Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6748925
-
Patent Number
6,748,925
-
Date Filed
Monday, October 30, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 15, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 123 470
- 123 469
- 123 468
- 123 456
- 123 509
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fuel assembly is provided. The fuel assembly includes a fuel supply conduit, an air intake manifold, a fuel injector, and a spacer. The air intake manifold is disposed a predetermined distance from the fuel supply conduit. The fuel injector has a first end disposed in the fuel supply conduit and a second end disposed in the air intake manifold. The fuel injector has a length greater than the predetermined distance. The spacer is disposed about a portion of the fuel injector such that the spacer retains the first end of the fuel injector in the fuel supply conduit and the second end of the fuel injector in the air intake manifold. Methods of installing and removing the fuel injector into and from the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold are also provided.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fuel assemblies in which a fuel rail and an air manifold are preassembled a predetermined distance apart from each other, and then fuel injectors are installed in the fuel rail and the air manifold.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In an internal combustion engine, fuel injectors are used to provide precisely metered amounts of fuel to a combustion air supply for combustion. For a typical top feed fuel injector, the fuel is provided to the fuel injector from a fuel rail connected to one end of the injector, typically called the fuel inlet. The fuel injector meters the fuel from a distal end of the injector, typically called the injector tip. The fuel is metered into an air intake manifold, where the fuel mixes with the combustion air prior to its introduction into the combustion chamber.
In a typical top feed injector fuel rail installation, the fuel rail engages the fuel inlet of the fuel injector in a fuel cup, which surrounds the inlet tube of the fuel injector. The fuel cup/fuel inlet interface is made leak-proof through the use of a seal, typically an o-ring installed on the injector. A retaining device, such as a clip, secures each injector in place in its respective rail cup.
In some installations, a need exists for the injector spray to be precisely positioned in reference to the engine components. This is usually done in the installation by incorporating an anti-rotating device that can be part of the function of the retaining device.
At the discharge end of the injector, the injector tip is inserted into the air intake manifold by engaging each fuel injector into a corresponding intake air manifold pocket. The pocket/injector tip interface is typically sealed with a seal, such as an o-ring mounted on the fuel injector. Once the assembly is installed, the rail is securely connected to the air intake manifold, such as by welding, bolting, or other known connection method. The fuel injectors are held between the fuel rail and the air intake manifold, with little or no axial play for the fuel injector.
An integrated fuel rail/air intake manifold, where the fuel rail is connected to the air intake manifold by molding the fuel rail with the air intake manifold, or by welding, bolting, or otherwise connecting the fuel rail to the air intake manifold, requires the connection of the fuel rail and air intake manifold prior to the insertion of the fuel injectors. Such a design has several advantages, including a lower cost of an integrated fuel rail/air intake manifold as compared to two separate components, a better mounting location of the fuel rail on the air intake manifold for better protection from impact, and a lower installation cost as compared to installing separate components.
However, to provide such an integrated fuel rail/air intake manifold assembly, the distance between the injector cup on the fuel rail and the air intake manifold pocket is shorter than the length of the fuel injector. It would be beneficial to provide a configuration of an integrated fuel rail/air intake manifold assembly with fuel injectors which enables installation of the fuel injectors into the assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Briefly, the present invention provides a fuel assembly comprising a fuel supply conduit, an air intake manifold, a fuel injector, and a spacer. The air intake manifold is disposed a predetermined distance from the fuel supply conduit. The fuel injector has a first end disposed in the fuel supply conduit and a second end disposed in the air intake manifold. The fuel injector has a length greater than the predetermined distance. The spacer is disposed about a portion of the fuel injector such that the spacer retains the first end of the fuel injector in the fuel supply conduit and the second end of the fuel injector in the air intake manifold.
A clip for connecting a fuel injector to one of a fuel cup and an air intake manifold is also provided. The clip comprises a generally C-shaped body portion having a first body end, a second body end biased toward the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The clip also comprises a generally C-shaped upper sleeve extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The upper sleeve has a first upper sleeve end and a second upper sleeve end biased toward the first upper sleeve end. An upper connector connects the upper sleeve to the body portion. The clip further comprises a generally C-shaped lower sleeve extending generally parallel to the upper sleeve. The lower sleeve has a first lower sleeve end and a second lower sleeve end biased toward the first lower sleeve end. A lower connector connects the lower sleeve to a distal end of the body portion.
A method of installing a fuel injector into a fuel supply conduit and an air intake manifold is also provided. The fuel supply conduit is disposed along an axis a predetermined distance from the air intake manifold. The method comprises inserting a first end of the fuel injector into one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis; displacing the injector toward the one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold until a second end of the fuel injector clears the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; pivoting the fuel injector about the first end until the fuel injector is aligned with the longitudinal axis; and displacing the injector toward the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold until the second end of the fuel injector engages the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold.
Also, a method of removing a fuel injector from a fuel supply conduit and an air intake manifold is provided. The fuel supply conduit is disposed along an axis a predetermined distance from the air intake manifold. The fuel injector has a first end engaged with one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold and has a second end engaged with the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold. The method comprises displacing the fuel injector along the axis such that the first end of the fuel injector is disengaged from one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; pivoting the fuel injector about the second end such that the first end clears the one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; displacing the fuel injector generally along the axis such that the second end of the fuel injector is disengaged from the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; and removing the second end from the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1
is a side profile view, partially in section, of a fuel supply assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side profile view, in section, of a first embodiment of the fuel rail assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a sectional view of the fuel injector and clip taken along line
3
—
3
of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the clip being installed on the fuel injector;
FIG. 4
a
sectional view of the clip taken along line
4
a
-
4
a
of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 5
is a side profile view of a first fuel injector being inserted into a fuel rail;
FIG. 6
is a side view of the first fuel injector being further inserted into the fuel rail;
FIG. 7
is a side view of the first fuel injector being fully inserted into the fuel rail;
FIG. 8
is a side view of the first fuel injector being inserted into an air manifold;
FIG. 9
is a side view of the first fuel injector being further inserted into the air manifold;
FIG. 10
is a side view, in section, of a second embodiment of the fuel rail assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a side profile view of a second fuel injector being inserted into the air manifold;
FIG. 12
is a side view of the second fuel injector being further inserted into the air manifold;
FIG. 13
is a side view of the second fuel injector being fully inserted into the air manifold;
FIG. 14
is a side view of the second fuel injector being inserted into the fuel rail;
FIG. 15
is a side view of the second fuel injector being further inserted into the fuel rail; and
FIG. 16
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the clip being installed on the second fuel injector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A first preferred embodiment of a fuel supply assembly
100
is shown in FIG.
1
. the assembly
100
includes a fuel supply conduit
110
, a plurality of fuel injectors
130
, and an air intake manifold
150
, as well as a longitudinal axis
102
extending from the fuel supply conduit
110
, through the fuel injector
130
, and to the air intake manifold
150
. As used herein, like numbers indicate like elements throughout.
The fuel supply conduit
110
includes a fuel rail
112
and a plurality of fuel cups
114
which extend from the fuel rail
112
, with one fuel cup
114
for each fuel injector
130
mounted to the fuel rail
112
. For purposes of this disclosure, only one fuel cup
114
and a corresponding fuel injector
130
will be described. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the fuel rail
112
includes a fuel channel
116
through which fuel flows from a fuel supply (not shown) to the fuel cup
114
. The fuel cup
114
includes a cup channel
118
which is in fluid communication with the fuel channel
116
. Preferably, the cup channel
118
is relatively deep to accept the fuel injector
130
. Also preferably, the fuel cup
114
include a beveled end surface
120
at an open end of the fuel cup
114
.
A rail support
122
extends from the fuel rail
112
to the air intake manifold
150
, fixedly connecting the fuel rail
110
to the air intake manifold
150
, and disposing the air intake manifold
150
a predetermined distance D
1
from the fuel cup
114
.
The air intake manifold
150
includes a plurality of manifold pockets
152
. Preferably, each manifold pocket
152
includes a beveled end surface
154
at an open end of the manifold pocket
152
.
The fuel injector
130
has a first end
132
disposed in the fuel cup channel
118
and a second end
134
disposed in the manifold pocket
152
. The first end
132
is comprised of an elongated inlet tube
136
, shown in the sectional view of
FIG. 2. A
first sealing o-ring
138
is disposed at and retained by the end of the inlet tube
136
. A preferably plastic overmold
140
cinctures the inlet tube
136
at a distance from the o-ring
138
, providing a relatively long length of the inlet tube
136
between the o-ring
138
and the overmold
140
.
A second sealing o-ring
142
is disposed at and retained by the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
. A longitudinal axis
144
, which is preferably co-linear with the longitudinal axis
102
of the assembly
100
, extends through the fuel injector
130
from the first end
132
to the second end
134
. The fuel injector
130
has a length L which is greater than the distance D
1
. The length L is generally measured from the center of the first o-ring
138
and the second o-ring
142
. For an injector
130
that is 60.4 millimeters long, the distance D
1
can be approximately ten percent shorter, or approximately 54.36 millimeters between the intake manifold
150
and the fuel cup
114
.
A generally C-shaped spacer
160
is removably disposed about the inlet tube
136
between the first o-ring
138
and the overmold
140
. As seen in
FIG. 3
, the spacer
160
includes generally opposing free ends
162
,
164
. Each free end
162
,
164
includes a beveled face
166
,
168
respectively, which provides a biasing surface for the inlet tube
136
to separate the free ends
162
,
164
as the spacer
160
is inserted onto the inlet tube
136
. Each free end
162
,
164
also includes a barb
170
,
172
, respectively which assist in retaining the spacer
160
on the inlet tube
136
once the spacer
160
is installed on the inlet tube
136
. Preferably, the spacer
160
is constructed from a polymer, a spring metal or some other suitable resilient material which allows the free ends
162
,
164
to separate from each other as the spacer
160
is inserted over the inlet tube
136
, but to return toward the original position after the barbs
170
,
172
snap over the inlet tube
136
. The barbs
170
,
172
prevent the spacer
160
from slipping off the inlet tubes
136
. When installed on the inlet tube
136
, the spacer
160
retains the first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
in the fuel cup
114
, and the spacer
160
also retains the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
in the manifold pocket
152
.
Referring back to
FIG. 1
, a plurality of spacers
160
can be connected together by a spacer bar
176
to provide a spacer function for a plurality of fuel injectors
130
, in this case, three fuel injectors
130
.
An alternate embodiment of a clip or spacer
260
with the fuel cup
114
and the fuel injector
130
is shown in perspective view in
FIG. 4. A
sectional view of the spacer
260
is shown in
FIG. 4
a
. The spacer
260
has a generally C-shaped body portion
261
having a first end
261
a
, a second end
261
b
biased toward the first end
261
a
, and a longitudinal axis
263
extending therethrough. The spacer
260
also includes a generally C-shaped upper sleeve
262
and a generally C-shaped lower sleeve
264
which both extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
263
. The upper sleeve
264
has a first upper sleeve end
264
a
and a second upper sleeve end
264
b
biased toward the first upper sleeve end
264
a
. A first connector member
266
connects the upper sleeve
262
to the body portion
261
of the spacer
260
, leaving a space between the upper sleeve
262
and the body portion
261
. The lower sleeve
264
has a first lower sleeve end
264
a
and a second lower sleeve end
264
b
biased toward the first lower sleeve end
264
a
. A second connector member
270
connects the lower sleeve
264
to the body portion
261
of the spacer
260
, distal from the upper sleeve
262
, leaving a space between the lower sleeve
264
and the body portion
261
.
The body portion
261
engages the inlet tube
136
in a manner similar to the engagement of the spacer
160
with the inlet tube
136
as described above. The first connector member
262
fits over and engages the bottom end of the fuel cup
114
. The second connector member
264
fits into a slot
146
in the overmold
140
. The second connector member
264
engages and retains the inlet tube
136
through the slot
146
in a manner similar to the engagement of the body portion
261
with the inlet tube
136
. With the spacer
260
, the spacer
260
is fixedly connected to the fuel cup
114
and the fuel injector
130
.
Preferably, the spacer
260
is constructed from a spring metal so that when the first connector member
262
engages the fuel cup
114
, the legs of the connector member
262
sufficiently engage the fuel cup
114
to prevent rotation of the spacer
260
, and subsequently the fuel injector
130
, with respect to the fuel cup
114
.
Installation of the fuel injector
130
into the assembly
100
is graphically depicted in
FIGS. 5-9
as follows. The fuel conduit
110
is fixedly located the predetermined distance D
1
from the air intake manifold
150
. As shown in
FIGS. 5-6
, the first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
is inserted into the fuel cup channel
118
at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis
102
of the assembly
100
. The beveled end surface
120
provides a lead in for the first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
. The fuel injector
130
is then pushed up into the cup
114
until the second end
134
of the injector
130
clears the top of the manifold pocket
152
(FIG.
7
). The injector
130
is then pivoted about the first end
132
until the longitudinal axis
144
of the fuel injector
130
is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis
102
of the assembly
100
, shown in FIG.
8
. The fuel injector
130
is then pulled downward so that the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
is inserted into the manifold pocket
152
, shown in FIG.
9
. The beveled end surface
154
provides a lead in for the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
. The o-ring
138
seals the connection between the fuel cup
114
and the fuel injector
130
, and the o-ring
142
seals the connection between the fuel injector
130
and the air intake manifold
150
.
The spacer
160
is then inserted over the inlet tube
136
so that the first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
is retained in the fuel cup
114
and the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
is retained in the manifold pocket
152
. The installed spacer
160
is shown in FIG.
2
. If the spacer
260
is used, the spacer
260
also engages the fuel cup
114
, connecting the fuel cup
114
to the fuel injector
130
. Installation of the spacer
260
is shown in FIG.
4
.
With the assembly
100
of the present invention, the fuel injector
130
can be removed from the fuel conduit
110
and the air intake manifold
150
for desired reasons, such as for maintenance and/or replacement. Removal of the fuel injector
130
from the assembly
100
is shown in reverse order of
FIGS. 5-9
. First, the spacer
160
,
260
is removed from the fuel injector
130
, shown having already been removed in FIG.
9
. Then, the fuel injector
130
is displaced upward along the longitudinal axis
102
until the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
is disengaged from the air intake manifold
150
, shown in FIG.
3
. The fuel injector
130
is then pivoted about the first end
132
until the second end
134
clears the air intake manifold
150
, shown in FIG.
7
. The first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
is then displaced generally along the longitudinal axis
102
until the first end
132
is disengaged from the fuel cup
114
, shown in
FIGS. 6 and 5
. The first end
132
of the fuel injector
130
is then removed from the fuel cup
114
.
A second embodiment of an assembly
200
is shown in
FIGS. 10-15
. Similar elements of the second embodiment use the same last two digits as their counterpart elements of the first embodiment, but use the first digit “
2
” instead of “
1
”. In the assembly
200
, a second end
234
of a fuel injector
230
beyond the overmold
240
is longer than the second end
134
of the fuel injector
130
of the first embodiment. A slot
246
in the overmold
240
for the spacer
260
is located proximate the downstream end
234
. Additionally, the manifold pocket
252
in the air intake manifold
250
is deeper, to allow installation of the fuel injector
230
, as will be discussed. In the second embodiment, either of the spacers
160
,
260
are inserted over the second end
234
between the overmold
240
and the air intake manifold
250
, as shown in FIG.
10
. The spacer
260
engages the slot
246
in the overmold
240
, rotationally securing the spacer
260
to the fuel injector
230
.
As described above, the spacer
260
is preferably constructed from a spring metal so that when the first connector member
262
engages the air intake manifold
250
, the legs of the connector member
262
sufficiently engage the air intake manifold
250
to prevent rotation of the spacer
260
, and subsequently the fuel injector
230
, with respect to the air intake manifold
250
. Engagement of the spacer
260
with the assembly
200
is shown in FIG.
16
.
Installation of the fuel injector
230
into the assembly
200
is similar to the installation of the fuel injector
130
into the assembly
100
, with the exception that the second end
234
of the fuel injector is installed into the air intake manifold
250
before the first end
232
of the fuel injector
230
is installed into the fuel cup
214
.
The fuel conduit
210
is fixedly located the predetermined distance D
2
from the air intake manifold
250
. As shown in
FIGS. 11-12
, the second end
234
of the fuel injector
230
is inserted into the manifold pocket
252
at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis
202
of the assembly
200
. The beveled end surface
254
of the manifold pocket
252
provides a lead in for the second end
234
of the fuel injector
230
. The fuel injector
230
is then pushed down into the manifold pocket
252
until the first end
232
of the injector
230
clears the bottom of the fuel cup (FIG.
13
). The injector
230
is then pivoted about the second end
234
until the longitudinal axis
244
of the fuel injector
230
is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis
202
of the assembly
200
, shown in FIG.
9
. The fuel injector
230
is then pushed upward so that the first end
232
of the fuel injector
230
is inserted into the fuel cup
114
, shown in FIG.
15
. The beveled end surface
120
of the fuel cup
114
provides a lead in for the first end
232
of the fuel injector
230
. The first o-ring
238
seals the connection between the fuel cup
214
and the fuel injector
230
, and the second o-ring
242
seals the connection between the fuel injector
230
and the air intake manifold
250
.
The spacer
160
is then inserted over the second end
234
so that the first end
232
of the fuel injector
230
is retained in the fuel cup
214
and the second end
234
of the fuel injector
230
is retained in the manifold pocket
252
. The inserted spacer
160
is shown in FIG.
10
. If the spacer
260
is used, the spacer
260
also engages the manifold pocket
252
, connecting the manifold pocket
252
to the fuel injector
230
. Insertion of the spacer
260
is shown in FIG.
16
.
Similar to the assembly
100
, with the assembly
200
of the present invention, the fuel injector
230
can be removed from the fuel conduit
210
and the air intake manifold
250
for desired reasons, such as for maintenance and/or replacement. Removal of the fuel injector
230
from the assembly
200
is shown in reverse order of
FIGS. 11-15
. First, the spacer
160
,
260
is removed from the fuel injector
230
, shown having already been removed in FIG.
15
. Then, the fuel injector
230
is displaced downward along the longitudinal axis
202
until the first end
232
of the fuel injector
230
is disengaged from the fuel cup
214
, shown in FIG.
14
. The fuel injector
230
is then pivoted about the second end
234
until the first end
232
clears the fuel cup
214
, shown in FIG.
13
. The second end
234
of the fuel injector
230
is then displaced generally along the longitudinal axis
202
until the second end
232
is disengaged from the manifold pocket
252
, shown in
FIGS. 12 and 11
. The second end
234
of the fuel injector
230
is then removed from the manifold pocket
252
.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A clip for connecting a fuel injector to one of a fuel cup and an air intake manifold, the clip comprising:a generally C-shaped body portion having a first body portion being spaced from a second body portion along a longitudinal axis to form a body surface, the body surface extending generally parallel to and about the longitudinal axis, the body surface including a first body end being disposed in a facing arrangement with a second body end, the second body end being biased toward the first body end about the longitudinal axis; a generally C-shaped upper sleeve extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and spaced from the generally C-shaped body portion, the upper sleeve having a first upper sleeve end and a second upper sleeve end biased toward the first upper sleeve end about the longitudinal axis; an upper connector connecting the upper sleeve to the first body portion; a generally C-shaped lower sleeve extending generally parallel to the upper sleeve and spaced from the cylindrical shaped body portion, the lower sleeve having a first lower sleeve end and a second lower sleeve end biased toward the first lower sleeve end about the longitudinal axis; and a lower connector connecting the lower sleeve to the second body portion.
- 2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a spring metal.
- 3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the upper sleeve is adapted to engage one of the fuel injector and the one of the fuel cup and the air intake manifold, and the lower sleeve is adapted to engage the other of the fuel injector and the one of the fuel cup and the air intake manifold.
- 4. A method of installing a fuel injector into a fuel supply conduit and an air intake manifold, the fuel supply conduit being disposed along an axis a predetermined distance from the air intake manifold, the method comprising:inserting a first end of the fuel injector into one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold at an angle oblique to the longitudinal axis; displacing the injector toward the one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold until a second end of the fuel injector clears the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; pivoting the fuel injector about the first end until the fuel injector is aligned with the longitudinal axis; displacing the injector toward the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold until the second end of the fuel injector engages the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; and after displacing the injector, inserting a spacer over a portion of the fuel injector and over a portion of one of the fuel supply conduit and intake manifold, the spacer retaining one end of the fuel injector at least partially in the fuel supply conduit and another end of the fuel injector at least partially in the air intake manifold.
- 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein inserting the spacer comprises connecting the spacer to at least one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold.
- 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein inserting the first end of the injector comprises inserting the injector into the fuel supply conduit.
- 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein inserting the first end of the injector comprises inserting the injector into the air intake manifold.
- 8. The method according to claim 4, further comprising, prior to inserting the first end of the injector, fixedly connecting the fuel supply conduit to the air intake manifold.
- 9. A method of removing a fuel injector from a fuel supply conduit and an air intake manifold, the fuel supply conduit being disposed along an axis a predetermined distance from the air intake manifold, the fuel injector having a first end engaged with one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold and having a second end engaged with the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold, the method comprising:displacing the fuel injector along the axis such that the first end of the fuel injector is disengaged from one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; pivoting the fuel injector about the second end such that the first end clears the one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; displacing the fuel injector generally along the axis such that the second end of the fuel injector is disengaged from the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; removing the second end from the other of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold; and prior to displacing the fuel injector along the axis, removing a spacer from the fuel injector, the spacer adapted to surround one end of the fuel injector and to surround one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold prior to removal of the fuel injector.
- 10. A fuel assembly comprising:a fuel supply conduit having a fuel rail and a fuel cup; an air intake manifold disposed a predetermined distance from the fuel supply conduit; a plurality of injectors, each having a first end disposed in the fuel cup and a second end disposed in the air intake manifold, each fuel injector having a length greater than the predetermined distance; a spacer being disposed about a portion of the fuel injector and surrounding a portion of one of the fuel cup and intake manifold, the spacer retaining the first end of the fuel injector in the fuel cup and the second end of the fuel injector in the air intake manifold such that the spacer is spaced away from the fuel rail with no contact therebetween; and a spacer bar being coupled to each of the plurality of fuel injector.
- 11. The fuel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined distance is approximately ten percent shorter than the length of the fuel injector.
- 12. The fuel assembly of claim 10, wherein the spacer surrounds only a portion of the fuel injector.
- 13. The fuel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the fuel supply conduit is fixedly connected to the air intake manifold.
- 14. The fuel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the spacer is fixedly connected to at least one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold.
- 15. The fuel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the spacer is generally C-shaped.
- 16. The fuel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the spacer rotationally secures the fuel injector relative to at least one of the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold.
- 17. The fuel assembly of claim 11, wherein the predetermined distance comprises a distance of approximately 54 millimeters and wherein the length of the fuel injector comprises a length of approximately 60 millimeters.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 430 525 |
Jun 1991 |
EP |