Portal:Physics/Selected picture/September 2007

An animated cut away diagram of a typical fuel injector. Fuel injectors are used to spray controlled amounts fuel into an internal combustion engine. A solenoid is activated when fuel is intended to be delivered to the engine causing the plunger to become pulled toward the solenoid by magnetic force. This uncovers the valve opening allowing fuel to flow into the atomiser and out the spray tip as it is under pressure. A valve spring attached to the plunger returns the plunger to its original position when the solenoid is switched off. The route of fuel is shown in orange, grey/blue indicates no fuel present.