Abstract: A fuel injector control valve assembly is provided that comprises a valve actuating mechanism, a cage member that is operatively connected to the valve actuating mechanism, a poppet valve member that is operatively connected to the cage member and that defines a perimeter and a longitudinal axis, a valve sleeve member that is disposed about the poppet valve member, a shim that includes an upper surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the cage member and a lower surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the sleeve member, thereby providing a fluid seal about the perimeter of the poppet valve member, and a bounce limiting mechanism that is adjacent the shim and that is interposed between the cage member and at least one of either the poppet valve member and the valve sleeve member.

Abstract: A fuel injector control valve assembly is provided that comprises a valve actuating mechanism, a cage member that is operatively connected to the valve actuating mechanism, a poppet valve member that is operatively connected to the cage member and that defines a perimeter and a longitudinal axis, a valve sleeve member that is disposed about the poppet valve member, a shim that includes an upper surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the cage member and a lower surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the sleeve member, thereby providing a fluid seal about the perimeter of the poppet valve member, and a bounce limiting mechanism that is adjacent the shim and that is interposed between the cage member and at least one of either the poppet valve member and the valve sleeve member.

Abstract: A common rail fuel injector comprises a three-way control valve that controls the flow of high-pressure fuel to a fuel cavity for fuel injection. Specifically, when the control valve is transitioning to a first, on position, from a second, off position, high-pressure fuel is provided to both the fuel cavity and to a check control cavity, thereby preventing fuel injection until the control valve seats in the first, on position. Once seated in the first, on position, the control valve only provides high-pressure fuel to the fuel cavity allowing fuel injection to occur. To stop injection, the control valve is moved from the first, on position to the second, closed position. Once again, while the control valve is in the transition location between the two positions, high-pressure fuel is provided to both the fuel cavity and to the check control cavity thereby terminating injection.

Abstract: A common rail fuel injector comprises a three-way control valve that controls the flow of high-pressure fuel to a fuel cavity for fuel injection. Specifically, when the control valve is transitioning to a first, on position, from a second, off position, high-pressure fuel is provided to both the fuel cavity and to a check control cavity, thereby preventing fuel injection until the control valve seats in the first, on position. Once seated in the first, on position, the control valve only provides high-pressure fuel to the fuel cavity allowing fuel injection to occur. To stop injection, the control valve is moved from the first, on position to the second, closed position. Once again, while the control valve is in the transition location between the two positions, high-pressure fuel is provided to both the fuel cavity and to the check control cavity thereby terminating injection.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus adapted to heat actuating fluid in a rail passage located within an engine. The rail passage is connected to an fluid inlet of at least one fuel injector. The apparatus includes a heating device located within the rail passage. The heating device is adapted to heat the actuating fluid, in response to a control signal. The apparatus also includes a temperature sensing device located within the rail passage. The temperature sensing device is adapted to sense a temperature of the actuating fluid and responsively generate a temperature signal. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes an electronic controller adapted to receive the temperature signal, determine a temperature of the fluid, and responsively generate the control signal and deliver an injection command signal to the fuel injector.