# US 9,038,614 B2 ยท Cam cover coil on plug retention via oil separator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server โ€” see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,614 B2 - Document ID: US9038614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/300,107 - Filed: 2011-11-18 - Published: 2012-08-16 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-16 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Frank Acierno Valencia - Inventors: Frank Acierno Valencia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038614B2 ## CPC - F02P 3/02: having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils {(ignition coils structurally combined with sparking plugs F02P13/00; constructional details of ignition coils H01F38/12)} - F01M 13/0416: {arranged in valve-covers} - F02P 13/00: Sparking plugs structurally combined with other parts of internal-combustion engines ({connection of ignition coil to spark plug connector F02P3/02;} with fuel injectors F02M57/06 {; spark plug connector per se H01T13/04 โ€“ H01T13/06; predominant aspects of sparking plug, see H01T13/40 โ€“ H01T13/44}) - H01F 38/12: Ignition, e.g. for IC engines - F02P: IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES ({anti-pollution means for internal-combustion engines F02B17/00}; specially adapted for rotary-piston or oscillating-piston engines F02B53/12; {ignition of gas turbine plants F02C7/26; ignition of jet propulsion plants F02K9/95; starting of combustion engines F02N9/00}; ignition of combustion apparatus in general, glowing plugs F23Q; measuring of physical variables in general G01; controlling in general G05; data processing in general G06; electrical components in general see Section H; {ignition coils H01F38/12}; sparking plugs H01T13/00) - F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A system for a cylinder head is provided. The system comprises a cam cover mounted on the cylinder head and including an oil separator and a coil on plug (COP) coupled to the oil separator via a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection holds the coil-on-plug in position and may provide a lower cost alternative to existing systems of retaining coil-on-plugs on a cam cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for a cylinder head, comprising: a cam cover including an oil separator, the cam cover mounted on the cylinder head; and a coil on plug (COP), the COP coupled to the oil separator via a snap-fit connection, the snap-fit connection comprising a ball lock assembly extending out of an outer wall of the oil separator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the ball lock assembly couples the COP to the cam cover. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the ball lock assembly comprises a ball coupled to an arm, the arm extending out of the oil separator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the ball and arm are supported via one or more retention ribs coupled to the arm and oil separator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the ball is configured to be positioned in a socket connector of the COP. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the socket connector comprises a bore within the COP, and wherein the ball is configured to be positioned on a top of the bore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, further comprising a cam cover post, the cam post configured to extend at least partially within a bottom of the bore. ### Claim 8 A coil on plug (COP) assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a cam cover including an oil separator; a COP extending through a passage of the cam cover; and a ball lock assembly coupling the COP to the cam cover via the oil separator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The COP assembly of claim 8, wherein the ball lock assembly comprises a ball that extends out of the oil separator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The COP assembly of claim 9, further comprising a retention system comprising a retention arm and one or more retention ribs to support the ball. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The COP assembly of claim 10, wherein the retention arm and ribs are coupled to the oil separator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The COP assembly of claim 8, further comprising a socket contained on the COP, wherein the ball lock assembly is articulated with the socket. ### Claim 13 An engine system, comprising a PCV system including an oil separator positioned on an exterior of a cam cover; and a coil on plug (COP) positioned adjacent to the oil separator, the COP coupled within the cam cover via a snap-fit connection between the COP and the oil separator, the oil separator extending to or above a top face of the COP. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The engine system of claim 13, wherein the oil separator is in communication with an oil dipstick passageway. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The engine system of claim 13, wherein the COP extends through a passage of the cam cover. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The engine system of claim 13, wherein the snap-fit connection comprises a ball lock assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The engine system of claim 16, wherein the ball lock assembly comprises a ball-and-socket joint extending out of the oil separator, the ball-and-socket joint configured to be at least partly housed in a socket of the COP. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The engine system of claim 17, wherein the socket of the COP is configured to at least partly house a cam cover post.