US6685113B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
•
Filing: 2000-10-21
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Granted: 2004-02-03
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Expires: 2020-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An actuator ( 1 ), in particular for operation of fuel injectors in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, has in this embodiment a plurality of layers ( 2 ) of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive material arranged in a stack. The actuator ( 1 ) is prestressed by a tie rod ( 6 ) arranged in a central recess ( 5 ) by way of opposing threads ( 7 and 8 ). Securing the device and the transfer of force are accomplished by a cover plate ( 3 ) and a bottom plate ( 4 ). The prestress can also be created by a sheathing ( 9 ) surrounding the actuator ( 1 ), which transfers an axial force component onto the layers ( 2 ) via the cover plate ( 3 ) and the bottom plate ( 4 ) by flanging of projecting ends ( 10 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Ruehle
- 👤 Hubert Stier
- 👤 Matthias Boee
- 👤 Guenther Hohl
- 👤 Norbert Keim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M63/00; F02M63/0012; F02M63/0014; F02M63/0015; F02M63/0026; H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/50; H10N30/80; H10N30/88; H10N30/883; H10N30/886; F02M2200/00; F02M2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that axially surrounds the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that axially surrounds the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The actuator according to claim 2 , wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; and wherein sheathing surrounds the layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; and wherein sheathing surrounds the layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
152 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; wherein sheathing surrounds the layers; and wherein a projecting end of the sheathing is provided around the edge of the cover plate and the bottom plate by flanging so that an axial prestressing force is exerted on the layers arranged between the cover plate and the bottom plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; wherein sheathing surrounds the layers; and wherein a projecting end of the sheathing is provided around the edge of the cover plate and the bottom plate by flanging so that an axial prestressing force is exerted on the layers arranged between the cover plate and the bottom plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector, comprising: an actuator element including one of a piezoelectric element and a magnetostrictive element; a cover plate and a bottom plate for sealing off ends of the actuator element; and a sheathing surrounding the actuator element and including a first flange and a second flange, the first flange surrounding an edge of the cover plate and exerting a first axial force component on the cover plate, the second flange surrounding an edge of the bottom plate and exerting a second axial force component on the bottom plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector, comprising: an actuator element including one of a piezoelectric element and a magnetostrictive element; a cover plate and a bottom plate for sealing off ends of the actuator element; and a sheathing surrounding the actuator element and including a first flange and a second flange, the first flange surrounding an edge of the cover plate and exerting a first axial force component on the cover plate, the second flange surrounding an edge of the bottom plate and exerting a second axial force component on the bottom plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the first flange forms a first recess adjacent to the cover plate and the second flange forms a second recess adjacent to the bottom plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the cover plate and the bottom plate are glued to the actuator element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator according to claim 6 , wherein the sheathing completely surrounds the actuator element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that axially surrounds the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein an outer surface of the prestressing device is substantially flat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that axially surrounds the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein an outer surface of the prestressing device is substantially flat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The actuator according to claim 10 , wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The actuator according to claim 11 , wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein an outer surface of the prestressing device is substantially flat; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; and wherein sheathing surrounds the layers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
An actuator for operation of a fuel injector in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: one of: i) a piezoelectric element, or ii) a magnetostrictive element; and a prestressing device that one of surrounds and passes through the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element to exert an axial prestressing force on the one of the piezoelectric element and magnetostrictive element; wherein an outer surface of the prestressing device is substantially flat; wherein the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element is composed of a plurality of layers arranged in a stack; wherein ends of the piezoelectric element or magnetostrictive element are sealed off by a cover plate and a bottom plate; and wherein sheathing surrounds the layers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The actuator according to claim 13 , wherein a projecting end of the sheathing is provided around the edge of the cover plate and the bottom plate by flanging so that an axial prestressing force is exerted on the layers arranged between the cover plate and the bottom plate.
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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) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |