Fluid injector and needle for a fluid injector

A fluid injector for direct injection or multi-point injection of compressed natural gas into a combustion chamber of a combustion engine, the fluid injector comprising:

• an injector housing defining a fluid path extending along a longitudinal direction from an injector inlet to an injector outlet;
• and
• a needle housed within the injector housing and axially movable relative to the injector housing within a moving interval including a closed position and an open position of the needle;
• wherein the needle comprises a cylindrical body with a first axial end, and a second axial end closer to the injector outlet, an end face on the second axial end, and an axial needle section circumferentially surrounded by the injector housing;
• a gap between the axial needle section and the surrounding injector housing, the gap comprising at least part of the fluid path;
• wherein the needle includes a first hole extending axially from the end face and terminating in the cylindrical body;
• the needle includes a connecting hole providing a transverse fluid connection between the first hole and the gap;
• and
• a plate defining a through-hole;
• wherein the plate is sealingly connected along an outer edge to an inside of the injector housing;
• a first valve seat is defined at a surface of the plate facing the end face and adjoining the through-hole;
• and
• when the needle is in the closed position the through-hole is sealingly closed by the end face and fluid flow along the fluid path, through the gap, through the connecting hole and into the first hole is open.