Abstract: A fuel swirling means 15 for giving a swirling force at the upper stream of the valve sheet 7 to the fuel passing through the surrounding area of the valve body 13 and a nozzle 16 injecting a swirling fuel are provided. A fuel spray 47 injected out from the injection port 17 of the nozzle 16 is so formed that the orientation of the fuel spray is deflected in a definite direction on the basis of the longitudinal axis C of the fuel injection valve body, the reachable distance L1 of the fuel spray at the deflected side is longer and the reachable distance L2 of the fuel spray at another side opposite to the deflected side is shorter.

Abstract: Engineers have determined that the performance of fuel injectors, including those used in common rail fuel injection systems, can be increased, and undesirable emissions reduced, by controlling the mass flow rate of fuel injected into a combustion chamber during an injection event. While a number of fuel injectors have been developed that have limited rate shaping capabilities, the ability to produce some front end rate shapes has not been possible. In an effort to increase rate shaping capabilities, the present invention includes a valve assembly having at least one valve member that is movable between a plurality of positions to control fluid communication between a number of fluid inlets and outlets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising a main body having a central cylindrical cavity adapted to act as a duct for the fuel, a valve which is disposed to close an end of the central cylindrical cavity and is provided with a moving shutter, an electromagnetic actuator which is provided with a coil, a fixed armature, and a moving armature mechanically connected to the shutter and adapted to be magnetically attracted by the fixed armature against the action of a spring, and a monolithic tubular member which is disposed coaxially within the central cylindrical cavity and houses the fixed armature and the moving armature.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engine, comprises an armature that coacts with a magnet coil, and comprises a valve needle, joined nonpositively to the armature, on which is provided a valve-closure member that, together with a valve-scat surface, forms a sealing scat. The valve needle has, at an inflow end, a collar-shaped armature stop, configured integrally with the valve needle, against which the armature comes to a stop, an engaging flange engaging through the armature in such a way that the engaging flange is insertable into the inflow end of the valve needle and is joinable thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for injecting fuel that is at high pressure into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. A control part which is movable up and down by actuator actuation is received in a bore in the housing of the injector. By means of the actuator, the control part is movable into a position that enables the fuel delivery into a nozzle inlet. The valve chamber in the housing of the injector can be opened and closed during the injection phases by control edges toward the control part, while the pressure relief of the injection system is effected via slide portions disposed on the control part.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided which comprises a swirl generator and a swirl regulator. The swirl regulator comprises an upper housing mounted to an upper part of said body and a lower housing including a center aperture, said lower housing and said upper housing cooperatively defining a plurality of cavities; a rotating member including a center shaft and a plurality of vanes formed thereon, said center shaft being rotatably disposed in said center aperture of said lower housing and coupled to said swirl generator, said vane being disposed in said cavity such that said cavity is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, said first chamber communicating with said fuel passageway and said second chamber communicating with the outside of said injector; a biasing member forcing said rotating member to rotate against a force acting on said vane from a pressure difference between said fuel passageway and the outside of said injector.

Abstract: Fuel metering components of a fuel injector that allow spray targeting and distribution of fuel to be configured using non-angled or straight orifice having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fuel metering components. Metering orifices are located about the longitudinal axis and defining a first virtual circle greater than a second virtual circle defined by a projection of the sealing surface onto the metering disc so that all of the metering orifices are disposed outside the second virtual or bolt circle within one quadrant of the circle. A channel is formed between the seat orifice and the metering disc that allows the fuel injector to generate an unified spray pattern along the longitudinal axis that forms a flow area with a plurality of uniform radii on a virtual plane transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: For each of the injection holes on the face of a plate member which is disposed in a fuel passage, grooves are provided which run along the circumferential direction of the respective injection holes, and at the positions of the grooves, fuel overflows are formed. As a result, contracted fuel flow portions are formed in the injection holes, so that the maximum flow velocity of fuel is increased at the injection hole outlet portions. Thus, a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is provided, in which the atomization performance near the injection holes is effectively enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve for controlling fluids, in particular a fuel injection valve, which has a valve member (3) disposed in a housing (11) for opening or closing a communication with a downstream chamber (18). An actuating element (2) is provided for actuating the valve member (3). The valve member (3) is prestressed in a prestressing direction by means of a prestressing element (10). The valve member (3) is also in communication with a sensor element (9), for picking up pressure information from the chamber (18) downstream of the valve member. The sensor element (9) can be provided as a separate component, or in an especially preferred embodiment, the actuating element is simultaneously used as the sensor element as well.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines has a valve body in which a pistonlike valve member is longitudinally displaceably disposed in a bore. The valve member is surrounded, over at least part of its length, by a pressure chamber that can be filled with fuel. On its end toward the combustion chamber, a valve seat is embodied in the bore, on which seat the valve member comes to rest with a valve sealing face in a closing position, so that the pressure chamber is disconnected from at least one injection opening located downstream of the valve sealing face. First and second parallel annular grooves are formed in the end region of the valve member disposed axially toward the valve seat and the valve sealing face is disposed between these two annular grooves.

Abstract: An oil activated fuel injector which provides a pilot quantity of fuel prior to the main fuel injection event. The oil activated fuel injector includes a delay piston assembly in fluid communication with a high pressure chamber of the fuel injector. The pilot quantity of fuel flows through the delay piston during a pre stroke of the plunger. The oil activated fuel injector reduces engine emissions and noise, and eliminates the need for additional working fluid to be provided therein in order to provide a pilot quantity of fuel.

Abstract: A fuel injector, particularly for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine having external ignition, include a valve housing formed by a nozzle body and a sealing ring which seals the fuel injector from a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The sealing ring has a convexly curved profile, two ends of the sealing ring axially overlapping one another in a stepped manner.

Abstract: A fuel injector that includes a housing, a seat, a metering disc and a closure member. The metering orifices can be located on a first virtual circle greater than a second virtual circle as defined by a projection of a sealing surface converging at a virtual apex projected on the metering disc. The metering disc can be dimpled to increase the spray angle. Various parameters can be utilized to achieve a desired cone size and spray angle. A method of controlling spray targeting of a fuel injector is also described.

Abstract: A fuel injector that includes a housing, a seat, a metering disc and a closure member. The metering orifices can be located on a first virtual circle greater than a second virtual circle as defined by a projection of a sealing surface converging at a virtual apex projected on the metering disc. The metering disc can be dimpled to increase the spray angle. Various parameters can be utilized to achieve a desired cone size and spray angle. A method of controlling spray targeting of a fuel injector is also described.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for delivering fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The assembly includes a fuel nozzle including a body having a fuel inlet, an air inlet, an outlet for discharging fuel to the combustor, and a mounting flange for mounting the nozzle in the engine. A portion of the body corresponding to the fuel inlet and/or the air inlet includes a recess for receiving a supply fitting having an annular sealing surface and a rotatable nut. The recess includes an annular seat sized and shaped for sealingly engaging the sealing surface of the supply tube fitting and female threads positioned adjacent the seat for threadably receiving the rotatable nut of the supply.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engine, includes a valve housing formed by a nozzle body, as well as a sealing ring, which seals the fuel injector against a cylinder head of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine having mixture compression and spark ignition, has an armature, which cooperates with a solenoid, and a valve needle, which is connected to the armature, and on which a valve-closure member is provided which, together with a valve-seat surface, forms a sealing seat. The valve needle has a conical area, which cooperates with a conical recess in the armature so that the armature, is joined to the valve needle in a friction-locking and form-locking manner.

Abstract: A fuel injector, especially for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has an actuator which is in operative connection with a valve needle, the valve needle having a valve-closure member at its spray-off end, which cooperates to form a sealing seat together with a valve seat surface which is formed on a valve seat element. Valve-closure member reaches through a swirl element which is positioned on a flow-supply side end face of valve seat element, swirl channels being formed in swirl element. The valve seat element has a ring-shaped elevation on the flow-supply side end face facing the swirl element.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injector capable of supplying fuel in a stable manner is provided by employing a swirler, which is manufactured at a lower cost and has durability, and by ensuring superior wear resistance of the swirler and a valve member provided on a movable part, which is put into frictional contact with the swirler. The electronic fuel injector comprises a movable part, a valve member, a valve seat, a swirler, a stopper, a stator core, a casing, a spring, and an electromagnetic coil. A valve member is provided at a fore end of the movable part. The swirler serves not only to swirl fuel, but also to guide movement of the valve member provided at the fore end of the movable part. The swirler is formed of a powder sintered compact of martensitic stainless steel having corrosion resistance and wear resistance.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle is proposed, in which an inner nozzle needle and an outer nozzle needle can be actuated independently of one another. Upon opening of the outer nozzle needle, a stream of fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fuel injection nozzle, while upon opening of the inner nozzle needle, the fuel is injected laterally into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, e.g., for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes an actuator, a valve needle which is in operative connection to the actuator and acted upon by a restoring spring in a closing direction, to actuate a valve-closure member which forms a sealing seat together with a valve-seat surface, and an adjustment sleeve, which provides the restoring spring with an initial stress. The adjustment sleeve has a cup-shaped design and an eccentric bore in a base, which is in variable alignment with an eccentric bore in a base of a cup-shaped inner sleeve able to be inserted into the adjustment sleeve.

Abstract: To enable the inclination of the injection direction and the distribution of the penetration force of spray to be adjusted over a wide range, and an axially symmetrical spray shape to be obtained even when the injection hole is inclined, or the shape of the spray to be changed without inclining the injection hole, a fuel passageway 203 is provided as a swirling force adjustment means between the valve seat 201 and injection hole 101 of the fuel injector. This swirling force adjustment means adjusts the distribution of the swirling force of the fuel flowing into injection hole 101, and thus adjusts the spray shape obtained as a result.

Abstract: A fuel injector adapter for providing nitrous oxide to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The nozzle has a central fuel injector passage that terminates at a first outlet end. Fuel from a fuel injector may be passed through the central fuel injector passage. The nozzle also has an inner annular passage arranged circumferentially around the central fuel injector passage. The inner annular passage terminates at a second outlet end. The nozzle also has an outer annular passage arranged circumferentially around the inner annular passage that terminates at a third outlet end. One or both of the inner and outer annular passages is adapted to pass nitrous oxide through it. The nozzle is adapted to fit between a fuel injector and an engine without substantial modification to the engine.

Abstract: The injector has a cylindrical body, which houses an injection nozzle regulated by an injection valve provided with a moveable pin, a fuel supply channel, an injection chamber communicating with the fuel supply channel housing a lower portion of the pin and delimited at the bottom by a valve seat for the injection valve, a control chamber communicating with the fuel supply channel and housing an upper portion of the pin, and a control valve, which is of the poppet type and is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator in order to move between a closed position and an open position, in which it puts the control chamber in communication with a low-pressure fuel exhaust passage.

Abstract: An oil activated fuel injector which provides a pilot quantity of fuel prior to the main fuel injection event. The oil activated fuel injector includes a throttle which provides fluid communication between the high pressure chamber and a fuel bore which leads to the nozzle of the oil activated fuel injector. The pilot quantity of fuel flows through the throttle and into the fuel bore during a pre stroke of the plunger. The oil activated fuel injector reduces engine emissions and noise, and eliminates the need for additional working fluid to be provided therein in order to provide a pilot quantity of fuel.

Abstract: A fuel injection device for internal combustion engines having a magnet valve that has a damping chamber and a relief chamber which communicate hydraulically through a damping throttle that damps in both laminar and turbulent fashion. As a result, the waviness of the characteristic curves of the fuel injection system is reduced and its function is improved.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated fuel injection valve includes a container into which fuel is introduced, a needle member that is disposed in the container and that moves longitudinally, and an electromagnetic controller provided with first and second magnetic circuits through which suction forces can be controlled independently of each other. The electromagnetic controller changes an area of a fuel flow passage defined as a space between an inner surface of the container and an outer surface of the needle member by moving the needle member by means of the suction forces. The fuel injection valve may provide two limit strokes to achieve variable injection rates.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a magnet coil which coacts with an armature that is impinged upon by a return spring and is configured together with a valve needle, a valve closure member that, with a valve seat element, forms a sealing seat being configured on the valve needle; and comprises at least one contact lug that is conductively connected to the magnet coil. A metal hollow body forms an inlet-side extension of the fuel injector, a connector plug having a contact lug being attachable onto the metal hollow body in such a way that the contact lug of the connector plug can be brought into conductive connection with the contact lug (6) of the magnet coil.

Abstract: A fuel injector (1) is provided with a magnetic coil (10), which cooperates with an armature (20) acted upon by a restoring spring (23), the armature forming an axially movable valve part together with a valve needle (3). A valve-closure member (4), which forms a sealing seat with a valve-seat member (5), is provided at the valve needle (3). A flange (14), which penetrates the armature (20) through an opening (19) of the armature (20) and which is connected to the valve needle (3) by force-locking, has at least one radial fuel channel (11) with whose aid an inner chamber (29) of the fuel injector (1) is able to be connected to a recess (22) of the valve needle (3) upon actuation of the fuel injector (1).

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a pressure intensifying chamber communicating with a fuel supply passage through a check valve, a plunger for pressure-intensifying fuel introduced into the pressure intensifying chamber, and a needle valve for injecting the fuel pressure-intensified in the pressure intensifying chamber through an injection port, wherein there is provided in the fuel supply passage a throttle passage normally communicating with a fuel drain passage, air being bled during startup while leaking fuel.

Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines. The injector includes a housing in which valves arranged in series are accommodated. One of the valves is actuated by an actuator assigned to the injector. Each of the valves is assigned a controllable control space, each having one inlet. The valves are designed as inwardly opening valves. One of the valves, which may be actuated by the actuator, acts by way of a spring package upon the other of the valves, which is under prestress by a first spring element.

Abstract: A press-machined fuel induction pipe 40, a hollow tubular type of fixed core 1 with a flange at its upper end, and a nozzle holder 18 that was press-machined into a slender tubular shape and has an orifice plate equipped with a valve seat at the lower end of the nozzle holder, are connected by welding. The upper inner surface of nozzle holder 18 and the outer surface of fixed core 1 are welded after being press-fit. A movable core 14 and a valve body 16 are connected to the welded assembly via a point 15 having a spring function. On the outer surface of nozzle holder 18 is provided an electromagnetic coil 2, the outside of which is provided with a tubular yoke 4 whose upper end is connected by welding to the flange 1a of fixed core 1 and whose lower end is press-fit on the outer surface of nozzle holder 18.

Abstract: The injector has an injector body having a seat for a metering valve in turn having a control chamber for controlling a control rod. The control chamber has an inlet conduit and a drain conduit controlled by a shutter, and is defined by two parts, one of which is defined by a bush having a through opening for guiding the control rod, and the other of which is defined by a plug member for closing the control chamber. The inlet conduit is located on the bush, and the drain conduit on the plug member. The bush is of such a diameter as to interfere slightly with at least one cylindrical portion of the seat, and is driven in fluidtight manner inside the seat so that an end edge rests on a shoulder of the seat. The plug member is fixed in fluidtight manner to the opposite end of the bush by means of a ring nut having a projection which acts along the centerline of the thickness of the bush.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a modular fuel injector permits the fabrication of the electrical group subassembly outside a clean room while a fuel group subassembly is fabricated inside a clean room. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is located at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular, an injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, having an actuator, which cooperates with a valve needle, has a first valve closure member that is arranged on the valve needle, the valve closure member cooperating with a first valve seat surface on a valve body forming a first sealing seat. A second valve closure member cooperates with a second valve seat surface in the valve seat body forming a second sealing seat. The valve needle, or the first valve closure member, has a limit stop, against which, after a partial stroke of the valve needle, a counter limit stop of the second valve closure member strikes, lifting the second valve closure member from the second sealing seat in response to a further stroke of the valve needle.

Abstract: A fuel injector with a magnetic coil, which cooperates with an armature acted upon by a restoring spring, the armature forming an axially movable valve part together with a valve needle. A valve-closure member, which forms a sealing seat with a valve-seat member, is provided at the valve needle. An inner pole and an outer pole form a magnetic circuit with the magnetic coil. A membrane is positioned at an inflow-side end face of the inner pole, which includes at least one orifice, which is covered by the inner pole in the dosed state of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel, especially into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine having external ignition, is located in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine in a receiving bore of the cylinder head, and includes a nozzle body and a sealing ring which seals the fuel injector from the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. At an end on the discharge side of the fuel injector, an at least partially spherical body is formed which abuts at least partially against a wall of the receiving bore, a groove being circumferentially formed on the body in which the sealing ring is positioned.

Abstract: An injector, especially for common rail injection systems of Diesel engines, has a nozzle needle, a control piston for actuating the nozzle needle, a valve that actuates the control piston and that is triggered by via an outlet throttle and an inlet throttle, and a hydraulic stop for the control piston, such that the flow from the inlet throttle to the outlet throttle at the narrowest cross section can additionally be throttled. The control piston is embodied conically on its offset top side oriented toward the outlet throttle or the inlet throttle.

Abstract: A fuel injector for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engine, has a nozzle body that forms a housing body with an external pole and a coil housing, a magnet coil that is electrically energizable by way of a lead and a plug contact, and a central fuel supply. The lead and the fuel supply are positioned together in an adapter that can be placed onto an inflow end of the housing body and is joinable thereto.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve wherein it is possible to prevent undesired adhesion between the respective abutting surfaces of an armature and a stationary core as well as to ensure the required wear resistance for the abutting surfaces and wherein the amount of lift of the valving element is unlikely to change is provided. After rough surfaces like satin-finished surfaces have been farmed on the abutting surfaces by shot peening, the rough surfaces are flattened by spotting. Therefore, the abutting surfaces can easily separate from each other without likelihood of adhering so closely that is difficult for them to separate from each other. Also, the amount of lift of the valving element is unlikely to change. Accordingly, the amount of fuel injected by the fuel injection valve is unlikely to change with passage of time. Thus, stable fuel supply can be performed.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular an injector for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing, spark-ignition internal combustion engine has a solenoid, which cooperates with an armature, and a magnetic internal pole and a magnetic external pole, the armature being connected in a force-locking manner to a valve needle for actuating of the fuel injector, the valve needle having on its injection end a valve-closure member, which cooperates with a valve seat. At least one permanent magnet is arranged in a connecting area between the internal pole and the external pole.

Abstract: The control space of the fuel injection valve is delimited, on the one hand, by the piston of the injection-valve member, on the other hand by the slide-valve body and circumferentially by the sleeve. Both the double-acting piston and the slide-valve body are guided in a narrow sliding fit on the sleeve. The throttle passage runs through the slide-valve body and is flow-connected permanently to the control passage in the control body. The throttle inlet leads from the high-pressure space into the control passage. The latter, on the side facing away from the slide-valve body, can, via a pilot valve, be connected to a low-pressure space and be separated again from the latter. The connection of the control passage to the low-pressure space leads to a pressure drop in the control space, with the result being that the injection-valve member moves in the direction of the slide-valve body and releases the injection nozzles.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for a fluid pressure control valve in a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector comprises a control module including a fuel pressure control valve; an armature connected to the fuel pressure control valve; and a stator assembly including a magnetic core comprising of at least two segments and a bobbin. The stator assembly, when it is energized by a power source, produces a magnetic field to draw the armature towards the stator assembly.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes a first magnetic coil cooperating with a first armature, a second magnetic coil cooperating with a second armature, and a valve needle which is in force-locking connection with the first armature via a first flange and to the second armature via a second flange, to actuate a valve-closure member. A restoring spring acts upon the valve needle in a closing direction of the fuel injector. A first positioning spring, situated between the first flange and the first armature, acts upon the first armature in the closing direction of the fuel injector, while a second positioning spring, situated between the second flange and the second armature, acts upon the second armature in an opening direction of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector, e.g., for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes a solenoid, an armature, which is acted upon in a closing direction by a restoring spring, and a valve needle, which is linked in a force-locking manner to the armature, for actuating of a valve-closure member, which together with a valve-seat surface forms a sealing seat. The armature includes a first armature part and a second armature part, the restoring spring is supported on the first armature part and the second armature part is linked in a force-locked manner to the valve needle. The valve needle is acted upon in the closing direction by the restoring spring via the first armature part and the second armature part so that the valve-closure member is held in a sealing position on the valve-seat surface.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The fuel injector has a fuel inlet connection piece for supplying fuel, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which is sealed off from the fuel by a seal, and a valve closing body actuatable by the actuator via a valve needle. The valve closing body working together with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The seal includes an inlet-side gasket, which is arranged between the fuel inlet connection piece and the actuator, and an actuator jacket that is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction and is connected to the inlet-side gasket.

Abstract: A stationary core has a press fitting portion and is secured to an inner peripheral wall of a tubular member by press fitting, so that an outer peripheral wall of the press fitting portion of the stationary core is engaged with the inner peripheral wall of the tubular member, and a radial space is formed upstream of the press fitting portion of the stationary core between the stationary core and the tubular member. The stationary core can have a tapered annular outer surface section, which is arranged in an outer peripheral wall of a downstream end portion of the stationary core and is tapered toward a downstream end of the stationary core at a taper angle of 2 to 60 degrees to have a reduced outer diameter.

Abstract: Particularly in the fuel injector art, two components may define a high pressure space that is sealed against leakage via a planar sealing land between the two components. If a leak develops in the planar contact area between the two components, it can act to wedge the two components apart, which tends to exacerbate the leakage problem, and so on. Since some leakage between the two components is almost inevitable for a variety of reasons known in the art, a strategy that arrests the leak before it can produce the component separating wedge affect would be beneficial. This can be accomplished by positioning a leak arrest volume, which may be vented, around a majority of the perimeter of the high pressure space. The usage of a leak arrest volume finds particular application in fuel injectors, especially a class of common rail fuel injectors that are maintained at high pressure during prolonged periods between injection events.

Abstract: A method involves retrofitting conventional injectors with needles having magnetostrictive portions and wound coils configured and disposed so as to subject the magnetostrictive portions of the needles to ultrasonically oscillating magnetic fields.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled fuel injector includes a pressurized fluid chamber that communicates high pressure fluid to first and second pressure control chambers. A direct-operated check moves between closed and open positions in response to a difference in fluid pressure in the first and second pressure control chambers. A thermally pre-stressed bender actuator is used to operate a control valve that controls the fluid pressure in the first pressure control chamber to effectively control opening and closing of the check during portions of an injection sequence.