Abstract: A filter assembly employs radial interference between the received portion of a filter cartridge housing and the receptacle of a base. Radial interference occurs between a tapered end cap of the filter cartridge and a substantially cylindrical inside surface of the base receptacle. The filter cartridge end cap is tapered such that the interference increases as the cartridge is urged into the receptacle by a retaining collar. The tight fit improves resistance to vibration and shock applied to the filter assembly. Metal to metal contact at the interference points also provides a reliable electrical contact between the base and the cartridge to prevent accumulation static charges in the cartridge.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs inward and outward radially displaced portions of a peripheral shoulder on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility matrix. Alternative base assemblies include mounting structures complementary to the configuration of the peripheral shoulder to exclude incompatible cartridges. The peripheral shoulder is preferably a roll seam connecting first and second sections of the filter housing. The invention further contemplates a pattern of radial protrusions from a portion of the cartridge housing received in a base receptacle as part of a cartridge compatibility matrix. The base receptacle is configured to receive only those cartridges having a compatible pattern of radial protrusions.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs radially inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of a peripheral roll seam on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility matrix. A base defines an axial entrance to a fixed retainer that is complementary to the compatibility matrix of the cartridge roll seam. Axial slots accommodate the outwardly displaced portions of the roll seam while inward protrusions correspond to the location and inward displacement of the inwardly displaced segments of the roll seam. Incompatible filter cartridges are prevented from axial reception into the base. The number, configuration and location of inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of the roll seam may be varied to provide a variety of unique compatibility matrices.

Abstract: A pump (10) of high pressure direct injection fuel supply system is connected to the engine through a magnetic clutch which includes a motorizing function. The magnetic clutch comprises rotating electromagnetic coils (20) attached to and driven by the engine and rotating permanent magnets (34) attached to and driving the pump. The slippage of the clutch is controlled by the on-off cycle of electrical power which is simultaneously supplied to all of the electromagnetic coils and may be responsive to the pressure in the fuel injections rail. The clutch may be operated as an electrical motor by sequentially activating the electromagnetic coils for the purpose of providing fuel pressure even prior to rotation or cranking of the engine. An isolation barrier hermetically seals the fuel injection pump from the engine.

Abstract: A pump, for supplying high pressure fuel from a fuel tank to an engine via a common rail, includes a motor assembly (20) mounted on top of the fuel tank, a pump assembly (26) positioned within the fuel tank, and a support column (32) rotatably connecting the motor assembly to the pump assembly. A high pressure pump sub-assembly (46) includes a pump body (48) having a drive bore (50) and multiple plunger bores (60) formed therein. The external profile of a drive member (58) which is rotatable within the drive bore engages the radially inner end of pumping plungers (62) disposed in each of the plunger bores for a portion of each revolution to reciprocally move the plungers between radially inner and outer limit positions. Reciprocation towards the inner limit position induces a low pressure in the radially outer end of the plunger bore, thereby drawing fuel via the drive bore without the aid of a low pressure pump.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use with a base to create a filter assembly. The filter cartridge includes a seal to establish a fluid flow within the filter assembly and a resilient bias member to bias the filter cartridge away from the base. The resilient bias member in cooperation with a fastening mechanism secures the filter cartridge to the base.

Abstract: A key track system for a filter base module comprises a ring-shaped fixture including a series of perforations, each perforation at least partially defining a parting line along which a tab may be selectively removed. The key track fixture is incorporated into the filter base module to define the periphery of an entryway to a cartridge-receiving receptacle in the header portion of a base module. In some embodiments, the key track fixture is a molded ring-like component with pre-key selected angularly spaced key slots. Base modules including the key track system may be efficiently configured to accept the key pattern of a filter cartridge compatible with the filter system in which the base module will be used.

Abstract: A generally conventional lash adjuster is modified by incorporating a coaxially oriented hydraulic control piston assembly within the guide body. The control piston normally fixes latch means, such a plurality of hard spheres, in multiple detents loaded in compression with the other components, to provide a rigid stop, but when the control piston is hydraulically pressurized, the detents are overcome and the piston assembly provides a resilient or soft stop that accommodates extended displacement (retraction) of the lash adjuster within the guide. The hydraulic actuation is preferably implemented with a three-way solenoid valve or the like, for controlling high-pressure oil to a gallery and associated inlet ports for the control piston assembly. In the typical implementation of the invention, the piston need have only two operational positions-denergized to establish the detent or hard stop condition, or fully energized to establish the valve deactivation position.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs radial interference between the received portion of a filter cartridge housing and the receptacle of a base. Radial interference occurs between a tapered end cap of the filter cartridge and a substantially cylindrical inside surface of the base receptacle. The filter cartridge end cap is tapered such that the interference increases as the cartridge is urged into the receptacle by a retaining collar. The tight fit improves resistance to vibration and shock applied to the filter assembly. Metal to metal contact at the interference points also provides a reliable electrical contact between the base and the cartridge to prevent accumulation static charges in the cartridge.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs inward and outward radially displaced portions of a peripheral shoulder on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility matrix. Alternative base assemblies include mounting structures complementary to the configuration of the peripheral shoulder to exclude incompatible cartridges. The peripheral shoulder is preferably a roll seam connecting first and second sections of the filter housing. The invention further contemplates a pattern of radial protrusions from a portion of the cartridge housing received in a base receptacle as part of a cartridge compatibility matrix. The base receptacle is configured to receive only those cartridges having a compatible pattern of radial protrusions.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs radially inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of a peripheral roll seam on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility matrix. A base defines an axial entrance to a fixed retainer that is complementary to the compatibility matrix of the cartridge roll seam. Axial slots accommodate the outwardly displaced portions of the roll seam while inward protrusions correspond to the location and inward displacement of the inwardly displaced segments of the roll seam. Incompatible filter cartridges are prevented from axial reception into the base. The number, configuration and location of inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of the roll seam may be varied to provide a variety of unique compatibility matrices.

Abstract: A filter assembly employs radially inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of a peripheral roll seam on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility matrix. A substantially annular space, the radial configuration of which varies with the convoluted roll seam, is defined between the roll seam and a cylindrical wall of the cartridge end cap. The base includes an axially projecting receptacle wall that terminates in a coded lip to define a receptacle for receiving the cartridge end cap. The cartridge mounting system requires axial reception of the coded lip into the substantially annular space of the filter cartridge. The coded lip is configured to block reception and mating of any filter cartridge whose roll seam defines a substantially annular space of incompatible radial configuration. The number, configuration and location of inwardly and outwardly displaced portions of the roll seam may be varied to provide a variety of unique compatibility matrices.

Abstract: In a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine, a method for controlling fuel quantity delivery from a high pressure, reciprocating piston, engine-driven fuel pump to a high-pressure common rail having a plurality of fuel injection nozzles for injecting fuel into the cylinders of the engine. At least two control regimes are established corresponding to a respective low engine speed pump operation and high engine speed pump operation. During low speed operation, unregulated low pressure fuel is fed to the pumping pistons and at a location between the pistons and the common rail, excess fuel discharged from the pistons is diverted to a location of relatively low pressure in the fuel supply system, upstream of the pistons. During high-speed operation, the quantity of low pressure feed fuel pressurized by the pumping pistons is regulated and all of the fuel discharged from the pistons is delivered to the common rail.

Abstract: A self-regulating direct injection fuel delivery system for a motor vehicle includes a common rail having an accumulator including a relatively large fuel volume. The accumulator is connected in fluid communication with a distributor having a relatively small fuel volume and at least one fuel injector nozzle is connected in direct fluid communication with the distributor. A high-pressure pump for delivering fuel to the common rail is provided and a flow control device is interposed between the pump and the common rail for selectively delivering fuel to one of the accumulator and the distributor and then the other of the accumulator and the distributor.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated servo piston and hydraulic advance piston are integrated into the cam follower of a unit pump or injector to provide variable advance for an injection event produced by the pump or injector. The servo piston is nested in the advance piston with fluid passageways in the advance piston selectively opened or closed by movement of the servo piston. The full pressure of a hydraulic pump is available to the advance piston for powering the advance function, while stepwise reduced levels of hydraulic pressure from the same hydraulic pump are applied to control movement of the servo piston. A damping orifice restricts flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the servo piston.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the geometry of a line providing fluid communication between an outlet of a pump and an inlet, the pump and inlet each having a fixed location, where the pump imposes a periodic pressure pulse on the tubing composing the line. The method comprises the steps of identifying a basic design of the line using conventional industry practices for the specific application and making an initial determination as to the minimum number of bends which are required by the basic line design. If the tubing must be bent, the bend routing is established to best fit the installation constraints set by the design layout, the radii of the bends is maximized within installation constraints using one common radius, a finite element analysis is performed to determine the minimum and maximum loading on the tubing imposed by the expected pressure pulse and the material of the tubing is selected to satisfy design safety factors with the minimal material cost.

Abstract: A drive shaft seal for a gasoline direct injection pump is configured as a solid but flexible barrier separating combustion fluid from lubrication fluid in the pump. Each drive shaft seal is generally disc shaped, defining a central shaft opening surrounded by a flexible corrugated portion that is in turn surrounded by a generally planar outer flange. The outer flange of each shaft seal is retained between pump housing sections and sealed by stationary o-rings. An axially projecting lip retained and sealed between a bushing and a shoe race defines the shaft opening. The bushing, shoe race and associated pump components move reciprocally in response to rotation of a shaft mounted eccentric. The corrugated flexible portion of each drive shaft seal flexes to accommodate relative movement between the inner lip and outer flange. No part of the drive shaft seal is in contact with the rotating shaft.