Abstract: Use of pump and line fuel injectors has become more common in fuel injection systems. While these fuel injectors do not typically include individual electrical actuators or fuel pressurization means, they still include a number of components that must be intricately machined in order for the fuel injector to perform as desired. The present invention is directed to reducing the number of machining steps, and therefore the cost, of producing such a fuel injector by utilizing a plastic component that can allow for a reliable and cost effective replacement of more intricately machined fuel injector components.

Abstract: An high pressure seal comprises a tube with a first end adapted to fit into a first bore of a first mating part and a second end adapted to fit into second bore of a second bore of a second mating part and allow fluid communication between the first bore and the second bore. The seal is expandable radially about an axis to form a seal between the first and second mating parts.

Abstract: Use of pump and line fuel injectors has become more common in fuel injection systems. While these fuel injectors do not typically include individual electrical actuators or fuel pressurization means, they still include a number of components that must be intricately machined in order for the fuel injector to perform as desired. The present invention is directed to reducing the number of machining steps, and therefore the cost, of producing such a fuel injector by utilizing a plastic component that can allow for a reliable and cost effective replacement of more intricately machined fuel injector components.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator, adapted for use in an electronic control valve for a fuel injector, having an electrically-energizable electromagnetic device, such as a winding, a pole member associated with the electrically energizable winding, and an armature movable with respect to the pole member. The armature occupies a first position relative to the pole member when the winding is not electrically energized and a second position relative to the pole member when the winding is electrically energized. The actuator has an adjustment screw which is movable with respect to the pole member to form an air gap of variable width internal to the pole member to change the magnetic characteristics of the solenoid actuator, and thus the response of the actuator.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator, adapted for use in a fuel injector, has a pole member, an armature associated therewith, and an energizable winding associated with the pole member. The solenoid actuator is latchable by residual magnetism between the pole member and the armature without the aid of a permanent magnet. The pole member and the armature are composed of steel having a carbon content of between 0.8% and 1.2% and an RC hardness of between 40 and 60. The armature is reciprocable between a first position in which the armature makes physical contact with the pole member and a second position in which the armature is spaced from the pole member. The armature occupies the first position when the winding is energized and the second position when the winding is deenergized. The armature is held in the first position by residual magnetism between the pole member and the armature when the winding is deenergized after being initially energized.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body having a needle control chamber, a nozzle chamber, and a nozzle outlet that opens to the nozzle chamber. Fuel within the injector is hydraulically pressurized during each injection cycle. A needle valve is positioned to reciprocate in the nozzle chamber between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is open and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is closed. The needle valve includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to pressure in the needle control chamber. A needle control valve is mounted within the injector body and is moveable between an off position in which the needle control chamber is opened to a source of high pressure fluid and an on position in which the needle control chamber is opened to a low pressure passage.

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 for use in a fuel injector includes a moveable valve member disposed in a first chamber and an armature coupled to the valve member and reciprocally disposed in a second chamber which dampens the motion of the valve member when fluid is present in the second chamber. A fluid passageway extends into the second chamber and delivers fluid to the second chamber while a further fluid passageway drains fluid from the second chamber when the fluid within the second chamber reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly and a control valve for such an assembly which automatically compensate for changes in the emissions generated by the engine by changing the timing of fuel injection within the engine. The fuel injector assembly, which causes fuel to be injected during a fuel injection cycle having a start time and a stop time, includes a fuel injector nozzle, a fuel pump, and a fuel inlet associated with the fuel pump, which causes fuel to be periodically pumped from the fuel inlet through the fuel injector nozzle. A control valve, which is associated with the fuel pump and which controls the start time and the stop time of the fuel injection cycle, includes a valve body and a solenoid-actuated armature disposed in a recess in the valve body. The armature has a first side and an opposed second side and is reciprocable within the recess between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector includes a valve seat with fluid inlet and fluid outlet. A poppet valve controls the flow of fluid through the valve seat. A pair of electrical actuators are selectively operably energized for releasing the poppet and moving the poppet to valve open and closed positions. Split fuel injection can be provided using either sequential operation or concurrent operation, i.e., phasing. Permanent magnets, holding current and residual magnetism enable the latching of the poppet valve in each of the valve open and closed positions.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator, adapted for use in a fuel injector, has a pole member, an armature associated therewith, and an energizable winding associated with the pole member. The solenoid actuator is latchable by residual magnetism between the pole member and the armature without the aid of a permanent magnet. The pole member and the armature are composed of steel having a carbon content of between 0.8% and 1.2% and an RC hardness of between 40 and 60. The armature is reciprocable between a first position in which the armature makes physical contact with the pole member and a second position in which the armature is spaced from the pole member. The armature occupies the first position when the winding is energized and the second position when the winding is deenergized. The armature is held in the first position by residual magnetism between the pole member and the armature when the winding is deenergized after being initially energized.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for a fuel injection system has a fuel pumping assembly with a fuel inlet and a fuel nozzle for causing fuel to be periodically pumped from the fuel inlet through the nozzle. The fuel injector assembly has an electro-hydraulic control valve associated with the fuel pumping means. The control valve comprises a housing, a first conduit formed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the fuel pumping means, a second conduit formed in the housing and fluidly coupled to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A valve element is disposed in the housing and is reciprocable between a first position in which the first conduit is fluidly coupled to the second conduit and a second position in which the first conduit is fluidly isolated from the second conduit. The control valve also includes a pair of electrically energizable electromagnetic devices for controlling the reciprocation of the valve element.

Abstract: A fluid valve for controlling a high pressure fluid including a non-resilient valve seat with a flat seating surface. A non-resilient valve member has a concave end with an annular knife edge to sealingly engage the flat seating surface. A barrel slidably guides the valve member in movements with respect to the valve seat and forms a fluid chamber with the valve seat. The valve seat includes passageways between a high pressure valve inlet and the fluid chamber and between the fluid chamber and a valve outlet. An electrical actuator is operably energized to move the valve member into sealing engagement with the valve seat and return means disengage the valve member from the valve seat. The electrical actuator and valve member are part of an electronically-controlled fuel injector system with an injector body, a fuel injection pumping assembly with a nozzle receiving fuel from a fuel inlet to inject the fuel under pressure, and a pressure control valve assembly for controlling the fuel injection.

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 solenoid actuator, adapted for use in an electronic control valve for a fuel injector, having an electrically-energizable electromagnetic device, such as a winding, a first pole member associated with the electrically energizable winding, and an armature movable with respect to the first pole member in a linear direction. The armature occupies a first position relative to the first pole member when the winding is not electrically energized and a second position relative to the first pole member when the winding is electrically energized. The actuator has a second pole member which is movable with respect to the first pole member in the linear direction so as to form an air gap of variable width between the first and second pole members to change the magnetic characteristics of the solenoid actuator, and thus the response of the actuator.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for a fuel injector includes a valve seat with fluid inlet and fluid outlet and a flat seating surface. A poppet valve has a concave end portion with knife edge for sealingly engaging the flat seating surface on the valve seat. The poppet valve is operated to close by a solenoid coil and is opened and maintained open by a return spring or a permanent magnet. Faster valve closing and faster valve opening is obtained.

Abstract: A fuel system valve has a metal valve seat and a metal valve body. The metal valve body has a chamber which contains material which is moveable through the chamber in response to deceleration of the valve body. The forces of the material within the chamber on the valve body during rapid deceleration of the valve body counteract the forces subjected on the valve body in response to contact with the valve seat.