Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine having a valve axis and including a housing, a flat armature connected to a movable valve element arranged to cooperate with a valve seat, spring means for exerting a force in an axial direction on said armature, and electromagnetic means for exerting a force in an opposite direction on said armature when electrically energized, the improvement comprising: said spring means being a helical coil spring disposed in substantially coaxial alignment with the valve axis and having an end in compressive engagement with said armature, the final coil which includes said end of said coil spring being inclined axially outward at an angle relative to a plane normal to the axis of the spring so as to apply to said armature a greater axial spring force to one side of the valve axis than the other thereby to effect pivoting of said armature about a pivot, said pivot being determined by the location of said end of said coil spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine having a valve axis and including a housing, a flat armature connected to a movable valve element arranged to cooperate with a valve seat, spring means for exerting a force in an axial direction on said armature, and electromagnetic means for exerting a force in an opposite direction on said armature when electrically energized, the improvement comprising: said spring means being a helical coil spring disposed in substantially coaxial alignment with the valve axis and having an end in compressive engagement with said armature, the final coil which includes said end of said coil spring being inclined axially outward at an angle relative to a plane normal to the axis of the spring so as to apply to said armature a greater axial spring force to one side of the valve axis than the other thereby to effect pivoting of said armature about a pivot, said pivot being determined by the location of said end of said coil spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fuel injector of claim 1 wherein said angle is in the range of 10°-25°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuel injector of claim 1 wherein said spring is initially of the type having both ends squared and in which an end has been subsequently bent outward to provide said end of said spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fuel injector of claim 1 wherein said armature is substantially circular, said electromagnetic means includes a magnetic frame member having an annular portion in axial alignment with the outer circumference of said armature and said pivot is provided by an edge at the circumference of said armature in engagement with said frame member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fuel injector of claim 4 wherein said end of said spring engages said armature to one side of said valve axis to provide said greater spring force thereat and said pivot is located substantially diametrically opposite thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fuel injector of claim 5 wherein said valve element is a ball.