductant fluid path in injector 12. Volume compensation member 210 may be in a compressed state in injector 12 when assembled, and contact the volume reduction member 208, pole piece 46, the inner surface of tube member 42 and the outer surface of spring adjustment member 52.

FIG. 5 illustrates a downstream end portion of fluid injector 12. As can be seen, seat 56 includes a bore defined axially through seat 56. In an example embodiment, the length of the throughbore of seat 56 is reduced so as to further reduce the volume of the reductant fluid path through seat 56, and particularly the sac volume below the sealing band of seat 56 which engages with seal member 54.

According to an example embodiment, fluid injector 12 includes a plurality of orifice discs 212 disposed in a stacked arrangement. The orifice disc stack is disposed against the downstream end of seat 56. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the disc stack includes a first disc 212A having one or more orifices that are configured for providing the desired spray pattern of reductant exiting injector 12. It is understood that the dimension and locations of the orifices of first disc 212A may vary and be dependent upon the reductant dosing requirements of the particular vehicle engine. The disc stack further includes a second disc 212B which is disposed downstream of first disc 212A and includes orifices through which the reductant spray passes. Second disc 212B has a larger thickness than the thickness of first disc 212A and being disposed against first disc 212A, and supports first disc 212A so as to prevent the thinner first disc 212A from deforming due to expansion forces from frozen reductant upstream of first disc 212A.

As discussed above, fluid injector 12, and particularly the components thereof, are configured to reduce the volume of the reductant fluid path in injector 12. In example embodiments, the ratio of the volume of the fluid path in fluid injector 12 to a volume of the components of injector 12 (including but not necessarily limited to coil 14, armature 16, pole piece 46, spring adjustment tube 52, volume reduction member 208, volume compensation member 210, filter 204, retaining ring 207, spring 50, pin member 58, seal member 54, seat 56, first injector body portion 20A and valve body portion 40) is between 0.08 and 0.30, and particularly between 0.12 and 0.20, such as about 0.15. These volume amounts are calculated between orthogonal planes relative to the longitudinal axis of fluid injector 12—from a first plane along the upstream end of tube member 42 (i.e., fluid inlet 30) and a second plane along the lowermost (downstream) surface of second disc 212B (i.e., fluid outlet 32). It is understood that the particular ratio of volume of the reductant path to injector component volume within fluid injector 12 may vary depending upon a number of cost and performance related factors, and may be any value between about 0.08 and about 0.30. Providing a fluid injector having a reduced ratio of reductant fluid path volume to injector component volume to fall within the above range advantageously results in less reductant in injector 12 which reduces the susceptibility of RDU 10 being damaged if the reductant in injector 12 freezes.

In another example embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6-8, fluid injector 12 includes a volume reduction member 308 which has many of the characteristics of volume reduction member 208 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. Similar to volume reduction member 208, volume reduction member 308 is constructed from stainless steel or like composition, is disposed in tube member 42 of fluid injector 12 between volume compensation member 210 and filter 204. However, volume reduction member 308 includes a first portion 308A and a second portion 308B. As shown in FIG. 7, each of first portion 308A and second portion 308B has a cylindrical shape, with the outer diameter of first portion 308A being less than the outer diameter of second portion 308B. The outer diameter of first portion 308A is less than the diameter of second portion 308B by the thickness of sidewall 306A of cap member 306, as will be explained in greater detail below. Volume reduction member 308 includes top (upstream) and bottom (downstream) end portions which form the axial ends of first portion 308A and second portion 308B, respectively. The outer surface of second portion 308B is sized to contact the inner surface of tube member 42.

As mentioned, the outer diameter of first portion 308A of volume reduction member 308 is less than the outer diameter of second portion 308B thereof. As shown in FIGS. 6-8, volume reduction member 308 includes an angled annular surface or skirt 308D, which extends in the axial direction between the outer surface of first portion 308A and the outer surface of second portion 308B and serves as the physical interface therebetween. The angle of angled surface 308D, relative to the longitudinal axis of volume reduction member 308 and/or injector 12, is an acute angle. Alternatively, the angle of angled surface 308D is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of volume reduction member 308 and/or injector 12.

Volume reduction member 308 further includes a bore 308C defined in the axial direction through volume rejection member 308, from one axial (top) end to the other axial (bottom) end. Bore 308C is located along the longitudinal axis of volume reduction member 308 and itself forms part of the reductant fluid path for passing reductant through injector 12, and the only reductant fluid path through or around volume reduction member 308. In an example embodiment, the diameter of the bore 308C is between 12% and 20% of the outer diameter of volume reduction member 308, such as about 16%. Because volume reduction member 308 extends to the inner surface of tube member 42 and because the diameter of bore 308C is relatively small relative to the outer diameter of volume reduction member 308, volume reduction member 308 occupies a volume within injector 12 which reduces the space or volume of the reductant fluid path through injector 12, thereby reducing the amount of reductant in injector 12 that could freeze and potentially damage injector 12.

Cap member 306 includes a number of the same characteristics of cap member 206 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. As shown in FIG. 7, cap member 306 is largely cylindrically shaped having a sidewall 306A extending circumferentially and defining an inner volume sized for receiving filter 204 therein. Cap member 306 is dimensioned to fit within tube member 42, and particularly so that the outer surface of sidewall 306A of cap member 306 contacts the inner surface of tube member 42. Cap member 306 further includes an annular member 306B disposed along the axial (upstream) end of cap member 306 and extending radially inwardly from sidewall 306A. Annular member 306B serves to maintain filter 204 within cap member 306 in a fixed position. Like cap member 206, cap member 306 is constructed of metal or like compositions and provides structural support to filter 204.

In example embodiments, cap member 306 is engaged with and secured to volume reduction member 308. In this way, filter 204, cap member 306 and volume reduction member 308 form a single, unitary and integrated component, as shown in FIG. 8. Having a single, unitary component formed from filter 204, cap member 306 and volume reduction member 308 advantageously allows for a simpler and less complex process for assembling injector 12 during manufacture thereof.

In the example embodiments, cap member 306 fits over and engages with or otherwise attaches to at least a part of first portion 308A of volume reduction member 308, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. In one example embodiment, cap member 306 forms a press fit engagement with first portion 308A. In another example embodiment, cap member 306 is welded to first portion 308A, such as a fillet weld between bottom surface 306C of cap member 306 and the radially outer surface of first portion 308A. In each such embodiment, the angled surface 308D provides sufficient spacing for securing cap member 306 to first portion 308A. It is understood that cap member 306 may be secured to first portion 308A of volume reduction member 308 via other mechanisms.

With cap member 306 fitting over first portion 308A of volume reduction member 308, the outer diameter of sidewall 306A is the same or nearly the same as the outer diameter of second portion 308A. See FIGS. 6 and 8.

As discussed above, volume reduction member 308 is constructed from metal, such as stainless steel, according to an example embodiment. In another example embodiment, a part of second portion 308B is constructed from plastic or like compositions. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, first portion 308A and a first part 308B-1 of second portion 308B are formed as a single metal member, and a second part 308B-2 of second portion 308B is plastic overmolded around the first part thereof. FIG. 11 shows the metal first portion 308A and first part 308B-1 of second portion 308B. First part 308B-1 of second portion 308B includes intermediate section 308B-3 which extends away from first portion 308A in an axial (downstream) direction, and distal section 308B-4 which is attached to intermediate section 308B-3 and extends in the axial (downstream) direction therefrom, as shown in FIG. 10. Distal section 308B-4 extends in a radial direction further from a longitudinal axis of volume reduction member 308 (and/or injector 12) than the radial extension of intermediate section 308B-3 so as to form a ledge. Second part 308B-2 of second portion 308B, made of overmolded plastic or other like compositions, is formed around the ledge formed by intermediate section 308B-3 and distal section 308B-4 so as to form volume reduction member 308 as a single, unitary and integrated component. As discussed above, volume reduction member 308 is connected to cap member 306 so as to result in volume reduction member 308, filter 204 and cap member 306 forming a single assembly component for use in assembling injector 12.

During assembly of injector 12, the single assembly component (filter 204, cap member 306 and volume reduction member 308) is inserted within tube member 42 under pressure while contacting volume compensator 212. Following insertion and while still under pressure, cap member 306 is welded to tube member 42 all along the intersection thereof along the top portion of tube member 42. In an embodiment, the weld connection is a fillet weld.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of RDU 10 according to another example embodiment, with shield 20 removed for reasons of simplicity. RDU 10 includes fluid injector 12 as described above, having cap member 306, filter 204 and volume reduction member 308. As discussed above, cup 26 is disposed around and covers the upstream end of tube member 42. Cup 26 includes a sidewall 26A which is largely cylindrically shaped; a flared end 26B which defines an opening of cup 26 for receiving tube member 42 therein; and an end wall 26C which is disposed along the axial, partly closed end of sidewall 26 opposite flared end 26B and extends radially inwardly from sidewall 26, relative to a longitudinal axis of cup 26 and/or fluid injector 12. Cup 26 further includes a connection sidewall 26D which extends from a radially inward end of end wall 26C and extends axially in an orthogonal or largely orthogonal direction therefrom. Connection sidewall 26D may be cylindrically shaped and include an open end which receives fluid supply tube 28, which is configured for fluid communication with a supply of reductant. An inner surface of sidewall 26A engages with O-ring 44, which is disposed between sidewall 26A and an outer surface of tube member 42, as discussed above.

In an example embodiment, injector 12 includes a seal member 402 which is disposed between the end of tube member 42 and cup 26. By being disposed between tube member 42 and cup 26, seal member 402 reduces the volume for reductant in injector 12 and/or RDU10, thus reducing the potential for damage to injector 12 and/or RDU 10 due to reductant freezing therein.

With reference to FIGS. 11-13, seal member 402 is a disc-shaped member having a top (upstream) surface 402A which contacts the inner surface of end wall 26C of cup 26, and a flat radial side wall 402B which contacts the inner surface of sidewall 26A of cup 26. Top surface 402A is flat or largely flat for contacting and engaging with the inner surface of end wall 26C of cup 26. The bottom surface 402C of seal member 308 is shaped for contacting and at least partially inserting within the end of tube member 42. As can be seen in FIG. 14, bottom surface 402C is flat or largely flat. A bore 402D is defined through seal member 402 in an axial direction through a central region of seal member 402. Bore 402D partly defines the reductant fluid path through RDU 10 and is in fluid communication with the fluid path through fluid injector 12.

An annular protrusion 402E extends from bottom surface 402C of seal member 402. Referring again to FIG. 14, protrusion 402E is defined by at least three surfaces, one of which is the surface which defines bore 402D. Protrusion 402E is dimensioned to fit at least partly in the end of tube member 402. Protrusion 402E is integrally formed with and is part of seal member 402.

In an example embodiment, seal member 402 is constructed from a resilient, compressible material, such as a rubber composition. It is understood, though, that seal member 402 may be formed from another suitable material which is compressible and resilient. Seal member 402 advantageously expands and contracts with changes in temperature so as to ensure that seal member 402 occupies most or all of the space between the end of tube member 42 and the end wall 26C of cup 26, thereby preventing any increase in the volume of reductant in RDU 10 over a wide temperature range.

During assembly of injector 12, seal member 402 is secured over the upstream end of tube member 42 such that seal member 402 is compressed in the assembled RDU 10. When in place within RDU 10, the bottom surface 402C of seal member 402 contacts and sealingly engages with the flared end of tube member 42, with protrusion 402E contacting the inner surface of the flared end of tube member 42. As shown in FIG. 12, the outer end of protrusion 402E contacts cap member 306.

It is understood that even though seal member 402 is described for use in conjunction with fluid injector 12 of RDU 10, seal member 402 may be used in other fluid injectors, particularly RDU fluid injectors which do not utilize cap member 306, filter 204 or volume reduction member 308. In such fluid injectors, seal member 402 is disposed over a tube like tube 202 described above and may contact such tube and a filter (or other injector component) disposed therein. For instance, seal member 308 may be disposed in RDU fluid injector 10′ of US patent publ. 20150122917A1, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Specifically, seal member 402 may be disposed above and contact the end of inlet tube 17 of fluid injector 10′, contact and engage with the inner surface of inlet cup 16, and protrude partly in inlet tube 17.

The example embodiments have been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The description above is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reductant delivery unit, comprising: a fluid injector having a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of the fluid injector for receiving a reductant, and a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the fluid injector for discharging the reductant, the fluid injector defining a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, the fluid injector further including a tube member having an end disposed at the fluid inlet of the fluid injector, the tube member configured to pass reductant along the fluid path; anda cup covering the end of the tube member and comprising a sidewall and an end wall extending radially inwardly from the sidewall; anda seal member disposed within the cup and contacting an inner surface of the sidewall of the cup and an inner surface of the end wall of the cup, the seal member occupying a volume so as to reduce an amount of space for reductant between the tube member and the cup,wherein the fluid injector further comprises an injector component disposed in the tube member of the fluid injector, and the seal member contacts the injector component, andwherein the seal member is constructed from compressible material, and the seal member is under compression in the reductant delivery unit when assembled so that the amount of space in the reductant delivery unit for reductant does not increase over an operating temperature range of the reductant delivery unit.

2. (canceled)

3. The reductant delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the fluid injector comprises a filter disposed in the tube member, and the injector component comprises a cap member in which the filter is disposed.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The reductant delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the seal member extends radially outwardly such that an outer sidewall of the seal member contacts the sidewall of the cup.

7. The reductant delivery unit of claim 6, wherein the seal member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a protrusion which extends from the bottom surface and is disposed within the end of the tube member, the protrusion having an outer diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the outer sidewall of the seal member.

8. The reductant delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a bore defined therethrough, the bore in fluid communication with the fluid path through the reductant delivery unit.

9. The reductant delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a protrusion which extends into the end of the tube member.

10. A reductant delivery unit, comprising: a fluid injector comprising a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of the fluid injector and configured for receiving a reductant, a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the fluid injector and configured for discharging the reductant, and a tube member having an end disposed at the fluid inlet of the fluid injector;a cup covering the end of the tube member, comprising a sidewall and an end wall extending radially inwardly from the sidewall; anda seal member disposed within the cup between and contacting each of the end of the tube member and the end wall of the cup, the seal member occupying a volume in the cup so as to reduce a volume for reductant in the reductant delivery unit between the cup and the tube member,wherein the seal member is formed from compressible material and the seal member is under compression in the reductant delivery unit upon completion of assembly of the reductant delivery unit so that the volume for the reductant in the reductant delivery unit does not increase over an operating temperature range of the reductant delivery unit.

11. The reductant delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the fluid injector further comprises an injector component disposed in the tube member of the fluid injector, and the seal member contacts the injector component.

12. The reductant delivery unit of claim 11, wherein the fluid injector comprises a filter disposed in the tube member, and the injector component comprises a support member in which the filter is disposed.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The reductant delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the seal member extends radially outwardly such that an outer radial surface of the seal member contacts the sidewall of the cup.

16. The reductant delivery unit of claim 15, wherein the seal member further comprises a protrusion disposed at least partly within the end of the tube member, the protrusion having an outer diameter which is smaller than the outer radial surface of the seal member.

17. The reductant delivery unit of claim 10, wherein the seal member includes a bore defined therethrough, the bore in fluid communication with the fluid path through the reductant delivery unit.

18. The reductant delivery unit of claim 10, wherein a portion of the seal member extends into the end of the tube member.