Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel injection system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-02-20
Argenbright, Tony M. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel injection system
C123S19800E, C439S271000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines. More particularly, this invention relates to deflectors for fuel injectors in a diesel engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many diesel engines have hydraulically activated and electronically controlled fuel injection systems. In these systems, a microprocessor sends a control signal to trigger electric current pulses to the fuel injectors. At the start of an injection cycle, the electric current pulse energizes a solenoid to operate a valve in the fuel injector. The valve opens an hydraulic conduit letting high-pressure hydraulic fluid operate an intensifier piston. Operation of the intensifier piston causes the injector to inject fuel into the cylinder.
At the end of the injection cycle, the microprocessor stops the electric current pulse. As the solenoid de-energizes, the valve returns to its position at the start of the cycle. This action enables the valve to open the drain on the fuel injector, thus draining hydraulic fluid out of the injector. The loss of hydraulic fluid enables the intensifier piston to return to its position at the start of the cycle.
When hydraulic fluid is released by the fuel injector, the fluid drains out of a drain on the side of the injector. The “spring back” of the intensifier piston causes hydraulic fluid to spray or spurt out of the drain. If not deflected upon its exit from the injector, the hydraulic fluid will turn into a mist. The misted hydraulic fluid will mix with air and vent outside the engine.
To prevent misting of hydraulic fluid from the fuel injector, deflectors are mounted on or near the fuel injectors. Some designs bolt a deflector onto the injector or other part of the engine. Other designs provide a series of connected deflectors or a deflector rail similarly bolted to the fuel injectors or engine. Both designs take excessive space, increase the weight of the engine, and are costly to make and install. Also, none of these designs attaches to or supports an electrical wiring harness for fuel injectors.
Generally, wires for transmitting electrical pulses to the fuel injectors are grouped to form a single wiring harness. When installed, the harness lays atop and aside the injectors underneath the valve cover. In these positions, the wires may be damaged or otherwise may not work properly for the life of the engine. The harness connects the wires through the engine's valve cover to an electric pulse generator and microprocessor outside the engine.
Accordingly, there is a need for a hydraulic deflector with a smaller size and with the capability to support the wiring harness away from the fuel injectors in an internal combustion engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides deflector clip having a clip portion and a deflector portion. The clip portion has a clip body forming a fixed arm and an adjustable arm. The clip body and arms define a slot for mounting the deflector clip on a fuel injector. The clip portion also has a back brace integrally joined to the clip body. The back brace couples with a top support, which is axially connected to the fixed arm. The back brace also couples with a bottom support, which is essentially parallel to the adjustable arm. The bottom support and the adjustable arm separate to form an adjustment aperture.
The deflector portion has a deflector cavity defined by a flat side, tapered side, top and nose. The back and bottom remain open. When the deflector clip is mounted on a fuel injector, the deflector portion is disposed adjacent to the drain of the fuel injector. In this position, the deflector portion deflects hydraulic fluid draining from the fuel injector into a designated place in the engine.
The deflector portion attaches to the clip portion via a bridge element. The bridge element has a full gusset and a half gusset to strengthen and stabilize the connection.
The deflector clip is designed to fit any fuel injector having tolerances within the tolerance range for fuel injectors on the engine. When the adjustable arm is not flexed, the distance between the fixed arm and the adjustable is the minimum tolerance for the fuel injector. When the adjustable arm is fully flexed, the distance between the fixed arm and the adjustable arm is the maximum distance for the fuel injector. Accordingly, the deflector clip avoids problems from deflector clips not fitting some fuel injectors and deflector clips fitting some fuel injectors too loosely.
In another embodiment, several deflector clips are arranged in a deflector clip assembly having a wiring harness for the fuel injectors. The wiring harness may be a standard or compression brake wiring harness for the fuel injection system. Each deflector clip is attached using a tie band.
In addition, the electrical connector plug in each wiring harness may use a sealing plug pin to seal pin holes. The compression brake harness may have a bracket on compression brake wire extension to support and guide the wire around the fuel injector.
The following drawings and description set forth additional advantages and benefits of the invention. More advantages and benefits are obvious from the description and may be learned by practice of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4950171 (1990-08-01), Muzslay
patent: 4953801 (1990-09-01), Polawa
patent: 4974798 (1990-12-01), Harding et al.
patent: 5060625 (1991-10-01), Bruning
patent: 5142744 (1992-09-01), Bruning
patent: 5238415 (1993-08-01), Bittner et al.
patent: 5607315 (1997-03-01), Bonnah II, et al.
patent: 5642704 (1998-07-01), Gogots et al.
patent: 5828009 (1998-10-01), James et al.
Dzierzawski Radoslawk
Esbrook David S.
Argenbright Tony M.
Calfa Jeffrey P.
Hernandez Gilberto
Kelly-Sullivan Dennis
Navistar International Transporation Corp
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