US 12,326,127 B2
Multi-fuel injector with fuel mixing
Dana R. Coldren, Secor, IL (US); and Eric L. Schroeder, Germantown Hills, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/465,512.
Prior Publication US 2025/0084813 A1, Mar. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. F02M 43/04 (2006.01); F02M 55/02 (2006.01); F02M 61/04 (2006.01)
CPC F02M 43/04 (2013.01) [F02M 55/025 (2013.01); F02M 61/042 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel injector capable of injecting a plurality of different fuels in a single fuel injection event, the fuel injector comprising:
a nozzle at an end of the fuel injector, the nozzle having a tip;
openings in the tip of the nozzle through which fuel is configured to be injected;
a check valve member with a tip located within the nozzle, the check valve member being movable between an injection position in which fuel is injected via the openings and a closed position in which the openings are closed, the check valve member including a valve body at least partially surrounded by a spring biasing the check valve member to the closed position;
a primary fuel path within the fuel injector configured to supply a primary fuel which is a first liquid fuel to the openings in the tip of the nozzle;
a pilot fuel path within the fuel injector configured to supply a pilot fuel, which is a second liquid fuel different than the first liquid fuel, to the openings in the tip of the nozzle; and
a mixing volume within the nozzle and connecting the primary fuel path and the pilot fuel path when the check valve member is in the closed position, the mixing volume surrounding at least a portion of the valve body, the mixing volume configured to mix the primary fuel and the pilot fuel when the check valve member is in the closed position.