阅读说明：本技术 将燃料喷射器保持到燃料分配管座的布置结构 (Arrangement for holding a fuel injector to a fuel distribution stem ) 是由 R·S·马斯蒂 C·M·卡斯 于 2020-09-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种燃料喷射器固位布置结构(30),包括内部空间(34),该内部空间沿轴线(36)延伸至燃料分配管座(26)中。燃料喷射器(22)的固位凸缘(58)从其径向向外延伸,使得固位凸缘(58)配置在内部空间(34)内。槽(46)从内部空间(34)径向地延伸至燃料分配管座外表面(48),并且固位槽(52)从内部空间(34)径向向外延伸。固位器(45)包括延伸穿过槽(46)的第一腿(60)和延伸穿过上述槽(46)的第二腿(62),上述第一腿(60)和第二腿(62)在一端处通过固位器基部(64)彼此连接。第一腿(60)的瓣片(60a)延伸至固位槽(52)中并支承固位凸缘(58),并且第二腿(60)的瓣片(62a)延伸至固位槽(52)中并支承固位凸缘(58),从而将燃料喷射器(22)保持到燃料分配管承座(26)。(A fuel injector retention arrangement (30) includes an interior space (34) extending into a fuel distribution stem (26) along an axis (36). A retention flange (58) of the fuel injector (22) extends radially outward therefrom such that the retention flange (58) is disposed within the interior space (34). A groove (46) extends radially from the interior space (34) to the fuel distribution stem outer surface (48), and a retention groove (52) extends radially outward from the interior space (34). The retainer (45) includes a first leg (60) extending through the slot (46) and a second leg (62) extending through the slot (46), the first leg (60) and the second leg (62) being connected to one another at one end by a retainer base (64). The flap (60a) of the first leg (60) extends into the retention slot (52) and supports the retention flange (58), and the flap (62a) of the second leg (60) extends into the retention slot (52) and supports the retention flange (58) to retain the fuel injector (22) to the fuel rail seat (26).)

1. A fuel injector retention arrangement (30) retaining a fuel injector (22) to a fuel distribution stem (26) of a fuel distribution pipe (20), the fuel injector (22) having a fuel injector upper housing (54) defining a fuel inlet (56) to the fuel injector (22), the fuel distribution stem (26) having a fuel distribution stem body (32), and the fuel distribution pipe (20) having a fuel distribution pipe volume (24) receiving pressurized fuel; the fuel injector retention arrangement (30) comprises:

a fuel distributor stem interior space (34) defined within the fuel distributor stem body (32) such that the fuel distributor stem interior space (34) extends into the fuel distributor stem body (32) along a fuel distributor stem axis (36) from a fuel distributor stem end surface (37), the fuel distributor stem interior space (34) being in fluid communication with the fuel distributor tube volume (24);

a fuel injector retention flange (58) extending radially outward from the fuel injector upper housing (54) such that the fuel injector retention flange (58) is disposed within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) and such that the fuel inlet (56) is in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem interior space (34);

a fuel rail seat groove (46) extending radially from the fuel rail seat interior space (34) to the fuel rail seat exterior surface (48) and axially to the fuel rail seat end surface (37);

a fuel distribution stem retention slot (52) extending radially outward from the fuel distribution stem interior space (34); and

a retainer (45) in the form of a fork, comprising: 1) a retainer first leg (60) located between the fuel injector retention flange (58) and the fuel rail seat end surface (37) and extending through the fuel rail seat slot (46); and 2) a retainer second leg (62) located between the fuel injector retention flange (58) and the fuel distribution tube seat end surface (37) and extending through the fuel distribution tube seat slot (46), the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) being connected to each other at one end by a retainer base (64), the retainer first leg (60) having a first retainer flap (60a) that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution tube seat retention slot (52) and partially into the fuel distribution tube seat interior space (34) to support the fuel injector retention flange (58) on the first retainer flap and retain the fuel injector (22) to the fuel distribution tube seat (26), and the retainer second leg (62) having a second retainer flap (62a) that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52) and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) to support the fuel injector retaining flange (58) thereon and retain the fuel injector (22) to the fuel distribution stem (26).

2. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 1, wherein the fuel distribution tube seat slot (46) is a first fuel distribution tube seat slot (46), and the fuel injector retention arrangement (30) further comprises a second fuel distribution tube seat slot (50) extending radially from the fuel distribution tube seat interior space (34) to the fuel distribution tube seat exterior surface (48) and axially to the fuel distribution tube seat end surface (37) such that the second fuel distribution tube seat slot (50) is diametrically opposed to the first fuel distribution tube seat slot (46), wherein the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) extend through the second fuel distribution tube seat slot (50), respectively.

3. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 2, wherein the fuel distribution stem retention slot (52) comprises: a fuel rail retaining groove first portion (52d) between said first fuel rail seat groove (46) and said second fuel rail seat groove (50); and a fuel rail seat retaining groove second portion (52e) located between the first fuel rail seat groove (46) and the second fuel rail seat groove (50), such that the first fuel rail seat groove (46) and the second fuel rail seat groove (50) separate the fuel rail seat retaining groove first portion (52d) from the fuel rail seat retaining groove second portion (52 e).

4. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 2,

the retainer first leg (60) having a retainer first leg free end (60b) distal from the retainer base (64);

the retainer second leg (62) having a retainer second leg free end (62b) distal from the retainer base (64) and spaced from the retainer first leg free end (60b) when the first retainer flap (60a) is located in the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52) and the second retainer flap (62a) is located in the fuel distribution stem (26);

the retainer (45) is resiliently deformable, thereby allowing the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) to resiliently move toward each other, which causes 1) the first retainer flap (60a) to be completely removed from the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52) and 2) the second retainer flap (62a) to be completely removed from the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52), thereby allowing the retainer (45) to install and remove the retainer (45) within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis (36).

5. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 4,

the retainer first leg (60) includes a first retainer recess (60c) that is concave toward the retainer second leg (62), the first retainer recess (60c) accommodating the fuel injector upper housing (54) when the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) are resiliently moved toward each other to allow the retainer (45) to be installed or removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis (36);

the retainer second leg (62) includes a second retainer recess (62c) that is concave toward the retainer first leg (60), the second retainer recess (62c) accommodating the fuel injector upper housing (54) when the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) are resiliently moved toward each other to allow the retainer (45) to be installed or removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis (36).

6. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 4,

a portion of the retainer first leg (60) between the retainer base (64) and the first retainer flap (60a) is located within the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52);

a portion of the retainer first leg (60) between the first retainer lobe (60a) and the retainer first leg free end (60b) is located within the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52);

a portion of the retainer second leg (62) between the retainer base (64) and the second retainer flap (62a) is located within the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52); and

the portion of the retainer second leg (62) between the retainer flap (62a) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) is located within the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52).

7. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 1,

the retainer first leg (60) having a retainer first leg free end (60b) distal from the retainer base (64);

the retainer second leg (62) having a retainer second leg free end (62b) distal from the retainer base (64) and spaced from the retainer first leg free end (60b) when the first retainer flap (60a) is located in the fuel rail seat slot (46) and the second retainer flap (62a) is located in the fuel rail seat slot (46);

the retainer (45) is elastically deformable, allowing the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) to elastically move toward each other, which causes 1) the first retainer flap (60a) to be completely removed from the fuel distribution pipe seat groove (46) and 2) the second retainer flap (62a) to be completely removed from the fuel distribution pipe seat groove (46), allowing the retainer (45) to install and remove the retainer (45) within the fuel distribution pipe seat interior space (34) in the direction of the fuel distribution pipe seat axis (36).

8. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 7,

the retainer first leg (60) includes a first retainer recess (60c) that is concave toward the retainer second leg (62), the first retainer recess (60c) accommodating the fuel injector upper housing (54) when the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) are resiliently moved toward each other to allow the retainer (45) to be installed or removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis (36);

the retainer second leg (62) includes a second retainer groove (62c) that is concave toward the retainer first leg (60), the second retainer groove (62c) accommodating the fuel injector upper housing (54) when the retainer first leg free end (60b) and the retainer second leg free end (62b) are resiliently moved toward each other to allow the retainer (45) to be installed or removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis (36).

9. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 8,

the fuel injector retention flange (58) includes a spherical or conical fuel injector retention flange surface (58 b);

the retainer first leg (60) has a spherical or conical retainer first leg surface (60d) and the retainer first leg surface supports the fuel injector retention flange (58);

the retainer second leg (62) having a spherical or conical retainer second leg surface (62d) and supporting the fuel injector retention flange (58);

whereby the fuel injector retention flange surface (58b), the retainer first leg surface (60d), and the retainer second leg surface (62d) allow for angular misalignment between the fuel injector upper housing (54) and the fuel distribution stem (26).

10. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 9,

said retainer first leg surface (60d) being located radially outwardly from said first retainer groove (60c) relative to said fuel distribution stem axis (36); and

the retainer second leg surface (62d) is located radially outward from the second retainer groove (62c) relative to the fuel distribution stem axis (36).

11. The fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 1,

the fuel injector retention flange (58) includes a spherical or conical fuel injector retention flange surface (58 b);

the retainer first leg (60) has a spherical or conical retainer first leg surface (60d) and the retainer first leg surface supports the fuel injector retention flange (58);

the retainer second leg (62) having a spherical or conical retainer second leg surface (62d) and supporting the fuel injector retention flange (58);

whereby the fuel injector retention flange surface (58b), the retainer first leg surface (60d), and the retainer second leg surface (62d) allow for angular misalignment between the fuel injector upper housing (54) and the fuel distribution stem (26).

12. A fuel injector retention arrangement (30) retaining a fuel injector (22) to a fuel distribution stem (26) of a fuel rail (20), the fuel injector (22) having an upper fuel injector housing (54) defining a fuel inlet (56) to the fuel injector (22), the fuel distribution stem (26) having a fuel distribution stem body (32), and the fuel rail (20) having a fuel rail volume (24) receiving pressurized fuel, the fuel injector retention arrangement (30) comprising:

a fuel distribution stem interior space (34) defined within the fuel distribution stem body (32) such that the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) extends into the fuel distribution stem body (32) along a fuel distribution stem axis (36), the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) being in fluid communication with the fuel rail volume (24);

a fuel injector retention flange (58) extending radially outward from the fuel injector upper housing (54) such that the fuel injector retention flange (58) is disposed within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) and such that the fuel inlet (56) is in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem interior space (34);

a fuel rail seat groove (46) extending radially from the fuel rail seat interior space (34) to the fuel rail seat exterior surface (48);

a fuel distribution stem retention slot (52) extending radially outward from the fuel distribution stem interior space (34); and

a retainer (45) in the form of a fork, comprising: 1) a retainer first leg (60) located adjacent the fuel injector retention flange (58) and extending through the fuel distribution tube seat slot (46); and 2) a retainer second leg (62) located adjacent the fuel injector retention flange (58) and extending through the fuel distribution stem slot (46), the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) being connected to one another at one end by a retainer base (64), the retainer first leg (60) having a first retainer lobe (60a) that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention slot (52) and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) to support the fuel injector retention flange (58) on the first retainer lobe and retain the fuel injector (22) to the fuel distribution stem (26), and the retainer second leg (62) having a second retainer lobe (62a), the second retainer flap is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove (52) and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) to support the fuel injector retaining flange (58) on the second retainer flap and retain the fuel injector (22) to the fuel distribution stem (26).

13. A method of assembling the fuel injector retention arrangement (30) of claim 1, the method comprising:

positioning the fuel injector retention flange (58) within the fuel distribution stem interior space (34);

elastically deforming the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) from an initial form toward each other;

positioning the retainer (45) in the fuel distribution stem interior space (34) by translating the retainer (45) along the fuel distribution stem axis (36) while the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) are elastically deformed toward each other; and

after positioning the retainer (45) in the fuel distribution stem interior space (34), allowing the retainer first leg (60) and the retainer second leg (62) to spring back to the original form, thereby extending the first retainer flap (60a) into the fuel distribution stem retention slot (52) and the second retainer flap (62a) into the fuel distribution stem retention slot (52).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to fuel injectors for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device, and more particularly to arrangements of fuel distribution stem holders for holding such fuel injectors to a fuel distribution pipe.

Background

Modern internal combustion engines typically utilize one or more fuel injectors to meter the precise amount of fuel to be combusted in respective combustion chambers, such that combustion is triggered by a spark from a spark plug, to name a non-limiting example only. The combustion of fuel may be used, for example, to propel a motor vehicle and generate electricity or to drive other accessories that support the operation of the motor vehicle. Fuels in liquid form commonly used to power internal combustion engines include, by way of non-limiting example only, gasoline, ethanol, alcohols, diesel fuel, and the like, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Until recently, fuel injectors, commonly referred to as port fuel injectors, were primarily used. Port fuel injectors inject fuel into ports of the intake manifold where the fuel and air mix before being drawn into the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine through intake valves of the cylinder head. A typical port fuel injector is shown in united states patent No. 7,252,249 to Molnar (Molnar). In order to improve fuel economy and reduce unwanted emissions resulting from the combustion of fuel, direct injection fuel injectors have increasingly been used. As the name implies, direct injection fuel injectors inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. An example of such a direct injection fuel injector is described in U.S. patent application publication No. US2012/0067982a1 to Perry et al, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In a typical internal combustion engine, a plurality of direct injection fuel injectors, such as those disclosed by Peltier et al, are attached to a common volume of a fuel rail containing pressurized fuel. The fuel rail includes a plurality of fuel rail seats that each receive a portion of a respective fuel injector therein. In use, pressurized fuel acts on the fuel injectors thereby attempting to push the fuel injectors out of their respective fuel distribution stem. It is desirable to suspend the fuel injectors below their respective fuel distribution stem to minimize contact between the internal combustion engine and the fuel injectors, thereby minimizing noise and heat transfer. U.S. patent No. 8,646,434 to hagey (Harvey) et al; 8,813,722 No; 7,856,962 No; davis (Davis) No. 8,479,710; 9,567,961 for Cass (Cass) et al and 7,798,127 for Notaro (Notaro) et al; U.S. patent application publication nos. US2010/0012093a1 to pepper's gene (peperione) et al and US2015/0330347a1 to palman (Pohlmann) et al; and Research Disclosure Publication (Research Disclosure Publication) No. 601008 teaches various arrangements for holding fuel injectors to fuel distribution headers. However, these various arrangements for retaining the fuel injectors to the fuel distribution stem may be costly and difficult to implement. Furthermore, some of these arrangements that hold the fuel injectors to the fuel distribution stem may not be satisfactory when subjected to fuel pressures that are ever increasing in an attempt to achieve greater efficiency and reduce emissions. Accordingly, improvements in retaining the fuel injector to the fuel distribution stem are continually being sought.

What is needed is an arrangement for retaining a fuel injector to a fuel distribution stem that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the above-described disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

Briefly, a fuel injector retention arrangement is provided for retaining a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a fuel rail, wherein the fuel injector has an upper fuel injector housing defining a fuel inlet to the fuel injector, the fuel rail has a fuel rail body, and the fuel rail has a fuel rail volume that receives pressurized fuel. The fuel injector retention arrangement includes: a fuel distribution stem interior space defined within the fuel distribution stem body such that the fuel distribution stem interior space extends into the fuel distribution stem body from the fuel distribution stem end surface along a fuel distribution stem axis, the fuel distribution stem interior space in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem volume; a fuel injector retention flange extending radially outward from the fuel injector upper housing such that the fuel injector retention flange is disposed within the fuel distribution stem internal space and such that the fuel inlet is in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem internal space; a fuel rail seat groove extending radially from the fuel rail seat interior space to the fuel rail seat exterior surface and axially to the fuel rail seat end surface; a fuel distribution stem retention slot extending radially outwardly from the fuel distribution stem interior space; and a forked retainer, thereby comprising: 1) a retainer first leg located between the fuel injector retention flange and the fuel distribution tube seat end surface and extending through the fuel distribution tube seat slot; and 2) a retainer second leg located between the fuel injector retention flange and the fuel distribution stem end surface and extending through the fuel distribution stem slot, the retainer first leg and the retainer second leg being connected to one another at one end by a retainer base, the retainer first leg having a first retainer flap that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention slot and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space to support the fuel injector retention flange thereon and retain the fuel injector to the fuel distribution stem, and the retainer second leg having a second retainer flap that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention slot and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space, thereby supporting the fuel injector retention flange on the second retainer flap and retaining the fuel injector to the fuel distribution stem.

Another fuel injector retention arrangement includes: a fuel distribution stem interior space defined within the fuel distribution stem body such that the fuel distribution stem interior space extends into the fuel distribution stem body along a fuel distribution stem axis, the fuel distribution stem interior space being in fluid communication with the fuel rail volume; a fuel injector retention flange extending radially outward from the fuel injector upper housing such that the fuel injector retention flange is disposed within the fuel distribution stem internal space and such that the fuel inlet is in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem internal space; a fuel rail seat channel extending radially from the fuel rail seat interior space to the fuel rail seat exterior surface; a fuel distribution stem retention slot extending radially outwardly from the fuel distribution stem interior space; and a forked retainer, thereby comprising: 1) a retainer first leg located adjacent the fuel injector retention flange and extending through the fuel distribution tube seat slot; and 2) a retainer second leg located adjacent the fuel injector retention flange and extending through the fuel distribution stem socket, the retainer first leg and the retainer second leg being connected to one another at one end by a retainer base, the retainer first leg having a first retainer flap that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention groove and partially into the fuel distribution stem internal space to support the fuel injector retention flange thereon and retain the fuel injector to the fuel distribution stem, and the retainer second leg having a second retainer flap that is convex and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention groove and partially into the fuel distribution stem internal space, thereby supporting the fuel injector retention flange on the second retainer flap and retaining the fuel injector to the fuel distribution stem.

A method of assembling a fuel injector retention arrangement, comprising: positioning a fuel injector retention flange within a fuel distribution stem internal space; elastically deforming the first leg of the retainer and the second leg of the retainer toward each other from the initial form; positioning the retainer in the fuel distribution stem interior space by translating the retainer along the fuel distribution stem axis while the retainer first leg and the retainer second leg are elastically deformed toward each other; and after positioning the retainer in the fuel distribution stem interior space, allowing the retainer first leg and the retainer second leg to spring back to the original form, thereby extending the first retainer lobe into the fuel distribution stem retention groove and the second retention flange into the fuel distribution stem retention groove.

The arrangements and methods described herein are simple and economical to manufacture and use, and provide for convenient assembly along the axis of the fuel distribution stem. In addition, the retainer snapped into the fuel nozzle retaining slot provides secure retention of the fuel injector and also provides inherent retention of the retainer, thereby eliminating the need for additional features to prevent inadvertent disassembly, translation, or rotation of the retainer. Further, the fuel injector retention arrangement may allow for shortening of the fuel distribution stem in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis, which facilitates packaging.

Drawings

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an internal combustion engine and a fuel system for the internal combustion engine;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a fuel rail and a plurality of fuel injectors of the fuel system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of one of the fuel injectors and fuel rail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 now showing the retainer positioned on the fuel injector;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fuel injector retention arrangement securing a fuel injector in a fuel rail seat of a fuel rail;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is the view of FIG. 6 now showing the retainer in a position to allow insertion and removal of the retainer;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are isometric views of a fuel distribution stem without a fuel injector or retainer installed;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the fuel injector and retainer mounted within the fuel injector seat;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the fixture; and

fig. 12 is the view of fig. 11 now showing the resiliently deformed retainer allowing insertion and removal of the retainer.

Detailed Description

Referring initially to fig. 1, fig. 1 shows a fuel consumption device, exemplified by an internal combustion engine 10, and a fuel system 12 for supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine 10. The fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine 10 by the fuel system 12 may be, by way of non-limiting example only, gasoline, ethanol, alcohol, diesel, and the like, and mixtures of two or more thereof. As shown herein, fuel system 12 may include a fuel tank 14, a lift pump 16, a high pressure pump 18, a fuel rail 20, and a plurality of fuel injectors 22. The fuel tank 14 stores a large amount of fuel that is pumped by the lift pump 16 to the high-pressure pump 18 at a relatively low pressure. The high pressure pump 18 pumps fuel at a relatively high pressure to a rail volume 24 defined within the rail 20. The fuel rail 20 includes a plurality of fuel rail seats 26, and a portion of the fuel injectors 22 are received and retained within the plurality of fuel rail seats 26. The fuel injectors 22 are each in fluid communication with the fuel rail volume 24 through a fuel rail seat 26 to receive pressurized fuel. Each fuel injector 22 is configured to selectively supply fuel to a respective combustion chamber 28 (only two combustion chambers 28 are visible in fig. 1), where the fuel is combusted in the combustion chamber 28 in a known manner. The fuel injector 22 may take many forms, but may be a fuel injector as described in U.S. patent application publication No. US2012/0067982A1 to Peltier (Perry), et al, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While fuel system 12 is described herein as a combustion system in which fuel is injected directly into combustion chambers 28, it should now be understood that fuel system 12 may alternatively be a combustion system in which fuel is not injected directly into combustion chambers 28, which may be, by way of non-limiting example only, a port fuel injection system in which fuel injectors inject fuel into an intake manifold where the fuel and air are introduced together into each combustion chamber through a respective inlet combustion valve. In port fuel injection systems, the high pressure pump 18 may be omitted and fuel delivered directly to the fuel rail volume 24 by the lift pump 16.

With continued reference to fig. 1, and with additional reference now to fig. 2-10, a fuel injector retention arrangement 30 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Each fuel injector 22 may be retained to its respective fuel distribution stem 26 in the same manner, and thus, the following description will refer to one fuel distribution stem 26 and one fuel injector 22, although it will be appreciated that the description applies equally to each pair of fuel distribution stems 26 and combustion injectors 22.

The fuel distribution stem 26 has a fuel distribution stem body 32, the fuel distribution stem body 32 having a fuel distribution stem interior space 34 defined therein. The fuel distributor stem interior space 34 extends into the fuel distributor stem body 32 along the fuel distributor stem axis 36 from the fuel distributor stem end surface 37 of the fuel distributor stem open end 38 to the fuel distributor stem closed end 40 such that the fuel distributor stem interior space 34 is stepped, thereby defining a fuel distributor stem shoulder 42 therein, the fuel distributor stem shoulder 42 facing the fuel distributor stem open end 38. By way of non-limiting example only, the fuel rail base 26 is secured to the fuel rail 20 by welding or brazing, or is integrally formed as a single piece of material with the fuel rail 20. Fluid communication between the fuel rail volume 24 and the fuel rail interior space 34 is provided by a fuel passage 44, the fuel passage 44 extending from the fuel rail volume 24 through the fuel rail 20 and the fuel rail body 32 to the fuel rail interior space 34.

Features of the fuel distribution stem 26 that interact with the retainer 45 that retains the fuel injector 22 to the distribution stem 26 will now be described. The first fuel distribution stem groove 46 extends radially from the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 to a fuel distribution stem outer surface 48 of the fuel distribution stem 26, wherein the fuel distribution stem outer surface 48 extends around the entire periphery of the fuel distribution stem 26. First fuel rail seat groove 46 also extends axially, i.e., parallel to fuel rail seat axis 36, to fuel rail seat end surface 37. By way of non-limiting example only, the first fuel rail seat groove 46 may extend about 25 ° to about 35 ° around the fuel rail seat end surface 37. The second fuel distribution tube seating groove 50 extends radially from the fuel distribution tube seating interior 34 to the fuel distribution tube seating exterior surface 48 such that the second fuel distribution tube seating groove 50 is diametrically opposed to the first fuel distribution tube seating groove 46. The second fuel rail seat groove 50 also extends axially, i.e. parallel to the fuel rail seat axis 36, to the fuel rail seat end surface 37. By way of non-limiting example only, the second fuel rail seat groove 50 may extend about 25 ° to about 35 ° around the fuel rail seat end surface 37.

In addition to the first and second fuel distribution tube seating slots 46, 50 that interface with the retainer 45, the fuel distribution tube seating 26 further includes a fuel distribution tube seating retaining slot 52, the fuel distribution tube seating retaining slot 52 extending radially outward from the fuel distribution tube seating interior space 34 toward the fuel distribution tube seating exterior surface 48, but not all the way to the fuel distribution tube seating exterior surface 48, i.e., the fuel distribution tube seating retaining slot 52 extends radially outward from the fuel distribution tube seating interior space 34 only partially into the fuel distribution tube seating body 32, except at the first and second fuel distribution tube seating slots 46, 50, as will be described in greater detail below. As shown, the fuel distribution stem retaining groove 52 extends axially from a fuel distribution stem retaining groove upper surface 52a, i.e., in a direction parallel to the fuel distribution stem axis 36, to a fuel distribution stem retaining groove lower surface 52b, such that the fuel distribution stem retaining groove upper surface 52a and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove lower surface 52b are transverse to the fuel distribution stem axis 36, respectively, and may be perpendicular to the fuel distribution stem axis 36. As shown, the fuel distribution stem retaining groove 52 extends radially outward to a fuel distribution stem retaining groove radially outer surface 52c, which outer surface 52c joins the fuel distribution stem retaining groove upper surface 52a to the fuel distribution stem retaining groove lower surface 52b, and may be parallel to the fuel distribution stem axis 36. As shown herein, the fuel distribution pipe seat retention slot 52 includes a fuel distribution pipe seat retention slot first portion 52d located between the first fuel distribution pipe seat slot 46 and the second fuel distribution pipe seat slot 50, and a fuel distribution pipe seat retention slot second portion 52e located between the first fuel distribution pipe seat slot 46 and the second fuel distribution pipe seat slot 50, such that the first fuel distribution pipe seat slot 46 and the second fuel distribution pipe seat slot 50 separate the fuel distribution pipe seat retention slot first portion 52d from the fuel distribution pipe seat retention slot second portion 52 e. As also shown herein, the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d may extend from a location where the first fuel distribution stem seat groove 46 intersects the fuel distribution stem outer surface 48 to a location where the second fuel distribution stem seat groove 50 intersects the fuel distribution stem outer surface 48, and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e may extend from a location where the first fuel distribution stem seat groove 46 intersects the fuel distribution stem outer surface 48 to a location where the second fuel distribution stem seat groove 50 intersects the fuel distribution stem outer surface 48. Alternatively, but not shown, fuel rail retention slot first portion 52d may extend only from the location where first fuel rail seat slot 46 intersects fuel rail interior space 34 to the location where second fuel rail seat slot 50 intersects fuel rail seat interior space 34, and fuel rail retention slot second portion 52e may extend only from the location where first fuel rail seat slot 46 intersects fuel rail seat interior space 34 to the location where second fuel rail seat slot 50 intersects fuel rail seat interior space 34.

The fuel injector 22 includes a fuel injector upper housing 54 coaxially received within the fuel distribution stem interior 34 and defining a fuel inlet 56 of the fuel injector 22, the fuel injector 22 receiving fuel from the fuel distribution stem interior 34. The fuel injector upper housing 54 includes a fuel injector retention flange 58 extending radially outwardly therefrom, and the fuel injector retention flange 58 is disposed within the fuel distribution stem internal space 34 such that the fuel inlet 56 is in fluid communication with the fuel distribution stem internal space 34. The fuel injector retention flange 58 is annular in shape and includes a fuel injector retention flange upper surface 58a facing the fuel distribution stem closed end 40 and also includes a fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b facing the fuel distribution stem open end 38. A sealing means 59 is supported by the fuel injector retention flange upper surface 58a to provide a fuel impermeable seal between the fuel injector upper housing 54 and the fuel distribution stem 26 to prevent fuel from escaping from the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 to the environment, the sealing means 59 may comprise an O-ring and one or more support rings as shown. As shown, the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b may be spherical or conical in shape to accommodate angular misalignment between the fuel injector 22 and the fuel distribution stem axis 36, as will be described in more detail later, such that the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b engages the retainer 45, as will also be described in more detail later. As used herein, the term "spherical" is intended to include a portion of the surface of a sphere, while "conical" is intended to include a portion of the side surface of a cone.

The retainer 45 is forked so as to include a retainer first leg 60 and a retainer second leg 62 such that one end of the retainer first leg 60 and one end of the retainer second leg 62 are connected to each other by a retainer base 64, wherein the retainer first leg 60, the retainer second leg 62 and the retainer base 64 are preferably made of a single, unitary piece of material, which may preferably be a metal such as steel. The retainer first leg 60 and the retainer second leg 62 are axially located between the fuel injector retention flange 58 and the fuel distribution tube seat end surface 37, respectively, and extend through the first fuel distribution tube seat slot 46 and the second fuel distribution tube seat slot 50, respectively. To retain the retainer 45 to the fuel distribution stem 26, the retainer first leg 60 includes a first retainer lobe (lobe) 60a that is convex facing the fuel distribution stem retention groove radially outer surface 52c of the fuel distribution stem retention groove first portion 52d and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retention groove first portion 52d and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space 34. Similarly, the retainer second leg 62 includes a second retainer lobe (lobe) 62a that is convex toward the fuel distribution stem retaining groove radially outer surface 52c of the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e and extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e and partially into the fuel distribution stem interior space 34. The portions of the first and second retainer flaps 60a, 62a that extend into the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 engage the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b, thereby supporting the fuel injector retention flange 58 thereon and retaining the fuel injector 22 to the fuel distribution stem 26.

The retainer first leg 60 terminates at a retainer first leg free end 60b remote from the retainer base 64, and similarly, the retainer second leg 62 terminates at a retainer second leg free end 62b remote from the retainer base 64. When both the first retainer flap 60a and the second retainer flap 62a are located within the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e, respectively, as shown in fig. 6, the retainer first leg free end 60b and the retainer second leg free end 62b are spaced apart from each other, as shown in fig. 11. The retainer 45 is resiliently deformable to allow the retainer first leg free end 60b and the retainer second leg free end 62b to resiliently move toward each other, as shown in fig. 12, which results in 1) the first retainer flap 60a being completely removed from the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and 2) the second retainer flap 62a being completely removed from the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e, as shown in fig. 7, thereby allowing the retainer 45 to be installed and removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis 36. To provide clearance for the fuel injector upper housing 54 when the retainer first leg free end 60b and the retainer second leg free end 62b are resiliently moved toward each other, respectively, the retainer first leg 60 includes a first retainer recess 60c that is concave toward the retainer second leg 62 and radially aligned with the fuel injector upper housing 54, and similarly, the retainer second leg 62 includes a second retainer groove 62c that is concave toward the retainer first leg 60 and radially aligned with the fuel injector upper housing 54. Thus, when both the retainer first leg free end 60b and the retainer second leg free end 62b are resiliently moved toward each other to allow the retainer 45 to be installed or removed within the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 along the fuel distribution stem axis 36, the fuel injector upper housing 54 is received within, i.e., located within, the first retainer recess 60c and the second retainer recess 62c, respectively.

The portion of the retainer first leg 60 between the retainer base 64 and the first retainer lobe 60a extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and partially into the first fuel distribution stem pocket 46, and the portion of the retainer first leg 60 between the first retainer lobe 60a and the retainer first leg free end 60b extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and partially into the second fuel distribution stem pocket 50. Similarly, the portion of the retainer second leg 62 between the retainer base 64 and the second retainer lobe 62a extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e and partially into the first fuel distribution stem pocket 46, and the portion of the retainer second leg 62 between the second retainer lobe 62a and the retainer second leg free end 62b extends partially into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e and partially into the second fuel distribution stem pocket 50. It should be noted that if the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d extends only from the location where the first fuel distribution stem pocket 46 intersects the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 to the location where the second fuel distribution stem pocket 50 intersects the fuel distribution stem interior space 34, and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e extends only from the location where the first fuel distribution stem pocket 46 intersects the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 to the location where the second fuel distribution stem pocket 50 intersects the fuel distribution stem interior space 34, then only the first and second retainer flaps 60a, 62a extend into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove 52.

To accommodate angular misalignment between the fuel injector 22 and the fuel distribution stem axis 36 while allowing the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b to maintain contact with both the retainer first leg 60 and the retainer second leg 62, the retainer first leg 60 has a retainer first leg surface 60d that is spherical or conical and engages the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b, supporting the fuel injector retention flange 58. The retainer first leg surface 60d is located radially outward from the first retainer recess 60c relative to the fuel distribution stem axis 36. Similarly, the retainer second leg 62 has a retainer second leg surface 62d, the retainer second leg surface 62d being spherical or conical and engaging the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b to support the fuel injector retention flange 58. It should be noted that if the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b is conical, the retainer first leg surface 60da and the retainer second leg surface 62d are spherical, respectively, and if the retainer first leg surface 60d and the retainer second leg surface 62d are conical, the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b is spherical. However, if the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b is spherical, the retainer first leg surface 60d and the retainer second leg surface 62d may also be spherical. In this manner, the fuel injector 22 may be angularly misaligned with the fuel distribution stem axis 36 while the fuel injector retention flange lower surface 58b maintains contact with both the retainer first leg 60 and the retainer second leg 62. The retainer second leg surface 62d is located radially outward from the second retainer groove 62c relative to the fuel distribution stem axis 36.

To assemble the fuel injector 22 to the fuel distribution stem 26, the fuel injector upper housing 54 is inserted into the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 by translation along the fuel distribution stem axis 36, as indicated by arrow 66 in FIG. 4. It should be noted that the retainer 45 may be placed around the fuel injector upper housing 54 prior to inserting the fuel injector upper housing 54 into the fuel distribution stem interior 34, as shown in FIG. 4, or alternatively may be placed around the fuel injector housing after the fuel injector upper housing 54 is inserted into the fuel distribution stem interior 34. After the fuel injector upper housing 54 is inserted into the fuel distribution stem internal space 34, and after the retainer 45 is placed around the fuel injector upper housing 54, the retainer 45 is elastically deformed from its original form as shown in fig. 11 by applying a force in the direction of arrow 68 to the retainer first leg 60 and the retainer second leg 62, as shown in fig. 7 and 12. Next, as indicated by arrow 70 in fig. 7, the retainer 45 translates along the fuel distribution stem axis 36, and when the first and second retainer lobes 60a, 62a are aligned with the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e, respectively, the force that elastically deforms the retainer 45 is removed, allowing the retainer 45 to return to its original shape, thereby causing the first and second retainer lobes 60a, 62 e to snap into the fuel retainer retaining groove first portion 52d and the fuel retainer retaining groove second portion 52e, respectively. Disassembly is simply the reverse of the assembly process. That is, by applying a force in the direction of arrow 68, the retainer 45 is elastically deformed as shown in fig. 7 and 12, thereby completely removing the first and second retainer flaps 60a and 62a from the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52 e. Next, as indicated by arrow 72, retainer 45 translates along fuel rail seat axis 36. After the retainer 45 is removed from the fuel distribution stem interior space 34, the force for elastically deforming the retainer 45 may be removed, allowing the retainer 45 to spring back to its original form. Now, the fuel injector upper housing 54 may be removed from the fuel distribution stem interior space 34 to translate along the fuel distribution stem axis 36 in a direction opposite to arrow 66 in FIG. 4.

As described above, the fuel injector retention arrangement 30 uses the retainer 45 and provides for convenient assembly along the fuel distribution stem axis 36, where the retainer 45 is a unitary component that is simple and economical to manufacture and use. In addition, the retainer 45 snapped into the fuel distribution stem retaining groove first portion 52d and the fuel distribution stem retaining groove second portion 52e provides secure retention of the fuel injector 22, as well as providing inherent retention of the retainer 45, such that no additional features are required to prevent inadvertent disassembly, translation, or rotation of the retainer 45. Further, the fuel injector retention arrangement 30 may allow for shortening of the fuel distribution stem 26 in the direction of the fuel distribution stem axis 36, which facilitates packaging.

While the present invention has been described in accordance with its preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, but rather only by the scope of the claims set forth below.