Patents by Inventor Marco Mechi

Marco Mechi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10982640
    Abstract: An injection valve may include: a valve needle moving from a closed position to an open position; a calibration spring biasing the needle towards the closed position; an armature moving toward the pole piece to take the valve needle towards the open position with respect to the valve needle; and a pole piece. Some valves include a magnetic ring moving between a first position, with a top side spaced apart from the pole piece and an underside in contact with the valve needle, and a second position where the top side is in contact with the pole piece. A second spring is in parallel to the calibration spring. An upper retaining element connected to a shaft extends in radial direction to limit movement of the armature relative to the valve needle so that the armature connects to the upper retaining element to displace the valve needle towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Luigi Gargiulo, Antonio Agresta, Marco Mechi
  • Publication number: 20200309077
    Abstract: An injection valve may include: a valve needle moving from a closed position to an open position; a calibration spring biasing the needle towards the closed position; an armature moving toward the pole piece to take the valve needle towards the open position with respect to the valve needle; and a pole piece. Some valves include a magnetic ring moving between a first position, with a top side spaced apart from the pole piece and an underside in contact with the valve needle, and a second position where the top side is in contact with the pole piece. A second spring is in parallel to the calibration spring. An upper retaining element connected to a shaft extends in radial direction to limit movement of the armature relative to the valve needle so that the armature connects to the upper retaining element to displace the valve needle towards the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Luigi Gargiulo, Antonio Agresta, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 10578066
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body having a central longitudinal axis and a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity to prevent a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion in a closing position and to allow fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion in further positions, and a guiding device arranged in the cavity and configured to guide the valve needle relative to the valve body. The guiding device has a first guide element fixedly coupled to the valve body and a second guide element fixedly coupled to the valve needle. The first guide element includes a magnetic material with a first magnetic field and the second guide element includes a magnetic material with a second magnetic field, the first and second magnetic fields being orientated in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefano Filippi, Marco Mechi, Valerio Polidori, Mauro Grandi
  • Patent number: 10563631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to filters in general, and the teachings may be applied to a filter assembly for use in a fuel injector, the fuel injector, and internal combustion engines. A filter assembly may include: a filter element with a frame having an axial end and a tubular filter housing receiving the filter element. The filter housing may have a side wall with a taper supporting the axial end. The taper may have the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°. The outer circumferential surface of the frame may include a first section in the section of the taper having the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Cedric Louis Adrien Leger-Cartier, Gianluigi Manzo, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 10197034
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to nozzles for a valve and, more specifically, to a fuel injection valve for a combustion engine. In some embodiments, a nozzle assembly for a fuel injection valve for a combustion engine may include: a valve body with a central longitudinal axis; a valve cavity within the valve body; a nozzle tip body comprising a protrusion limiting a free volume of the valve cavity; and at least one nozzle aperture out from the valve cavity through the protrusion. The protrusion may extend from an end surface of the nozzle tip body in an extending direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip body away from the valve cavity and comprise a first section adjacent to the end surface, the first section having a cylindrical outer surface, and a second section adjacent to the first section, the second section having an outer surface of decreasing diameter in the course away from the end surface along the extending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Saliu, Nicola Canesi, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 10132282
    Abstract: A fuel rail assembly for a combustion engine includes a fuel rail, a plurality of fuel injector cups arranged and configured to face a cylinder head of a combustion engine and being hydraulically and mechanically coupled to the fuel rail directly or via pipe elements, and at least one support element configured to be fixedly coupled to the cylinder head. The at least one support element is fixedly coupled to two of the injector cups or to two of the pipe elements being coupled to the injector cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Mechi, Daniel Marc
  • Patent number: 9976529
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body with a central longitudinal axis, the valve body having a valve body groove extending circumferentially around the valve body and being designed to take in a gasket, the valve body groove having a first wall section and a second wall section, the wall sections configured to be coupled to the gasket in a manner that the valve assembly is sealingly coupable with a cylinder head of a combustion engine, and an injection nozzle enabling a fluid flow through the valve assembly. The second wall section is arranged relative to the first wall section in axial direction away from the injection nozzle. The first wall section extends to a first radius and the second wall section extends to a second radius, and the first radius is bigger than the second radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Mechi, Roberto Ricci, Nicola Iannaccone, Luigi Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 9903327
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a valve with a needle that is movable along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, for opening or closing the valve. The fuel injector also includes an actuator including an armature and a pole piece, the armature being axially movable and operable to interact mechanically with the needle, such that the needle is moved towards the open position by a movement of the armature in axial direction towards the pole piece. The fuel injector also includes a first spring for biasing the armature in axial direction away from the pole piece. The spring force of the first spring is configured to stop said movement of the armature when the needle is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 9885332
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fuel injector. In some embodiments, the filter assembly has a longitudinal axis and comprises a filter element, a filter housing, and a cap. The filter element may have a cylindrical section with a first axial end and a second axial end. The tubular filter housing may receive the filter element. The tubular filter housing may include a radial protrusion supporting the first axial end of the cylindrical section when the filter element is received therein. The cap may hold the filter element at the second axial end and encompass the filter housing along an outer circumference. The second axial end may rest directly against the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Cedric Louis Adrien Leger-Cartier, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi, Gianluigi Manzo
  • Patent number: 9765738
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a fuel valve with a valve seat and a movable valve needle, a calibration spring and an electromagnetic actuator with a solenoid and a movable armature. The calibration spring exerts a pressing force on the valve needle for pressing the valve needle in a closing direction towards the valve seat. When the solenoid is electrically energized, the electromagnetic actuator is operable to transfer a lifting force to the valve needle by engagement with the armature for lifting the valve needle from the valve seat to a fully open position against the pressing force of the calibration spring. The calibration spring and the electromagnetic actuator are configured such that the lifting force equals the pressing force in the fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 9551311
    Abstract: A nozzle body for a fluid injection includes a cavity and a bottom wall delimiting the cavity at a fluid outlet end. The bottom wall is perforated by an injection hole having an inlet opening at an inner surface of the bottom wall and an outlet opening at an outer surface of the bottom wall. The outlet opening has an elongated slit shape having a centerline which is a circular arc with respect to the longitudinal axis. The inlet opening is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a radial distance. The inner surface has a concave shape extending away from the fluid outlet end from an apex of the inner surface. Further, the inlet opening is spaced apart from the apex by an axial distance that is smaller than said radial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Antonio Agresta, Marco Maragliulo, Marco Mechi, Marco Fiaschi
  • Publication number: 20170009724
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to filters in general, and the teachings may be applied to a filter assembly for use in a fuel injector, the fuel injector, and internal combustion engines. A filter assembly may include: a filter element with a frame having an axial end and a tubular filter housing receiving the filter element. The filter housing may have a side wall with a taper supporting the axial end. The taper may have the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°. The outer circumferential surface of the frame may include a first section in the section of the taper having the shape of a conic section with an opening angle ? of less than 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Cedric Louis Adrien Leger-Cartier, Gianluigi Manzo, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi
  • Publication number: 20160333839
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to nozzles for a valve and, more specifically, to a fuel injection valve for a combustion engine. In some embodiments, a nozzle assembly for a fuel injection valve for a combustion engine may include: a valve body with a central longitudinal axis; a valve cavity within the valve body; a nozzle tip body comprising a protrusion limiting a free volume of the valve cavity; and at least one nozzle aperture out from the valve cavity through the protrusion. The protrusion may extend from an end surface of the nozzle tip body in an extending direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle tip body away from the valve cavity and comprise a first section adjacent to the end surface, the first section having a cylindrical outer surface, and a second section adjacent to the first section, the second section having an outer surface of decreasing diameter in the course away from the end surface along the extending direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Saliu, Nicola Canesi, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 9494117
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body having a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion; a hollow valve needle axially movable in the cavity between open and closed positions to control fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion, wherein fluid can flow from the fluid inlet portion into the hollow valve needle; and an actuator assembly that actuates the valve needle and includes an axially movable armature. The valve needle includes first orifice(s) between the armature and the fluid outlet portion and second orifice(s) located adjacent or upstream of the armature. The first and second orifices allow fluid flow between the hollow valve needle and the cavity. A first gap defined between the valve needle and the armature allows fluid flow from the hollow valve needle via the second orifice into the first gap and further into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Luigi Gargiulo, Marco Mechi, Nicola Iannaccone
  • Publication number: 20160327001
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a filter assembly for a fuel injector. In some embodiments, the filter assembly has a longitudinal axis and comprises a filter element, a filter housing, and a cap. The filter element may have a cylindrical section with a first axial end and a second axial end. The tubular filter housing may receive the filter element. The tubular filter housing may include a radial protrusion supporting the first axial end of the cylindrical section when the filter element is received therein. The cap may hold the filter element at the second axial end and encompass the filter housing along an outer circumference. The second axial end may rest directly against the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Cedric Louis Adrien, Luca Matteucci, Marco Mechi, Gianluigi Manzo
  • Patent number: 9435305
    Abstract: A injection valve assembly includes a valve body having a central longitudinal axis and a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity between a closing position that prevents a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion and further position that release the fluid flow, an electro-magnetic actuator unit that actuates the valve needle and includes an armature that is axially movable in the cavity and which includes a main body and a hydraulic damper fixedly coupled to the main body. The hydraulic damper includes an inner surface facing the main body and arranged for contact with the valve needle. The hydraulic damper also has a first opening and second opening (s), wherein the valve needle extends through the first opening, and the second opening (s) provide a fluid passage from the fluid inlet portion to the fluid outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Marco Mechi
  • Patent number: 9382885
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine includes a movable armature including first and second armature parts, and a magnetic coil that generates a magnetic field for effecting an axial travel of the armature to displace a valve needle away from a closing position. During a first period of axial travel, the second armature part is axially displaced while the valve needle remains closed. During a subsequent second period of the axial travel, the first and second armature parts and the valve needle are fixed with respect to each other and travel axially with respect to the housing. During a third period of the travel, only the first armature part travels further towards the pole element for moving the valve needle further away from the closing position and the axial travel of the first armature part is subsequently stopped at the end of the third period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Antonio Agresta, Luigi Gargiulo, Marco Mechi, Salvatore Varchetta
  • Publication number: 20160053731
    Abstract: A injection valve assembly includes a valve body having a central longitudinal axis and a cavity with a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion, a valve needle axially movable in the cavity between a closing position that prevents a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion and further position that release the fluid flow, an electro-magnetic actuator unit that actuates the valve needle and includes an armature that is axially movable in the cavity and which includes a main body and a hydraulic damper fixedly coupled to the main body. The hydraulic damper includes an inner surface facing the main body and arranged for contact with the valve needle. The hydraulic damper also has a first opening and second opening (s), wherein the valve needle extends through the first opening, and the second opening (s) provide a fluid passage from the fluid inlet portion to the fluid outlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Marco Mechi
  • Publication number: 20160017854
    Abstract: A nozzle body for a fluid injection includes a cavity and a bottom wall delimiting the cavity at a fluid outlet end. The bottom wall is perforated by an injection hole having an inlet opening at an inner surface of the bottom wall and an outlet opening at an outer surface of the bottom wall. The outlet opening has an elongated slit shape having a centerline which is a circular arc with respect to the longitudinal axis. The inlet opening is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis by a radial distance. The inner surface has a concave shape extending away from the fluid outlet end from an apex of the inner surface. Further, the inlet opening is spaced apart from the apex by an axial distance that is smaller than said radial distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Antonio Agresta, Marco Maragliulo, Marco Mechi, Marco Fiaschi
  • Publication number: 20150354516
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a valve with a needle that is movable along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position, for opening or closing the valve. The fuel injector also includes an actuator including an armature and a pole piece, the armature being axially movable and operable to interact mechanically with the needle, such that the needle is moved towards the open position by a movement of the armature in axial direction towards the pole piece. The fuel injector also includes a first spring for biasing the armature in axial direction away from the pole piece. The spring force of the first spring is configured to stop said movement of the armature when the needle is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ivano Izzo, Marco Mechi