Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. A first coil receives a first signal from a driver to generate a first magnetic field that moves an armature between an open and closed position. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The alternating current signal produces a time varying second magnetic field that induces heating of a magnetically active component with the fuel flow that in turn heats the fuel.

Abstract: Shaft assemblies include an elongate shaft having a plurality of closely spaced apart external notches with wall segments having a greater outer diameter than an outer diameter of the notches residing therebetween and at least one self-retaining locking ring that engages one of the notches to axially lock into position on the shaft and provide a pull out force that is between about 100 lbf to about 1000 lbf. The notches can have a width that is between about 0.010 inches to about 0.020 inches, on average, and a depth that is between about 0.001 inches to about 0.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel injector that meters fuel flow and provides for preheating fuel to aid combustion. A control circuit including a synthetic inductor drives a heated element within the fuel flow.

Abstract: Electrical resistance of a heated component is determined for temperature control and monitoring. A voltage-representation signal, which is proportional to a voltage across a heater component, is received. A magnified voltage-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a voltage baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating voltage of the heater component, and the voltage-representation signal. A current-representation signal, which is proportional to an electrical current passing through the heater component is received. A magnified current-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a current baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating current of the heater component, and the current-representation signal.

Abstract: Electrical resistance of a heated component is determined for temperature control and monitoring. A voltage-representation signal, which is proportional to a voltage across a heater component, is received. A current-representation signal, which is proportional to an electrical current passing through the heater component is received and modulated to generate a resistance-representation signal that is proportional to an amount of modulation that makes the current-representation signal approximately equal to the voltage-representation signal. The modulation may be pulse-width modulation. The resistance-representation signal may be generated based on a signal that is proportional to the percent duty cycle of the pulse width modulation. A difference of the resistance-representation signal and the voltage-representation signal may be integrated to provide an error signal adapted to cause the modulation to be proportional to an electrical resistance of the heater component.

Abstract: A temperature of a heated component is determined for control and monitoring. The heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, generates a current within a component of a heated fuel injector, wherein the current through the component generates an appropriate loss to generate heat for a variable spray fuel injection system. The heater driver regulates the energy to the heated component based on the electrical resistance of that component as a function of temperature and a predetermined reference value for that temperature.

Abstract: A tuned power amplifier includes: a tuning capacitor connected in series with a loaded choke that represents an inductance of an oscillator, and a semiconductor power switch connected to the series connection between the tuning capacitor and the loaded choke. The loaded choke may be an induction heating coil of an inductively heated fuel injector. The induction heating coil or the tuning capacitor may be connected to a voltage source. An on state and an off state of the semiconductor power switch may be synchronized with, or at a frequency below, a natural resonant frequency of the tuned power amplifier.

Abstract: A temperature of a heated component is determined for control and monitoring. The heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, generates a current within a component of an electronic catalyst or exhaust after-treatment component, wherein the current through the component generates an appropriate loss to generate heat for facilitation of an exhaust after-treatment process. The heater driver regulates the energy to the heated component based on the electrical resistance of that component as a function of temperature and a predetermined reference value for that temperature.

Abstract: A tuned power amplifier includes: a tuning capacitor connected in series with multiple loaded chokes that represent an inductance of an oscillator, and multiple semiconductor power switches connected to the series connections between the tuning capacitor and the loaded chokes. The loaded chokes may be induction heating coils of inductively heated fuel injectors. The induction heating coils may be connected to a common voltage source. An on state and an off state of the semiconductor power switches may be synchronized with, or at a frequency below, a natural resonant frequency of the tuned power amplifier.

Abstract: A method adjusts a pulse width of a signal. The method provides a fixed voltage input trigger pulse (34), of a certain pulse width, to a pulse width generator circuit (10) and provides an output pulse (52) from the pulse width generator circuit such that a pulse width of the output pulse is longer than the certain pulse width, without changing a voltage or frequency of the input trigger pulse. The method is used to drive an injector of a diesel reductant delivery system to inject fluid into an exhaust flow path.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil driven by a direct current driver and a second coil driven by an alternating current driver where both the first coil and the second coil share a common connection to reduce the number of external terminal connections. The second coil generates a second magnetic field that is utilized to heat a component in thermal contact with the fuel flow that in turn heats fuel before exiting the fuel injector.

Abstract: An armature-stator structure (45) includes a stator (56) having a magnetic housing (57) of generally U-shaped cross-section. The housing includes an open end (58) in communication with an interior portion (60). A coil (94) is associated with the stator and to be energized to generate a magnetic field. An armature (46) has a generally ring-shaped base (48) and a generally rod-shaped stem portion (50) extending transversely from the base such that the base and stem portion define a generally T-shaped cross-section. The base is able to be received in the opened end of the housing with the stem portion extending into the interior portion. The armature moves with respect to the stator from a first position to a second position in response to the generated magnetic field. The stator and armature are configured such that a force on the armature decreases as a portion of the armature moves further into the interior portion of the body of the stator, towards the second position.

Abstract: An injector (10) includes a valve body (16), an armature tube (20) in the valve body, a seal disk (24) carried by the armature tube, a spring (30) associated with the seal disk, a seat (34) defining an outlet. The seat includes a seat surface (38) engaged with the seal disk that is biased by the spring, when the injector is in a closed position, preventing fuel from exiting the outlet. A movable armature (42) is coupled to an end of the armature tube. An adjusting tube (48) engages an end of the spring. An inlet tube (50) defining an inlet has an end surface that is spaced from the periphery of the armature in the closed position. An electromagnetic coil (58) is disposed about a portion of the inlet tube. A flux member (60) is associated with the coil. A housing (62) covers at least a portion of coil.

Abstract: An injector (10) includes a valve body (16) having an interior portion (18) and a seat (32). An armature tube (20) is in the interior portion. A spring (28) biases a valve member (24) into engagement with the seat. A movable armature (40) is coupled to the armature tube. A calibration member (36) is engaged with the valve member and engaged with the spring. A stator (52) is coupled to an inlet tube (41) and has an end surface spaced from an end surface of the armature in the closed position of the injector, thereby defining an air gap (54) between the end surfaces. A coil (56) is disposed about a portion of the inlet tube. A housing (64) surrounds at least a portion of the coil. Magnetic flux causes the armature and armature tube to push the valve member off the seat.

Abstract: A dosing valve for administering a reducing agent into an exhaust stream within an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine. The dosing valve includes a valve needle internally coaxial to a valve body and held in a closed position by a force of compressed spring acting axially and held in relation to the valve needle and valve body. The negative impact of varnish and dehydrogenated compounds, or coking products, of hydrocarbon based reducing agents, is substantially reduced or eliminated. Additionally, this includes decreased sensitivity to the negative impact of the precipitates and crystals that come out of the solution due to temperature change with urea-based reducing agents.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel injector that meters fuel flow and provides for preheating fuel to aid combustion. A control circuit including a synthetic inductor drives a heated element within the fuel flow.

Abstract: A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38), a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field, and first retention structure (64). Armature and seal assembly includes armature structure (14, 16) that moves with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil, seal structure (22) that is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof, and second retention structure (68). A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. The first and second retention structures engage and retain the armature and seal assembly with respect to the stafor assembly prior to installation of the device.

Abstract: A method adjusts a pulse width of a signal. The method provides a fixed voltage input trigger pulse (34), of a certain pulse width, to a pulse width generator circuit (10) and provides an output pulse (52) from the pulse width generator circuit such that a pulse width of the output pulse is longer than the certain pulse width, without changing a voltage or frequency of the input trigger pulse. The method is used to drive an injector of a diesel reductant delivery system to inject fluid into an exhaust flow path.

Abstract: An injector (10) includes a valve body (16) having an interior portion (18) and a seat (32). An armature tube (20) is in the interior portion. A spring (28) biases a valve member (24) into engagement with the seat. A movable armature (40) is coupled to the armature tube. A calibration member (36) is engaged with the valve member and engaged with the spring. A stator (52) is coupled to an inlet tube (41) and has an end surface spaced from an end surface of the armature in the closed position of the injector, thereby defining an air gap (54) between the end surfaces. A coil (56) is disposed about a portion of the inlet tube. A housing (64) surrounds at least a portion of the coil. Magnetic flux causes the armature and armature tube to push the valve member off the seat.

Abstract: An injector (10) includes a valve body (16), an armature tube (20) in the valve body, a seal disk (24) carried by the armature tube, a spring (30) associated with the seal disk, a seat (34) defining an outlet. The seat includes a seat surface (38) engaged with the seal disk that is biased by the spring, when the injector is in a closed position, preventing fuel from exiting the outlet. A movable armature (42) is coupled to an end of the armature tube. An adjusting tube (48) engages an end of the spring. An inlet tube (50) defining an inlet has an end surface that is spaced from the periphery of the armature in the closed position. An electromagnetic coil (58) is disposed about a portion of the inlet tube. A flux member (60) is associated with the coil. A housing (62) covers at least a portion of coil.