Variable-area poppet nozzle actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10006429-B2
Application number	US-201615086968-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2016
Priority date	Mar 31, 2016
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A fuel injector includes a housing defining a longitudinal bore having a proximal end and a distal end, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture at the distal end of the longitudinal bore. A poppet valve is disposed in the longitudinal bore and includes a valve head that is engageable with the valve seat surface. An actuator device is disposed at the proximal end of the longitudinal bore and a hydraulic coupler is disposed between the actuator and the poppet valve within the longitudinal bore. The hydraulic coupler defines a chamber that receives low pressure fuel for providing a hydraulic lash adjuster between the actuator and the poppet valve.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel injector, comprising:
a housing defining a longitudinal bore having a proximal end and a distal end, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture at the distal end of the longitudinal bore;
a poppet valve disposed in the longitudinal bore and having a valve head that is engageable with the valve seat surface;
an actuator device disposed at the proximal end of the longitudinal bore; and
a hydraulic coupler disposed between the actuator and the poppet valve within the longitudinal bore, the hydraulic coupler defining a chamber that receives low pressure fuel for providing a hydraulic lash adjuster between the actuator and the poppet valve, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a first plunger biased toward the poppet valve by a first spring and a second plunger biased toward the actuator device by a second spring and with the chamber being disposed directly between the first plunger and the second plunger, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a coupler housing that defines a radially outer wall of the chamber that receives and guides the first plunger and the second plunger, wherein the coupler housing includes a radially outwardly extending flange portion against which the first spring is seated, the first spring surrounding an exterior of the coupler housing and engaging a radially outwardly extending flange of the first plunger and wherein said coupler housing directly supports the second spring that biases the second plunger.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Battiston Paul A
• Straub Robert D

Classifications

• F02M51/06 Primary

  Injectors peculiar thereto {with means directly operating the valve needle} · CPC title

• F02M61/08

  the valves opening in direction of fuel flow {(F02M61/047 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F02M2200/705

  with means for filling or emptying hydraulic chamber, e.g. for compensating clearance or thermal expansion · CPC title

• F02M2200/706

  Valves for filling or emptying hydraulic chamber · CPC title

• F02M61/167 Primary

  Means for compensating clearance or thermal expansion · CPC title