Abstract: A spring assembly 12 for an electromagnetic actuator 10 is provided. The actuator 10 has an armature 18 mounted for movement between two electromagnets 14 and 16 and a shaft 22 operatively associated with the armature. The spring assembly 12 includes a housing 34 having a surface feature 52 therein and is coupled to the actuator. A helical spring 32 is disposed in the housing 34 so as to be compressed and allowed to expand. The spring 32 has first and second ends with the second end biasing the shaft 22. A spring retainer 38 engages the first end of the spring 32. The spring retainer 38 has a surface feature 48 therein. A ball bearing 40 is received by the surface feature 52 of the housing 34 and the surface feature 48 of the spring retainer 38.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator 10 includes first and second electromagnets 12 and 18, respectively. The second electromagnet 18 is in spaced relation with respect to the first electromagnet 12. An armature 24 is mounted for movement between the first and second electromagnets. An engaged position of the armature 24 is defined when the armature contacts one of the electromagnets 12 or 18 with an electrical signal to the contacted electromagnet being turned-off. Spring structure 30 is operatively associated with the armature 24 to bias the armature 24 away from the engaged position thereof. A piezoelectric device 34 is operatively associated with the armature 24 so that when the armature is in the engaged position and a force of the spring structure 30 is insufficient to move the armature from contact with the contacted electromagnet, the piezoelectric device 34 may be energized so as to move the armature 24 from contact with the contacted electromagnet.

Abstract: A fuel injector having pressure equalization passages is provided to equalize the pressure differential across an armature in high vapor pressure fuels. At least one through passage is included that extends from a chamber beneath the armature to a chamber atop the armature to prevent differential pressure buildup when the injector is closed. The passages enable communication between the areas above and below the armature to rapidly equalize the pressure acting on the armature as the boiling bubbles burst and the fuel "explodes".

Abstract: A method of joining a magnetic armature of an electromagnetic actuator to a shaft is provided. The armature has an aperture therein. The method includes inserting a portion of the shaft into the aperture thereby defining a space between the shaft and the armature. Brazing material is placed adjacent to the aperture. The brazing material is caused to melt and wick into the space. The brazing material is permitted to cool to define a joint between the shaft and the armature.

Abstract: A top-feed electrically controlled fuel injector includes a filter cartridge disposed in a fuel inlet tube for filtering particulate material larger than a certain size from the fuel that passes into the interior of the fuel injector. In one embodiment, the filter cartridge is press-fit on a shoulder at an axially outer end of an adjusting tube which is telescopically engaged with the inlet tube and axially fixed thereto after adjustment. The filter cartridge is preferably generally tubular in shape, having an imperforate axially outer end, an inner end fitted onto the adjusting tube, and frame sidewalls supporting a fine mesh screen, such that an annular space through which fuel is constrained to flow is formed between the filter cartridge and the inlet tube, with a well at a closed axially inner end of the annular space for collecting particulate material which has been filtered out of the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel rail for a side- or bottom- fed injector wherein the rail contains conductors, and the injectors are connected to the conductors simultaneously with the insertion of the injectors into through-holes in the rail.

Abstract: A fuel rail for a side- or bottom- fed injector wherein the rail contains conductors, and the injectors are connected to the conductors simultaneously with the insertion of the injectors into through-holes in the rail. The fuel rail is made by extruding material to a desired transverse shape, cutting the material and machinery transverse through holes in the extruded material.

Abstract: A fuel rail for a side- or bottom- fed injector wherein the rail contains conductors, and the injectors are connected to the conductors simultaneously with the insertion of the injectors into through-holes in the rail.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has an attaching clip that is integrally formed with the non-metallic electrical insulating material that is molded to surround the electrical terminals of the injector solenoid. The clip is resiliently pivotable on the injector body for releasable engagement with a fuel rail cup when the injector is inserted into the cup. Several versions of clips are illustrated. The invention eliminates the need for a separate metal attaching clip.