Abstract: A fuel injector is provided with a lower nozzle body which is cooled with a small amount of metered fuel. In one embodiment, a blind passage is formed to extend from the upper portion to the lower end of the injector nozzle valve element. A transverse passage is formed in the nozzle valve element connecting the blind passage and the nozzle bore. Rail pressure causes a metered amount of fuel to flow through the nozzle bore, the transverse passage and upwardly along the blind passage to the drain passage. Inward cooling occurs by providing more surface area over which the fuel flows. In another embodiment, a sleeve is formed to fit over an existing nozzle to form a passage surrounding the injector tip. An orifice is located in the nozzle housing to connect the nozzle cavity with the annular passage thereby providing a small amount of fuel to drain.

Abstract: A fuel injector having a nozzle with improved cooling including a retainer and a nozzle housing received therein. The nozzle housing includes a nozzle shank, an outer peripheral surface and at least one injection hole at a tip of the nozzle shank. The nozzle shank is positioned in a nozzle support portion of the retainer. In one embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank is tapered, and the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle support portion is correspondingly tapered and sized to engage the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank along a tapered interface. In another embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle support portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank so that an interference fit exists at a seal interface.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve assembly is provided which achieves accurate control of valve movement while maximizing valve seat life. Specifically, the solenoid actuated flow control valve assembly includes a valve plunger, a solenoid actuator including a coil and an armature, and an armature overtravel feature for permitting continued movement of the armature relative to the valve plunger from an engaged position into a disengaged position when the valve plunger reaches a closed position. The armature overtravel feature includes an overtravel biasing spring for returning the armature from the disengaged position to the engaged position prior to subsequent energization of the actuator coil. As a result, the overtravel feature minimizes the mass impacting the valve seat thereby extending valve seat life while, importantly, avoiding lost motion in the armature during the next actuation cycle thereby minimizing valve response time.

Abstract: In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention a timing adjustment device includes a cam follower that is engaged between an overhead cam and an injector rocker arm, and is mounted on a rotatable eccentric shaft. The geometry of the eccentric shaft and cam follower is designed so that, as timing is varied by rotation of the eccentric shaft, no change is produced in the vertical height of the rocker arm when the cam shaft is on the outer base circle and the injector is bottomed, in order to assure that the "mechanical crush" of the PT type injector is constant despite changes in timing. In a first application of the timing arrangement, it is used together with a simple injector, which does not utilize a multi-plunger arrangement to form a hydraulic link, to achieve lower parasitic losses.

Abstract: A high pressure control valve according to the present invention provides effective and predictable control of a timing fluid and injection fuel metering system of an internal combustion engine. The control valve includes an armature that abuts against a majority of the surface of a valve element to help minimize beating problems. In addition, a compliant web means provides a flexing motion when the valve element seats with a valve seat to mitigate problems of seat beating. Furthermore, the present invention reduces the number of parts of the control valve to achieve simplicity in structure and lower costs, including eliminating the need for a valve stop pin.

Abstract: A valve for selectively permitting the flow of fluid therethrough is disclosed including a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a valve seat provided in the housing about the inlet, a displaceable ball for cooperating with the valve seat for sealing fluidic communication between the inlet and outlet and a ball guide for guiding the ball between a closed position in contact with the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat. The ball guide includes a central bore for reciprocally receiving the ball and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passages in fluid communication with the inlet, the passages extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the central bore such that a flow of fluid through the inlet is directed radially outwardly from the central bore and into the circumferentially spaced passages when the ball is in the open position.

Abstract: A fuel system for fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine is provided with a hydromechanical timing valve having a valve body assembly with a barrel and plunger arrangement. The plunger is displaceable within the barrel under the counterbalancing forces of rail fuel pressure (load) and one or more timing valve springs. The relative position of the barrel and plunger determines the effective size of the port through which timing fluid can flow. In accordance a first embodiment, the plunger has a tapered head which covers and uncovers ports in the barrel to a greater or lesser extent, thereby creating a variable flow-through cross section. Alternatively, in accordance with other embodiments, the barrel has ports with slot-like orifices of progressively changing widths which coact with a metering groove on the spool to define a variable flow cross section through which the timing fluid must pass.