Fuel injector solenoid utilizing an apertured armature

• US 5,975,437 A
• Filed: 11/03/1997
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL (Aptiv PLC), Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated, Lucas Industries Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Streicher, James J., Schneider, Marvin P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US08/963,144
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 239/585.1, 239/585.3, 239/585.2, 239/533.9, 251/129.15, 251/129.16, 251/129.21
• US Class Current: 239/585.3
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 47/027 Electrically actuated valves draining the chamber to release the closing pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/02 Injectors structurally combined with fuel-injection pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/366 Valves being actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 59/466 Electrically operated valves, e.g. using electromagnetic or piezoelectric operating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 61/20 Closing valves mechanically, e.g. arrangements of springs or weights or permanent magnets; Damping of valve lift
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 63/0049 Combined valve units, e.g. for controlling pumping chamber and injection valve
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 63/0061 Single actuator acting on two or more valve bodies

Abstract

A fuel injector solenoid includes an armature through which a high pressure fuel passage extends. Because the fuel passage is disposed within the armature, the solenoid can be made larger, thereby permitting greater armature forces to be developed.

Claims

1. A fuel injector, comprising:

a stator having a solenoid coil therein;

an armature adjacent the stator; and

a fuel passage separate from the armature and extending through the stator and the armature, the fuel passage comprising a tube extending through the stator and an aligned bore in a body member extending through the armature and wherein the tube is placed in compression between the body member and a barrel;

wherein the armature is movable about the fuel passage in response to current supplied to the solenoid coil.

2. The fuel injector of claim 1, wherein the stator and armature define a central axis and wherein the fuel passage is offset from the central axis.

3. A fuel injector, comprising:

a stator having a solenoid coil therein;

an armature adjacent the stator; and

a fuel passage separate from the armature and extending through the stator and the armature;

wherein the armature is movable about the fuel passage in response to current supplied to the solenoid coil;

wherein a check spring is disposed in a spring recess and the spring recess is disposed in a body guide and wherein the fuel passage is disposed outside of the check spring.

4. A fuel injector, comprising:

a stator having a solenoid coil therein;

an armature adjacent the stator; and

a fuel passage separate from the armature and extending through the stator and the armature;

wherein the armature is movable about the fuel passage in response to current supplied to the solenoid coil;

wherein a check spring is disposed in a spring recess and the spring recess is disposed in a body guide and wherein the fuel passage is disposed inside of the check spring.

5. A fuel injector, comprising:

an armature;

a stator adjacent the armature on a first side thereof and having a solenoid coil therein;

a body member adjacent the armature on a second side thereof opposite the first side; and

a fuel passage separate from the armature and extending through the stator and the armature, the fuel passage including a tube extending through the stator and an aligned bore in the body member wherein the tube is placed in compression between the body member and a barrel;

wherein the stator and armature define a central axis and the fuel passage is offset from the central axis and wherein the armature is movable about the fuel passage in response to current supplied to the solenoid coil.

6. The fuel injector of claim 5, wherein a check spring is disposed in a spring recess and the spring recess is disposed in a body guide and wherein the fuel passage is disposed outside of the check spring.

7. The fuel injector of claim 5, wherein a check spring is disposed in a spring recess and the spring recess is disposed in a body guide and wherein the fuel passage is disposed inside the check spring.