Pressure swirl atomizer with closure assist

A pressure swirl atomizer, comprising:

• a nozzle having an exit orifice and a plurality of tangential swirl channels;
• a pintle that is movable between a closed position that closes the exit orifice and an open position that opens the exit orifice;
• a pintle bearing;
• a core having a channel, wherein the core and the pintle are separated by a gap when the pintle is in the closed position, the gap closing when the pintle moves to the open position;
• a return path formed at least in part by a space between the pintle and the pintle bearing, the gap, and the channel, wherein fluid from the tangential swirl channels drains through the return path when the pintle is in the closed position, but not when the pintle is in the open position due to the gap being closed;
• a solenoid that generates a magnetic force when energized to attract the pintle toward the core into the open position;
• and
• a check valve disposed in the return path, wherein the check valve closes when the gap closes and the resistance of the check valve to opening generates a fluid back pressure just as the pintle begins to close, the back pressure helping to push the pintle toward the closed position.