US4101076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric fuel injector valve
Assignee: TDY Industries LLC
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Filing: 1977-01-03
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1997-01-03
Abstract
Abstract An electrically operated valve in which the valve operating means is controlled in its opening movement by a piezoelectric element. The expansion or contraction of the piezoelectric element provides a lift force to the valve operating means while, preferably, a hydraulic or mechanical amplification stage is included to provide an exceedingly rapid mode of operation. The valve is particularly advantageous to control the multiple and discrete injections of fuel into an internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans U. Bart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:28
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M47/00; F02M47/02; F02M51/00; F02M51/06; F02M51/0603; F02M51/0607; F02M2200/00; F02M2200/70; F02M2200/701; F02M2200/702
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A liquid fuel injector valve for an internal combustion engine said valve comprising: a. a valve body adapted to contain liquid fuel therein under pressure, said valve body having a liquid fuel inlet port and a liquid fuel outlet port; b. closure means movable between a first position where said closure means closes said outlet port to a second position where said outlet port is open; c. a piezoelectric element cooperative with said closure means for effecting the movement of said closure means from said first position to said second position in response to an electrical potential imposed across said element; d. biasing means for maintaining said closure means in said first position in the absence of said imposed potential; e. a lever having a relatively short arm, a relatively long arm and a pivot point therebetween, means for biasing said short arm against said element so that said short arm follows the movements of said element, wherein said long arm is mechanically coupled to said closure means whereby said lever magnifies the stroke of said closure means relative to the stroke of said element; and wherein the opening of said outlet port causes liquid fuel contained within said valve body under pressure to jet from said outlet port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A liquid fuel injector valve for an internal combustion engine said valve comprising: a. a valve body adapted to contain liquid fuel therein under pressure, said valve body having a liquid fuel inlet port and a liquid fuel outlet port; b. closure means movable between a first position where said closure means closes said outlet port to a second position where said outlet port is open; c. a piezoelectric element cooperative with said closure means for effecting the movement of said closure means from said first position to said second position in response to an electrical potential imposed across said element; d. biasing means for maintaining said closure means in said first position in the absence of said imposed potential; e. a lever having a relatively short arm, a relatively long arm and a pivot point therebetween, means for biasing said short arm against said element so that said short arm follows the movements of said element, wherein said long arm is mechanically coupled to said closure means whereby said lever magnifies the stroke of said closure means relative to the stroke of said element; and wherein the opening of said outlet port causes liquid fuel contained within said valve body under pressure to jet from said outlet port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure means is a valve needle which, in said first position, seats in said outlet port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said element is in the form of a stack of coaxial discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means is a spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
245 words
A liquid fuel injector valve for an internal combustion engine said valve comprising: a. a valve body adapted to contain liquid fuel therein under pressure, said valve body having a liquid fuel inlet port and a liquid fuel outlet port; b. closure means movable between a first position where said closure means closes said outlet port to a second position where said outlet port is open; c. a piezoelectric element cooperative with said closure means for effecting the movement of said closure means from said first position to said second position in response to an electrical potential imposed across said element; d. biasing means for maintaining said closure means in said first position in the absence of said imposed potential; and wherein the opening of said outlet port causes liquid fuel contained within said valve body under pressure to jet from said outlet port; a lever having a relatively short arm, a relatively long arm a pivot point therebetween and a second spring adapted to bias said short arm against said element in a manner such that said short arm follows the movements of said element; and wherein said closure means is a valve needle which seats in said outlet port and moves cooperatively with said long arm, said biasing means is a spring, wherein said short arm moves cooperatively with said element, and wherein movement of said lever effects a magnification of the stroke of said needle relative to the stroke of said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
245 words
A liquid fuel injector valve for an internal combustion engine said valve comprising: a. a valve body adapted to contain liquid fuel therein under pressure, said valve body having a liquid fuel inlet port and a liquid fuel outlet port; b. closure means movable between a first position where said closure means closes said outlet port to a second position where said outlet port is open; c. a piezoelectric element cooperative with said closure means for effecting the movement of said closure means from said first position to said second position in response to an electrical potential imposed across said element; d. biasing means for maintaining said closure means in said first position in the absence of said imposed potential; and wherein the opening of said outlet port causes liquid fuel contained within said valve body under pressure to jet from said outlet port; a lever having a relatively short arm, a relatively long arm a pivot point therebetween and a second spring adapted to bias said short arm against said element in a manner such that said short arm follows the movements of said element; and wherein said closure means is a valve needle which seats in said outlet port and moves cooperatively with said long arm, said biasing means is a spring, wherein said short arm moves cooperatively with said element, and wherein movement of said lever effects a magnification of the stroke of said needle relative to the stroke of said element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |