Patent attributes
A fuel injector comprises an injector body having a tip portion defining a spray aperture; a pintle extending within the tip portion for axial movement between an extended position and a retracted position, the pintle having a head portion engageable with the spray aperture to close the spray aperture when the pintle is in its retracted position; biasing means being provided for biasing the pintle towards its retracted position; and solenoid means for selectively moving the pintle into said extended position; said solenoid means comprising an electromagnetic coil and a moveable armature capable of being acted upon by the coil to urge the pintle towards its extended position; wherein the pintle and armature are separable from one another whereby the armature can decouple from the pintle when the pintle moves from its extended position to its retracted position.
