FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY
An oil activated fuel injector includes a clevis having an optimized geometry. The optimized geometry substantially eliminates side loading effects of a plunger during operation, thereby maintaining performance integrity of the fuel injector. The optimized geometry includes a profile larger than a head portion of a plunger in order to allow the plunger to free float.
1 - 40 . (canceled)
41 . A fuel injector assembly, comprising:
a plunger comprising a head portion having a first height; and
a clevis for engaging the plunger, the clevis comprising:
a sidewall having a cylindrical shape surrounding a receiving space of the clevis, the receiving space configured to receive the head portion of the plunger and having a second height greater than the first height;
a shoulder portion extending outwardly from an upper portion of the sidewall, the shoulder portion comprising a contacting portion and a loading portion;
a lip portion extending inwardly from a lower portion of the sidewall; and
a slit extending across the shoulder portion, the sidewall and the lip portion to allow at least a portion of the plunger to pass therethrough to the receiving space.
42 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 41 , wherein the shoulder portion and lip portion comprise a circular shape.
43 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 42 , wherein the shoulder portion comprises:
an upper surface comprising the contact portion; and
a lower surface comprising the loading portion.
44 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 42 , wherein the plunger further comprises a neck portion attached to the head portion of the plunger.
45 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 44 , wherein the neck portion has a diameter smaller than that of the head portion of the plunger to pass through the slit of the clevis.
46 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 41 , further comprising an open space in the receiving space of the clevis between an upper surface of the plunger and the upper surface of the shoulder portion.
47 . A fuel injector assembly, comprising:
a plunger having a head portion; and
a clevis configured to engage the plunger, the clevis comprising:
a contacting portion;
a loading portion; and
a receiving portion configured to receive the head portion of the plunger, the receiving portion having a height greater than a height of the head portion of the plunger.
48 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 47 , wherein the clevis substantially eliminates side loading effects on the plunger during an operation.
49 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 48 , wherein the operation comprises a dwell time between injection events.
50 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 48 , wherein the operation comprises:
an injection event;
a return event; or
a fill event.
51 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 47 , wherein the clevis comprises a ring shape.
52 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 47 , further comprising a piston,
wherein the contacting portion of the clevis is configured to move the piston from a first position to a second position during a return time between injection events via a spring loading force exerted on the loading portion of the clevis.
53 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 47 , wherein the clevis further comprises a shoulder.
54 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 53 , wherein the clevis further comprises a lip.
55 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 54 , wherein the shoulder and the lip are on opposing surfaces of the clevis.
56 . The fuel injector assembly of claim 47 , wherein the clevis further comprises a slit to receive a portion of the plunger.