Electronic compensator for a piezoelectric actuator

A fuel injector comprising:

• a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end;
• a seat secured at the second end of the tube assembly, the seat defining an opening;
• a stem assembly including a cap movable with respect to the tube assembly and a stem movable with respect to the seat, the stem moving between a first position wherein the stem contiguously engages the seat such that fuel flow through the opening is prevented and a second position wherein the stem is spaced from the seat such that fuel flow through the opening is permitted;
• a gap being formed between the cap and the stem in the first position and being eliminated in the second position of the stem;
• a first set of piezoelectric elements contiguously engaging the cap, the first set of piezoelectric elements moving the cap in response to a first electric field;
• a second set of piezoelectric elements adjacent to the first set of piezoelectric elements, the second set moving the first set of piezoelectric elements in response to a second electric field;
• and
• a sensor measuring the gap and being electrically interconnected with the second electrical field.