Abstract: A fuel injection system is provided for use in an internal combustion engine, where the engine includes at least one cylinder head cover. The fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector assembly that is inserted into an inlet in the cylinder head cover. The fuel injector assembly includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that extends through the inlet of the cylinder head cover, where at least part of the lower body portion is comprised of a low radiant heat absorbent material having a high radiant heat reflectance color for reflecting radiant heat away from the fuel injector assembly during engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for producing thin film alloy by a sputtering deposition process comprising using a crescent-shaped aperture interposed between the target and substrate of a sputtering deposition system.

Abstract: A split-body deactivation valve lifter for use in an internal combustion engine includes a lower body having a substantially cylindrical base and an elongate column extending in an axial direction a predetermined distance above the base. The base is associated with a cam of the internal combustion engine and converts rotary motion of the cam to linear motion of the lower body. A substantially cylindrical upper body defines an axial column bore therein. A portion of the elongate column of the lower body is slidably disposed within the column bore. The upper body is associated with a valve of the internal combustion engine. The upper body is normally coupled to the elongate column of the lower body to thereby transfer vertical movement of the lower body to vertical movement of the upper body. The upper body is selectively decoupled from the lower body such that a lost motion spring prevents movement of one of the bodies from being transferred to movement of the other body.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve needle slidable within a bore, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to the fuel pressure within a control chamber and an electromagnetically actuable control valve controlling communication between the control chamber and a low pressure chamber. The injector also comprises a damping arrangement arranged to damp pressure waves applied to the low pressure chamber.

Abstract: An engine fuel injector (10) having a fuel inlet tube (12) and a biasing spring (56) loading a solenoid actuated injection valve (50) within the injector (10) is provided with a calibration assembly (58) combining the calibration member (74) or tube with an internally mounted fuel inlet filter (76). The calibration member (74) may include a body (78) with an enlarged end (88) that is interference fitted within the fuel inlet tube (12) and an opposite stepped in end (80) forming a seat (82) which is engaged by the biasing spring (56). The fuel filter (76) has an enlarged annular base (92) fixed within the enlarged end (88) of the calibration member (74) and having an associated filter screen (98) or element through which fuel passing through the calibration member is filtered for passage through the injector (10).

Abstract: A roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side and a second side. A first end and a second end interconnect and space apart the first and second sides. The first and second sides define a first and second pin orifice, respectively. A roller is disposed between the first and second sides intermediate the first and second ends of the body. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate shaft extends transversely through the shaft orifice and has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The first shaft end is disposed proximate the first side and the second shaft end is disposed proximate the second side. The first shaft end defines a pin chamber therein, the second shaft end defines a shaft bore therein. The shaft bore is concentric with and intersects the pin chamber. A locking pin assembly is disposed within each of the shaft bore, the pin chamber, and at least one of the pin orifices.

Abstract: A deactivation roller finger follower for use with an internal combustion engine includes an elongate body. The body has a valve pallet end and a socket. The pallet end is configured for engaging a valve stem of the internal combustion engine. The socket is configured for engaging a hydraulic lash adjuster of the internal combustion engine. The body defines a roller aperture. A roller is disposed within the roller aperture. The roller is configured for engaging a cam lobe of the internal combustion engine. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate shaft extends transversely through the shaft orifice. In a default operating position, the shaft is coupled to the body to thereby transfer rotary motion of the cam to pivotal movement of the body about the hydraulic lash adjuster. The shaft is selectively decoupled from the body such that the rotary motion of the cam is not transferred to pivotal movement of the body.

Abstract: A modular vane cam phaser assembly for controllably and continuously varying the rotational phase between a camshaft and the crankshaft of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The module includes a housing mountable to the front of an engine head, the housing supporting on an outer surface thereof a programmably-controllable spool valve for directing pressurized oil to an oil commutator extending into both the housing and a vane phaser wherein a rotor is bolted to the camshaft and a stator is bolted to a timing sprocket. The oil is distributed by the spool valve to opposite sides of the rotor vanes in response to signals generated by an induction cam rotation sensor and by other engine components and processed by a powertrain control module to advance or retard the opening of intake and/or exhaust valves in the engine. The housing is provided with internal passages for supplying oil from an engine port to the spool valve. Preferably, the oil is filtered by a thimble screen as it enters the housing.

Abstract: A method and system for producing thin film alloy by a sputtering deposition process comprising using a circle-shaped aperture interposed between the target and substrate of a sputtering deposition system and establishing a rotating/oscillating relationship between the substrate and the aperture.

Abstract: Retention of a roller follower shaft in a follower body is provided by keyed ends formed by flats on the shaft with which a follower roller forms an assembly, together with additional bearings if needed. Slots are provided extending from shaft bore openings through spaced arms of the body to distal ends of the arms. The roller follower assembly is inserted in a pocket between the arms by sliding the keyed ends of the shaft through the slots of the arms to axially align the shaft with the shaft openings. The shaft is then turned about 90 degrees in the openings in which a slight interference fit retains the shaft against lateral motion.

Abstract: A spring clip assembly for connecting a fuel injector to a fuel rail in an internal combustion engine comprises a substantially circular ring having a circumferential outer surface, to which are attached a first and a second plurality of elongate fingers. The first plurality of elongate fingers extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the ring and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to a fuel injector. The second plurality of elongate fingers extends in a second, opposite axial direction and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to the fuel rail. The spring clip assembly further comprises spring means held proximate a surface of the ring by either the first plurality or the second plurality of elongate fingers. The spring means provides a compressive load between the fuel injector and the fuel rail.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser wherein a coil spring under torsional compression or extension is disposed coaxially within an annular cavity formed in either the cover plate or back plate. A first end of the spring is connected to the cover plate or back plate, and a second end extends from the cavity and is connected to the phaser rotor. The spring constant is selected such that a biasing torque is exerted on the rotor in the valve-opening-advancing direction which counters the inherent valve-opening-retarding torque bias of the camshaft during operation. The bias spring permits more rapid response to a demand on the cam phaser for advancing valve timing, and is also useful in orienting the camshaft advantageously, especially an exhaust valve camshaft, in a timing-advanced position when the engine is shut off or operating at low engine speed.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine includes a continuous endoskeletal injector tube enclosing an imperforate continuous passage for fuel flow from an inlet end to an outlet end of the tube. A valve seat, injection valve, tubular magnetic pole, biasing spring and adjusting sleeve are mounted within the tube, optionally with other elements, all being exposed to fuel in the passage defined by the tube. A solenoid coil and a magnetic body together with mounting components and seals are mounted on the exterior of the tube where they are protected from exposure to the fuel, which is restricted to passage within the continuous tube. The body, pole and armature form a magnetic flux concentrating path operative to attract the armature to the pole and open the valve when the coil is energized. The solenoid coil may be preassembled with its connector in a body forming a separate coil assembly for subsequent installation on the injector tube.

Abstract: A multiple-bore throttle valve wherein the valve shaft is restrained from end play at a point between two of the flow bores. A passageway in the valve body between the flow bores intersects the valve shaft bore non-diametrically. The valve shaft has a circumferential groove at the point of intersection. A pin pressed into both the passageway and the groove axially restrains the shaft at that location. Since thermal expansion or contraction of the shaft in its axial direction can proceed only from the point of restraint, a dual-bore valve in accordance with the invention exhibits length changes in each bore equivalent to that of a single bore valve, which is less than half the shaft length change exhibited in at least one bore of a prior art dual-bore throttle valve. Similarly, a triple-bore valve exhibits expansion comparable to individual prior art single-bore and dual-bore valves, and a quadruple-bore valve exhibits expansion comparable to a prior art dual-bore valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster is provided for interfacing between a piezoelectric element and a control valve in a piezoelectric actuated fuel injector. The hydraulic lash adjuster includes an inner plunger having an axial passage for storing a working fluid therein, and an outer body having a socket dimensioned to receive the inner plunger. The inner plunger is movably coupled into the socket of the outer body so as to form a working chamber between a bottom outer surface of the inner plunger and a bottom surface of the socket in the outer body. The hydraulic lash adjuster further includes a feed valve assembly disposed in the passage of the inner plunger for providing the working fluid from the passage to the working chamber, thereby minimizing the volume of the working chamber.

Abstract: An intake manifold assembly includes an improved air intake manifold receiving novel side feed fuel injectors. A fuel rail is integrated as a common part defining a common fuel passage integral with the air intake manifold. The common fuel passage supplies the side feed fuel injectors through openings that are spaced away from the injector nozzles toward an opposite connector end of each injector. The injector design concentrates an actuating coil, armature and nozzle valve in a lower or nozzle end of the injector. The fuel is fed from the side feed opening through an axially centered fuel passage that extends through the coil and the associated armature to the injection valve in a manner identical to corresponding top feed injectors. Thus, the performance advantages of top feed injection systems are provided while gaining the reduction in cost attributable to elimination of the separate fuel rail and subassembly. Various arrangements are disclosed for retaining the injectors in the manifold assembly.

Abstract: A spud assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a flange tower adapted to be at least partially disposed in a fill spout of a fuel tank. The spud assembly also includes a bead flange extending from the flange tower for engagement with a tank filler neck tube to retain the tank filler neck tube thereto. The spud assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the flange tower to allow fuel to enter the fuel tank from the tank filler neck tube and prevent fuel from exiting the fuel tank to the tank filler neck tube.

Abstract: A two-headed force-balanced poppet valve assembly wherein the spacing of the valve heads along the pintle shaft is directed by the spacing between the valve seats during assembly and wherein at least one of the valve heads is compliantly mounted on the pintle shaft. The valve body has a central chamber separating first and second valves disposed at opposite ends of the chamber for ingress an/or egress of gas or liquid, one of the valves opening into the chamber and the other valve opening out of the chamber. Axial motion of the pintle shaft causes the valves to be opened or closed simultaneously. One of the valve heads is fixed to the pintle shaft and the other valve head is axially slidable on the shaft and is retained thereon by swaging of the shaft. A compression spring is compressedly retained on the shaft inboard of the slidable head to continuously urge the head against the swage, thereby preventing the head from sliding inwardly along the shaft during valve actuation.

Abstract: A poppet valve wherein centering of the valve stem and head and mating of the valve head to the valve seat are compliantly directed by contact with the valve seat. The poppet valve employs an integral radially-floating valve stem sealing guide or bearing in the valve body, permitting lateral compliant movement of the valve stem as required. The guide also is configured to form a face seal against the valve body, thus permitting the face seal and a valve actuator solenoid to be biased by separate, independent springs, each of which may be optimized for its particular function. Further, the valve head is tiltably and sealably disposed upon the valve stem to permit the valve head to be guided and oriented into the valve seat by contact with the seat itself.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a nozzle body provided with a first bore and defining a first seating, a valve member engageable with the first seating to control fuel flow from the first bore towards an outlet opening located downstream of the first seating, the valve member being provided with a second bore defining a second seating. A valve needle is slidable within the second bore and is engageable with the second seating to control fuel flow from the second bore towards a second outlet opening provided in the valve member. The fuel injector also includes a transmission arrangement whereby movement of the valve needle beyond a predetermined position is transmitted to the valve member.