NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL INJECTOR

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A nozzle assembly (26) of a fuel injector (10) comprises a nozzle body (28) defining an inner bore extending along a main axis (X), said bore forming at a first extremity a tapered fixed valve seat (42) adapted to receive in sealing contact a complementary tapered needle seating face (52) of a needle valve slidably arranged in the bore, and adapted to translate along the main axis (X) between a closed position where the needle seating face (52) is in sealing contact with the fixed valve seat (42) and, a fully open position where the needle seating face is lifted away from the fixed valve seat. The nozzle assembly (26) is further provided with a spring assembly radially compressed between the needle and the bore so that in use, when beginning a lift of the needle (36) from the closed position toward the open position, the tapered needle seating face (52) slides and remains in contact against the fixed valve seat (52) instead of coaxially separating immediately.