Importance

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Abstract

A fuel delivery injector for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. The delivery injector forms part of a device (10) which provides a combined fuel injection and ignition means for the engine. The fuel delivery injector comprises means defining a flow path (28) for delivery of a fuel entrained in a gas to a combustion chamber of the engine. The flow path (28) has a delivery port (30) through which the fuel is delivered into the combustion chamber as a spray of fuel droplets and vapour, the delivery port (30) being defined between a valve seat (31) and a valve member (23) movable with respect to the valve seat (31) for opening and closing the delivery port (30). The delivery injector is configured to influence the trajectory of the fuel spray, whereby smaller fuel droplets and vapour in the fuel spray are caused to flow towards a spark gap (49) in close proximity to the downstream end of the delivery port (30) and whereby larger fuel droplets are not so caused to flow towards the spark gap (49). The trajectory of the fuel spray may be so influenced by the presence of a flow control means or the configuration of the delivery port. Where a flow control means is utilized, it may comprise a flow control projection (41) which is provided on the valve member (23) and which extends outwardly therefrom beyond the delivery port (30). Where the device (10) provides a combined fuel injector and ignition means, the device (10) is provided with a primary electrode (48) which cooperates with a secondary electrode (47) to define the spark gap (49). The flow control projection (41) is utilized to define the primary electrode (48). The device (10) providing the combined fuel injection and ignition means is also described and claimed.

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First Claim