Patent US5307991A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5307991A
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Fuel injector and method of manufacturing
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1990-10-09
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Granted: 1994-05-03
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Expires: 2010-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a preassembled permanently mated needle and valve body group contained in a main housing assembly. The valve body group is assembled so that the maximum allowable stroke of the needle is established by a stop abutment, which is permanently attached to the valve body. An injector assembled according to the present method does not require the use of various shims in order to set the air gap. Moreover, precision grinding is not needed to establish the needle lift.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott A. Hanson
- 👤 James L. Creehan
- 👤 John C. Hickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:03
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M51/00; F02M51/06; F02M51/061; F02M51/0625; F02M51/0664; F02M51/0671; F02M51/0675; F02M51/0678; F02M51/08; F02M61/00; F02M61/16; F02M61/168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group contained within said main housing, wherein said needle and valve body group comprises a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical hollow valve body by a stop mechanism comprising a collar permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said collar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group contained within said main housing, wherein said needle and valve body group comprises a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical hollow valve body by a stop mechanism comprising a collar permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said collar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein said collar comprises a generally cylindrical cap extending from one end of said valve body, with said cap having a radially inwardly extending shoulder forming an abutment for limiting the stroke of said needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein said needle and valve body group further comprises an orifice and seat which cooperate with said needle to control the flow of fuel discharged from said injector.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for constructing a permanently mated needle and valve body group for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: placing a valve needle in a valve body; positioning said needle a predetermined distance from its closed position, in accord with the maximum stroke of said needle; placing a stop abutment in contact with a shoulder formed in said needle; and affixing said abutment to said valve body so as to both determine the maximum stroke of said needle and to prevent said needle from disengaging from said valve body.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for constructing a permanently mated needle and valve body group for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: placing a valve needle in a valve body; positioning said needle a predetermined distance from its closed position, in accord with the maximum stroke of said needle; placing a stop abutment in contact with a shoulder formed in said needle; and affixing said abutment to said valve body so as to both determine the maximum stroke of said needle and to prevent said needle from disengaging from said valve body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said stop abutment is permanently affixed to said valve body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said stop abutment comprises a generally annular washer telescopically nested within said valve body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said stop abutment comprises a generally cylindrical cap extending from one end of said valve body, with said cap having a radially inwardly extending portion forming an abutment for limiting the stroke of said needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electromagnetically operated fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group comprising a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical valve body by a stop mechanism, which, in cooperation with said needle and with an orifice and seat within said body, establishes the maximum allowable fuel flow area for said injector, with said needle and valve body group being contained within said main housing, wherein said stop mechanism comprises a collar permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said collar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electromagnetically operated fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group comprising a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical valve body by a stop mechanism, which, in cooperation with said needle and with an orifice and seat within said body, establishes the maximum allowable fuel flow area for said injector, with said needle and valve body group being contained within said main housing, wherein said stop mechanism comprises a collar permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said collar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel injector according to claim 8, wherein said collar comprises a generally cylindrical cap extending from one end of said valve body, with said cap having a radially inwardly extending shoulder forming an abutment for limiting the stroke of said needle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for assembling an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: preassembling a valve body and an injector needle into a valve group including an armature attached to said needle; inserting said valve group into the main housing of said injector and positioning said valve group such that the injector needle is in its maximum stroke position and said armature is separated from a corresponding magnetic pole piece by a desired air gap distance; and fixing said valve body in said main housing.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for assembling an electromagnetic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: preassembling a valve body and an injector needle into a valve group including an armature attached to said needle; inserting said valve group into the main housing of said injector and positioning said valve group such that the injector needle is in its maximum stroke position and said armature is separated from a corresponding magnetic pole piece by a desired air gap distance; and fixing said valve body in said main housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said valve body and said injector needle are permanently mated during said preassembly step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group contained within said main housing, wherein said needle and valve body group comprises a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical hollow valve body by a stop mechanism comprising a generally annular washer permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said washer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main housing assembly; and a preassembled, permanently mated needle and valve body group contained within said main housing, wherein said needle and valve body group comprises a valve needle caged within a generally cylindrical hollow valve body by a stop mechanism comprising a generally annular washer permanently joined to one end of said valve body such that the maximum allowable stroke of said needle is limited by said washer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fuel injector according to claim 12, wherein said washer is telescopically nested within said valve body such that said washer forms an abutment for limiting the stroke of said needle.
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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) | 1997-05-02 | 1997-11-01 | 1998-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-02 | 2001-11-01 | 2002-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-02 | 2005-11-01 | 2006-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |