Abstract: An improved method for controlling the landing velocity of an armature in an electromechanical actuator, such as a fuel injector, fuel pressure regulator, or engine valve actuator is provided. The position and velocity of an armature during a stroke is dynamically estimated by calculating the inductance and rate of change of inductance of the actuator coil in real-time as the armature moves through its stroke, compensating for non-linear permeability and magnetization effects due to changing gap, temperature, magnetic material properties or magnetic architecture, normalizing the calculated inductance value at the end of a stroke (zero gap), and mapping the value of normalized inductance to correspond to an armature position by an algebraic transformation. Inductance may be used directly as a position variable without mapping it to units of position. Rate of change of inductance may be used as a rate variable without mapping it to units of velocity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solenoid actuated fuel injector. The fuel injector includes a housing having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along a longitudinal axis. The fuel injector additionally includes a valve body having an inlet portion and an armature guide eyelet that is disposed in the inlet portion of the valve body within the fuel passageway. A closure assembly includes an upper bearing guide fixedly connected to a stem portion. The upper bearing guide includes a bearing portion and a contacting portion. The armature guide eyelet includes a first portion circumscribing the upper bearing guide portion, and a second portion engaging the upper bearing guide contacting portion. Methods of mechanically insuring a repeatable stroke of a closure assembly and operating a closure assembly within a solenoid actuated fuel injector are also provided.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a valve body, a valve seat at one end of the valve body and having a seating surface facing the interior of the valve body and including a fuel outlet opening, a fuel tube for conducting pressurized fuel into the valve body against the seating surface, a spherical valve ball moveable between a seated position against the seating surface to close the outlet opening against fuel flow, and an open position spaced from the seating surface to allow fuel flow through the outlet opening, a spring in the valve body and biasing the valve ball toward the seated position, an armature axially moveable in the valve body and including a valve ball capturing member at an end proximate the seating surface, the valve ball capturing member being engageable with the ball outer surface adjacent the seating surface, and a solenoid coil operable to draw the armature away from the seating surface, thereby moving the valve ball to the open position and allowing fuel to pass through the fuel

Abstract: A fuel injector has a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector comprises a body, an armature, a spring, and a spring stop. The body has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a passage disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The armature is disposed within the passage and is displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The spring is disposed within the passage and applies a biasing force to the armature. The spring has a first end disposed proximate the armature and a second end opposite from the first end. The spring stop is disposed within the passage and has a first and second portion. The first portion includes at least one projection engaging the passage. The at least one projection extends obliquely with respect to the axis and in a direction general toward the inlet portion.

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 located at the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.

Abstract: A top feed fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a housing; a fuel passage within the housing; an electrically controlled valve mechanism for controlling fuel flow through the fuel passage; and a radially extending protrusion on the housing, the radially extending protrusion configured to mate with a void in a manifold or head in which the fuel injector is inserted such that the fuel injector maintains its orientation with respect to the manifold or head. Another aspect of the invention is a top feed fuel injector for an internal combustion engine including a housing; a fuel passage within the housing; and an electrically controlled valve mechanism for controlling fuel flow through the fuel passage; wherein the housing defines a radially inwardly extending opening, the radially inwardly extending opening configured to mate with a protrusion on a manifold or head in which the fuel injector is inserted such that the fuel injector maintains its orientation with respect to the manifold or head.

Abstract: A fuel injector and a method of setting dynamic calibration for the fuel injector. The fuel injector has a body, a seat, an armature assembly, a resilient member, and a member. The resilient member biases the armature assembly toward the second position. And the member extends parallel to the longitudinal axis between a first portion and a second portion. The first portion supports the resilient member and engages the body, and the second portion has a filter. The method can be achieved, in part, by providing the member extending between the first portion and the second portion, fixing the filter to the second portion such that the filter extends toward from the first portion, moving the member along the longitudinal axis with respect to the body; and engaging the first portion with respect to the body such that the first portion supports the resilient member in a predetermined dynamic state.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a tube assembly, a stem assembly, and a plurality of sets of piezoelectric elements. The tube assembly includes a seat defining an opening through which fuel enters an internal combustion engine. The stem assembly includes a cap and a stem that are relatively movable with respect to one another. A gap is located between the stem and cap when the stem contiguously engages the seat such that fuel flow through the opening is prevented. A first set of piezoelectric elements moves the cap in response to a first electric field, and a second set of piezoelectric elements moves the first set of piezoelectric elements in response to a second electric field. A sensor measuring the gap compensates the second electric field for physical changes in at least one of the tube and stem assemblies.

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 tube assembly having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, a seat secured at the second end of the tube assembly and defining an opening. An armature assembly is movable along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions with respect to the seat. The armature includes a first set of passages permitting fluid flow therethrough and a second set of passages permitting vapor flow therethrough. Additionally, a method of dissipating fuel vapors in a fuel injector includes providing the armature with a first set of passages permitting fluid flow therethrough and a second set of passages permitting vapor flow therethrough.

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 located at the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.

Abstract: A car locator system includes a hand held locator which receives information with regard to the location of a vehicle and then stores that information for display on the hand held locator. The hand held locator could be a key fob having buttons to command operation to the vehicle. When a command signal is transmitted to the vehicle, the vehicle then transmits its position location to the hand held location for storage. In this way, an operator will be able to have an indication of the location of the vehicle. The vehicle can communicate with GPS satellites to determine its location, or may communicate with ground based local transmitters. The ground based local transmitters can be programmed to provide an indication of the location of the vehicle within a parking lot.

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 collimated light directed at the workpiece at a predetermined first time interval, and forming a chamfer with a source of non-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, a collimated light filter, and 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 0.05 microns and approximately 0.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector comprises a body, an armature, a spring, and a spring stop. The body has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a passage disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The armature is disposed within the passage and is displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The spring is disposed within the passage and applies a biasing force to the armature. The spring has a first end disposed proximate the armature and a second end opposite from the first end. The spring stop is disposed within the passage and has a first and second portion. The first portion includes at least one projection engaging the passage. The at least one projection extends obliquely with respect to the axis and in a direction general toward the inlet portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel system for an internal combustion engine powered by fuel that includes a fuel tank having a wall defining a volume. The fuel system also includes a pump that is disposed proximate the fuel tank and operatively connected to the volume. The fuel system further includes piping that is coupled to the pump and is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine. A pressure regulator with a self-contained valve assembly is disposed in at least one of the pump or the piping.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.

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 at least within the tube assembly; 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 fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail has a body with interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines a volume. The exterior surface surrounds the interior surface. An aperture extends between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface that defines a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector, and an outside surface that surrounds the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed so that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel rail and the outside surface of the inlet tube, the rigid connection securing and hermetically sealing the fuel rail with the fuel injector.