Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular a high-pressure injection valve for the direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a compressed mixture, externally ignited internal combustion engine, has in a guide and seat area provided at the downstream end of the valve which area is formed by three disk-shaped elements. A swirl element is nested between a guide element and a valve seat element. The guide element, which can move radially in the assembled valve and which has an inner guide opening, serves to guide an axially movable valve needle which extends through it, while a valve closing section of the valve needle acts in concert with a valve seat surface of the valve seat element. The guide element is spring-loaded through a compression spring which acts upon it.

Abstract: An electronic variable orifice tube suitable for use as an expansion valve in a refrigeration system providing two flow rates in response to electronic control signals comprises a bodytube, a restrictor mounted within the bodytube and defining a first flowpath. A plunger is translatably positioned within the bodytube in proximity to the restrictor and defines a second and a third flowpath. A valve actuator is functionally coupled to the plunger to translate the plunger within the bodytube to transition between the two flow rates. A high flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first, second, and third flowpaths, and a low flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first and the second flowpaths to the exclusion of the third flowpath. A solenoid may be used as the valve actuator and a spring may be employed to return the plunger to its quiescent state when the solenoid is not energized.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes first and second valves and a solenoid including a solenoid coil and an armature assembly wherein the first and second valves are coupled to the armature assembly. A solenoid drive circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and delivers a first current waveform portion to the solenoid coil at a first time to cause the armature assembly to operate the first valve without operating the second valve. A second current waveform portion different than the first current waveform portion is applied to the solenoid coil at a second time later than the first time to operate the second valve.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a coil housing surrounding a solenoid coil and forming a part of a magnetic circuit which opens an injection valve when the coil is energized. To accelerate closing of the valve upon deenergizing the solenoid coil, the coil housing has narrow slots extending in the direction of the magnetic field to reduce the development and flow of eddy currents in the coil housing which retard collapse of the magnetic field and closing of the valve. The slots extend perpendicular to the direction of eddy current flow and thus increase the electrical resistance to current flow through the coil housing in this direction. They also reduce the amount of magnetic material in the coil housing and so reduce the amount of eddy currents created during field collapse.