Fuel injector filter

The present invention relates to a fuel injector for delivery of fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising an injector body and a fuel discharge opening having a valve seat extending thereabout. A valve element is normally seated on the valve seat to close the fuel discharge opening and is operable to move inwardly off of the valve seat to open the fuel discharge opening allowing fuel to pass through. An annular valve guide is seated upstream of the valve seat in spaced relationship thereto and extends about the valve element to guide it as the valve element moves relative to the valve seat. The valve guide has fuel passages to pass fuel. An annular filter shelf located in the injector body, extends circumferentially about the valve seat intermediate of the valve guide and the valve seat. A filter is disposed intermediate of the valve guide and the valve seat and has a base configured to seat upon the annular filter shelf, an upper end configured to contact the valve guide, and a frustoconical wall extending between the base and the upper end. The wall has filtration openings to filter particulates from fuel passing through so as to prevent them from flowing to the valve seat. A base perimetrical fluid seal is established between the annular filter shelf and the base of the filter, and an upper end perimetrical fluid seal is established between the valve guide and the upper end of the filter where the seals operate to prevent fuel flow around the filter.