Patent ID: 7527041

Claim:
A method of regulating fuel mass flow rate into an engine through a nozzle of a fuel injection valve, said method comprising: actuating a valve needle to control valve needle lift, which is variable during an injection event and from one injection event to another injection event responsive to measured engine operating conditions, comprising engine load and speed; commanding a valve needle to move to a position between first and second intermediate positions, which are predetermined positions between a closed position and a fully open position when a predetermined constant fuel mass flow rate is desired, wherein said fuel injection valve is designed to allow a constant fuel mass flow rate when said valve needle is positioned between said first and second intermediate positions and the pressure of said fuel is constant; and commanding said valve needle to move to positions between said closed and fully open positions, but not between said first and second intermediate positions, when a fuel mass flow rate different from said predetermined constant fuel mass flow rate is desired.