Valve coupling system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsStephen Robert Lewis, Amy Shalaine Johanson, James Joseph Streicher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for coupling a valve member to an armature member includes coupling the valve member to a surface of a bore of the armature member. The valve member contacts the armature member over less than an entire axial thickness of the surface of the bore of the armature member. The method further includes aligning the armature member to a desired alignment and securing the valve member to the armature member at the desired alignment.
Claims32
A method for coupling a valve member to an armature member, comprising:
- coupling the valve member to a surface of a cylindrical bore of the armature member such that the valve member contacts the armature member over less than an entire axial length of the surface of the cylindrical bore of the armature member
- aligning the armature member such that the axial length extends substantially parallel to the valve member;
- and
- welding the valve member to the armature member.
A method for coupling a valve member to an armature member, comprising:
- coupling the valve member to the armature member such that a substantial line contact is established between the valve member and a surface of a cylindrical bore of the armature member, the valve member including at least one reduced diameter portion disposed within the cylindrical bore and spaced apart from the surface of the bore;
- aligning the armature member at a desired alignment to the valve member;
- and
- fixing the valve member to the armature member at the desired alignment to prohibit relative movement between the valve member and armature member.
A valve member movable within a fuel injector to permit and prohibit fuel flow within the fuel injector, the valve member comprising:
- two reduced diameter portions separated by an intermediate portion and disposed between two increased diameter portions, the intermediate portion having a maximum diameter greater than a minimum diameter of either of the two reduced diameter portions, and the increased diameter portions each having a maximum diameter greater than the minimum diameter of each of the reduced diameter portions, wherein the maximum diameter of the intermediate portion includes an armature receiving portion configured to be disposed in a cylindrical bore in an armature and to contact a side of the cylindrical bore, and at least one of the two reduced diameter portions is configured to be disposed in the bore and to be out of contact with the side of the bore.
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a fuel injector housing;
- and
- a valve unit disposed within the fuel injector housing and configured to permit and prohibit fuel flow between passages in the fuel injector housing, the valve unit comprising:
- a valve member having an intermediate portion positioned adjacent at least one reduced diameter portion;
- and
- an armature member including a cylindrical bore sized to receive and contact the valve member intermediate portion while being sized to receive the reduced diameter portion and be spaced apart from a surface of the reduced diameter portion, the intermediate portion and armature bore being configured to allow substantial angular tilting movement of the armature member relative to the valve member before the valve member and armature member are fixed to one another to form the valve unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.