초록 ▼

An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact

An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of supporting an actuator element in a fuel injector having a body with an inlet port, an outlet port and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, a metering element disposed proximate the outlet port, an actuation element having a proximal

What is claimed is: 1. A method of supporting an actuator element in a fuel injector having a body with an inlet port, an outlet port and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, a metering element disposed proximate the outlet port, an actuation element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being in operative contact with the metering element, a compensator having a plunger disposed in a sleeve with a clearance between the plunger and the sleeve, the compensator containing magnetically-active fluid disposed for movement within the compensator, and an electromagnetic coil, the method comprising: changing the magnetically-active fluid in the compensator from a first state to a second state when a magnetic flux is generated; and maintaining one end of the actuation element constant with respect to the compensator when the magnetic flux is generated. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing comprises changing a viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid from a first viscosity to a second viscosity greater than the first viscosity. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing comprises reducing movement of the magnetically-active fluid in the compensator when the actuation element is actuated. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the maintaining further comprises providing at least one of a magnetostrictive member and piezoelectric stack so as to actuate to metering element. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing comprises energizing to electromagnetic coil so as to generate the magnetic flux. 6. A method of supporting an actuator element in a fuel injector having a body with an inlet port, an outlet port and a fuel passageway extending from to inlet port to the outlet port, a metering element disposed proximate the outlet port, an actuation element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being in operative contact with the metering element, a compensator having a plunger disposed in a sleeve with a clearance between the plunger and the sleeve, the compensator containing magnetically-active fluid disposed for movement within the compensator, and an electromagnetic coil, the method comprising: changing the magnetically-active fluid in the compensator from a first state to a second state when a magnetic flux is generated, and changing from the second state to the first state such that distortions of the fuel injector are compensated by the magnetically-active fluid in the first state; and maintaining one end of the actuation element constant with respect to the compensator when the magnetic flux is generated. 7. A method of supporting an actuator element in a fuel injector having a body with an inlet port, an outlet port and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, a metering element disposed proximate the outlet port, an actuation element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being in operative contact with the metering element, a compensator having a plunger disposed in a sleeve with a clearance between the plunger and the sleeve, the compensator containing magnetically-active fluid disposed for movement within the compensator, and an electromagnetic coil, the method comprising: changing the magnetically-active fluid in the compensator from a first static to a second states when a magnetic flux is generated; maintaining one end of the actuation element constant with respect to the compensator when the magnetic flux is generated; prestressing the magnetostrictive member with a predetermined prestress force; and controlling flow of the magnetically-active fluid disposed in the compensator.