Apparatus and method for accurate detection of locomotive fuel injection pump solenoid closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for detecting a closing of a solenoid. The system includes a capacity charge circuit electrically coupled to the solenoid. The capacity charge circuit conditions the current flow through the solenoid to increase the current in response to the closing of the solenoid. The invention also relates to a system and method that includes detecting a current through the solenoid and determining a current slope characteristic. The current slope characteristic is a function of the current and time. The method also includes conditioning an electrical characteristic of the solenoid such that the conditioning is in response to a current slope parameter. The current slope parameter defines a change in the current after removal of an electrical charge to the solenoid.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application number 200480034543.X, the application date is August 20, 2004, and the invention title is "equipment and method for accurately detecting the closing of the solenoid valve of the fuel injection pump of the locomotive". technical field [0002] The present invention generally relates to the control of fuel injection systems equipped with fuel injection solenoid valves. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for controlling fuel pump solenoid valves by detecting solenoid valve closure. Background technique [0003] In engine systems, accurate detection of fuel pump solenoid valve closure or closure point detection for each cylinder of the engine is desired in order to provide accurate timing of fuel injection and control of combustion, emissions, smooth regulation of engine speed and fuel efficiency. Prior art systems and methods for detecting fuel injection solenoid closure i...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, prior art systems are susceptible to cable length between the engine controller and engine cylinder solenoid valves, age, environmental conditions, fuel pump and engine speed

Additionally, the location and signature of such a detection scheme may vary with pump function, electrical circuit / cable / solenoid impedance, supply voltage, engine speed, hydraulic fuel pressure, cam position, aging and environmental conditions

These changes reduce the reliability and accuracy of traditional closure point detection methods

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