Needle-type Projection Patents (Class 239/585.5)
  • Patent number: 7150417
    Abstract: A valve seat member has a valve seat with a fuel injection aperture. A valve body is movable between a close position wherein the valve body is put on the valve seat and an open position wherein the valve body is separated from the valve seat. A biasing member biases the valve body in a direction of the close position. An electromagnetic coil, upon energization, moves the valve body in a direction of the open position against the biasing force of the biasing member. A nozzle plate is connected to the valve seat member in a manner to cover the fuel injection aperture. The nozzle plate has at a part thereof facing the fuel injection aperture a domed portion that is projected away from the fuel injection aperture. The domed portion has a plurality of fuel injection openings. A side wall extends around and along a periphery of the nozzle plate so as to form a fuel holding recess that is defined by the nozzle plate other than domed portion and the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Souma
  • Patent number: 7143965
    Abstract: A fuel supply system, having a housing, in which a pistonlike element is disposed longitudinally displaceably in a bore and is guided sealingly in the bore by a guide portion. On one end, the guide portion adjoins a first fuel-filled chamber, and on its other end it adjoins a second fuel-filled chamber. At least one recess extending at least approximately in the circumferential direction is embodied in the guide portion of the pistonlike element and extends over at least part of the circumference of the pistonlike element and, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the pistonlike element, has an asymmetrical cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lindner, Juergen Bauer, Martin Zimmer, Claus Westphal, Alexander Redlich, Ruediger Bohnsack, Peter Rehbein, Juergen Hackenberg, Georg Ketteler, Marcus Rinke, Jochen Straehle
  • Patent number: 7143966
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Liskow
  • Patent number: 7128282
    Abstract: Multiple injection holes are formed in an injection hole plate. Each injection hole penetrates the injection hole plate. The injection hole is formed with an inlet side opening and an outlet side opening. The outlet side opening is formed in the shape of a flattened rectangle having a major axis and a minor axis. Therefore, the fuel flowing into the injection hole through the inlet side opening is injected in the shape of a film from the outlet side opening. Thus, liquid film splitting is promoted, so atomization of the fuel is promoted. Since the multiple injection holes are formed in the injection hole plate, the shape of a great fuel spray, which is formed by combining fuel sprays injected from the respective injection holes, can be adjusted easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuya Okamoto, Nobuo Ota, Kouichi Mochizuki, Masuaki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7128281
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body, filter, and damper member. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an outlet end and has a wall defining a flow passage extending therebetween. The filter is disposed in the flow passage proximate the inlet end. The damper member is secured to the flow passage between the inlet end and the filter. The damper member has outer and inner surfaces surrounding the longitudinal axis, the outer surface being contiguous to the wall of the flow passage to define at least one circumferential band about the longitudinal axis in the flow passage. The inner surface defines an aperture that extends through the damper member to permit fluid communication between the inlet end and the filter. A damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Yong D. Cho, Michael P. Dallmeyer
  • Patent number: 7124959
    Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve separately and independently injects two different fuels and comprises a dual needle assembly with a hollow open-ended outer needle and an inner needle disposed within the hollow interior. A cap cooperates with the outer needle to cover the open end, and the outer needle and the cap together comprise the inner valve body. The outer and inner needles are each movable independently from each other between respective open and closed positions. A spring disposed between the cap and the inner needle contributes to biasing the inner needle in the closed position. The cap can be joined to the outer needle, whereby the cap can provide a limit to the movement of the inner needle. In another embodiment the cap can be detached from the outer body, allowing the spring to space the cap away from the outer needle, assisting with biasing the outer needle closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: S. Michael Baker, David Mumford, Adrian Post, Tim Lennox, Bradley D. Douville, Alain M. J. Touchette
  • Patent number: 7121481
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1) having a chamber (7) with a fuel inlet (8) and a plurality of fuel outlets (10), and including a fuel distributor (18) that is arranged in the chamber (7) for the purpose of distributing fuel introduced into the chamber (7) via the fuel inlet (8) to the outlets (10). The fuel distributor (18) includes a generally rotary symmetric distributor body (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Aero Corporation
    Inventors: Joakim Berglund, Patrik Bäckander, Jens Dahlin, Hans Falk, Bernhard Gustafsson, Klas Lindblad, Torbjörn Salomonsson
  • Patent number: 7104475
    Abstract: A nozzle for a low pressure fuel injector that improves the control and size of the spray angle, as well as enhances the atomization of the fuel delivered to a cylinder of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Jeffrey Paul Mara, David Lee Porter, David Ling-Shun Hung, John Stefanski
  • Patent number: 7104477
    Abstract: Air assist fuel injectors having one or more inserts that guide movement of a poppet, and an air assist fuel injector having a solid poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventors: David Kilgore, William June Rogers, Scott P. Dillon, Gary Lee Maschke, James Allen Kimmel
  • Patent number: 7097115
    Abstract: A fuel injector regulator having combined initial injection and peak injection pressure regulation. The fuel injector regulator includes a rate shaping valve movably supported within a valve bore between a closed position and an open position to regulate a rate of injected fuel. The regulator further includes a waste gate valve having a body movably supported within a bore of the rate shaping valve and between a closed position and an open position to regulate the pressure of injected fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: He Jiang, Gerald Gaydek
  • Patent number: 7097114
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a self-cleaning injector nozzle or other fluid conduit that maintains deposits at a low level by sonic tuning the shock wave generated during fluid flow through that nozzle or conduit. Methods of producing an injector nozzle and a method of cleansing deposits from liquid or gaseous fluids are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Allen A. Aradi
  • Patent number: 7093779
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a valve needle which cooperates with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat, and an armature which is connected to the valve needle, the armature being acted upon in the closing direction by a restoring spring and cooperating with a magnetic coil. The armature has a guide flange which is guided at an opposite surface. The guide flange does contact the opposite surface in all places, so that recesses are formed between the guide flange and the opposite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Sebastian, Juergen Graner, Wolfgang-Manfred Ruehle, Joachim Stilling, Matthias Boee, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 7090151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating a control piston or nozzle needle (27) via a control chamber (26). The control chamber communicates via a control chamber line (25) with valve chambers (3, 22) of a 3/2-way valve (5). The valve body (6, 40, 51) of this valve is switchable by means of an actuator (11). By means of a restoring spring (14), the valve body (6, 40, 51) is acted upon such that a seat portion (7), embodied in the housing (4) on the valve body (6, 40, 51), is put into its valve seat (20). The valve body (6, 40, 51) of the 3/2-way valve (5) has a seat portion (7) and a longitudinal slide portion (8), as well as hydraulic faces (31,32), facing one another, that make the state of pressure equilibrium of the valve body (6, 40, 51) possible. The valve body (6, 40, 51) is moved to different stroke lengths (10; 23, 24) by means of an actuator (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Potschin, Peter Grabandt
  • Patent number: 7090152
    Abstract: A fuel injector including a tubular casing having an axial fuel passage. Disposed within the fuel passage are a valve seat element, a core cylinder, and a valve element axially moveably disposed therebetween and opposed to the core cylinder with an axial air gap. An electromagnetic actuator cooperates with the casing, the valve element and the core cylinder to form a magnetic field forcing the valve element to the open position against a spring between the valve element and the core cylinder upon being energized. The casing includes a reluctance portion producing an increased magnetic reluctance and allowing the magnetic field to extend to the valve element and the core cylinder through the air gap. The reluctance portion has a reduced radial thickness and an axial length extending over the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kobayashi, Hideo Kato, Hiroshi Okada
  • Patent number: 7086614
    Abstract: A fuel injector is described for fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines that includes a magnet coil, an armature that is acted upon in a closing direction by a restoring spring, and a valve needle that is non-positively engaged with armature for actuating a valve closing body, which together with a valve seat surface forms a sealing seat, and armature with an inlet-side armature surface striking internal pole. A choke point is provided on inlet-side armature surface, and is formed by an annular, stepped prominence on inlet-side armature surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Stier, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 7086615
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The orifice disc includes a member having first and second generally parallel surfaces, and an orifice extending through the member between first and second generally planar surfaces of the member. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. The wall includes first and second wall portions. The first wall portion is spaced from the first surface and extends substantially perpendicular to the first and second generally planar surfaces and about the longitudinal axis to define a transition perimeter. The second wall portion couples the first wall portion to the first surface to define a inlet perimeter on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Joseph
  • Patent number: 7086613
    Abstract: A solenoid-operated liquid spray gun having a lightweight, corrosion resistant plastic housing which enables the spray gun to be mounted on and be more easily moved by robotic transfer devices. To effect the necessary flux loop within the plastic-housed spray gun for reciprocating a valve plunger in response to energization of the solenoid coil, the spray gun includes a radially disposed flux-directing member adjacent at least one end of the coil. The flux-directing member, while extending radially outwardly a distance less than the diameter of solenoid coil, effects efficient flux direction for operating the solenoid notwithstanding the lack of a magnetic conductive medium provided by the metal housing of conventional solenoid-operated spray guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 7086606
    Abstract: A modular fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, including a valve group subassembly and a power group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a first stator member, a second stator member, a non-magnetic shell disposed between the first and second stator members, a valve body, and an armature member. The armature member defines a first working air gap with the first stator member and a second working air gap with the second stator member. The armature member includes a closure member proximate an outlet end and contiguous to a seat in a first configuration. The power group subassembly includes an electromagnetic coil surrounding the passage, a housing encasing the coil, and an ovemold encapsulating the coil and the housing. The coil is energizable to provide magnetic flux that flows through the first and second working air gaps in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Harry R. Brooks, Michael P. Dallmeyer
  • Patent number: 7083114
    Abstract: A fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes an actuator, which is encapsulated in a first sleeve and is sealed from an inner chamber of the fuel injector; a valve needle actuable by the actuator, which includes a valve-closure member cooperating with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat; and a locking spring, by which the valve needle is acted upon in such a manner that the valve-closure member is held in sealing contact at the valve-seat surface. An inflow-side end face of the first sleeve is dimensioned such that a linear deformation of the first sleeve, caused by the fuel pressure present at the inflow-side end face, is compensated by a linear deformation of the actuator and an activating piston extending the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Maeurer, Ulrich Doebler, Hubert Stier, Guenther Hohl, Rene Deponte
  • Patent number: 7077341
    Abstract: A new fuel injecting device is comprised of a nozzle body formed a fuel supply hole in the center top end for injecting the fuel to a combustion chamber, a plurality of the spiral grooves and the edge grooves formed vertically and alternately on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion. Each edge groove is positioned between two adjacent spiral grooves for supplying the fuel through the fuel supply hole. Each spiral groove and edge groove are formed a flow sectional area reduced gradually from inlet to outlet. A cylindrical shaped nozzle case is openable upward or downward and adapted to accommodate the nozzle body at a lower portion and the injector at an upper portion. The injector is positioned on the nozzle body and the injection hole is tightly secured onto the fuel supply hole of the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Ssang-Sin Kwak
  • Patent number: 7070127
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines has a solenoid coil; a valve needle that is mechanically linked to the solenoid coil and acted upon by a restoring spring in a closing direction, in order to actuate a valve-closure member which, together with a valve-seat face, forms a sealing seat; and a sleeve, which prestresses the restoring spring. The sleeve is integrally formed with a filter element to form a one-part, deep-drawn filter sleeve, which has through-flow openings for filtering the fuel flowing through the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Maier
  • Patent number: 7070128
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes 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. Furthermore, the fuel injector includes an inner pole and an outer pole which form a magnetic circuit with the magnetic coil. The restoring spring is acted upon by a guide sleeve so that its axial length during operation of the fuel injector is smaller than the axial length of a bore of the inner pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Zlatko Delas
  • Patent number: 7066410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a common rail injector for injecting fuel in a common rail injection system of an internal combustion engine, having an injector housing, which communicates with a central high-pressure reservoir and in which a nozzle needle is axially displaceable in order to adjust the injection as a function of the pressure in a control chamber, and having a sealing element, which is disposed in an annular chamber that is provided between a valve element and the injector housing. In addition to the sealing element, a support device is disposed in the annular chamber between the valve element and the injector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Ruthardt, Juergen Hanneke, Holger Rapp
  • Patent number: 7063278
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1) for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has a piezoelectric actuator (2) which is encapsulated in an actuator housing (3); a valve needle (9) which is in operative connection with the actuator and on which a valve-closure member (11) is formed which forms a sealing seat together with a valve-seat surface (13); and a nozzle body (12) into which the actuator housing (3) is able to be inserted. The actuator housing (3) and the nozzle body (12) are sealed by a common connecting part (4), the connecting part (4) having a first and a second diameter step (19; 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Stier, Elmar Okrent, Ulrich Döbler
  • Patent number: 7063279
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve comprises a body, a valve member, a coil, a movable core, a fixed core, and a housing member. The body has a nozzle hole. The valve member allows injection of fuel from the nozzle hole. The coil generates a magnetic field. The movable core axially reciprocates with the valve member. The fixed core is provided adjacent to a side of the movable core that is opposite the nozzle hole. The fixed core attracts the movable core and moves with the valve member due to the magnetic field generated from the coil. The housing member has a first axial end fixed to the body. The housing member covers the coil and forms a magnetic circuit together with the body, the movable core, and the fixed core due to the magnetic field generated by the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Mizuno, Toyoji Nishiwaki, Yoshitomo Oguma
  • Patent number: 7055766
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a fuel inlet, and a metering valve which is activated by an electromagnetic actuator to open and close an injection nozzle; the metering valve has a control chamber communicating with the inlet and defined by an end wall, in which is formed an outlet hole closed by a shutter moved along an axis by the actuator; the end wall and the shutter are defined by respective parallel, facing surfaces which rest against each other to compress the film of fuel issuing from the hole during closure by the shutter, and which have channeling formed about the hole to generate, in use, a counterpressure for the outflowing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 7055765
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, including a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which, via a valve needle, actuates a valve-closure member arranged on the valve needle, the valve-closure member cooperating with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat, the fuel injector having an hydraulic compensation chamber. A pressure piston cooperates with the compensation chamber, which is filled with hydraulic fluid via an hydraulic fluid inlet. The actuator is arranged between the pressure piston and the valve needle and displaceable in the axis of the valve needle and the pressure piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Liskow
  • Patent number: 7051958
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, having a housing in which an outer valve needle and an inner valve needle guided in it are disposed in a bore. The outer valve needle controls an outer row of injection openings, and the inner valve needle controls an inner row of injection openings, to which rows of injection openings fuel is delivered at an injection pressure through a high-pressure conduit embodied in the housing. A control pressure chamber in the housing can be made to communicate with the high-pressure conduit, and by means of its pressure, a closing force is exerted at least indirectly on the inner valve needle. The high-pressure conduit communicates with a control chamber, by whose pressure a closing force is exerted at least indirectly on the outer valve needle, and the control chamber communicates with the control pressure chamber. A control valve is disposed in a housing, and by means of the control valve, the control chamber can be made to communicate with a leak fuel chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Maike Sander-Potz, legal representative, Wendelin Potz, legal representative, Peter Boehland, Thomas Kuegler, Andreas Koeninger, Predrag Nunic, Detlev Potz, deceased
  • Patent number: 7051960
    Abstract: A fuel passage is formed through a movable core and a fixed core of a fuel injection valve. Communication passage(s) are formed in the movable core or the fixed core around the fuel passage. The communication passage(s) connect a facing space provided between the movable core and the fixed core with a space remote from the facing space. Fuel flows out of the facing space through the communication passage(s) when the fuel injection valve is opened and fuel flows into the facing space through the communication passage(s) when the fuel injection valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Oguma
  • Patent number: 7036755
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve, for an engine, comprising a nozzle body having a plurality of nozzle holes and a needle valve reciprocated in the nozzle body for controlling the inflow of the fuel into the nozzle holes is disclosed. The fuel is rendered to flow into the nozzle holes from a direction along the inner wall surface of the nozzle body around each of the nozzle holes in a first inflow mode, and from a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner wall surface of the nozzle body in a second inflow mode. The first inflow mode and the second inflow mode can be selectively switched to each other. The fuel is rendered to flow into the nozzle holes in the first inflow mode before the lapse of a predetermined time after the engine is started, and in the first or second mode as required after the lapse of the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiso Takeda, Tomojiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7032846
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for fuel injection valve systems of internal combustion engines is described, having an energizable actuating element, a valve closing element which is axially movable along a valve longitudinal axis and which works in conjunction with a rigid valve seat that is provided on a valve seat element so as to open and close the valve, and at least one exit opening that is provided downstream from the valve seat. As the injection valve is of the inward-opening type, the opening movement of the valve closing element is oriented away from the exit opening and the closing movement of the valve closing element is oriented toward the exit opening. Fuel flows completely through the interior of the valve closing element, and the valve seat element has an inner trough-shaped recess, so that the opening movement of the valve closing element is fuel-pressure-assisted, due to a flow inversion upstream of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Heyse
  • Patent number: 7032845
    Abstract: A fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided, which injector includes a valve needle having at its spray-discharge end a valve-closure member, which cooperates with a valve-seat surface formed on a valve-seat member to form a sealing seat. At least one swirl channel is provided in a section of the valve-seat member surrounding the valve needle, and at least one spray-discharge orifice is provided in the valve-seat member. The at least one swirl channel, when viewed through the swirl channel in the flow direction of the fuel, is inclined counter to the spray-discharge direction relative to the center axis of the valve needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Dantes, Joerg Heyse
  • Patent number: 7028928
    Abstract: A fluid control valve assembly controls the flow of actuation fluid to and from a fuel injector. The fluid control valve assembly includes at least one solenoid actuator attached to a valve body. The solenoid actuator includes a stator and an armature comprised of a soft magnetic material. At least one of the armature and the stator include an impact surface. The impact surface is coated with a relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating. Thus, the relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating will protect the relatively soft, magnetic material comprising the stator and the armature, and increase the durability of the solenoid actuator and the fluid control valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Shinogle
  • Patent number: 7025284
    Abstract: A fuel injection system having a high-pressure fuel pump and a fuel injection valve connected to it for each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. A pump piston of the high-pressure fuel pump delimits a pump working chamber that is connected to a pressure chamber of the fuel injection valve, which has an injection valve element that controls injection openings and can be moved in an opening direction counter to a closing force by the pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber. A first control valve controls a connection of the pump working chamber to a relief chamber and a second control valve controls a connection of a control pressure chamber which communicates with the pump working chamber, to a relief chamber. A throttle restriction is respectively provided in connections of the control pressure chamber to the pump working chamber and the relief chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Boehland
  • Patent number: 7021569
    Abstract: A fuel swirler positioned upstream of an injection orifice is disposed at the tip of a nozzle body in a fuel injector, in which the fixed core and the nozzle body are coupled to each other via a non-magnetic cylindrical seal ring press-fitted and welded to the outer circumference of one end on the nozzle body side of the fixed core and the inner circumference of one end of the nozzle body. The inner circumference of the fuel swirler and the inner circumference of the seal ring function serve as a guide for slidably guiding a stroke movement of the needle. The fuel swirler is held between the receiving surface of the nozzle body and the orifice plate, thus defining an annular fuel passage between the outer circumference of the fuel swirler and the inner circumference of the nozzle body, so that fuel flows into a passage groove formed at the lower end surface of the fuel swirler via the annular fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Ogura, Atsushi Sekine, Eiichi Kubota, Masafumi Nakano, Keiichi Uraki, Noriyuki Maekawa, Mizuho Yokoyama, Yoshiyuki Tanabe, Hiromasa Kubo, Tooru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7021562
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a bulkhead having adjacent angled wall segments, each of which includes an injector opening. Fuel injectors are supported by the bulkhead on adjacent wall segments. Each fuel injector includes an inlet fitting including ports for receiving fuel, a feed stem extending through the opening, and a manifold supported at the downstream end of the feed stem and including a plurality of manifold segments. Each manifold segment includes a plurality of nozzles arranged in a linear, planar array; with each nozzle including a fuel distribution assembly and an air swirler assembly. The manifold segments are supported at angles to one another, such that that the sprays from one array of nozzles in one segment are provided in a different direction than the sprays from another array of nozzles in an adjacent manifold segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corp.
    Inventors: Adel B. Mansour, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7021557
    Abstract: A thin film coating for a low allow steel or tool steel components in a fuel injector (14), such as a fuel injector needle valve (86) is disclosed. A thin film coating (96) consists of a metal carbon material layer less than 2.0 microns thick applied to a low alloy steel substrate (95) or tool steel substrate (95) used in fuel injector components, such as the fuel injector needle valve (86) or a portion thereof. Optionally, a thin bond layer (98) of chromium is deposited between the steel substrate (95) and the primary metal carbon material coating (96). The thin film coating (96) minimizes abrasive and adhesive wear associated with the needle valve (86) and cooperating nozzle surfaces (62,63) of the fuel injector (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jay E. Tomaseski, Chuong Q. Dam, Michael C. Long
  • Patent number: 7021570
    Abstract: A nozzle holder includes a support portion, which supports a downstream end surface of a planar wall of an injection hole plate. The injection hole plate provided with injection holes is welded to one of the valve body and the nozzle holder. The planar wall may be curved and may be thus convex in an upstream direction toward a downstream end opening such that the planar wall is urged against a peripheral edge of the downstream end opening of the valve body. The planar wall may include a reinforcing rib located radially outward of the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhide Tani, Kimitaka Saito, Nobuo Ota, Yoshitaka Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 7021565
    Abstract: Common rail fuel injectors typically have difficulty in changing an injection rate during an injection event. Fuel injectors for this common rail fuel injection system include a multi-position admission valve. The admission valve is stoppable at a middle position to inject fuel at a low rate. The lower rate is accomplished by leaking some fuel to drain to reduce injection pressure. The admission valve is also stoppable at a fully open position to inject fuel at a high rate. Fuel injection events are ended, and the fuel injectors maintained between injection events, with the admission valve member in contact with a supply seat to close the high pressure supply passage. This strategy can be used in conjunction with a spring-biased needle valve member to expand fuel injector capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Richard R. Ohs, Scott F. Shafer, Yongxin Wang
  • Patent number: 7021566
    Abstract: A modular fuel injector that includes a coil group subassembly and a valve group subassembly. The coil group subassembly is independently testable. The valve group subassembly is independently testable and includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis extending between a first tube end and a second tube end, and a seat assembly disposed in the tube assembly proximate the second tube end. The seat assembly includes a flow portion and a securement portion. The flow portion extends along the longitudinal axis between a first surface and an orifice disk retention surface at a first length. The flow portion has a seat orifice extending therethrough and an orifice disk coupled to the orifice disk retention surface so that the orifice plate is aligned in a fixed spatial orientation with respect to the flow portion. The securement portion extends along the longitudinal axis away from the orifice disk retention surface at a second length greater than the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, William J. Imoehl, James P. Fochtman, Fredrick L. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7021568
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1), in particular a fuel injector (1) for fuel injection systems, includes a first solenoid (2) cooperating with an armature (3), a second solenoid (4) cooperating with the armature (3), and a valve needle (13) friction-locked to the armature (3) for actuating a valve closing body, a force being exertable on the armature (3) in a closing direction using the first solenoid (2) and in an opening direction using the second solenoid (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Rieger, Harald Maisch, Michael Huebel, Ulrich Becker, Juergen Stein
  • Patent number: 7014130
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel system including a housing having first and second high-pressure bodies (3, 5), which contact one another at a contact face. A high-pressure chamber in the housing passes through the contact face, and at least intermittently a high fuel pressure is present in the chamber (23). A wall part having a longitudinal axis surrounds the housing at least in the region of the contact face, so that a leak fuel chamber (32) is formed between the wall part and the housing which chamber is sealed off from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sieghart Maier, Siegfried Ruthardt, Klaus Wuerth, Thomas Pauer
  • Patent number: 7014129
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines includes an actuator, a valve needle, which is able to be activated by the actuator to actuate a valve-closure member, which, together with a valve-seat surface formed at a valve-seat member, forms a sealing seat; and at least one spray-discharge orifice which is formed in the valve-seat member. At a downstream end of the fuel injector, a flameproofing screen is positioned, which shields the spray-discharge orifices from the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Dantes, Detlef Nowak
  • Patent number: 7011257
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines having a magnetic coil, a valve needle, which is in operative connection with the magnetic coil and acted upon in a closing direction by a restoring spring to actuate a valve-closure member, which, together with a valve-seat surface formed at a valve-seat member, forms a sealing seat; and having at least one spray-discharge orifice which is formed in the valve-seat member. The spray-discharge orifices discharge from elevations which project beyond an outer end face of the valve-seat member, the fuel being guided through flow channels in the elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 7007870
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes a valve needle, which cooperates with a valve seat surface to form a sealing seat, and an armature engaging with the valve needle. The armature is arranged on the valve needle in an axially movable manner and damped by a damping element made of an elastomer. Arranged between the armature and the damping element is an intermediate ring, and the damping element rests on a flange that is connected to the valve needle by force locking. Due to the intermediate ring, the armature is supported on the valve needle in a twist-proof manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Noller, Martin Buehner
  • Patent number: 7004406
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a needle valve of a spring closing type fuel injector includes a fluid assist selectively exerting a force on the needle valve, the force acting in cooperation with a bias exerted by a return spring on the needle valve to effect a relatively low valve opening pressure of the needle valve and relatively very high valve closing pressure. A spring closing type fuel injector and a method for controlling a needle valve of a spring closing type fuel injector are further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Xilin Yang, Ning Lei, Puning Wei
  • Patent number: 6997404
    Abstract: An improved filter assembly for a solenoid-actuated fuel injector having a fuel-resistant porous filter element in a filter retainer tube for disposition in the fuel tube of the fuel injector. Fuel flow through the filter element is axial. The filter retainer tube replaces the calibration tube in a prior art fuel injector, also acting as a seat for the injector spring and being positioned axially within the fuel tube by a press-fit calibration ring. The retainer tube is preferably formed of glass-filled nylon, and the filter element is preferably formed by injection molding of an open-cell polyamide foam. By selecting the porosity and flow characteristics of the filter element material in known fashion, the length and diameter of the filter element may be minimized, permitting reduction in the length and diameter of the fuel tube and also the size and cost of the actuating solenoid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvind M. Rao
  • Patent number: 6994281
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a valve needle cooperating with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat, and an armature engaging with the valve needle, the armature being axially moveable at the valve needle and being damped, via a damping element, which is located in a recess in a downstream-side end face of the armature, with respect to a cup-shaped sleeve positioned downstream from the armature and joined to the valve needle in force-locking manner. Furthermore, the fuel injector includes a filter element, the filter element being positioned downstream from the armature in the cup-shaped sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Reiter
  • Patent number: 6994234
    Abstract: Electrically-operated dispensing modules capable of dispensing small volumes of a viscous liquid at high operating frequencies and reproducibly among successive dispensed volumes of viscous liquid without the occurrence of stringing. The dispensing module may include a flux element having a portion effective for interrupting circumferential electrical current paths. In another aspect, an end face of a pole piece of the dispensing module may include one or more non-magnetic spacer elements that prevent contact between the pole piece and armature when the dispensing module is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Victor de Leeuw
  • Patent number: 6991187
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Perry Robert Czimmek
  • Patent number: 4924872
    Abstract: In a blood pressure monitoring system, a transducer which is a conductive rubber tube having conductive terminals at each end,and circumferentially spaced conductors connected to said semi-conductive band,whereby fluid under varying pressure will cause said insulative tube to expand and contract, thereby causing said semi-conductive band to expand and contract, thereby varying the resistance of the semi-conductive band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Medex, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Frank