Hard coating of an impact surface of a solenoid actuator and fuel injector using same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorRonald D. Shinogle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid control valve assembly controls the flow of actuation fluid to and from a fuel injector. The fluid control valve assembly includes at least one solenoid actuator attached to a valve body. The solenoid actuator includes a stator and an armature comprised of a soft magnetic material. At least one of the armature and the stator include an impact surface. The impact surface is coated with a relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating. Thus, the relatively hard, nonmagnetic material coating will protect the relatively soft, magnetic material comprising the stator and the armature, and increase the durability of the solenoid actuator and the fluid control valve assembly.
Claims11
A fuel injector comprising:
- a fuel injector body;
- a first solenoid actuator attached to the injector body and including a first stator and a moveable armature comprised of a relatively soft material;
- at least one of the first stator and the armature including at least one first impact surface with a relatively hard material coating
- a second solenoid actuator attached to the injector body includes a second stator comprised of the relatively soft material;
- the second stator and the armature including at least one second impact surface;
- and the second impact surface including the relatively hard material coating;
- and
- the armature being moveable between a first position adjacent the first stator, and a second position adjacent the second stator.
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body;
- at least one solenoid actuator being attached to the valve body;
- a first solenoid actuator including a first stator and a moveable armature comprised of a relatively soft material;
- at least one of the first stator and the armature including at least one impact surface with a relatively hard material coating;
- wherein the armature is at least a portion of a valve member;
- the valve member being moveable in the valve body between a first position and a second position, and including a first stop surface and a second stop surface;
- and
- a second solenoid actuator includes a second stator comprised of the relatively soft material;
- at least one of the second stator and the armature including at least one second impact surface with a relatively hard material coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.