Patent ID: 7111613
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
1. A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a plunger reciprocatingly disposed within a bore of the fuel injector to displace fuel from the bore; an electronically controlled spill valve associated with the bore and having a valve element movable between a first position at which the displaced fuel is allowed to drain from the fuel injector, and a second position at which the displaced fuel is retained within the fuel injector and increases in pressure in response to the displacement; a nozzle member having at least one orifice; a valve needle having a base end and tip end, being disposed within the nozzle member, and movable against a spring bias to selectively inject the pressurized fuel through the at least one orifice into the internal combustion engine; and an electronically controlled check valve in fluid communication with the bore and the base end of the valve needle, the electronically controlled check valve having a valve element movable between a first position at which the bore is fluidly communicated with the base end of the valve needle, and a second position at which the base end of the valve needle is fluidly communicated with a drain, wherein: