Abstract: Multi-laminar bite registration devices are fabricated from ethylene vinyl acetate. Injection molding is used to bond one lamina to another without the use of separate adhesive. The lamina have different durometers. In one embodiment, two relatively low durometer lamina are injection molded onto opposite surfaces of a relatively higher durometer lamina. In another, a relatively lower durometer lamina is injection molded onto a relatively higher durometer lamina.

Abstract: An improvement in fuel flow through orifices of a thin disc orifice member is obtained by incorporating a radially inwardly open undercut in the seat member below the frustoconical seating surface and above the thin disc orifice member. The undercut provides a space that allows a fuel recirculation zone to be displaced further radially outwardly so that it poses less of an obstruction to flow toward the orifice.

Abstract: In a high pressure fuel injector 10, 56 for direct injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine, the armature 28, 54 has a hub member 70 connected by means of spokes 40, 82 to a concentric ring member 42. This construction reduces the amount of magnetic material in the armature hence reduces magnetic losses and speeds up the actuation times. Spaces between the spokes allow for the passage of fluid from one side of the armature to the other during actuation.

Abstract: A top-feed electrically controlled fuel injector includes a filter cartridge disposed in a fuel inlet tube for filtering particulate material larger than a certain size from the fuel that passes into the interior of the fuel injector. In one embodiment, the filter cartridge is press-fit on a shoulder at an axially outer end of an adjusting tube which is telescopically engaged with the inlet tube and axially fixed thereto after adjustment. The filter cartridge is preferably generally tubular in shape, having an imperforate axially outer end, an inner end fitted onto the adjusting tube, and frame sidewalls supporting a fine mesh screen, such that an annular space through which fuel is constrained to flow is formed between the filter cartridge and the inlet tube, with a well at a closed axially inner end of the annular space for collecting particulate material which has been filtered out of the fuel.

Abstract: An unencapsulated bobbin-mounted coil is associated with a stator wherein the stator, in cooperation with other parts of a mold, define a mold cavity. Encapsulating material is injected through gates in one of the other mold parts into the defined mold cavity to encapsulate the coil and bobbin in their entirety, including attachments of the finish lead ends of the coil wire to bobbin-mounted electrical terminals that extend axially away from the bobbin and coil, except for distal end portions of the terminals. The process simultaneously joins the encapsulated coil and bobbin with the stator.

Abstract: Audible noise emission from a solenoid-operated fuel injector is reduced by providing a groove around the armature spaced from the end of the armature that impacts the end to the pole piece/fuel inlet tube so as to leave a radial flange at the end of the armature. In one form of the invention, the groove extends around the outside diameter of the armature. In another form, the groove extends around the inside diameter of the armature. The groove is located and sized to optimize energy absorption during impact of the armature against the pole fuel inlet tube piece.

Abstract: The fan blades have a particular geometry that combines high efficiency, low axial profile, and low noise in an axial flow fan. The fan also comprises a circular outer band that coacts with a surrounding shroud structure to form a labyrinth air seal. The shroud structure comprises two parts that cooperatively define a radially inwardly open groove within which a flange of the fan band is received to form the labyrinth seal.

Abstract: The fuel pressure regulator is disposed in an off-engine mounting that is fastened to a wall of the engine compartment. The mounting is a body of synthetic material having a socket within which the fuel pressure regulator is disposed. Nipples for fluid-connecting flexible fuel conduits to the body are integral formations of the body. Protective walls that are also integral formations of the body circumferentially surround the nipples. Levers are pivotally connected with the protective walls, and when operated to force-applying positions, they pinch the sides of the conduits against the nipples.

Abstract: A length of wire is toroidally wound, and then the toroid is encapsulated and cut in two along a plane that is perpendicular to the toroidal axis. The resulting portions are used as stator and/or armature of a solenoid, and in the solenoid the cut face of each forms one side of the solenoid's working gap so that the faces move toward and away from each other as the solenoid operates.

Abstract: A press metering device enables internal flow measurements to be made while press fitting components together. The press metering device comprises a press means for press fitting the components and a manifold for controlling flow path dimensions during the press fitting. The manifold has a first upper port and a second upper port for apportioning flow into a differential air flow gauge and metering the flow. A bottom port holds the components to be press fitted and may be sealed to the manifold by one or more o-rings.

Abstract: Each swirl passages of the needle guide and fuel swirl member of a fuel injector has a longer and wider entrance portion and a shorter and narrower exit portion to allow only the latter portion, not the former portion, to perform a metering function. Production of swirl passages is facilitated and more consistent metering results.

Abstract: Keys on legs of a U-shaped stator are in keyed engagement with keyways on diametrically opposite sides of the O.D. of the sidewall of a valve seat member to axially and circumferentially locate the seat member.

Abstract: An attachment clip for connecting a top-feed fuel injector to a socket on a fuel rail has a cylindrical wall that is coaxial with the fuel inlet tube of the injector and contains a pattern of circumferentially spaced apertures. At each aperture there is at least one catch that extends from the margin of a circumferentially extending edge of the aperture radially inwardly and axially toward the fuel injector body to terminate at a distal end that is axially within the axial span of the aperture. The circumferential span of each catch is less than that of the aperture. As the fuel inlet tube is pushed into the socket, the catches are resiliently flexed by engagement with the socket rim until the distal ends of the catches clear a lip extending around the outside of the rim at which point they relax to lodge behind the lip thereby attaching the fuel injector to the socket.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to align, burnish, and secure an upper needle guide for a fuel injector valve body. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a fixture containing a spring-loaded plunger and a spring-loaded centering pin, and an upper portion having a burnishing tool, a spring-loaded stripper, and a crimping ram. The fixture aligns the needle guide and the valve body, and as the two portions are operated closed, the inside diameter of the upper needle guide is first burnished, and then the valve body is crimped onto the needle guide. The stripper holds the crimped parts against the lower portion of the apparatus while the upper and lower portions are operated open to withdraw the burnishing tool from the inside diameter of the needle guide.

Abstract: An inexpensive, efficient seal member having a tubular housing member that can be integral to or attached to a frame of a motor to form a ring seal around the shaft of the motor prior to mating the shaft with a pump or other driven device. The flexible elastomer washer member is located in a pocket at the end of the housing. The inner diameter of the flexible elastomer washer member is smaller than the shaft diameter. The thickness of the flexible elastomer washer member is larger than the depth of the pocket and is held in the pocket by a resilient retaining member having a plurality of tangs forming an interference fit with the walls of the housing. Next, the shaft is slidably extended through the flexible elastomer washer member forming the ring seal.

Abstract: A small axial lost motion connection between an armature disk and a needle valve allows armature disk to snub rebound of needle valve upon impacting a valve seat.

Abstract: The tank/canister volume's integrity against unacceptable leakage is either confirmed or denied by a diagnostic test performed by an on-board diagnostic system which includes an electrically operated air pump and tank-mounted analog pressure transducer. At the beginning of a test, the engine management computer closes the canister purge solenoid valve and operates the pump to begin pressurization of the tank/canister volume. The pumped air is introduced via the canister's atmospheric vent port so that the pressurizing air is entrained with fuel vapors previously collected in, but not yet purged from, the canister. Failure to build to a predetermined pressure within a predetermined time indicates a gross leak. Upon attainment of the predetermined pressure, the pump is shut off. If the pressure drops by more than a certain amount during the test, integrity is denied. If not, integrity is confirmed.

Abstract: Nozzle structures for fuel injectors are fabricated from silicon wafers assembled together to accurately control valve lift so that a separate step of setting valve lift is unnecessary. Sealing surfaces are P+ silicon.

Abstract: The vacuum control port at the control chamber of a fuel pressure regulator is an injection molded plastic member that can be formed with an angle. A flange is provided as a seating surface for an annular seal ring. The member extends into a tube formed in the regulator control chamber and is secured thereto.

Abstract: An accelerator control apparatus for mounting in a motor vehicle for a "drive-by-wire" system. The apparatus provides a bias spring means to generate the "feel" of an accelerator pedal to the vehicle operator, a compression spring means provides frictional forces preventing extraneous pedal actuation and pedal sensor switch means for indicating the rotation position of the accelerator pedal from a first or normal position to any second position.