US 11,885,290 B2
Fuel injector and nozzle assembly having dual concentric check assembly and ducted spray orifices
Bobby John, Peoria, IL (US); Jonathan William Anders, Peoria, IL (US); and Glen Clifford Martin, Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/014,154.
Prior Publication US 2022/0074378 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. F02M 61/18 (2006.01); F02M 61/04 (2006.01)
CPC F02M 61/1826 (2013.01) [F02M 61/042 (2013.01); F02M 61/1846 (2013.01); F02M 2700/071 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel injector comprising:
a nozzle case defining a longitudinal axis, and having a plurality of spray orifices formed therein arranged in a first orifice set and a second orifice set;
a plurality of spray ducts separate from, and coupled to, the nozzle case and in spray path alignment with the first orifice set, such that an axis of a fuel spray path exiting each respective one of the plurality of spray orifices in the first orifice set enters a different respective one of the plurality of spray ducts;
an outer check positioned within the nozzle case and having a plurality of transfer passages formed therein arranged in a first passage set and a second passage set, and the outer check is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the nozzle case;
an inner check positioned within the outer check and movable relative to the outer check between a retracted position and an advanced position;
a fuel volume formed between the outer check and the inner check, and at the retracted position the transfer passages are fluidly connected to the fuel volume, and at the advanced position the inner check is in contact with the outer check and blocks the transfer passages from the fuel volume;
the spray orifices and the transfer passages together define a first angular alignment pattern where the outer check is at a first angular orientation about the longitudinal axis and the first orifice set is fluidly connected to the first passage set; and
the spray orifices and the transfer passages together define a second angular alignment pattern where the outer check is rotated from the first angular orientation to a second angular orientation and the second orifice set is fluidly connected to the second passage set.