Abstract: A method of reducing the force required to insert an elastomeric seal in a cavity of a metallic member includes tumbling the member in a tumbling machine with media to decrease the surface roughness of the member. Preferably, the tumbling step includes decreasing the surface roughness of the metallic member at least a portion of the member defining an entrance to the cavity. The method is particularly useful for reducing the force required to insert fuel injectors having top O-rings into fuel rail cups.

Abstract: A a clip for mounting an elongated fuel rail with respect to an internal combustion engine. The fuel rail extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a mounting portion at an intermediate positon along the longitudinal axis, and the internal combustion engine includes a recess. The clip comprises a first portion adapted to engage the fuel rail, and a second portion adapted to be slidably received in the recess along a generally transverse axis with respect to the longitudinal axis. The first portion partially surrounds the longitudinal axis and is adapted to engage the mounting portion so as to prevent relative displacement along the longitudinal axis. The second portion is adapted to be releasably retained with respect to the recess.

Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail has a body with interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines a volume. The exterior surface surrounds the interior surface. An aperture extends between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface that defines a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector, and an outside surface that surrounds the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed so that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel rail and the outside surface of the inlet tube, the rigid connection securing and hermetically sealing the fuel rail with the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail includes a first portion and a second portion that form a body. The body has an interior surface defining a volume, an exterior surface surrounding the interior surface, and at least one aperture disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The at least one fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface defining a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector and an outside surface surrounding the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed such that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between the interior surface of the fuel rail and at least one of the outside surface and the inside surface of the inlet tube. The rigid connection secures and hermetically seals the fuel rail with the at least one fuel injector.

Abstract: A a clip for mounting an elongated fuel rail with respect to an internal combustion engine. The fuel rail extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a mounting portion at an intermediate positon along the longitudinal axis, and the internal combustion engine includes a recess. The clip comprises a first portion adapted to engage the fuel rail, and a second portion adapted to be slidably received in the recess along a generally transverse axis with respect to the longitudinal axis. The first portion partially surrounds the longitudinal axis and is adapted to engage the mounting portion so as to prevent relative displacement along the longitudinal axis. The second portion is adapted to be releasably retained with respect to the recess.

Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail includes a first portion and a second portion that form a body. The body has an interior surface defining a volume, an exterior surface surrounding the interior surface, and at least one aperture disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The at least one fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface defining a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector and an outside surface surrounding the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed such that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between the interior surface of the fuel rail and at least one of the outside surface and the inside surface of the inlet tube. The rigid connection secures and hermetically seals the fuel rail with the at least one fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail has a body with interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines a volume. The exterior surface surrounds the interior surface. An aperture extends between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface that defines a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector, and an outside surface that surrounds the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed so that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel rail and the outside surface of the inlet tube, the rigid connection securing and hermetically sealing the fuel rail with the fuel injector.

Abstract: A clip for mounting a fuel rail to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel rail has an outer surface and a projection on the outer surface. The engine has a retaining feature. The clip includes a body extending in a plane and first, second, and third pairs of rail legs extending from the body generally perpendicular to the plane. The second pair of rail legs is generally aligned with and disposed from a respective one of the first pair of rail legs by a predetermined distance. The third pair of rail legs is located distal from the first and second pairs of rail legs. Each of the third pair of rail legs is generally aligned with a respective one of the first pair of rail legs. A free end of each of the pairs of rail legs includes a generally concave surface juxtaposed from and biased toward the other leg of each of the first, second, and third pairs of rail legs. The clip further includes a pair of mounting legs extending from the body generally perpendicular to the plane.