Claims
- 1. A fuel rail comprising:a first portion including a generally elongated base, at least one mounting bracket and a plurality of fuel cup openings in the generally elongated base; and a second, generally U-shaped, portion having a first and second opposing sides, each of the first and second opposing sides being sealingly connected to the generally elongated base with a laser weld, the second portion also having a supply end having a fuel supply opening, and a closed end, distal from the supply end, the closed end and the supply end being sealingly connected to the generally elongated base with a laser weld.
- 2. The fuel rail according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is stamped.
- 3. The fuel rail according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is deep drawn.
- 4. The fuel rail according to claim 1, wherein the laser weld is a butt weld.
- 5. The fuel rail according to claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is integrally formed with the generally elongated base.
- 6. A fuel rail assembly comprising:a fuel supply header having a discharge end; a fuel rail connected to the discharge end of the fuel supply header, the fuel rail including: a first portion including a generally elongated base, at least one mounting bracket and a plurality of fuel cup openings in the generally elongated base; and a second, generally U-shaped, portion having a first and second opposing sides, each of the first and second opposing sides being sealingly connected to the generally elongated base with a laser weld, the second portion also having a supply end having a fuel supply opening, and a closed end, distal from the supply end, the closed end and the supply end being sealingly connected to the generally elongated base with a laser weld; and a plurality of fuel injectors, each of the plurality of fuel injectors being connected to a fuel cup opening.
- 7. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the first portion is stamped.
- 8. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the second portion is deep drawn.
- 9. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the laser weld is a butt weld.
- 10. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the mounting bracket is integrally formed with the generally elongated base.
- 11. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the fuel rail is connected to the discharge end of the fuel supply header with a swivel joint.
- 12. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the swivel joint comprises a swivel fitting laser welded to the supply end of the second portion, the swivel fitting being crimped onto the discharge end of the fuel supply header.
- 13. The fuel rail according to claim 6, wherein the fuel supply header comprises a fuel pressure regulator.
- 14. A method of manufacturing a fuel rail comprising:forming a first portion having at least one integral mounting bracket; deep drawing a second, generally U-shaped portion having first and second opposing sides, a closed end and a supply end; and laser welding the first and second opposing sides, the closed end, and the supply end to the first portion.
- 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein laser welding the first and second opposing sides, the closed end and the supply end to the first portion comprises butt joining the first and second opposing sides, the closed end and the supply end to the first portion.
- 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein forming the first portion comprises stamping.
- 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein forming the first portion further comprises deep drawing a plurality of cups.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/165,390, filed Nov. 12, 1999.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/165390 |
Nov 1999 |
US |