Abstract: The coil of a solenoid-operated valve is fluid-isolated from fluid whose flow is controlled by the valve by providing the solenoid with an imperforate transverse end wall having a radially inner annular ferromagnetic zone forming one portion of the stator, a radially outer annular ferromagnetic zone forming another portion of the stator, and a radially intermediate annular zone of non-magnetic material separating the radially inner and radially outer ferromagnetic zones.

Abstract: An armature moves in a first and a second direction for causing a needle valve to contact and separate from a valve seat. A stop is situated to provide a motion stop in at least the first direction. Damping is provided for damping the motion of the armature by dissipating energy from a collision of the armature with the stop. The energy dissipation is accomplished by using a spring or washer to hold the needle valve against the valve seat to prevent unwanted fuel seepage to an engine.

Abstract: The valve has a sphere that is resiliently biased by a resilient lever means to close the outlet orifice leading from the frustoconical seat on which the sphere is seated. Associated with the resilient lever means is an electric-operated actuator that is effective, when energized, to release the resilient bias force which the resilient lever means exerts on the sphere. When this happens, a spring that is disposed to bear against the sphere unseats the sphere thereby opening the valve.

Abstract: A solenoid coil is fabricated by precision winding a length of magnet wire to form a free-standing coil, disposing the coil on a terminal holder containing electrical terminals, connecting the wire terminations to the electrical terminals, supporting such a sub-assembly within a mold cavity, injecting flowable plastic material into the cavity to wholly envelop the coil, the terminal holder and proximal portions of the terminals, allowing the plastic to cure and thereby form an enclosure which is devoid of any seams extending from its exterior to either the coil or the terminal holder, and then removing the encapsulated assembly from the mold cavity. This produces a solenoid coil that is well-suited for use in high-pressure "wet" environments because the encapsulated assembly is strong and leak-proof and it has sealing surfaces whose surface finish and dimensions are closely controlled.

Abstract: The atomizer fits over the outlet of the fuel injector and comprises a thimble-shaped inner part that nests within a thimble-shaped outer part. Both inner and outer parts comprise holes in their end walls through which injected liquid fuel from the injector outlet passes. The inner and outer parts cooperatively define passages through which assist air is conveyed to the aforementioned holes to aid in the atomization of the injected fuel. Several embodiments of atomizers are disclosed.

Abstract: A direct acting hydraulic valve lifter, DAHVL, having dual bucket tappets is provided with means for damping the inner bucket tappet which is coupled to the engine valve. In doing so, the engine valve is damped on its closure reducing noise and wear of the engine valve. Damping is accomplished by means of side wall communication port for connecting the inner chambers of each bucket tappet which is closed by the reciprocal motion of the inner tappet as the cam closes the engine valve and a thin orifice disk controlling the flow of the fluid from the second or inner bucket to the first bucket tappet. Hydraulic pressure is multiplied by the respective areas of the tappet pistons so that the overall height of the DAHVL in a direct acting cam-valve system in reduced.

Abstract: A fuel rail for a side- or bottom- fed injector wherein the rail contains conductors, and the injectors are connected to the conductors simultaneously with the insertion of the injectors into through-holes in the rail.

Abstract: The collared sphere is a separate part that is assembled into the valve during the assembly process. A resilient spring disc acts through the collar on the sphere to hold the sphere in abutment with the tip end of the armature as the armature reciprocates to open and close the valve. The disc is also a separate part that is assembled into the valve during the assembly process. The outer margin of the disc is supported on a raised ledge without attachment thereto while the sphere fills slightly less than a central circular void in the disc whose diameter is less than that of the sphere. The valve seat is frustoconical, and the disc acts through the collar to maintain the sphere at least approximately concentric with the seat so that when the valve is operated closed any misalignment of the sphere to the seat is taken out by the camming action of the seat on the sphere as the valve closes.

Abstract: In a fuel injector, a swirl generator operates to impart a tangential or swirl component to the fuel as it is expelled from the injector. The mass of the swirl generator is minimized so as to maximize the actuating speed of the injector. The swirl generator develops a pressure drop across the generator during the time the fuel is expelled which pressure drop aids in enhancing the closure time of the injector. The swirl generator provides damping to the needle valve upon both opening and closing. The swirl generator minimizes the volume of residual fuel remaining in the injector.

Abstract: The fuel injector valves are disposed within the fuel manifold; they have no housings and are completely immersed in liquid fuel.

Abstract: Audible noise emission from a solenoid-operated fuel injector is reduced by providing a circumferential slot around the end of the stator at the working gap between the stator and the armature. In one form of the invention the slot is unoccupied and creates a flange that absorbs impact energy by deflection. In another form the slot is filled with dimagnetic material that exerts an opposing force that retards armature motion as the armature approaches the stator in response to solenoid energization opening the injector.

Abstract: Because of inherent delay in magnetic flux propagation in the magnetic circuit, the transient opening magnetic force on the armature does not build as rapidly as the injector driver circuit may be capable of commanding. This transient force is augmented without increasing the package size of the magnetic circuit. A fuel injector has a novel solenoid actuator magnetic circuit that has slots, convolutions, or the like dispersed in the surface of the magnetic circuit to provide increased surface area on the magnetic circuit in the direction of the lines of flux generated when the solenoid is energized along a path to the magnetic gap without increasing the overall size of the magnetic circuit. This increased surface area for the skin provides increased flux paths in the magnetic gap during the transient build-up of magnetic force across the gap, thereby improving the response of the armature upon opening.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a thin disc orifice member through which fuel exits the injector for entrainment with combustion air. The thin disc orifice member has a centrally disposed dimple that contains the orifice pattern. The orifice pattern is asymmetrical about the axis of the dimple thereby enabling the injector to be tilted to a desired orientation for directing the stream from each orifice of the pattern toward a desired target zone. The ability to tilt a fuel injector in this manner enables a fuel injector to be disposed in the most favorable orientation with respect to the engine, for example reducing the protrusion height of the fuel injector above the engine.

Abstract: A number of fuel injectors are mounted on an elongated carrier that has been inserted endwise into an open end of an elongated hole in a member such as a tube or an engine manifold. Electrical lead wires extend from the fuel injectors along the carrier to a connector on the exterior. The fuel injectors' nozzles are received in sealed manner in holes extending through the wall of said member. A keeper also inserted endwise through the elongated hole in the member keeps the carrier in place. Each injector has a sphere that is resiliently biased by a flat spring blade to close the outlet orifice leading from the frustoconical seat on which the sphere is seated. The spring blade is cantilever-mounted atop a post adjacent the seat. A magnetic circuit encircles the sphere and comprises an armature that acts against the side of the sphere to displace the sphere to eccentricity with the seat for opening the outlet orifice.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has a tubular non-magnetic body defined by radially inner and outer side walls bounding an annular shaped interior which contains a tubular solenoid coil and an annular valve element that is operated by said solenoid coil to open and close the fuel injector. The radially inner wall bounds a central through-hole in the body that allows the stem of an engine intake valve to pass through the fuel injector, thereby enabling the fuel injector to be mounted on the manifold directly over the valve head.

Abstract: Two annular guide bearings that guide the needle are mounted in a tube which is disposed in a bore of the valve body, rather than being mounted directly on the valve body bore. This arrangement affords the opportunity for better alignment the bearings with the solenoid actuator and with the valve seat.

Abstract: A very fast electromagnetic fuel injector of cartridge design for the injection of fuel into the intake manifold of an internal combustion motor. The magnetic pole of the valve is mounted on a non-magnetizable casing which is solidly connected to a valve seat. This casing, together with the armature, the magnetic pole, and the valve seat, form a cartridge which can be manufactured independent from the other valve components. The cartridge is built into a valve housing which largely consists of plastic material. The fuel injector is therefore inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, the valve can be provided with a monostable polarized magnetic circuit.

Abstract: When one of the combustion chambers is found to be operating non-compliantly, it is deactivated by the engine management computer preventing the electronic valve control computer from opening the solenoid-actuated intake valve for that combustion chamber.

Abstract: A saw-tooth shaped groove around the outside of a valve seat cooperates with the wall of a bore into which the valve seat is pressed to capture material displaced from the wall of the bore during the step of pressing the valve seat into the bore.

Abstract: Improvements for imparting hysteresis, or dampening, to the shaft of a pedal assembly for an electronic throttle actuation system so that the feel of the pedal simulates the feel of a strictly mechanical system. Pads are resiliently urged against a disk in one embodiment, the disk being affixed to the pedal shaft. In another embodiment, metal rings are resiliently urged against friction rings on the disk.