Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing comprehensive, community-based and related support services to chronically ill patients and their caregivers. The system and method create a computer network based support system that centralizes the biopsychosocial treatment of the chronically ill patient within the patient's or caregiver's home. The system and method provide the patient and caregiver with all the necessary resources, support services and support networking to conduct this treatment. The system and method allow chronically ill people to make comprehensive lifestyle changes to enhance their quality of life and reduce the depression and anxiety that is created by having such a debilitating chronic illness.

Abstract: The base of a fuel injector has a plurality of radially opening recesses that receive the ends of injection tubes, the end of each tube is flared and surrounded by an O-ring that seals the tube in its recess, each tube is surrounded by a sleeve that supports the tube in its recess, and a retainer clip is secured over the injector base and has spring fingers that embrace the tubes and bias the sleeves to retain the ends of the tubes in their recesses.

Abstract: A fuel line receiver has a fuel passage terminating in an enlarged region. A retainer ring secures an O-ring in the enlarged region. The tip of a fuel line is curled to facilitate insertion through the retainer ring and the O-ring into the fuel passage. The O-ring sealingly engages the fuel line and the peripheral wall, and the tip of the fuel line is supported by the fuel passage and the retainer ring. A flange on the fuel line is engaged by a nut or a clip to hold the tip of the fuel line in the fuel passage.

Abstract: A valve obstructs flow of fuel vapor to an engine induction passage both when the engine is not operating and when the engine is operating with a closed throttle, and varies flow of fuel vapor to the induction passage when the engine is operating with an open throttle.

Abstract: A fuel connector has a projection with a threaded external surface that mates with the threaded internal surface of a fuel injection valve fitting, and also has a sleeve surrounding the fitting. An O-ring engages the internal surface of the sleeve and the external surface of the fitting and allows the valve to be rotated relative to the connector without breaking the sealing engagement between the valve and the connector.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister has inner and outer covers that define a labyrinth through which the purge air flow is directed. The labyrinth inhibits ingestion of water and dirt as purge air is drawn into the canister.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator has a multi-faceted extruded base that allows the outlet from the pressure regulator to be oriented in any of six different directions. A fuel body has a projecting snout and a fuel passage extending through the snout, and the inlet to the pressure regulator plugs directly onto the snout; the fuel passage thereby supplies fuel to the pressure regulator, and the pressure regulator thereby maintains the desired fuel pressure in the passage.

Abstract: A pressure regulator base has a rim staked over the flange of a pressure regulator cover, and a compression ring concentrates the clamping effort of the cover on a circular area of the pressure regulator diaphragm sealing region.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly has a pair of fuel rail bodies each of which has a bore extending parallel to the fuel supply passage. Each bore has a plug dividing the bore into inlet and discharge regions. The inlet regions are interconnected by an inlet crossover tube, and each inlet region opens to its associated supply passage through a window and a restriction at one end of the associated fuel rail body to balance fuel flow to the supply passages. At the other end of each fuel rail body, a cross bore extends through the discharge region to the supply passage, and discharge tubes received in the cross bores discharge fuel from the supply passages to a pressure regulator.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly supports injectors for delivering fuel to an engine and includes a pressure regulator to establish the pressure of the fuel supplied to the injectors. The fuel rail body and the pressure regulator base are fabricated from sheet metal, and the pressure regulator base is secured directly to the fuel rail body.

Abstract: A compact central fuel rail supports injectors which deliver fuel to both banks of a V-engine. THe fuel rail is extruded with both fuel supply and fuel return passages, a single circular plug provides a closure for the associated ends of the passages, and a plug in the return passage limits interconnection of the passages.

Abstract: A fuel rail supporting injectors for delivering fuel to an engine has fuel supply and fuel return passages interconnected through a recess in a plug at each end of the fuel rail. The recesses are calibrated to direct the proper proportion of the fuel past the injectors. The fuel supply passage is configured to allow separation of fuel vapor from the liquid fuel received by the injector and to conform to the shape of the plug and the fuel return passage.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly for a V engine has a pair of fuel rails connected by crossover and discharge conduits. The crossover and discharge conduits are secured to the fuel rails in a manner which permits relative motion between the fuel rails without loss of fuel from the fuel rail-conduit intersection.

Abstract: A fuel supply member surrounds the perimeter of a pressure regulator diaphragm and sealingly engages the pressure regulator base and the pressure regulator cover to completely enclose the perimeter of the diaphragm in the fuel supply system.

Abstract: A clip received in a groove about an engine fuel injector and rotated into grooves in a fuel rail body secures the injector in its socket in the fuel rail body.

Abstract: To measure the mass air flow in the induction passage of an engine, a small venturi located centrally in the passage serves as an air sampling tube. A slotted aperture in the wall of the tube at the venturi throat allows a hot film sensor to extend into the venturi throat from a support such as a printed circuit board mounted outside the venturi. The film sensor is in the form of a loop supported only at its ends on the support. The loop comprises a substrate of flexible insulating film material coated with an electrical resistance layer forming the active element of the sensor. The loop has a major dimension extending arcuately and transversely of the air flow through the venturi and a minor dimension extending parallel to the air flow.

Abstract: The fuel supplied to an injector is maintained at substantially constant pressure by a fuel pressure regulator which balances the fuel pressure with the bias of a coil spring. To establish the desired pressure, a spring housing is deformed to move a spring seat to the position which causes the spring to exert the required bias. The spring seat is connected to the diaphragm by a tie rod which simplifies assembly of the pressure regulator. Slits in the outer portion of the diaphragm allow separation of the diaphragm along an arcuate line while maintaining a continuous peripheral seal about the pressure regulator.