Engine systems 4

Direct Injection - Electronic Engines - MEUI™

Mechanical Electronic Unit Injection or MEUI™ uses injectors that are mechanically actuated but
electronically controlled. The MEUI injector is the updated electronic version of the mechanical unit
injector discussed earlier. High fuel pressure is created in each injector using an integral plunger
pump controlled by a rocker arm. Injection occurs based on a signal from the ECU.

The MEUI system provides for variable fuel delivery and is virtually adjustment free. These injectors
are capable of handling 30,000 psi (2,040 bar).

  

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Direct Injection - Electronic Engines - HEUI(TM)

While MEUI™ transfers mechanical energy from the engine camshaft to a rocker arm and plunger-
type fuel pump, a HEUI™ injector uses hydraulic energy from pressurized engine lube oil to drive
each injector pump. The pressure of the incoming oil controls the rate of injection while the amount
of fuel injected is determined by a signal from the ECU. Engine oil pressurized to 3,500 psi (238
bar) produces fuel injection pressures of up to 23,500 psi (1,600 bar).

Four basic components work together to bring precision, reliability, and simplified maintenance to
the HEUI fuel system.

1. Injectors

2. Electronic Control Unit and Sensors

3. High Pressure Oil Pump

4. Injection Actuation Pressure Control Valve

Direct Injection - Electronic Engines - HEUI(TM) Pump and Actuation Valve

A high pressure hydraulic pump supplies oil to power the HEUI™ injectors. This pump features a
built-in reservoir to immediately supply oil at cold starts.

The electronically controlled Injector Actuation Pressure Control Valve on the hydraulic pump
controls oil pump output and injection pressure.

Direct Injection - Electronic Engines - Common Rail

A common rail fuel system supplies constant high fuel pressure to electronically controlled
injectors from a shared fuel reservoir. The key components of the rail system include:

A high pressure pump and regulatorA rail that maintains pressurized fuel in reserveElectronic fuel
injectors that meter precise amounts of fuel at pre- and post-injection eventsAn ECU that triggers
timely fuel release

The common rail fuel system is used on the latest Caterpillar electronic engines.

Indirect Injection

Engines using indirect injection (IDI) are based on a pre-combustion design. Using a specially
developed cylinder head, fuel is injected into a small pre-chamber area above each combustion
chamber. Combustion actually begins in the hot pre-chamber and follows the fuel-air mixture into
the main combustion chamber.

This design requires lower fuel pressure, produces less noise, and reduces the stress on internal
components. Indirect injection is found on the smallest Caterpillar engines, which are used in a
variety of light duty commercial and industrial applications.

Fuel Systems - Gas

Natural gas engines do not use fuel injection. Instead, the proper fuel-air mixture takes place ahead
of the combustion chambers using a special carburetor. The fuel then requires a spark-type ignition
system to create combustion at each cylinder.

Air System - Introduction

As described previously, the combustion process is wholly dependent on an air fuel mixture which
is drawn into the combustion chamber. The air can be drawn into the combustion chamber by:
Natural Aspiration (NA) – where ambient air is drawn into each cylinder solely by the downward
movement of the piston during the intake stroke.Turbocharging (T) – where an air compressor
driven by the flow of engine exhaust gas is used to force air into the combustion chamber.