Wear-resistant fuel distributor rotor
AssigneeCummins Engine Company, Inc.
InventorsAnthony A. Cooper, John D. Lane, Steven E. Ferdon, Scott R. Simmons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wear resistant, reduced stress at increased injection pressure fuel distributor assembly for distributing high pressure fuel to the fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine is provided. The assembly includes a fuel distributor rotor with a surface profile configuration that effectively and efficiently distributes high and low pressure fuel to the fuel injectors without internal fuel distribution channels. The rotor is preferably formed from a high thermal expansion, wear-resistant ceramic or coated metal material.
Claims20
A fuel distribution assembly for distributing high pressure fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors and cylinders in an internal combustion engine, said assembly comprising:
- (a) a housing fluidically connecting a supply of high pressure fuel with said plurality of fuel injectors;
- (b) a sleeve formed of a material having a first thermal expansion coefficient positioned within said housing with a longitudinal bore fluidically positioned in said sleeve between said supply of high pressure fuel and said fuel injectors;
- and
- (c) a fuel distribution rotor formed of a material having a second thermal expansion coefficient different from said first thermal expansion coefficient drivingly mounted for rotation and to maintain an optimal selected diametral clearance within said longitudinal bore, wherein said rotor has an external surface profile integrally configured to receive fuel from said supply of high pressure fuel and to distribute high pressure fuel to said injectors.
A fuel distribution rotor assembly for distributing fuel to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine, said assembly comprising:
- (a) a distributor housing including positioned therein a sleeve formed of a metal material and having an elongated bore, a fuel receiving passage connecting said bore with a source of high pressure fuel for conducting fuel from said source to said bore, and a plurality of fuel distributing passages in communication with said bore;
- and
- (b) a fuel distribution shaft rotatably mounted in said sleeve bore to have a diametral operating clearance of about 2 to 8 microns, said shaft including axially spaced, mutually communicating fuel inlets and fuel outlets positioned on the surface of said shaft to register with said fuel receiving and fuel distributing passages in said housing as said shaft rotates, wherein said fuel distribution shaft is composed of a high tensile strength, wear-resistant material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.