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| Whereas in conventional diesel engines injection pressure is generated for each injector individually, a common rail engine stores the fuel under high pressure in a central container ("common rail") and delivers it to the individual injectors on demand. Benefits of common rail injection are reduced noise levels, stronger performance, improved emission control and greater efficiency.
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Technology field: Optimisation of traction technologies
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General information
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General criteria
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Environmental criteria
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Economic criteria
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Application outside railway sector
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Status of development outside railway sector: in use |
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Major automotive manufacturers offer vehicles equipped with common rail technology (e.g. Mercedes Vito CDI). |
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Time horizon for broad application outside railway sector: now |
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(no details available) |
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Expected technological development outside railway sector: dynamic |
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There is intensive R&D in industry on the optimisation of the common rail injection system. An example for the development potential of the technology is the development of piezoelectronic actuators at Siemens VDO. As these switching elements operate much faster than conventional solenoid valves, it will be possible in the future to split the fuel volume into several individual injections: Two pre-injections with very small volumes of fuel are followed by the main injection and, if necessary, two smaller post-injections. While the pre-injections serve primarily to build up the pressure in the combustion chamber evenly and thus reduce the noise of combustion, the post-injections are provided for post-treatment of the exhaust gas. Fuel economy will also be increased. Piezoelectronic actuators exploit the behavior of piezoelectric crystals. If an electric charge is connected to such a crystal, the crystal lattice reacts within a few milliseconds by expanding. When discharged the material returns to its original size. |
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Market potential outside railway sector: high |
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By 2004, 70% of new diesel vehicles will incorporate Common Rail injection systems and 5 million such systems will already be on the road, according to Delphi Diesel Aftermarket. |
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Overall rating
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 date created: 2002-10-09 |
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| © UIC - International Union of Railways 2003 |
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