Distortion reducing load ring for a fuel injector

Abstract

A distortion reducing load ring disposed and connected between a fuel injector and a clamping device. The load ring functions as an intermediary for transmitting a static clamping load from the clamping device to the fuel injector body. The load ring includes a substantially cylindrical shaped main body having a bore extending therethrough between an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the main body being adapted for receiving a clamping load from the clamping device. The lower portion defining an annular ring for contacting the upper surface of the fuel injector body. A convex shaped portion connecting between the lower portion and the upper portion for increasing the resistance to bending of the load ring. The geometric relation of the load ring is utilized to transfer the static clamping load from the clamping device to a substantially central region of the fuel injector body. By transferring the static clamping load to a more central region of the fuel injector body there is a corresponding reduction in the failure rate of fuel injector units.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.