Three-way valves and fuel injectors using the same

A three-way valve comprising:

• a valve housing having a spool valve bore diameter with a poppet valve seat disposed at one end thereof, the spool valve bore defining an axis along the spool valve bore, the poppet valve seat being axially fixed relative to the valve housing, the valve housing having a first annular groove in the spool valve bore diameter coupled to a first port, and a second annular groove;
• a spool within the valve housing, the spool having a poppet valve thereon, the poppet valve not having an axial flow path there through, the spool having a spool land fitting within the spool valve bore diameter, the spool and the valve housing defining a first flow path between the second annular groove and the poppet valve seat, the spool also having a first relief separated from the first flow path by the spool land, the spool being moveable within the valve housing along the axis of the spool valve bore between a first position with the poppet valve positioned on the poppet valve seat and a second position with the poppet valve displaced from the poppet valve seat, the first annular groove in the valve housing and the first relief in the spool defining a second flow path between the first port in the valve housing and a second port in the valve housing and the land and poppet valve preventing flow through the poppet valve seat when the spool is in the first position, and the first relief, the land on the spool and the second annular groove in the valve housing, the first flow path and the poppet valve seat defining a third flow path between the second port and a third port and the spool preventing flow between the first port and the second port when the spool is in the second position.