Spring assembly

Details Spring assembly Spring assembly

1998-12-08

2001-03-13

Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)

Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing

Processes

Of fuel injection

C239S533200, C239S533900, C239S585100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199767

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to a spring assembly, and in particular to a spring assembly suitable for use in a valve controlling the operation of a fuel injector.
In a fuel injector, it is known to use the fuel pressure within a control chamber to control the position of a valve needle of the injector, and hence control injection. It is usual to control the fuel pressure within the control chamber using an electromagnetically actuated valve, the electromagnetic actuator of which acts against a spring. It will be appreciated that in order to permit accurate control over injection, the preload of the spring must fall within a predetermined, relatively narrow range.
During assembly of such an injector, the various loose components including the spring are located within the injector body, and it will be appreciated that, in order to achieve the desired preload of the spring, the dimensions of each component must be measured prior to assembly and appropriate shims introduced. An object of the invention is to provide a spring assembly whereby the preload of the spring can be set prior to assembly of the injector.
According to the present invention there is provided a spring assembly comprising a helical compression spring engaged between first and second spring abutments, and a collar secured to the first spring abutment limiting movement of the second spring abutment away from the first spring abutment under the action of the spring.
The first spring abutment is conveniently defined by an end wall of a tubular spring housing.
The collar is conveniently secured to the spring housing by welding.
In such a spring assembly, the spring can be compressed to the desired preload prior to securing the collar to the housing. After the collar is secured in position, the assembly can be introduced into an injector, and as the spring preload has already been set, measurement of the dimensions of the components can be avoided.
The invention also relates to a control valve incorporating such a spring assembly, and to an injector incorporating such a control valve.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a spring assembly comprising engaging a spring between first and second spring abutments, compressing the spring until a desired spring preload is achieved, and securing a collar to the first spring abutment to limit movement of the second spring abutment away from the first spring abutment under the action of the spring.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 3941151 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 2104957 (1983-03-01), None

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