Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel injection system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-03-27
Moulis, Thomas N. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel injection system
C123S467000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205979
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to fuel rails for the fuel system of an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to dampers located within the fuel rails.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A fuel rail supplies fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors that inject the fuel into the corresponding combustion chambers of the engine. Electromagnetic fuel injectors deliver fuel to the engine in metered pulses which are appropriately timed to the engine operation. The sequential energization of the fuel injectors induces pressure pulsations within the fuel rail that create various problems, including improper fuel distribution to the injectors, which can adversely affect tailpipe emissions and driveability, and fuel line hammering which results in vibration and audible noise.
It is known to utilize a damper inside the fuel rail to effectively minimize or dampen the pressure pulsations created by the fuel injectors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,827 issued Apr. 8, 1997 discloses such a damper. Two shell halves are welded together to form a damper having a sealed airspace disposed between two compliant side walls. The peripheral weld seals the airspace. The damper is positioned and held within the fuel rail using two damper supports. One of the supports is keyed and corresponds to a positioner in the circumference of the fuel rail to prevent rotation of the damper. These support structures are often difficult and expensive to make due to the intricate slots, grooves and keys required to receive the damper and maintain proper positioning. Also, the fuel rail itself must be specially designed to accommodate the support structures and damper. This may lead to larger fuel rails than are otherwise needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a simple and inexpensive fuel rail assembly with a damper having an improved seal. The invention also provides an improved method for locating the damper inside the fuel rail.
More specifically, the invention provides a fuel rail assembly comprising a fuel rail and a damper assembly in the fuel rail. The damper assembly includes a damper having an end and an inner surface defining a cavity, and a sealing member at least partially received in the end and bonded to the inner surface to substantially seal the cavity. The sealing member is preferably a metal wire that includes a sealing portion bonded to the inner surface to substantially seal the cavity. The bond is preferably formed by induction brazing, and the sealing member is coated with copper to facilitate the brazing.
The invention also provides a fuel rail assembly comprising a fuel rail having a longitudinal axis and an inner wall. A damper assembly in the fuel rail includes a damper, and a spring locator coupled with the damper, the spring locator having two positioning portions outwardly biased to engage the inner wall of the fuel rail and position the damper assembly axially in the fuel rail. The spring locator is preferably a metal wire.
Most preferably, the sealing member and the spring locator are the same device that both seals the damper and locates the damper assembly inside the fuel rail.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1058572 (1913-04-01), Finlay
patent: 2599325 (1952-06-01), Fritzberg
patent: 3227147 (1966-01-01), Gossiaux
patent: 4056679 (1977-11-01), Brandt et al.
patent: 4295452 (1981-10-01), Lembke et al.
patent: 4649884 (1987-03-01), Tuckey
patent: 4651781 (1987-03-01), Kandelman
patent: 4660524 (1987-04-01), Bertsch et al.
patent: 5024198 (1991-06-01), Usui
patent: 5058627 (1991-10-01), Brannen
patent: 5374169 (1994-12-01), Talaski
patent: 5505181 (1996-04-01), McRae et al.
patent: 5538043 (1996-07-01), Salazar
patent: 5570762 (1996-11-01), Jentsch et al.
patent: 5575262 (1996-11-01), Rohde
patent: 5607035 (1997-03-01), Fulks et al.
patent: 5617827 (1997-04-01), Eshleman et al.
patent: 5620172 (1997-04-01), Fulks et al.
patent: 5687958 (1997-11-01), Renz et al.
patent: 5845621 (1998-12-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 5894861 (1999-04-01), Lorraine
patent: 5896843 (1999-04-01), Lorraine
Grabowski Kevin A.
Harvey William T.
Jahr Kenneth O.
Rossi Paul L.
Schwegler Helmut G.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Moulis Thomas N.
Robert Bosch Corporation
LandOfFree
Spring locator for damping device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Spring locator for damping device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spring locator for damping device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2510243