Abstract: A lower filter for a fuel injector includes a disk having an annular shape and including a plurality of filter holes. The disk is positioned upstream of a valve guide of an internal valve assembly without contacting the valve guide. The disk prevents internally generated contaminants contained in fuel flowing through the filter holes from reaching a valve guide area and a sealing area of the internal valve assembly. By installing the lower filter upstream of the valve guide and without contact to the valve guide, interference with the guidance and reciprocal movement of the valve is avoided. Application of the lower filter in fuel injectors may reduce the occurrence of injector failures by reducing the number of stuck open conditions in injectors and by reducing the number of hydro lock engine incidents without interference with the valve guide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overmolding a plastic shroud onto a bobbin including the step of providing a protrusion ring on the surface of the bobbin surrounding each standoff between the bobbin and a mold wall and extending outwards from the surface of the bobbin. A plurality of standoffs and protrusion rings is presently preferred. The protrusion rings are small relative to the standoffs, have low thermal mass, and thus are readily melted by the injected molten plastic, causing interstitching between the bobbin material and the overmolding material. The interstitching creates a highly effective hermetic seal against moisture leakage along the surface of the bobbin away from the standoff site. Perfect melting of the standoffs is no longer required, and standoffs can be designed to assure proper positioning of the bobbin during the complete overmolding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overmolding a plastic shroud onto a bobbin including the step of providing a protrusion ring on the surface of the bobbin surrounding each standoff between the bobbin and a mold wall and extending outwards from the surface of the bobbin. A plurality of standoffs and protrusion rings is presently preferred. The protrusion rings are small relative to the standoffs, have low thermal mass, and thus are readily melted by the injected molten plastic, causing interstitching between the bobbin material and the overmolding material. The interstitching creates a highly effective hermetic seal against moisture leakage along the surface of the bobbin away from the standoff site. Perfect melting of the standoffs is no longer required, and standoffs can be designed to assure proper positioning of the bobbin during the complete overmolding process.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling recirculation of exhaust gases has three solenoid operated valve members that meter flow of exhaust gases through calibrated outlets from an exhaust gas chamber. Each valve member has a valve stem extending to its solenoid armature, and each valve stem is surrounded by a pair of spring-biased seals that seal the openings around the valve stems into the solenoid coils and the chamber. In this assembly, each armature-valve member-seal floats laterally to compensate for potential misalignment between the solenoid coils and the outlets.