Electronically controlled unit injector

An Electronically-controlled Unit Injector (EUI) is a Unit Injector with electronic control. It performs the same function as a conventional Unit Injector (UI) in an internal combustion engine, such as in a diesel-electric locomotive. The pressurized delivery of fuel is camshaft driven but the "fill" and "dump" operations are controlled by the engine control unit so as to achieve certain advantages.

Advantages

• Maximum horsepower, within the applicable emissions tier
• Minimum emissions, possibly at the expense of slightly increased fuel consumption
• Minimum fuel consumption, possibly at the expense of slightly increased emissions

Construction

Central to the EUI is the built-in plunger pump, which, as in a UI, allows for low-pressure fuel delivery and return to all injectors, yet provides exceptionally high pressure and concomitant injection and atomization of the fuel to a cylinder during the engine's power cycles. As in a UI, the injector is connected to common banks of fuel supply and fuel return. Fuel is always circulating within the EUI as two of its functions, other than injection for combustion, are injector lubrication and injector cooling. Connections on UIs are by formed steel tubes with flare nut fasteners. Connections on EUIs are by stainless steel-reinforced hoses and NPT threads.

Users

This system is employed primarily on Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) locomotive, marine and stationary engines, and primarily on the 710 family of diesel engines.

Locomotive use

When implemented in a locomotive, the ECU may also be incorporated into the Locomotive Control Unit (LCU), which performs a variety of functions, such as wheel-slip control, "phone home" for incident reporting and scheduling of delivery of service parts, etcetera. EMD's LCU is often GPS-assisted, and maintenance personnel can effectively monitor the performance of perhaps thousands of locomotives at all times.

EMD has released updated LCU software, and EIUs which complement that software, which allows mixing Tier-1 and Tier-0 injectors within the same engine, and yet meets the applicable emissions tier for that engine. A specific benefit is reduced inventory of injectors.

A significant feature of the new EUIs is reduced "smoke". Also improved fuel economy. Indeed, the new "Tier 1/Tier 0" injectors are also applicable to locomotives which are not certified to any Tier, and the same "smoke" reduction and fuel economy benefits apply thereto.