PIEZO

INJECTORS

A. L. A. Kulasinghe
GD4 – S30726
WHAT ARE INJECTORS?
• The fuel injector is a critical component of the modern automobile, responsible for atomizing and injecting fuel into the
combustion chamber.
• The ECU controls the opening and closing of the injector needle to inject the fuel in the high-pressure fuel rail (in common
rail engines) into the combustion chamber to ensure efficient combustion.

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PIEZO INJECTORS
• Due to regulations involving diesel engine emissions have become increasingly stringent, yet customers’ demands for quieter
engines with improved power output piezo injectors were developed.
• Diesel piezo injectors are advanced fuel injection systems used in diesel engines; they reduce emissions by making the
combustion of fuel within the cylinder more efficient.
• Mostly used in diesel common rail engines they employ piezoelectric crystals to control fuel injection with precision.

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COMPONENTS OF A PIEZO INJECTOR

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PIEZO-ELECTRIC EFFECT
• When mechanical stress is exerted on a piezo-electric crystal along certain axes, an electrical charge is generated on the
crystal surface.
• Similarly, there is an “inverse piezoelectric effect”, where an electrical voltage applied to the end faces of the crystal can cause
the crystal to expand or contract.
• Utilizing these characteristics piezo injectors are manufactured serve as efficient actuators in fuel injection. This technology
acts up to five times faster than a standard conventional injector and operates in a frictionless motion.
• With piezo injectors it can support up to 6 to 10 individual injections per injection cycle for quiet and highly efficient
combustion.

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HOW PIEZO INJECTORS WORK
• The piezo-electric actuator is made up of hundreds of Piezo wafers, which are stacked over one another.
• Piezo crystals alter their structures in less than thousandths of a second by slightly expanding when an electrical voltage is
applied. The linear movement occurred when the piezo-electric actuator is supplied with an electrical voltage is directly
transmitted to a valve.
• Pressurized fuel is continuously delivered to the tip of the injector needle as well as the top the needle preventing fuel from
being injected.

• When energized, the Piezo crystal will open a valve above the needle.
This allows the pressurized fuel at the top of the needle to return to the
tank through the return line.
• With no pressure holding the needle closed, the fuel injects into the
combustion chambers. The actuator is later de-energized, closing the
valve, which then causes the build-up of high-pressured fuel which forces
the needle to close again.

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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Pros

Precision: Offers precise control over fuel Cost: Piezo injectors can be more expensive to
injection, improving combustion efficiency. manufacture and replace.
Fuel Economy: Enhances fuel atomization, Durability: Despite advancements, concerns
leading to improved fuel efficiency. about long-term durability exist.
Emissions Reduction: Contributes to lower Specialized Repair: Requires skilled
emissions due to better combustion. technicians for repair and maintenance.
Power and Torque: Enhances engine
performance, providing more power and torque.

Cons
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MAINTENANCE AND CARE
• Clean Fuel: The importance of using clean and high-quality diesel fuel.
• Regular Inspections: Periodic checks for proper functioning and potential issues.
• Professional Servicing: Consideration of professional servicing to maintain optimal performance.

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TESTING PIEZO INJECTORS
• For testing a piezo injector with a multimeter first the injectors should be disconnected from the engine wiring harness.

Test 1
Resistance Test: The resistance of the control actuator may be measured by connecting an ohm meter across the two injector
electrical pins, when the injector is disconnected from the wiring harness.
Result: The resistance should be in the region of 150kΩ – 210kΩ
Test 2
Capacitance Test: This test is carried out by connecting the multi-meter in the same
way as during the resistance check, except the capacitance test is selected on the
multi-meter.
Result: The capacitance should generally be between 6µF and 8µF.

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Thank you!