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The Future Of Diesel Technology

Advanced fuel injection systems have been classified as key to the future of diesel in both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. These systems will be instrumental in developing new engines that will comply with future emissions regulations.

Modern fuel injection systems are one of the main reasons the diesel vehicle market has grown so rapidly in Europe with two predominant types: high-pressure, electronically-controlled unit injectors and the common rail system.

Although this technology first appeared in heavy-duty trucks and buses, there is great potential for these diesel fuel injection systems for passenger vehicles.

How Does A Common Rail Injection System Work?

The way in which fuel is injected into the cylinders of diesel vehicles determines their torque, fuel consumption, emissions and noise level. Two factors are key: the fuel pressure as it enters the cylinder, and the shape and number of the injections.

A common rail injection system separates these two functions (generating pressure and injecting) by first storing fuel under high pressure in a central accumulator rail and then delivering it to the individual electronically-controlled injection valves (injectors). This ensures that incredibly high injection pressures (in some cases over 25,000 pounds per square inch) are available at all times.

Common Rail Injection and Advanced Clean Diesel Systems

All internal combustion engines need two key ingredients to operate: air and fuel. The precise delivery of these ingredients is what makes clean and powerful combustion possible.

Just as turbochargers help deliver copious amounts of air to help diesels operate cleanly, efficiently and powerfully, the parallel revolution in fuel delivery has ushered in the renaissance of diesels in Europe.

High fuel pressure produces a fine mist of fuel that burns better and cleaner in the combustion chamber. Not only that, but for each combustion cycle, the common rail allows up to five injections per cycle. The driver benefits as lower fuel consumption (improved mileage), better engine performance and less noise compared with older diesels.

For more information on common rail injection systems, visit the Robert Bosch Corporation website at www.bosch.com or the Delphi Diesel Systems website at www.delphidieselsystems.com