ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FOR LARGE COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE

An electronic fuel injection system for providing variable injection timing for a compression ignition engine having a per cylinder displacement volume of at least 5.5. litres includes individual fuel delivery mechanisms, such as a fuel pump having a constant displacement fuel pumping chamber, and fuel injector for each corresponding cylinder, and has a timing signal generator, such as a multi-track optical encoder coupled to a camshaft, for generating a timing signal and a cylinder index signal. The invention also includes an electronic controller device, such as a plurality of individual controllers, which are responsive to various sensor inputs which include the timing signal and the cylinder index signal, for electronically controlling the individual fuel delivery mechanisms. The fuel delivery mechanisms are responsive to an output signal from the electronic controller device and provide a fuel flow volume range of between 100-1600 mm /stroke over a fuel injection pressure range of between approximately 10-20 k.p.s.i. to a corresponding fuel injector. Each fuel delivery mechanism has an electronically controlled solenoid valve responsive to an output signal, in conjunction with a shuttle valve in fluid communication with the solenoid which provide a high spill fuel volume from the constant displacement fuel pumping chamber.