Patent ID: 7624720

Claim:
A fuel pressure regulator comprising: a body forming an inlet and an outlet; a seal element positioned intermediate the inlet and the outlet, the seal element including a return passage through which excess fuel flows when a pressure of fuel flowing through the outlet substantially is at a regulated fuel pressure set-point, an armature positioned to apply force to the seal element; a ground ball positioned intermediate the armature and the seal element, the ground ball including a flat portion that sits flush on the seal element, the ground ball blocking flow to both the outlet and the return passage when positioned flush against the seal element; and a solenoid coiled around the armature, with excitation of the solenoid causing a change in at least one of a position of the armature relative to the seal element and a force applied by the armature to the seal element to vary the regulated fuel pressure set-point at which fuel flows through the outlet.