Abstract: A coupling for suspending a fuel injector from a fuel rail assembly of an internal combustion engine includes a collar that mates with the fuel injector and a retainer clip that engages with the collar and with an annular flange of an injector socket thereby mechanically connecting the fuel injector to the fuel rail assembly. The retainer clip includes windows having a convex profile to enable even load distribution upon the socket flange when assembled. Coincident keyed features are integrated in the flange of the injector socket and in the collar to facilitate correct alignment of the injector relative to the fuel rail. Paired together, the retainer clip and the collar enable a secure, and coincident keyed fuel injector-to-fuel rail connection that is able to withstand high pressure separating loads.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser for varying the timing of valves in an internal combustion engine. A rotor includes a plurality of vanes disposed in a stator having a plurality of lobes, forming a plurality of alternating timing advance and timing retard chambers. Pressurized oil is supplied selectively to the chambers to change the phase angle of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft. The rotor is captured between a stator plate and a rotor cover plate. Axial surfaces of the rotor form wiping surfaces with their respective plates. The rotor is divided equatorially into two interlocking sections, the lower section riding on the stator plate and the upper section riding on the cover plate. An axially slidable labyrintian seal formed at the juncture of the upper and lower sections prevents oil leakage. A lash spring between the upper and lower sections urges the sections into zero-lash with their respective plates.

Abstract: A rotor-locking mechanism for a vane-type camshaft phaser. A locking pin is disposed in the rotor and is permitted to travel into a well in either the rear cover or the front cover of the phaser. The pin is urged into the well by a return spring, and the end of the pin end is exposed to oil pressure for unlocking the pin. A first channel is provided between the advance-oil feed and the end of the pin, and a second channel is provided between the retard-oil feed and the end of the pin. The channels may be formed in either of the covers. The pin is unlocked whenever a predetermined oil pressure is exceeded in either the advance or retard oil feeds, permitting the pin to be unlocked through most modes of engine operation and to be locked only under specific predetermined low-pressure conditions, such as during engine starting.

Abstract: A rotor-locking mechanism for a vane-type camshaft phaser. A locking pin is disposed in the rotor and is permitted to travel into a well in either the rear cover or the front cover of the phaser. The pin is urged into the well by a return spring, and the end of the pin end is exposed to oil pressure for unlocking the pin. A first channel is provided between the advance-oil feed and the end of the pin, and a second channel is provided between the retard-oil feed and the end of the pin. The channels may be formed in either of the covers. The pin is unlocked whenever a predetermined oil pressure is exceeded in either the advance or retard oil feeds, permitting the pin to be unlocked through most modes of engine operation and to be locked only under specific predetermined low-pressure conditions, such as during engine starting.

Abstract: A cam phaser assembly having an improved configuration of the C1 oil gallery in the camshaft supplying oil to the cam phaser. An axial bore in the camshaft is formed over its non-threaded outer portion at a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the bolt connecting the phaser to the camshaft. Upon assembly of the cam phaser to the camshaft, an annular, cylindrical gallery is formed between the bolt surface and the bore, which gallery replaces the plurality of axial bores required for the C1 gallery in the prior art camshaft. The prior art C2 gallery, which utilizes a second axial bore in the bolt itself, is substantially unchanged, and an O-ring around the cam bolt in the first axial bore seals the C1 and C2 pressure galleries from communicating with each other.

Abstract: A cam phaser assembly having an improved configuration of the C1 oil gallery in the camshaft supplying oil to the cam phaser. An axial bore in the camshaft is formed over its non-threaded outer portion at a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the bolt connecting the phaser to the camshaft. Upon assembly of the cam phaser to the camshaft, an annular, cylindrical gallery is formed between the bolt surface and the bore, which gallery replaces the plurality of axial bores required for the C1 gallery in the prior art camshaft. The prior art C2 gallery, which utilizes a second axial bore in the bolt itself, is substantially unchanged, and an O-ring around the cam bolt in the first axial bore seals the C1 and C2 pressure galleries from communicating with each other.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The component parts of the assemblies are re-configured from analogous parts in the prior art cam phaser to permit much of the improved phaser to be manufactured inexpensively by powdered metal forming or by stamping or drawing from sheet metal, in contrast with the prior art phaser wherein all parts are formed expensively either by machining from forged blanks or by investment casting. These changes reduce not only the cost of manufacture but also reduce the weight and axial length of the phaser, an important customer acceptance criterion, and improve the speed of response.

Abstract: An improved releasable and reusable self-sealing plug for mechanically sealing a bore. A cylindrical body is formed on its outer surface to retain radial sealing means such as an O-ring. An oversize annular cap at the outer end of the body limits ingress of the plug into a bore, and a pair of opposed, flexible limbs terminating in flanges beyond the inner end of the body are compressed radially during insertion of the plug and spring out at completion of insertion to grip the inner entrance to the bore, thus holding the O-ring and plug in the bore. Insertion may be accomplished manually without the aid of tools. The plug cannot be driven out by pressure on the bore, but is easily removed by recompression of the limbs and flanges and withdrawal of the plug by, for example, needle-nose pliers. The plug may be formed inexpensively and easily by injection molding of a suitable plastic polymer.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The piston assembly is formed, at least in part, of a plastic polymer wherein the seal groove is net formed.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The cover assembly, at least in part, is stamped from sheet stock and is net formed to receive a seal.

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.