Abstract: An injector is provided which includes a nozzle valve element, a control volume, and an injection control valve for controlling fuel flow from the control volume so as to control nozzle valve movement. Importantly, the injector includes a nozzle valve lift detecting device for detecting nozzle valve lift and providing a nozzle valve element lift feedback signal. In addition, an injection control valve member movement detecting device may be provided for detecting movement of the injection control valve member into open and/or closed positions and generating a control valve member position feedback signal. One or both of the feedback signals may be used for adjusting the timing and/or rate of opening of the injection control valve thereby controlling the timing and/or rate of opening of the nozzle valve element to control the timing and/or rate of fuel injection of subsequent injection events.

Abstract: A method of transferring a scene recorded on photographic negative film to video using a telecine is disclosed comprising the steps of:a) setting up the telecine so that predetermined waveform readings are obtained for a reference element comprising at least one gray scale portion comprising density patches corresponding to three known density values;b) storing the telecine set-up settings;c) loading a scene on photographic negative film into the telecine wherein the scene includes a gray card;d) using the stored telecine settings to effect transfer of the scene to video;e) determining red, green and blue video voltages for the gray card; andf) converting the red, green and blue video voltages to Transfer Points between 0 and 50 to provide exposure information for the scene.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a fuel pressure balancing device for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on a needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting an actuator to more precisely and predictably control the movement of the needle valve element. The fuel pressure balancing device includes a cavity formed in the needle valve element and pressure balancing surfaces formed on the needle valve element and positioned in the cavity. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection.

Abstract: A fuel injector for effectively preventing excessive loading of a component mounted internal to the injector is provided which includes a one-piece retainer having first and second connector portions for permitting two independent loads to be applied to different internal components of the injector. The second connector portion includes threads for engaging a nozzle assembly to impart a compressive force on the nozzle assembly. The first connector portion also includes threads for engaging an outer barrel for placing a first compressive load on a load sensitive internal component, such as a center tube of an injection control valve. In this manner, the second compressive force can be set at a minimum level independent from the first compressive force to permit the size of the center tube to be minimized thereby reducing the overall size of the injector.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection. A fuel pressure balancing device is provided for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on the needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting the piezoelectric actuator to more precisely and predictably control the rate of movement, and the extent of movement, of the needle valve element.

Abstract: The improved needle controlled common rail fuel system of the present invention includes split common rails serving respective sets of unit injectors. Each unit injector includes a mechanically actuated plunger reciprocally mounted to cyclically create gradual periods of increasing pressure in the common rail during the advancement stroke of the plunger followed by respective periods of decreasing pressure during the plunger's retraction stroke. The fuel injectors include a pressure control valve for controlling the amount of fuel pressurized by the plunger and a needle valve control device including an injection control valve for creating an injection event during a pumping event by controlling the fuel flow to drain so as to control the fuel pressure forces acting on an injector needle valve element. A flow limiting device is provided to limit the fuel flow from a control volume to drain during an injection event thus reducing parasitic losses while maintaining quick valve closing.

Abstract: The improved needle controlled common rail fuel system of the present invention includes split common rails serving respective sets of injectors and a respective high pressure pump associated with each rail. The high pressure pumps reciprocate to cyclically create gradual periods of increasing pressure in the common rail during the advancement stroke of the plunger followed by respective periods of decreasing pressure during the plunger's retraction stroke. The fuel injectors include an injection control valve and a needle control device for creating an injection event during a pumping event by controlling the fuel flow to drain so as to control the fuel pressure forces acting on an injector needle valve element. A flow limiting device is provided to limit the fuel flow from a control volume to drain during an injection event thus reducing parasitic losses while maintaining quick valve closing. The system also includes an improved fuel injector design including an intensification plunger assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection control valve positioned inside a fuel injector, i.e. a unit injector, for providing fast response and high pressure capability while minimizing the size and complexity of the injector. The control valve includes a valve housing having a supply inlet and fuel outlet, a center tube having a center passage and an annular valve seat, a control valve sleeve slidably mounted on the center tube and an actuator assembly having a coil spring, a stator and an armature. The control valve sleeve moves between an open position permitting fuel to flow between the supply inlet and the fuel outlet and a closed position which sealingly engages the annular valve seat for blocking the flow of fuel between the supply inlet and the fuel outlet. The coil spring biases the control valve sleeve in an open position and is positioned around the center tube. The stator is also axially positioned around the center tube and includes multiple poles.

Abstract: A solenoid valve is disclosed including a valve housing having a central bore and a valve seat, a valve element movable between an open position allowing fluid to pass through said valve seat and a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat, a valve operator for moving the valve element between the open and closed positions including a reciprocating armature plunger member extending through the bore and an armature secured to the armature plunger, and the valve seat when the valve element is in its open position without creating a path of leakage when the valve element is in its closed position. The armature plunger includes a threaded-end portion which extends from the valve seat for receiving a valve assembly which is provided with a top portion forming a sealing face and a bottom portion having a central opening adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the armature plunger.

Abstract: A solenoid valve is disclosed including a valve housing having a central bore and a valve seat, a valve element movable between an open position allowing fluid to pass through said valve seat and a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat, a valve operator for moving the valve element between the open and closed positions including a reciprocating armature plunger member extending through the bore and an armature secured to the armature plunger, a valve adjustment for adjustably mounting the valve element relative to the valve operator for permitting adjustment to within an acceptable tolerance of a predetermined distance between the valve element and the valve seat when the valve element is in its open position without creating a path of leakage when the valve element is in its closed position.

Abstract: A throttle stop assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided to return the throttle shaft to an idle position from a full throttle position in the event a loose throttle level mounting bolt occurs. The throttle stop assembly is designed to for the throttle shaft stop element from the full throttle position to the idle position if the throttle lever mounting bolt assembly fails, thereby preventing the engine from continuing to run in an advanced throttle condition. The stop assembly of the present invention includes a spring-biased piston contained within a threaded, hollow shaft. The spring biased piston has no effect on throttle shaft position except when the normal throttle shaft operating system fails in which case the spring biased piston will cause the throttle shaft to return to its idle position.