The fuel injection types used in cars include four basic types:

 Single-point or throttle body injection

 Port or multipoint fuel injection
 Sequential fuel injection
 Direct injection

Single-Point or Throttle-Body Injection

The earliest and simplest type of fuel injection, single-point simply replaces the carburetor with
one or two fuel-injector nozzles in the throttle body, which is the throat of the engine’s air
intake manifold. For some automakers, single-point injection was a stepping stone to the more
complex multipoint system. Though not as precise as the systems that have followed, TBI
meters fuel with better control than a carburetor and is less expensive and easier to service.
Port or Multipoint Fuel Injection
Multipoint fuel injection devotes a separate injector nozzle to each cylinder, right outside its
intake port, which is why the system is sometimes called port injection. Shooting the fuel vapor
this close to the intake port almost ensures that it will be drawn completely into the cylinder.
The main advantage is that MPFI meters fuel more precisely than do TBI designs, better
achieving the desired air-fuel ratio and improving all related aspects. Also, it virtually eliminates
the possibility that fuel will condense or collect in the intake manifold. With TBI and
carburetors, the intake manifold must be designed to conduct the engine’s heat, a measure to
vaporize liquid fuel.
Sequential Fuel Injection
Sequential fuel injection, also called sequential port fuel injection (SPFI) or timed injection, is a
type of multiport injection. Though basic MPFI employs multiple injectors, they all spray their
fuel at the same time or in groups. As a result, the fuel may “hang around” a port for as long as
150 milliseconds when the engine is idling. This may not seem like much, but it’s enough of a
shortcoming that engineers addressed it: Sequential fuel injection triggers each injector nozzle
independently. Timed like spark plugs, they spray the fuel immediately before or as their intake
valve opens. It seems like a minor step, but efficiency and emissions improvements come in
very small doses.
Direct Injection
Direct injection takes the fuel injection concept about as far as it can go, injecting fuel directly
into the combustion chambers, past the valves. More common in diesel engines, direct
injection is starting to pop up in gasoline engine designs, sometimes called DIG for direct-

Injection gasoline. Again, fuel metering is even more precise than in the other injection
schemes, and the direct injection gives engineers yet another variable to influence precisely
how combustion occurs in the cylinders. The science of engine design scrutinizes how the air-
fuel mixture swirls around in the cylinders and how the explosion travels from the ignition
point.

Sensors and actuators in fuel injection system

The computer uses the sensor data to control different systems on a vehicle through the use of
actuators. An actuator is an electromechanical device such as a relay, solenoid or a motor.
Actuators can adjust engine idle speed, change suspension height, or regulate the fuel metered
into the engine.
The various sensors used on our vehicles are potentiometers, thermistors, and photo
transistors/LED combinations. It also explains as how actuators complete the control process by
carrying out computer instructions.
The sensor and actuators are divided into the following areas.

 Resistive sensors – Potentiometers, Thermistors, Piezo resistive

 Voltage generating Sensors – Piezo electric, Zirconia Dioxide, Magnetic inductance
  Switch sensors – Phototransistors and LEDs, Speed sensors, G sensors (Air bag impact
sensors)
 Actuators – Steeper Motors, Solenoids

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

Some model also use a potentiometer as the throttle position sensor. The potentiometer in this
case is attached to the throttle shaft of the throttle body. As the shaft is rotated the voltage
output of the potentiometer changes. The voltage output of the potentiometer supplies data to
the ECU about the throttle opening angle.
ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Most temperature measurements in the automobile utilize the temperature sensitivity of
electric resistance materials with negative coefficient (NTC). The strong nonlinearity enables a
large temperature range to be covered. For applications with very high temperatures exhaust
gas temperatures up to 1000c platinum sensors are employed. The change in resistance is
converted into an analog voltage by a voltage grading circuit with an optional parallel resistance
to the linearization.
FUEL LEVEL SENSORS
The fuel level sensor is used to monitor the oil level in combustion engines or transmissions.
Today, continuous fuel level sensors and fuel level switches are used. Fuel level sensors,
together with a suitable electronic evaluation unit provide a continuous signal that is
proportional to the fuel level. Frequently a thermo electric system is used. Thermal condition of
a heated element depends on the filling height. The filling level is calculated from the supplied
electric power.The filling level switch enables the measurement of the filling level limit. The
functional principal used is float with a magnet that actuates a reed contactor Hall Switch.
Thermistors
Thermistors are variable resistors whose resistance changes in relation to temperature.
Thermistors can have either a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) or a positive temperature
coefficient (PTC).
OXYGEN SENSORS
The oxygen sensor located in the Exhaust manifold senses whether the air fuel ratio is rich or
lean, and sends the signal to ECU which in turn makes minor corrections to the amount of fuel
being metered. This is necessary for the three way catalytic convertor to function properly.
EXHAUST GAS SENSORS
Installed directly down line of the manifold, they serve to control the fuel injection system
lambda control in order to achieve the optimum conversion rate of a catalytic converter,
installed down line of the catalytic converter they monitor its function and enable the OBD
requirements to be satisfied.

ACTUATORS
STEPPER MOTOR

Stepper motors are digital actuators. In other words they are either on or off. They move in
fixed increments in both directions and can have over 120 steps of motion. Stepper motors are
commonly used to enable the ECU to control idle speed. In most fuel injection system the
stepper motor controls an idle air bypass built into the throttle body. In an idle speed control
valve (ISCV) located in the air intake chamber a stepper motor is built into the ISCV where it
rotates a valve shaft either in or out. This in turn increases or decreases the clearances between
the valve and valve seat thereby regulating the amount of air allowed to pass through. The iscv
stepper motor allows 125 possible valve opening positions.

SOLENOIDS ACTUATOR

Solenoids are digital actuators. One terminal is attached to the battery voltage while the other
is attached to the computer which opens and closes the ground circuit as needed. When
energized the solenoid may extend a plunger or armature to control functions such as vacuum
flow to various emission related systems or fuel injection. Most actuators are solenoids.
Solenoids are controlled two ways pulse width or duty cycle. Pulse width control is used when
the frequency is not consistent. An example of pulse width is a fuel injector which is turned on
for a determined length of time and then shut off. Duty cycle control is used when the
frequency does remain constant. A duty cycle solenoid in ABS is designed to be on and off for a
specific time according to a selected ratio on for 20% of time and off the other 80%.

Idle speed control valves can be constructed with a solenoid instead of a stepper motor. In this
case the function is the same. The ECU sends a signal to the ISCV to control the intake air.
Solenoid valves are also used in ECT transmissions. Shifting is controlled by the solenoid as it
opens or closes a hydraulic passage to control oil flow to the shift valves.
 Components of fuel injection system

Fuel Pump
Fuel injection pumps must be supplied with fuel under pressure because they have insufficient
suction ability. All diesel injection systems require a supply pump transfer fuel from the supply
tank through the filters and lines to the injection pump.
Fuel Tank and Fuel Supply Pump
The fuel tank is a reservoir that holds the fuel supply and helps maintain its temperature at a
level below its flash point. The fuel tank also serves as an important means of dissipating heat
from the fuel that is returned from the engine [Bosch 1971]. The fuel tank should be corrosion-
resistant and leak-proof to pressures of at least 30 kPa. It must also use some means to prevent
excessive pressure accumulation such as a vent or a safety valve.
Fuel Filter
Trouble-free operation of a diesel injection system is possible only with filtered fuel. Fuel filters
help reduce damage and premature wear from contaminants by retaining very fine particles
and water to prevent them from entering the fuel injection system. As shown in Figure 1, fuel
systems can contain one or more stages of filtration. In many cases, a course screen is also
located at the fuel intake located in the fuel tank. Two stage filter system typically uses a
primary filter on the inlet side of the fuel transfer pump and a secondary filter on the outlet
side. The primary filter is required to remove larger particles. The secondary filter is required to
withstand higher pressures and remove smaller particles that can damage the engine
components. One-stage systems remove larger and smaller particles in a single filter.
Fuel Injector
The injector atomizes the diesel fuel and spray it into the combustion chamber. The injector
consists mainly of the nozzle and the nozzle holder. The opening pressure of the nozzle is
adjusted by means of shims at the compression springs.
Fuel Injection piping these pipes should have the same volume so that that the injection pump
delivers exact equal amount to the cylinder injectors.
Fuel pressure regulator
A fuel pressure regulator helps maintain the fuel pressure in the Electronic Fuel Injection
System. If the system needs more fuel pressure, the fuel pressure regulator allows more fuel to
go to the engine. This is important because that is how the fuel gets to the injectors.

Blocking the pass-through to the fuel tank off completely, the fuel pump will try to force too
much fuel into the injectors which will cause them to fail and you will end up needing another
auto repair service.
Throttle Body Injection
With Throttle Body Injection (TBI), one or two injectors mounted in the throttle body spray fuel
into the intake manifold. Fuel pressure is created by an electric fuel pump (usually mounted in
or near the fuel tank), and the pressure is controlled by a regulator mounted on the throttle
body.
Carburetor
Carburetor is the most basic, and until recent times the most prevalent fueling system used in
two-wheelers, especially in India. To explain the basic working of a carburetor, think of it as a
tube that feeds an air-fuel mixture into the cylinder from one end, with an air filter attached to
another.

TBI, MPFI and GDI with its advantages and dis-advantages.

Throttle body fuel injection system

There are advantages and disadvantages in using the throttle body fuel injection system.
Determining which weighs more will depend on what you need for your car.
TBI Fuel Injection Advantages

 It is less expensive than using other types of fuel injection systems.

 It is easier to clean, maintain and service because there are fewer parts.
 It is cheaper to manufacture than a port injection system and simpler to diagnose. It also
does not have the same level of injector balance problems that a port injection system
might have when the injectors are clogged.
 It greatly improves the fuel metering compared to a carburetor.
  You do not have to make any changes to the TBI intake manifold. You also do not have
to change the throttle linkage. Instead, use the existing linkage, air cleaners and carbs to
install the system.

 It is also capable of logging data and can be programmed for ignition and fuel. The TBI
system is that it learns and understands your habits when driving so it can easily map
out your actions and the performance of the engine.
TBI Fuel Injection Disadvantages

 It is almost the same as a TBI carburetor wherein the fuel is not equally distributed to all
the cylinders. This means that the air/fuel mixture injected differs for each cylinder.
 It can cool the manifold much faster causing the fuel to puddle and condense in the
manifold. The possibility of condensation is much higher since the fuel travels longer
from the throttle body to the combustion chamber.
 Since the system needs to be mounted on top of the combustion chamber, you're
prevented from modifying the manifold design to improve your car's performance.
 It is a wet system and the mixture of fuel is still based per cylinder.

Gasoline direct injection (GDI)

Also known as petrol direct injection (PDI), is a mixture formation system for internal
combustion engines that run on gasoline (petrol), where fuel is injected into the combustion
chamber. This is distinct from manifold fuel injection systems, which inject fuel into the intake
manifold. The use of GDI can help increase engine efficiency and specific power output as well
as reduce exhaust emissions.
Advantages of GDI:

 Power Output: apart from some excessive finish modified cars, gas injection mostly
presents a lot better power output and efficiency than a common place carburetor
founded automobile.
 Fuel effectivity: considering fuel injection is on the whole managed by way of a auto's
electronic control unit or automobile laptop, gas consumption is usually managed much
better than with a carburetor. It commonly outcome in higher fuel efficiency.
 Emissions efficiency: With better gasoline effectivity comes higher emissions efficiency.
Gasoline injected autos produce a long way fewer carbon based emissions than cars
with carburetors.
  Capability to Accommodate substitute Fuels: cars that use direct gasoline injection are
better equipped to handle replacement fuels, and fuels with additives which might be
designed to support maintain your auto engine clean.
 Drivability and gentle Operation: autos that use gasoline injection rather than a
carburetor most commonly drive much smoother, considering gasoline flow is better
managed and extra constant.

 Diagnostic capability: considering that direct injection is regulated through your auto's
pc, problems with gasoline injection can effectively be diagnosed with a simple pc
diagnostic experiment.

Disadvantages
Gasoline direct injection does not have the valve cleaning action that is provided when fuel is
introduced to the engine upstream of the cylinder. In non-GDI engines, the gasoline traveling
through the intake port acts as a cleaning agent for contamination, such as atomized oil. The
lack of a cleaning action can cause increased carbon deposits in GDI engines.
The ability to produce peak power at high engine speeds (RPM) is more limited for GDI, since
there is a shorter period of time available to inject the required quantity of fuel. In manifold
injection (as well as carburetors and throttle-body fuel injection), fuel can be added to the
intake air mixture at any time. However a GDI engine is limited to injecting fuel during the
intake and compression phases. This becomes a restriction at high engine speeds (RPM), when
the duration of each combustion cycle is shorter. To overcome this limitation, some GDI
engines (such as the Toyota 2GR-FSE V6 and Volkswagen EA888 I4 engines) also have a set of
manifold fuel injectors to provide additional fuel at high RPM. These manifold fuel injectors also
assist in cleaning carbon deposits from the intake system.
Gasoline does not provide the same level as lubrication for the injector components as diesel,
which sometimes becomes a limiting factor in the injection pressures used by GDI engines. The
injection pressure of a GDI engine is typically limited to approximately 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), to
prevent excessive wear on the injectors.

Multi point fuel injection (MPFI) system

Advantages of multi point fuel injection (MPFI) system

 It increases fuel efficiency of the engine

 With MPFI system vehicle have less emissions
  Better atomization of fuel
 It encourages better utilization and distribution of fuel with in an engine
 Smooth operation of engine
 It reduces the difference in power, produced by each cylinder
 Better acceleration and deceleration of engine
 In improves durability and functionality of engine
 It is reliable
 It improves cold start characteristics of the engine
 It reduces vibrations in the engine
Disadvantages of multi point fuel injection (MPFI) system

 There could be a case of misfiring sometimes

 Regular inspection of fuel injectors is required
 It is costly as compared to conventional systems