Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for mounting a fuel injector to a fuel rail and permitting alignment of the fuel injector with an engine head. The assembly includes a cup having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being connected to a fuel rail, the lower portion including an interior, an exterior, and a lower surface. The fuel injector has an inlet, an outlet, and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet being disposed within the interior of the cup. A collar can be disposed proximate the lower surface of the cup, the collar cincturing the inlet of the fuel injector. A ring cinctures the inlet of the fuel injector. A fastener is secured to the exterior of the cup such that the ring establishes an interference fit between the collar and the inlet of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector includes a housing and an armature/needle assembly reciprocally mounted in the housing. The armature/needle assembly includes an armature having an armature end and a longitudinal armature channel extending therethrough and a needle having a longitudinal needle axis and a first needle end inserted in the armature channel. The first needle end is fixedly connected to the armature end. The assembly also includes at least one flow channel between the armature and the needle. The fuel injector further includes a valve seat located downstream of the needle. The needle is selectively engageable and disengageable with the valve seat to preclude fuel flow through an opening in the valve seat and to allow fuel flow through the opening in the valve seat, respectively. A method of forming the armature/needle assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A clip to couple a crossover tube to a fuel rail includes an annular body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end of the clip, the first end capturing the crossover tube. The annular body includes a first arcuate portion coupled to a second arcuate portion and a tab. An arm extends from the other of the first and second arcuate portions, the arm having serrations extending generally towards the longitudinal axis. The annular body includes at least one catch surface located on at least the first and second arcuate portions. The catch surface is coupled to the at least one boss portion of the at least one fuel rail to couple the clip to the fuel rail. A method of coupling the clip to the crossover tube prior to the clip being secured to the fuel rail is also disclosed.

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 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 method of inserting an injector in a test head includes inserting the injector in a puck; aligning the puck beneath the test head; engaging a bottom of the puck with a floating cone assembly; raising the puck upwards towards the test head; and inserting a top portion of the injector into the test head. The floating locator cone assembly includes a floating locator cone mount; a ball thrust bearing assembly inserted in the floating locator cone mount; and a floating locator cone inserted in the floating locator cone mount on top of the ball thrust bearing. Use of the floating locator cone assembly allows the puck to center itself thereby allowing the injector to be properly aligned upon insertion in the test head. Proper alignment of the injector reduces false leak test readings and the consequent rejection of good injectors.

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 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 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 includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A filter assembly is disposed within the tube assembly to provide a reaction member for the spring. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature.

Abstract: A fuel injector preferably has a body, a closure member, a piezoelectric device, and a hydraulic thermal compensator. The body extends along an axis. The closure member is displaceable with respect to the body between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration prevents fuel flow through the body, and the second configuration permits fuel flow through the body. The piezoelectric device displaces the closure member from the first configuration to the second configuration. The compensator is coupled with the piezoelectric device and includes a first tube, a second tube, a piston, and fluid. The first tube extends along the axis from a first end portion that occludes the first tube. The first end portion contiguously engages a first one of the body, the closure member, and the piezoelectric device. The second tube is telescopically received in the first tube.

Abstract: A fuel injector seat for a fuel injector assembly, and more particularly for a high-pressure fuel injector assembly, having a number of features for minimizing the formation of combustion chamber deposits on the seat, providing a selected finish on a needle-sealing portion, and reducing sac volume. These features include positioning a transition portion between the needle-sealing portion and an orifice portion, positioning a sharp edge at the outlet of the orifice portion, and applying a coating to certain surfaces of the seat. This invention also relates to a fuel injector seat and method of manufacturing the fuel injector seat, and a method of evaluating when the transition portion is required between the orifice and needle-sealing portions for a particular seat arrangement.

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; 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 fuel injector is provided. The fuel injector includes a fuel metering member having first and second ends disposed along a longitudinal axis, a seat located within the fuel metering member proximate the second end, and a needle reciprocably disposed within the fuel metering member. The needle has a longitudinal needle axis. The fuel injector also includes a guide disposed within the fuel metering member proximate to the seat. The guide includes a generally planar disk having a first surface, a second surface, and an outer perimeter. The guide also includes a generally concentric central opening extending therethrough. The central opening is sized to allow the reciprocating element to reciprocate therein. The guide also includes at least one inner opening extending between the first and second surfaces from the central opening toward the outer perimeter. The at least one inner opening extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A fuel injector having a reduced bounce armature is disclosed. The fuel injector includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and a valve seat located at the downstream end. The armature located between the upstream end and the downstream end and includes an upstream armature end; a downstream armature end; and a longitudinal channel extending therethrough. The longitudinal channel includes an upstream portion having a first cross-sectional area and a downstream portion having a second cross-sectional area, with the second cross-sectional area being smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The downstream portion includes at least one interior wall. The armature also includes a flow restrictor element inserted into the downstream portion of the longitudinal channel such that liquid flow from the downstream armature end to the upstream armature end is restricted. The fuel injector further includes a needle located in the longitudinal channel downstream of the transverse channel.

Abstract: A fuel injector having 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 includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A fuel filter is mounted inside the adjusting tube prior to the insertion of the adjusting tube into the fuel injector inlet tube. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature.

Abstract: An internal fuel filter for a pressure regulator having a body that encloses a fuel flow path. A first support includes a first surface adapted to be sealingly surrounded by the body. A second support is spaced from the first support along an axis. At least one rib is disposed between and contiguous with the first and second supports, wherein one of the rib and the second support includes a second surface adapted to sealingly surrounded the body. A filter element extends between the first support and the second support and surrounds the axis.

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 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 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 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.