Abstract: A latch assembly for an access door of a storage compartment in a vehicle, includes a locking bar configured to move into an engaged configuration which enables the access door to be placed and held into a closed position and a disengaged configuration which permits the access door to be placed into an opened position; and an automatic locking mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator configured to be coupled to the access door, and further including a locking feature operably coupled to a portion of the locking bar, and configured to engage and disengage the SMA actuator which is electrically energized to move into a locked position to prohibit the locking feature from moving. A latch assembly for an access door of a storage compartment in a vehicle includes an SMA actuator configured to move the locking bar into the disengaged configuration with the storage compartment.

Abstract: A fuel injector with a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and an axially extending fuel passageway from the inlet to the outlet. An armature located proximate the inlet of the valve body. A needle valve operatively connected to the armature. A valve seat proximate the outlet of the valve body. A swirl generator disk located proximate the valve seat. The swirl generator disk having at least one slot extending tangentially from a central aperture. A flat guide disk having a first surface, a second surface adjacent the flat swirl generator disk, a guide aperture, and at least one fuel passage having a wall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The wall includes an inlet, an outlet, and a transition region between the inlet and the outlet that defines a cross-sectional area of the at least one passage. The transition region is provided by a surface of the wall.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel injector has a swirl generator with a metering disk upstream of the valve seat. The disks function to redirect the axially flowing fuel through the injector into a tangential fuel flow. As the fuel moves past the needle valve and the valve seat, the narrow cross section imparts a higher velocity to the fuel to atomize the fuel. As the fuel leaves the swirl generator and is ejected from the injector, the fuel forms a hollow conical sheet containing atomized fuel.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel injector has a swirl generator with a metering disk upstream of the valve seat. The disks function to redirect the axially flowing fuel through the injector into a tangential fuel flow. As the fuel moves past the needle valve and the valve seat, the narrow cross section imparts a higher velocity to the fuel to atomize the fuel. As the fuel leaves the swirl generator and is ejected from the injector, the fuel forms a hollow conical sheet containing atomized fuel.

Abstract: A method and fuel injector for precision setting of valve lift, using a valve body shell (42) telescoped over the valve body (60), the shell (42) having a nonmagnetic extension welded to the valve body shell (42) and to the end of an inlet tube (16) providing a solenoid pole piece, with the valve body (60) and shell (42) adjusted to set the valve lift and thereafter welded together. Interference fit portions stabilize the adjusted position of the members preparatory to welding, and displaced material in a locking groove (102) creates a mechanical interlock between the valve body (60) and shell (42) to stabilize the members in their adjusted positions after welding so that the set lift is minimally affected by weld shrinkage. An external radial groove 18 allows radial bending as the weld cools to minimize axial shift of the parts and thus the effect on the set valve lift.

Abstract: The armature has a tubular wall bounding a main axial through-hole. The upper axial end has a larger outside diameter than does the lower axial end. A portion of the tubular wall lying between these upper and lower ends has a frustoconical exterior surface. A single through-hole extends through the tubular wall at this frustoconical surface to non-perpendicularly intersect the main axial through-hole. The upper end of a needle valve is inserted into the lower axial end of the main through-hole, and the two parts are joined there by welding and/or crimping. The inserted end of the needle valve does not obstruct the single through-hole extending through the tubular wall so that fuel entering the armature via the open upper end of the main through-hole will change direction to pass out of the armature through the single through-hole in the tubular wall.

Abstract: A non-metallic cylindrical shell is fitted to the exterior of a metallic valve body portion of a solenoid-operated fuel injector to cover otherwise exposed metal that exists between a lower O-ring seal proximate the nozzle and a non-metallic overmold that covers the solenoid and an adjoining portion of the valve body. The shell and the cover come together at a joint where they mutually axially overlap in such a manner that assures both coverage of the exposed metal and retention of the shell on the valve body for the full tolerance stack-up range of the various parts when assembled.

Abstract: Dissipation of vapor bubbles in a top-feed, solenoid-operated fuel injector is enhanced by providing the otherwise circular I.D. of the adjusting tube with at least one axially extending radial slot. Different slot patterns are disclosed.