Patent ID: 8328158

Claim:
A solenoid valve for a direct injection, high pressure pump of an automobile fuel delivery system, the solenoid valve comprising: a valve body defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the inlet opening, the valve body including a valve seat at a distal end thereof, a valve member at least partially disposed in the valve body, the valve member having a sealing surface associated with the valve seat, a movable armature coupled with valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the valve seat to prevent fuel from passing through the outlet opening, and an open position with at least a portion of the valve member moving outwardly from the distal end of valve body with the sealing surface being disengaged from the valve seat to permit fuel to pass through the outlet opening, a stator associated with the armature, an electromagnetic coil associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator, and a spring constructed and arranged to bias the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position, the spring being constructed and arranged to provide a spring force that is greater than a first, normal hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat, but less than a second, overpressure hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat to ensure that the valve member 1) will not move to the open position when the first, normal hydrostatic force is applied to the valve seat unless the coil is energized, and 2) will move to the open position when the second, overpressure hydrostatic force is applied to the valve seat in the event that the solenoid valve does not operate properly, wherein the spring is engaged between the armature and the stator, wherein the valve seat is constructed and arranged to receive the first, normal hydrostatic force and the second, overpressure hydrostatic force from a low pressure fuel pump.