Fuel system having a connection between a fuel injector and a fuel distribution conduit

A fuel system for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device, said fuel system comprising:

• a fuel injector having a fuel injector inlet conduit, a nozzle opening, and a valve needle which is moveable to selectively permit and prevent flow of fuel from said fuel injector inlet conduit through said nozzle opening, said fuel injector inlet conduit extending along a fuel injector inlet conduit axis and said fuel injector inlet conduit having a fuel injector inlet conduit shoulder which is traverse to said fuel injector inlet conduit axis;
• a fuel distribution conduit which supplies fuel to said fuel injector, said fuel distribution conduit extending along a fuel distribution conduit axis and having external threads thereon;
• a connection nut having internal threads which are complementary to, and threadably engaged with, said external threads of said fuel distribution conduit, said connection nut also having a connection nut internal shoulder which is traverse to said fuel distribution conduit axis;
• and
• a retention member which is a segment of an annulus and which includes a retention member central passage extending axially therethrough, said retention member being terminated in a direction circumferentially about said fuel distribution conduit axis by a retention member first end surface and by a retention member second end surface which together form a retention member slot therebetween which is sized so as to permit said fuel injector inlet conduit to pass therethrough in a direction perpendicular to said fuel distribution conduit axis, and wherein said retention member engages said fuel injector inlet conduit shoulder and said connection nut internal shoulder such that tightening of said connection nut causes said retention member to be compressed between said fuel injector inlet conduit shoulder and said connection nut internal shoulder.