Proportional solenoid actuator and pump system including same

Claim 1

A combination diesel fuel pump and fuel control actuator for said pump comprising: a fuel pump housing containing said fuel pump and having a cavity at the top thereof, one part of which communicates with the interior of the portion of said housing containing said pump and the remainder of which is air-tight; a solenoid actuator in said cavity comprising a solenoid and a spring-biased armature movable in said solenoid in response to changes in current in said solenoid; a fuel-control linkage in said housing for controlling the quantity of fuel delivered by said pump; connecting means responsive to motion of said armature to operate said fuel-control linkage; a body of liquid diesel fuel in said housing; connecting means extending from said armature to said fuel-control linkage and responsive to motion of said armature to move said fuel-control linkage; and a body of trapped air permeating the interior of said cavity and preventing ferromagnetic particles in said diesel fuel oil from contacting the working parts of said actuator.