U.S. patent application number 15/704331 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for seal member for reductant delivery unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen C. Bugos, Josh Lee Hatfield.
Application Number | 20190078487 15/704331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65630717 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190078487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatfield; Josh Lee ; et
al. |
March 14, 2019 |
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.
Inventors: |
Hatfield; Josh Lee; (Newport
News, VA) ; Bugos; Stephen C.; (Poquoson,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Continental Automotive Systems,
Inc.
Auburn Hills
MI
|
Family ID: |
65630717 |
Appl. No.: |
15/704331 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 2610/1453 20130101;
Y02T 10/12 20130101; F01N 2610/1426 20130101; F01N 2610/02
20130101; F01N 3/2066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01N 3/20 20060101
F01N003/20 |
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; and a cup
covering the end of the tube member and comprising a sidewall and
an end wall extending radially inwardly from the sidewall; and a
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, and wherein 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; and a 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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to U.S. patent
application ______, filed ______, and titled, "INJECTOR FOR
REDUCTANT DELIVERY UNIT HAVING REDUCED FLUID VOLUME" (attorney
docket no. 2017P03658US); U.S. patent application ______, filed
______, and titled, "INJECTOR FOR REDUCTANT DELIVERY UNIT HAVING
FLUID VOLUME REDUCTION ASSEMBLY" (attorney docket no.
2017P03659US); and U.S. patent application ______, filed ______,
and titled, "INJECTOR FOR REDUCTANT DELIVERY UNIT HAVING FLUID
VOLUME REDUCTION ASSEMBLY" (attorney docket no. 2017P03661 US). The
content of the above applications are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] One of these technologies includes a catalyst that
facilitates the reactions of ammonia (NH.sub.3) with the exhaust
nitrogen oxides (NOx) to produce nitrogen (N.sub.2) and water
(H.sub.2O). 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(NH.sub.2).sub.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 (CO.sub.2), the ammonia
resulting from the thermolysis and the hydrolysis then undergoes a
catalyzed reaction with the nitrogen oxides as described
previously.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] In an example embodiment, the injector component is at least
one of a filter and a cap member therefor.
[0010] In an example embodiment, the seal member is constructed
from compressible material, and the seal member is under
compression in the reductant delivery unit.
[0011] The seal member may extend radially outwardly such that an
outer radial sidewall of the seal member contacts the sidewall of
the cup.
[0012] 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.
[0013] The seal member includes a bore defined therethrough, the
bore defining part of the fluid path through the reductant delivery
unit.
[0014] The seal member may include a protrusion which extends into
the end of the tube member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Aspects of the invention will be explained in detail below
with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an RDU for a
non-purge SCR system according to an example embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a fluid injector of
the RDU of FIG. 1;
[0018] 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;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of the
fluid injector of the RDU of FIG. 1 according to an example
embodiment;
[0020] 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;
[0021] 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;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of components of the
fluid injector of FIG. 6;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG.
6;
[0024] 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;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of components of the fluid
injector of FIG. 9; and
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a component of the fluid
injector of FIG. 9.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of RDU of
FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seal member of the
injector of the RDU of FIG. 12; and
[0029] FIG. 14 is a cutout perspective view of the seal member of
FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
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