Abstract: An armature lift assembly for a fuel injector is disclosed. The assembly includes a body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a longitudinal body channel extending therethrough and an armature/needle assembly which is reciprocably disposed in the body along the longitudinal body channel. The assembly further includes a first tube having an upstream end, a downstream end fixedly connected to the upstream end of the body, and a first tube channel. The assembly also includes a second tube located within the first tube channel and fixedly connected to the first tube. The second tube has an upstream end and a downstream end. The downstream end of the second tube is spaced a distance from the upstream end of the armature/needle assembly approximately equal to a lift distance of the armature/needle assembly. A method of setting armature/needle lift in a fuel injector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, a length-changing solid state actuator that has first and second ends, a closure member coupled to the first end of the solid state actuator, and a compensator assembly coupled the second end of the solid state actuator. The solid state actuator includes a plurality of solid state elements along the axis between the first and second ends. The closure member is movable between a first configuration permitting fuel injection and a second configuration preventing fuel injection. And the compensator assembly axially positions the solid state actuator with respect to the body in response to temperature variation. The compensator assembly utilizes a configuration of at least one spring disposed between two pistons so as to reduce the use of elastomer seals to thereby reduce a slip stick effect.

Abstract: A fuel assembly is provided. The fuel assembly includes a fuel supply conduit, an air intake manifold, a fuel injector, and a spacer. The air intake manifold is disposed a predetermined distance from the fuel supply conduit. The fuel injector has a first end disposed in the fuel supply conduit and a second end disposed in the air intake manifold. The fuel injector has a length greater than the predetermined distance. The spacer is disposed about a portion of the fuel injector such that the spacer retains the first end of the fuel injector in the fuel supply conduit and the second end of the fuel injector in the air intake manifold. Methods of installing and removing the fuel injector into and from the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-through pressure regulator which is self-contained. The flow-through pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet offset along an axis. The housing is separated by a valve assembly into a first chamber and a second chamber. The valve assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet along the axis. The valve assembly has a closure member that permits or inhibits flow.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a housing, a valve seat, a metering orifice disc, and a needle. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The valve seat is disposed proximate the outlet and includes a passage having a sealing surface and an orifice. The metering orifice disc is located at the outlet and has a plurality of metering openings extending therethrough. The needle is reciprocally located within the housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position wherein the needle is displaced from the valve seat, allowing fuel flow past the needle, and a second position wherein the needle is biased against the valve seat, precluding fuel flow past the needle. A generally annular channel is formed between the valve seat and the metering orifice disc. The channel tapers outwardly from a large height to a smaller height toward the orifice openings.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, a length-changing actuator that has first and second ends, a closure member coupled to the first end of the length-changing actuator, and a compensator assembly coupled the second end of the actuator. The length-changing actuator includes first and second ends. The closure member is movable between a first configuration permitting fuel injection and a second configuration preventing fuel injection. And the compensator assembly axially positions the actuator with respect to the body in response to temperature variation. The compensator assembly utilizes a configuration of at least one spring disposed between two pistons so as to reduce the-use of elastomer seals to thereby reduce a slip stick effect. Also, a method of compensating for thermal expansion or contraction of the fuel injector comprises providing fuel from a fuel supply to the fuel injector; and adjusting the actuator with respect to the body in response to temperature variation.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a housing, a valve seat, a metering orifice, and a needle. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The valve seat is disposed proximate the outlet and includes a passage having a sealing surface and an orifice. The metering orifice is located at the outlet and has a plurality of metering openings extending therethrough. The needle is reciprocally located within the housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position wherein the needle is displaced from the valve seat, allowing fuel flow past the needle, and a second position wherein the needle is biased against the valve seat, precluding fuel flow past the needle. A generally annular channel is formed between the valve seat and the metering orifice. The channel tapers outwardly from a large height to a smaller height toward the orifice openings.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming chamfers in an orifice of a workpiece. The orifice has an axis, which extends between a first surface and second surface of the workpiece, where the first and second surfaces are parallel to each other. The chamfers are disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The method includes forming an orifice in a workpiece with a source of non-collimated light directed at the workpiece at a predetermined first time interval, and forming a chamfer with a source of collimated light at a second time interval during the first time interval. The apparatus includes at least one source of collimated and non-collimated light, various spatial filters that can be used with the laser light source, a non-collimated light generating arrangement, and at least one shutter and at least one iris that direct collimated and non-collimated light at the workpiece to form the orifice. The apparatus is configured such that the orifice has a surface roughness of between approximately 0.

Abstract: A method of controlling the amount of magnetostriction in a magnetostrictive actuator is provided. The method compensates for non-ideal influences, such as imperfections in the magnetostrictive member, prestress, stress or load, quality of the magnetic circuit, and temperature. The method includes selectively energizing the coil to build and maintain a current for generating the magnetizing force; measuring the magnetic flux; and applying the magnetic flux as a feedback variable to control the magnetizing force and thereby control the amount of magnetostriction.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A tool is provided for removing a component from a fuel rail in an automotive fuel system. The tool has a pair of jaws connected to a pair of pivoting handles, which allow the jaws to be opened and closed. The jaws have an inner cavity shaped to conform to an outer surface of the component. A pair of release members are slidably mounted on an outer surface of the jaws. When the release members are moved relative to the jaws, rims on the release members contact a retention clip holding the component to the fuel rail. Contact between the rims and the clip causes the clip to disengage from a retention surface on the fuel rail, freeing the component.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, a length-changin solid state actuator that has first and second ends, a closure member coupled to the first end of the solid state actuator, and a compensator assembly coupled the second end of the solid state actuator. The solid state actuator includes a plurality of solid state elements along the axis between the first and second ends. The closure member is movable between a first configuration permitting fuel injection and a second configuration preventing fuel injection. And the compensator assembly axially positions the solid state actuator with respect to the body in response to temperature variation. The compensator assembly utilizes a configuration of at least one spring disposed between two pistons so as to reduce the use of elastomer seals to thereby reduce a slip stick effect.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A fuel injector having an arrangement to stabilize the temperature of its components within an engine cylinder in a direct injection application. The fuel injector includes a body, an armature, a needle, a swirl generator, and a seat. The body has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a body passage, extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion along a longitudinal axis of the fuel injector. The armature is located proximate the inlet portion of the body, and is operatively connected to the needle. The needle is provided with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area, and the body is selected to surround the needle and form a body passage that has an average cross-sectional area less than two times the substantially uniform cross-sectional area of the needle.

Abstract: A method of directly setting an injector lift that involves the provisioning of a valve body having an uniform internal diameter, inserting a sleeve assembly to a predetermined distance and securing the sleeve assembly. The apparatus includes a sleeve, a lower armature guide and a seat, all of which can be integral so as to facilitate the setting of the injector lift. The sleeve assembly is press-fitted and secured by known attachment techniques.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet along a longitudinal axis. An armature is proximate the inlet of the body. A needle is operatively connected to the armature. A seat is proximate the outlet of the body. A guide member is disposed within the body, the guide member including an aperture that guides the needle. A flat metering disk is disposed between the seat and the guide member, the flat metering disk including a central aperture, a perimeter, and a plurality of slots. Each of the plurality of slots is disposed about the central aperture and extends from the central aperture toward the perimeter to define a volume. The plurality of slots are configured so that the volumes of two of the plurality of slots are non-uniform, and/or the plurality of slots are non-uniformly disposed about the central aperture.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is disposed within the tube; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.

Abstract: A gripping apparatus is disclosed. The gripping apparatus includes a first finger including a plurality of first sawteeth along a first longitudinal end and a receiving area being located between adjacent sawteeth and a second finger including a plurality of complementary sawteeth juxtaposed from the first sawteeth. One of the first and second fingers is movable relative toward the other of the first and second fingers such that an object to be gripped is positioned in the receiving area by one of the plurality of complementary sawteeth. The object is releasably retained against the receiving area by the second finger. A method of gripping an object is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the force required to insert an elastomeric seal in a cavity of a metallic member includes tumbling the member in a tumbling machine with media to decrease the surface roughness of the member. Preferably, the tumbling step includes decreasing the surface roughness of the metallic member at least a portion of the member defining an entrance to the cavity. The method is particularly useful for reducing the force required to insert fuel injectors having top O-rings into fuel rail cups.