# US 2017/0284355 A1 · Variable-area poppet nozzle actuator

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- Number: US 2017/0284355 A1
- Document ID: US20170284355A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/086,968
- Filed: 2016-03-31
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Paul A. BATTISTON; Robert D. STRAUB
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284355A1

## CPC

- F02M 63/0056: {Throttling valves, e.g. having variable opening positions throttling the flow}
- F02M 51/06: Injectors peculiar thereto {with means directly operating the valve needle}
- F02M 61/08: the valves opening in direction of fuel flow {(F02M61/047 takes precedence)}
- F02M 63/0029: {using a pilot valve controlling a hydraulic chamber}
- F02M 63/0035: {Poppet valves, i.e. having a mushroom-shaped valve member that moves perpendicularly to the plane of the valve seat}
- F02M 2200/705: with means for filling or emptying hydraulic chamber, e.g. for compensating clearance or thermal expansion
- F02M 2200/706: Valves for filling or emptying hydraulic chamber
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a first plunger biased toward the poppet valve and a second plunger biased toward the actuator device with the chamber being disposed between the first plunger and the second plunger.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fuel injector according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a coupler housing that supports and guides the first plunger and the second plunger.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fuel injector according to claim 3, wherein said coupler housing further supports a first spring that biases the first plunger and supports a second spring that biases the second plunger.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a plunger biased toward the actuator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The fuel injector according to claim 5, wherein the plunger is supported by a coupler housing which further supports a spring for biasing the plunger toward the actuator.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a plunger biased toward the poppet valve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The fuel injector according to claim 7, wherein the plunger is supported by a coupler housing which further supports a spring for biasing the plunger toward the poppet valve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The fuel injector according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a plunger biased toward the poppet valve with the chamber being disposed between the plunger and the poppet valve.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The fuel injector according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic coupler includes a coupler housing that supports and guides the plunger.