Electromagnetically Actuated Fuel Injector Having Ball And Seat Type Valve Patents (Class 239/900)
  • Patent number: 7059549
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly includes an injector body including a valve seat with a supply passage through which fuel flows generally along a supply axis. The valve seat presents an upper surface which is adapted to engage a valve to seal the supply passage. A nozzle plate is mounted onto the valve seat and includes a plurality of orifice holes therein through which fuel flows. The valve seat further includes a first edge protrusion protruding into the fuel flow for generating a first separation of the fuel flow, thereby creating a plurality of small eddies which are entrained within the fuel flowing adjacent thereto. A turbulence cavity is defined by the nozzle plate and the valve seat wherein fuel flows into the turbulence cavity through the supply passage and out from the turbulence cavity through the plurality of orifice holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Min Xu
  • 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: 7048202
    Abstract: A valve subassembly of a fuel injector that allows 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 subassembly. 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 circle. The projection of the sealing surface converges at a virtual apex disposed within the metering disc. At least one channel extends between a first end and second end. The first end is disposed at a first radius from the longitudinal axis and spaced at a first distance from the metering disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Bierstaker, John S. Bright
  • 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: 6991188
    Abstract: In a fuel injection valve, a substantially arc-shaped chamfered portion in a substantially arc shape of cross section is formed on an edge of an inner wall portion of each opening end of a corresponding nozzle hole of a nozzle plate to further expand a whole diameter of an injection stream of fuel passed through a plurality of obliquely penetrated nozzle holes. In a manufacturing method for the nozzle plate, circulating a fluid mixed with an abrasive through each nozzle hole is carried out to polish opening ends of the respective nozzle holes which are faced against the external of the fuel injection valve in a form of substantially arc shape of cross section with the abrasive. Furthermore, grinding the respective major surfaces of a punched plate material which becomes the nozzle plate together with vicinities to the respective opening ends of the nozzle holes is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kobayashi, Masatoshi Yanase, Hiroaki Hirata, Hiroki Nakagane
  • Patent number: 6966499
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Nally, William A. Peterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6935578
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shibata, Yasuo Namaizawa, Atsushi Sekine, Yuichi Sasaki, Tohru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6932284
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Mirco Vignoli
  • Patent number: 6921021
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Nally, William A. Peterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6921022
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Nally, William A. Peterson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6899293
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Dantes, Detlef Nowak
  • Patent number: 6851622
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector can include a tube assembly, an armature assembly, a working air gap, a coil, and a housing. The tube assembly has a longitudinal axis and includes a non-magnetic tube having a first end and a second end, and a pole piece disposed inside the non-magnetic tube intermediate the first and second ends. The armature assembly is disposed within the tube assembly between the pole piece and the first end. The armature assembly includes an end face resiliently biased away from the pole piece. The working air gap separates the end face and the pole piece when the end face is biased away from the pole piece. The coil is connectable to an electrical power source and operable to displace the end face toward the pole piece against the resilient bias on the armature assembly. The housing is positioned adjacent the working air gap and supports the coil on the tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Sims B. Deméré, Robert McFarland, Dennis Bulgatz
  • Patent number: 6824084
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1) for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has a solenoid (10), a valve needle (3) pressed in the closing direction by a return spring (23) to activate a valve closing member (4), which together with a valve seat surface (5) forms a sealing seat, and an armature (20) in friction-locking connection with a valve needle (3). A first guide sleeve (35) and a second guide sleeve (36) are connected to the valve needle (3). The armature (20) has radial play with respect to the valve needle (3) as a result of the central opening (34), the diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the valve needle (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Guenther Hohl
  • Patent number: 6817635
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines and a method of manufacturing same are described. The fuel injector includes a valve seat body into which a valve seat face is introduced, which cooperates with a valve closing body to form a sealing seat, and a nozzle body to which the valve seat body is fixedly connected. The valve seat body is insertable into the interior of the nozzle body and on its downstream side it has a partially spherical outside geometry, which rests on a bearing surface of a seat body recess in the nozzle body. Valve seat body is mounted so it can rotate relative to the nozzle body on the bearing surface until its position is finally secured, and it may be aligned by a centering mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Guenther Hohl, Guenter Dantes, Detlef Nowak
  • Patent number: 6805309
    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: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kobayashi, Hideo Kato, Hiroshi Okada
  • Patent number: 6805310
    Abstract: In a fuel injection device, a metal inner tubular member has a step in an outer peripheral wall of the metal inner tubular member, and an axial end surface of an upstream end portion of a metal outer frame member axially abuts against the step of the metal inner tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6786433
    Abstract: A fuel injector, e.g., a fuel injector protruding directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, includes an energizable actuator, a valve-closure member able to be moved by the actuator, a secure valve seat, with which the valve-closure member cooperates to open and close the valve, a fuel outlet formed in a downstream spray-discharge region and by at least one outlet opening situated downstream from valve seat, and a dead volume formed downstream from valve seat and upstream from the spray-discharge region having at least one outlet opening. A surface of valve-closure member bordering the dead volume has a surface structure having at least several pores with a surface roughness of at least 25 &mgr;m for gas accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Joerg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6769638
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve including an orifice plate having a plurality of injection orifices, a valve seat in the upstream section of the injection orifices and has a cylindrical fuel flow path formed therein, a fuel cavity formed between the fuel flow path and the orifice plate directly above the injection orifices, and a valve member supported for its reciprocations to settle in and lift off the valve seat. The relationships among dimensions are &phgr;D1+&phgr;d<&phgr;P and t<&phgr;d, where &phgr;D1 is the diameter of the fuel flow path, &phgr;d the diameter of the injection orifices, &phgr;P the diameter of a pitch circle with its center coinciding with the axis of the fuel flow path, and t the depth in the axial direction of the fuel cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Munezane, Mamoru Sumida
  • Patent number: 6749137
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve wherein a central pipe part has satisfactory mechanical strength and an intermediate portion of the pipe part is surely made non-magnetic is provided. The electromagnetic fuel injection valve has a core surrounded by a solenoid coil. A valve housing is disposed forward of the core. The core and the valve housing are connected through a thin-walled portion. The wall thickness of the thin-walled portion is smaller than the wall thickness of the core and that of the valve housing. The core and the thin-walled portion, together with the valve housing, are formed in an integral structure. The thin-walled portion has a sufficient wall thickness to provide satisfactory mechanical strength. The thin-walled portion is modified into a high-hardness non-magnetic portion by a carbulizing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukinori Kato, Motoyuki Suzuki, Hikaru Kikuta, Tomohiro Okubo, Masami Hirata
  • Patent number: 6685112
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature. The fuel injector includes a valve group subassembly that is connected to a coil group subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornby, Michael P. Dallmeyer
  • Patent number: 6679435
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has an electromagnetic actuating element including a magnet coil, a tubular internal pole and an external magnetic circuit part, a valve sleeve having an internal opening and thin walls and a movable valve closing body which works together with a valve seat assigned to a valve seating body. The valve seating body and the internal pole are fixedly arranged in the internal opening in the valve sleeve . The internal pole has a longitudinal slot formed by producing it by rolling and/or bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Noller, Peter Asslaender, Hubert Stier, Hans Weldler
  • Patent number: 6676046
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway for fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet. A coil assembly is disposed proximate the inlet of the fuel injector. A seat is disposed proximate the outlet of the fuel injector. A closure member is disposed in the housing and operable by the coil assembly to permit and prohibit fuel flow through the seat. The closure member includes a strap member that extends along a longitudinal axis and has at least two radial projections and a central member. The strap member includes an outer surface a distance D from the longitudinal axis. The at least two radial projections having first and second ends. A sealing member is coupled to the central member. An armature member is coupled to the second ends of the strap member. Also, a method for forming the strap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Ronald Brooks, Ross William Wood
  • Patent number: 6655611
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base comprising a valve seat sealably connected to the body. A disk-shaped armature disposed at the fuel outlet for controlling the flow of fuel has an upper surface and a lower surface that comprises a sealing interface with the valve seat. A ring-shaped flexural element comprising a plurality of spaced flexural legs is in contact with the injector body and the upper surface of the armature and provides a spring bias between the body and armature upper surface. When the injector is closed, spring bias between the body and armature upper surface maintains the armature in a sealing position with the valve seat, and when the injector is open, increased spring bias between the body and armature upper surface impels the armature to return to a sealing position with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Otto Muller-Girard, Jr., Michael Schneider, Harrie William Bonnah, II, Karl Jacob Haltiner, Jr., Robert B. Perry
  • Patent number: 6655608
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a valve body, a valve seat at one end of the valve body and having a seating surface facing the interior of the valve body and including a fuel outlet opening, a fuel tube for conducting pressurized fuel into the valve body against the seating surface, a spherical valve ball moveable between a seated position against the seating surface to close the outlet opening against fuel flow, and an open position spaced from the seating surface to allow fuel flow through the outlet opening, a spring in the valve body and biasing the valve ball toward the seated position, an armature axially moveable in the valve body and including a valve ball capturing member at an end proximate the seating surface, the valve ball capturing member being engageable with the ball outer surface adjacent the seating surface, and a solenoid coil operable to draw the armature away from the seating surface, thereby moving the valve ball to the open position and allowing fuel to pass through the fuel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 6616071
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a valve seat member having a valve bore, and an injector plate coupled to an outer end face of the valve seat member. A fuel diffusion chamber is defined between the valve seat member and the injector plate. The injector plate is provided with a plurality of fuel injection bores which are parted on a plane including an axis of the valve bore into primary and secondary groups for injecting fuel toward primary and secondary intake ports. When a direction of arrangement of the primary and secondary intake ports is represented by X, and a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrangement is represented by Y, the fuel injection bores of the primary and secondary groups are formed so that they are inclined to a side opposite from the axis of the valve bore only in a direction X toward a downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kitamura, Akira Arioka
  • Patent number: 6607143
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 disposed at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Bryan Hall, Ross Wood
  • Publication number: 20030111563
    Abstract: A fuel-injection valve includes a fuel-injection hole, a valve element, a valve seat, a force-applying member applying force to the valve element in a direction of motion of the valve element, and a drive unit applying force to the valve element in an opposite direction of the force applied by the force-applying member. A secondary oscillation system is provided which interacts with a primary oscillation system including the valve element and the force-applying member. The phase angle of force applied to the primary oscillation system by the secondary oscillation system is staggered from that of force applied to the primary oscillation system, which is other than the force applied to the primary oscillation system by the secondary oscillation system. Thus, bouncing of the valve element during opening and closing of the valve is reduced to achieve very accurate fuel-injection control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuchiya, Tosuke Hirata, Yoshio Okamoto, Tohru Ishikawa, Noriyuki Maekawa, Yoshiyuki Tanabe, Atsushi Sekine, Yuzo Kadomukai, Makoto Yamakado, Motoyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 6578778
    Abstract: The fuel injection valve according to the present invention is a fuel injection valve adapted to inject a swirl flow of a high-pressure fuel from an injection port thereof. The injection port includes a fuel inlet portion and a fuel outlet portion. The fuel inlet portion has a cylindrical bore. In the fuel outlet portion, a circumference of an inlet thereof is joined to that of an outlet of the cylindrical bore, and the fuel outlet portion has a cross-sectionally elliptic chamfered part diverging from the inlet thereof to the outlet thereof. A depth of the chamfered part is set ¼ to 2 times as large as a diameter of the fuel inlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignees: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Koizumi, Yasunori Takaku, Keiso Takeda, Yukio Koseki, Tomojiro Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20030071148
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1), especially for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine having externally supplied ignition, comprising a swirl disk (35) having swirl channels (36) and a central recess (38), and having a guide compensator (41) inserted into the recess (38) whose center axis is able to be inclined relative to the center axis of the fuel injector (1) and which has a sealing fit with respect to the valve needle (3). Formed by a sealing-seat surface (39), disposed in the swirl disk (35), and a radial widening (40) of the guide compensator (41) is a sealing seat which tolerates an excursion of the center axis, preventing a swirl-free leakage flow in the same manner as the sealing fit between the valve needle (3) and the guide compensator (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Guenther Hohl
  • Patent number: 6547154
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 within the tube assembly and integral with the adjusting tube; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 6533188
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passageway extending along an axis between the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The fuel injector includes a body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a neck portion disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. An adjusting tube is disposed within the neck portion of the body. A spring is disposed within the neck portion of the body, the spring having an upstream end proximate to the adjusting tube and a downstream end opposite the upstream end. A filter assembly is disposed within the tube assembly to provide a reaction member for the spring. An armature having a lower portion is disposed within the neck portion of the body and displaceable along the axis relative to the body. The downstream end of the spring is disposed proximate to the armature, the spring applying a biasing force to the armature. A valve seal is substantially rigidly connected to the lower portion of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Patent number: 6523756
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 disposed at least within the tube assembly; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz
  • Patent number: 6520422
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Michael J. Hornby, Robert McFarland, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz
  • Patent number: 6520421
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20030029941
    Abstract: A fuel injector (1), in particular for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, has a solenoid (10), an armature (20), which is acted upon in a closing direction by a restoring spring (23), and a valve needle (3), which is linked in a force-locking manner to the armature (20), for actuating of a valve-closure member (4), which together with a valve-seat surface (6) forms a sealing seat. The armature (20) includes a first armature part (20a) and a second armature part (20b), the restoring spring (23) being supported on the first armature part (20a) and the second armature part (20b) being linked in a force-locked manner to the valve needle (3). The valve needle (3) is acted upon in the closing direction by the restoring spring (23) via the first armature part (20a) and the second armature part (20b) so that the valve-closure member (4) is held in a sealing position on the valve-seat surface (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6517047
    Abstract: A control valve for a fuel injection nozzle, having a control chamber, into which a fluid conduit discharges, and a valve element, which rests on a valve seat in the control chamber, so that the fluid conduit is closed. An armature plate, which is disposed in a damping chamber and has a pressure piece that cooperates with the valve element, and an armature coil. The armature, formed by the pressure piece and the armature plate is prevented from bouncing in response to a closing motion. For that purpose, an overflow conduit is provided between the control chamber and the damping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Koch-Groeber
  • Publication number: 20030025007
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway for fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet. A coil assembly is disposed proximate the inlet of the fuel injector. A seat is disposed proximate the outlet of the fuel injector. A closure member is disposed in the housing and operable by the coil assembly to permit and prohibit fuel flow through the seat. The closure member includes a strap member that extends along a longitudinal axis and has at least two radial projections and a central member. The strap member includes an outer surface a distance D from the longitudinal axis. The at least two radial projections having first and second ends. A sealing member is coupled to the central member. An armature member is coupled to the second ends of the strap member. Also, a method for forming the strap member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Ronald Brooks, Ross William Wood
  • Patent number: 6474572
    Abstract: A fuel-injection valve includes a fuel-injection hole, a valve element and a valve seat for opening and closing the fuel-injection hole, a force-applying member for applying force to the valve element in a direction of motion of the valve element, and a drive unit for applying force to the valve element in the direction opposite to that of the force applied by the force-applying member; wherein a secondary oscillation system, which interacts with a primary oscillation system including the valve element and the force-applying member, is added to the primary oscillation system, and the phase angle of force applied to the primary oscillation system by the secondary oscillation system is also staggered from that of force applied to the primary oscillation system, which is other than the force applied to the primary oscillation system by the secondary oscillation system, whereby the bouncing of the valve element during opening and closing of the valve is reduced, which in turn makes it possible to achieve very acc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuchiya, Tosuke Hirata, Yoshio Okamoto, Tohru Ishikawa, Noriyuki Maekawa, Yoshiyuki Tanabe, Atsushi Sekine, Yuzo Kadomukai, Makoto Yamakado, Motoyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 6454191
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprising an armature and a valve outlet member is disposed at the fuel outlet for controlling the flow of fuel from the outlet. Positioned between the armature and valve outlet member is a dampening device that acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat. An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprises an armature connected to a valve outlet member that includes a pintle and a ball element that is disposed at the fuel outlet to control the flow of fuel from the outlet. At least one spring, positioned between the armature and the valve outlet member, acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph George Spakowski, Jay Keith Sofianek
  • Publication number: 20020130206
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: UNISIA JECS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kobayashi, Hideo Kato, Hiroshi Okada
  • Patent number: 6422486
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector includes a housing and an armature/needle assembly reciprocally mounted in the housing. The armature/needle assembly includes an armature having an armature end and a longitudinal armature channel extending therethrough and a needle having a longitudinal needle axis and a first needle end inserted in the armature channel. The first needle end is fixedly connected to the armature end. The assembly also includes at least one flow channel between the armature and the needle. The fuel injector further includes a valve seat located downstream of the needle. The needle is selectively engageable and disengageable with the valve seat to preclude fuel flow through an opening in the valve seat and to allow fuel flow through the opening in the valve seat, respectively. A method of forming the armature/needle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo D'Arrigo
  • Publication number: 20020092933
    Abstract: The solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a valve group including a valve body having an upstream end, a downstream end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The valve group also includes an inlet tube having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inlet tube channel, the downstream end of the inlet tube is connected to the upstream end of the valve body. The inlet tube includes at least one formed slot. The valve group farther includes an armature/ball assembly reciprocally disposed in the valve body along the longitudinal axis. In addition, the downstream end of the inlet tube is spaced a predetermined distance from the upstream end of the armature/ball assembly. The solenoid actuated fuel injector further includes a power group including a coil assembly that cinctures the inlet tube, a housing that encases the coil assembly, and an overmold that encapsulates the housing and coil assembly. The overmold includes at least one overmold slot that is formed in the overmold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Publication number: 20020092935
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The fuel injector includes a housing and an armature/needle assembly reciprocally mounted in the housing. The armature/needle assembly includes an armature having an armature end and a longitudinal armature channel extending therethrough and a needle having a longitudinal needle axis and a first needle end inserted in the armature channel. The first needle end is fixedly connected to the armature end. The assembly also includes at least one flow channel between the armature and the needle. The fuel injector further includes a valve seat located downstream of the needle. The needle is selectively engageable and disengageable with the valve seat to preclude fuel flow through an opening in the valve seat and to allow fuel flow through the opening in the valve seat, respectively. A method of forming the armature/needle assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Angelo D'Arrigo
  • Publication number: 20020088879
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020088880
    Abstract: A valve structure which works easily, does not increase production cost, can reduce dispersion in a side gap by restricting eccentricity and incline of a valve body and can maintain highly accurate injection. An electromagnetic fuel injection valve is required which is easy to manufacture even in a narrow valve structure. A guide portion is provided having one end fixed to an injection valve main body for guiding the valve member. A nozzle guide body constituting a magnetic passage portion to surround a magnetic member connected and fixed to one end of the valve member by the same material is provided. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce dispersion of a side gap constituting the magnetic passage, and it is also possible to stabilize an axial motion of the valve member, whereby high injection accuracy is maintained and an inexpensive injection valve is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshio Okamoto, Yuzo Kadomukai, Makoto Yamakado, Noriyuki Maekawa, Tohru Ishikawa, Ayumu Miyajima, Kiyoshi Amou
  • Publication number: 20020084355
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 may include an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, Michael J. Hornby
  • Publication number: 20020084344
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Michael J. Hornby, Bryan Hall, Ross Wood
  • Publication number: 20020084340
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 within the tube assembly and integral with the adjusting tube; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by a retaining portion; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084341
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion. The coil group subassembly includes a solenoid coil that is operable to displace the armature assembly with respect to the seat; and a second attachment portion that is fixedly connected to the first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland
  • Publication number: 20020084362
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use with an internal combustion engine. 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 the first end of the tube assembly and that has an integral retaining portion; an O-ring that circumscribes the first end of the tube assembly and that is maintained by the retaining portion of the filter; and a first attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert McFarland, James Robert Parish, Dennis Bulgatz