Abstract: A disclosed is a 2-way 2-position fluid control valve assembly operable to manually open and automatically block fluid flow therethrough. The fluid control valve assembly includes a valve and an electromagnetic actuator having an armature and a pole piece. The valve is biased to its closed position whereat the armature is spaced away from the pole piece. The armature is manually movable to contact the pole piece while opening the valve. The armature and the pole piece are latchable together, with only residual magnetism, only when there is zero air gap or substantially zero air gap between the armature and the pole piece. When latched, the armature and the pole piece remain in that state until they are delatched by canceling at least enough of the residual magnetism so that the biased valve closes while the armature moves away from the pole piece.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an improved tap assembly including a tap, a delivery tube, and a rotatable cam for selectively compressing or not compressing a resilient flow control portion of the delivery tube in order to block or allow fluid flow therethrough. Also included is a decompression device for positively ensuring unrestricted flow through the resilient flow control portion when the cam is rotated to its opened position. The dispensed fluid may be pressurized by premixing with another fluid supplied by a manifold. The manifold is adapted to be connected to multiple pressurized sources of the another fluid. A diffuser is provided upstream of the flow control portion in order to effectively condition the dispensed fluid to desired characteristics such as reduced velocity, laminar flow, and appearance. The tap and manifold have matable piloting members for easily guiding these components together in correct relation for a snap assembly.

Abstract: A shell/terminal/coil subassembly adapted for an electrically-controlled proportional fluid pressure control valve assembly. The shell/terminal/coil subassembly comprises an encapsulated terminal/coil subassembly, a shell, and an anti-rotation device for preventing relative rotation movement between the terminal/coil subassembly and the shell. The pressure control valve assembly is adapted for, inter alia, a hydraulically-actuated fuel injector system.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically-actuated fluid injector system comprises a hydraulically-actuated fuel pressurization member, a fluid storage chamber, and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. Preferably, actuating fluid that is spilled from the fuel pressurization member (to end fuel injection) is communicated to a hydraulic motor which drives a source of pressurized hydraulically-actuating fluid.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. A fluid, such as fuel, can be injected as a purely vapor phase to improve mixing with combustion air.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: A tappet and plunger assembly adapted for fluid injection pump, such as unit fuel injector. The fuel pump plunger is retained directly to the tappet by a flexible member such as an elastomeric o-ring. If the plunger seizes in its housing bore, the flexible member will sufficiently flex and/or fail thereby allowing the tappet to i) separate from the stationary plunger and ii) remain in contact with the mating component of the moving engine drive train. The arrangement helps prevent damage to the engine by engine drive train components if the plunger becomes seized.

Abstract: A spool valve assembly for isolating and/or minimizing actuating fluid pressure fluctuations between a pair of actuating fluid manifolds in a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system. The spool valve assembly may be integrally formed with an actuating fluid supply pump or positioned remote therefrom in the fluid flowpath between the supply pump and the pair of actuating fluid manifolds.

Abstract: A dual-function clamping assembly adapted for i) connecting a hydraulically-actuated injector to an engine member, such as a cylinder head, and ii) for sealedly connecting an actuating fluid supply passage between the engine member and an actuating fluid inlet passage of the injector located at one end portion of the injector. The clamp assembly is applicable, for example, for angled-body injectors having the actuator and valve assembly positioned offset from and angled relative to the main longitudinal axis of the injector body.

Abstract: An apparatus for variably controlling the fuel flow characteristics of a hydraulically-actuated injector during an injection cycle. The apparatus includes variable control of actuating fluid pressure and a spill control apparatus associated with the plunger and barrel assembly of the injector. The apparatus can control the initial rate of fuel injection and also provide continuous or split injection throughout the load and speed range of an engine. Performance is controlled by the geometry of the spill control apparatus along with the variably controlled pressure of the actuating fluid supplied to the injector. The apparatus helps reduce engine noise and emissions.

Abstract: A combustion gas seal assembly adapted for a fuel injector installed in a cylinder head of an engine. The seal assembly includes a hollow adapter adapted to be connected to the cylinder head, an injector case positioned in the adapter, and a flexible annular seal positioned between the case and the adapter. The case and adapter each define opposed annular seat portions contacting one another. At least one of the seat portions of the case and the adapter defines an annular groove in which the flexible annular seal is positioned. The combustion gas seal assembly prevents pressurized combustion gas, originating from an engine combustion chamber, from leaking past the interface between the case and the cylinder head. The assembly also facilitates low cost retrofitting or adaptation of new or different fuel injectors to an existing cylinder head of a conventional engine.

Abstract: An actuator and valve assembly is disclosed which comprises an electrically-energizable actuator assembly and a device for communicating, collecting and draining damping fluid with respect to at least one cavity of the actuator assembly. If too much damping fluid remains in the actuator and valve assembly after shutdown, that damping fluid may cool off and cause slow response of the actuator and valve assembly when it is re-energized. The end result is that quick starting and/or operation of the actuator and valve assembly may be hindered, particularly under cold operating conditions. The communicating, collecting and draining means permits at least a portion of the hot damping fluid to automatically drain from the cavity after the actuator and valve assembly has been shutdown.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically-actuated fluid injector system comprises a hydraulically-actuated fuel pressurization member, a fluid storage chamber, and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. Preferably, actuating fluid that is spilled from the fuel pressurization member (to end fuel injection) is communicated to a hydraulic motor which drives a source of pressurized hydraulically-actuating fluid.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: A valve-closed-orifice (VCO) spray tip having an internal tip seat and one or more fuel spray orifices. The thickness of the tip in the wall portion defining the internal tip seat and upstream entrance of each orifice is made less than that of previously known VCO tips. The length to diameter ratio of each orifice is also relatively smaller than that of previously known VCO tips. Advantages of the thinner wall portion include improved fuel injection spray characteristics as well as reduced cost of forming orifices through the tip.

Abstract: An actuator and valve assembly for an electronically-controlled injector is disclosed which comprises an electrically-energizable actuator assembly and a device for communicating, collecting and draining damping fluid with respect to at least one cavity of the actuator assembly. If too much damping fluid remains in the actuator assembly after engine shutdown, that damping fluid may cool off and cause slow response of the actuator and valve assembly during cold engine starting. The end result is that quick starting and/or operation of the engine may be hindered, particularly under cold engine conditions. The communicating, collecting and draining means permits at least a portion of the hot damping fluid to automatically drain from the cavity after the engine has been shutdown.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fuel injection parameters for fuel injection quantity, injection timing, and actuating fluid pressure of a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel system. The apparatus utilizes signals indicative of actuating fluid pressure (P.sub.f) and/or actuating fluid viscosity (v) in order to determine such parameters.

Abstract: An improved actuating fluid inlet manifold for a plurality of hydraulically-actuated fuel injectors. The manifold includes fluid dynamic tuning apparatus for controlling the flow of relatively high pressure actuating fluid between the common rail passage of the manifold and the injectors. The fluid dynamic tuning apparatus includes a predetermined flow restriction defined in each of the rail branch passages of the manifold. Advantages of the fluid dynamic tuning apparatus include improved injector performance and/or a reduction in structural stresses of various engine components.

Abstract: An improved reverse flow check valve assembly adapted for a unit fluid pump-injector including a first stop having at least one inlet passage, a second stop, and a movable check. The check includes an internal passage spaced from the inlet passage defined in the first stop.The present embodiment has a configuration which is compact and minimizes wear without compromising performance.

Abstract: An improved gasifier adapted for gasifying a predetermined charge of non-gaseous fuel into fuel gas. Each charge of non-gaseous fuel, which may have optional conditioning materials added to it, is intermittently fed to a gasifier chamber where each charge is partially burned with high-pressure air supplied thereto. High-pressure and temperature fuel gas is produced which is cleansed prior to passing out of the gasifier chamber. After gasification of the charge of fuel is is ended, the gasifier chamber is vented. The residue of the burned charge in the gasifier chamber is removed, along with the contaminated or reacted conditioning materials, and replaced by a fresh charge. The subject invention provides a feasible way of continuously fueling an internal combustion engine with gasified fuel and is compact enough to be practical for even mobile applications.