Fuel pumping apparatus

Claim 1

A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising a plunger reciprocable within a bore, an outlet which in use is connected to the bore at least during the time the plunger is moved inwardly to displace fuel from the bore, said outlet in use being connected to a fuel injection nozzle of the associated engine, means through which fuel can be supplied to the bore and valve means operable during inward movement of the plunger to allow fuel to escape from the bore thereby to control the amount of fuel flowing through said outlet, said valve means comprising a first valve having a valve element which in the closed position of the valve is subjected to the pressure in the bore to hold the valve closed, a second valve having a valve element which in the closed position of the valve is subjected to the pressure in the bore to open the valve, a pivotal beam interconnecting the valve elements of the two valves, a pivot for the beam, said pivot being positioned intermediate the points of contact of the beam with the valve elements, an electromagnetic actuator which when energized moves the pivot in a direction of movement substantially parallel to the axes of movement of the valve elements and in the direction of valve closure and resilient means biasing the valve element of the first valve to the open position, the arrangement being such that in the de-energized condition of the actuator the resilient means will hold the second valve closed and the first valve open and when the actuator is energized the first valve will be closed to prevent fuel escaping from the bore, the increasing pressure within the bore as the valve closes assisting closure of the valve, and the actuator maintaining the second valve closed and when the actuator is de-energerized, the second valve will open under the action of fuel pressure to permit fuel to escape from the bore.