Understanding the Acoustic Oscillations Observed in the Injection Rate of a Common-Rail DI Diesel Injector

Measuring the rate of injection of a common-rail injector is one of the first steps for diesel engine development. At the same time, this information is of prime interest for engine research and modeling as it drives spray development and mixing. On the other hand, the widely used long-tube method provides results that are neither straightforward, nor fully understood. This study performed on a 0.09 mm axially drilled single-hole nozzle is part of the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) and aims at analyzing these features from an acoustic point of view to separate their impact on the real injection process and on the results recorded by the experimental devices. Several tests have been carried out for this study including rate of injection and momentum, X-ray phase-contrast of the injector and needle motion or injector displacement. The acoustic analysis revealed that these fluctuations found their origin in the sac of the injector and that they were the results of an interaction between the fluid in the chamber (generally gases) and the liquid fuel to be injected. It has been observed that the relatively high oscillations recorded by the long-tube method were mainly caused by a displacement of the injector itself while injecting. In addition, the results showed that these acoustic features also appear on the momentum flux of the spray which means that the real rate of injection should present such behavior.