Patent ID: 7905425

Claim:
A module, outwardly opening direct fuel injector comprising: a fuel module comprising: a valve body defining at least a first portion of a flow passage through the injector, the valve body defining an outlet opening and including a seating surface at a distal end thereof, a needle disposed in the flow passage in the valve body, the needle having first and second ends, the second end having a sealing surface associated with the seating surface, a movable armature coupled with the first end of the needle such that movement of the armature moves the needle between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface to prevent fuel from passing through the outlet opening and an open position with at least a portion of the needle moving outwardly from the distal end of valve body to extend outwardly from the outlet opening with the sealing surface being disengaged from the seating surface to permit fuel to pass through the outlet opening, the armature having a fluid flow passage there-through, and a spring constructed and arranged to bias the armature and thus the needle to the closed position, an inlet tube coupled to the fuel module and defining another portion of the flow passage that communicates with the first portion of the flow passage via the fluid flow passage through the armature, and a power assembly separate from, but coupled to, at least the fuel module, the power assembly including an electromagnetic coil associated with the armature for causing movement of the armature, and a connector for powering the electromagnetic coil.