Direct injection of fuels in internal combustion engines

A fuel delivery injector for an internal combustion engine, the fuel delivery injector comprising a first portion and a second portion adapted to be connected together, the first portion having a delivery port defined between a valve seat and a valve member movable with respect to the valve seat for opening and closing the delivery port,

• the first portion being adapted for connection to the engine such that the delivery injector is operable to directly deliver fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine, the first portion further having a valve assembly contained therein, the valve assembly comprising the valve member and an actuating member operatively connected to the valve member,
• the second portion having an actuating means, whereby when the first and second portions are connected together the actuating means is operably associated with the actuating member to provide an actuating assembly, and a fuel flow path through the injector along which a fuel charge can be delivered to the combustion chamber, the fuel flow path comprising a first flow path section in the first portion and a second flow path section in the second portion, the two flow path sections communicating to provide the fuel flow path when the first and second portions are connected together, the actuating assembly comprising an electromagnetic means, wherein the actuating member comprises a solenoid armature and the actuating means comprises a solenoid coil, whereby connection of the first and second portions together completes assembly of the electromagnetic means,
• wherein a shroud is disposed about the solenoid armature for guidingly supporting the solenoid armature upon movement thereof as the valve member moves with respect to the valve seat, a terminal portion is provided on the first portion at the end thereof opposite the delivery port, and a pole-piece is located on one end of the valve housing adjacent the end thereof opposite to the valve seat, the terminal portion being separated from the armature and fixed to the pole-piece by way of the shroud about the armature such that the armature is accommodated within the confines of the shroud, the terminal portion defining a male connector including a central bore forming part of the first flow path section and registering with the central bore in the valve stem across a space separating the terminal portion and the armature, whereby the shroud provides a connection between the terminal portion and the pole-piece and encloses the space between the armature and the terminal portion to thereby maintain the integrity of the first flow path section.

A combined injection and ignition device for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine, comprising a fuel delivery injector comprising a first portion and a second portion adapted to be connected together, the first portion having a delivery port defined between a valve seat and a valve member movable with respect to the valve seat for opening and closing the delivery port,

• the first portion being adapted for connection to the engine such that the delivery injector is operable to directly deliver fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine, the first portion further having a valve assembly contained therein, the valve assembly comprising the valve member and an actuating member operatively connected to the valve member,
• the second portion having an actuating means, wherein when the first and second portions are connected together the actuating means is operably associated with the actuating member to provide an actuating assembly, and a flow path through the injector along which a fuel charge can be delivered to the combustion chamber,
• wherein when the first and second portions are connected together a high voltage current path is established therebetween to form part of an ignition circuit, the ignition circuit including a primary electrode and a secondary electrode separated by a spark gap, at least one of the electrodes being provided on the first portion, a high tension terminal being provided on the second portion and a high voltage current path existing between the high tension terminal and the primary electrode when the first and second portions are connected together, the first portion having a cylindrical shroud and the second portion having a core magnetic tube, and wherein the high voltage current path between the first and second portions is completed by the interaction of the core magnetic tube and the cylindrical shroud.