GB2149842A

GB2149842A - Clamping element

Info

Publication number: GB2149842A
Application number: GB08427506A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Gaskell
Original assignee: Lucas Industries Ltd
Current assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-12
Filing date: 1984-10-31
Publication date: 1985-06-19
Also published as: GB8330259D0; GB8427506D0

Abstract

A clamping element for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine is formed from a length of metal plate which is bent intermediate its ends to form a hoop portion 17, an intermediate portion 18 and a forked portion 19. The intermediate portion defines an aperture 25 to receive in use a retaining bolt and at its opposite ends, securing zones 23, 24 at which the portions of the plate are secured together. The nozzle can be engaged by the forks 20 of the forked portion 19 or by the sides 22 of the hoop portion 17 the other portion engaging in use with a boss 14 on the engine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamping element This invention relates to clamping elements for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine.

Two types of clamping element are known for the purpose specified. In one form two retaining bolts secure opposite ends of the clamping element to the engine structure and an intermediate portion of the element is shaped to engage with the nozzle to apply a clamping force thereto. Another form of clamping element has a clamping bolt engaged with the element intermediate its ends.

One end of the element engages the nozzle and the other end of the element is shaped to engage with the cylinder head of the engine.

The present invention is concerned with the latter form of element and the object of the invention is to provide such a clamping element in a simple and convenient form.

According to the invention a clamping element for the purpose specified comprises a length of plate which is bent intermediate its ends to define at one end of the clamping element a hoop portion, intermediate the ends of the element an aperture to receive in use a retaining bolt and at the other end of the element a forked portion, the forked portion or the hoop portion being shaped to engage in use, with steps defined on the nozzle.

Examples of clamping element in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of two examples of clamping element in accordance with the invention, and Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the use of the clamping element shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings the clamping element is generally indicated at 10 its purpose being to retain a fuel injection nozzle 11 within a bore in the cylinder head 1 2 of a compression ignition engine. The nozzle 11 is of cylindrical form but the portion of the nozzle which protrudes from the bore is provided with a pair of flats which define steps 1 3 for engagement by one end portion of the clamping element as will be described.

The opposite end portion of the clamping element engages a boss 14 which is defined on the cylinder head and an intermediate portion of the clamping element defines a bore through which can extend a bolt or stud 1 5 which is secured to the cylinder head. In the case of the stud a nut 1 6 is engaged therewith and tightened to provide the required clamping force.

Turning now to Fig. 1 the form of element illustrated is the one which is illustrated in Fig. 3. The element is formed from a length of metal plate and is bent intermediate its ends to define a hoop portion 17, an intermediate portion 1 8 and a forked end portion 1 9 the hoop portion engages with the boss 1 4 and the limbs 20 of the forked end portion, with the steps 1 3 respectively. The hoop portion has a base wall 21 and side walls 22 initially extending substantially at right angles to the base wall but then turning inwardly into engagement at a securing zone 23.The intermediate portion lies between the securing zone 23 and a further securing zone 24 and in this zone the two portions of the plate are deformed so as to define an aperture 25 through which the aforesaid bolt or stud can extend in use. From the securing zone 24 the two portions of the plate diverge outwardly and then are arranged to extend parallel to each other to form the forks 20.

At the securing zones 23 and 24 the two portions of the plate are secured together.

This can be achieved by welding or by the use of rivets whichever is the more convenient.

In order to cope with manufacturing tolerances, the edges of the forks 20 which engage the steps 1 3 are as shown in Fig. 3, formed to present convex surfaces to the steps.

The clamping element which is shown in Fig. 2, is constructed in a similar way to the element shown in Fig. 1. In this case however the forks 26 which define the forked portion 19, have their free ends turned inwardly towards each other and the hoop portion 1 7 is of a size such that it can engage over the nozzle. The clamping element pf Fig. 2 is therefore used in the opposite way to that shown in Fig. 3 with the side walls of the hoop portion 1 7 engaging the aforesaid steps 1 3 respectively and being formed to convex shape.

As shown in Fig. 3 the aperture 25 can be fitted with a flanged sleeve 27, the flange of the sleeve acting in the manner of a washer to prove more even transfer of the clamping force between the nut 1 6 and the clamping element.

1. A clamping element for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine comprising a length of plate which is bent intermediate its ends to define at one end of the clamping element a hoop portion, intermediate the ends of the element an aperture to receive in use, a retaining bolt and at the other end of the element a forked portion, the forked portion or the hoop portion being shaped to engage in use, with steps defined in the nozzle.

2. An element according to Claim 1 in which the ends of said length of plate are turned inwardly towards each other.

3. An element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which said aperture is defined at an intermediate portion in which the plates

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clamping element This invention relates to clamping elements for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine. Two types of clamping element are known for the purpose specified. In one form two retaining bolts secure opposite ends of the clamping element to the engine structure and an intermediate portion of the element is shaped to engage with the nozzle to apply a clamping force thereto. Another form of clamping element has a clamping bolt engaged with the element intermediate its ends. One end of the element engages the nozzle and the other end of the element is shaped to engage with the cylinder head of the engine. The present invention is concerned with the latter form of element and the object of the invention is to provide such a clamping element in a simple and convenient form. According to the invention a clamping element for the purpose specified comprises a length of plate which is bent intermediate its ends to define at one end of the clamping element a hoop portion, intermediate the ends of the element an aperture to receive in use a retaining bolt and at the other end of the element a forked portion, the forked portion or the hoop portion being shaped to engage in use, with steps defined on the nozzle. Examples of clamping element in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of two examples of clamping element in accordance with the invention, and Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the use of the clamping element shown in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings the clamping element is generally indicated at 10 its purpose being to retain a fuel injection nozzle 11 within a bore in the cylinder head 1 2 of a compression ignition engine. The nozzle 11 is of cylindrical form but the portion of the nozzle which protrudes from the bore is provided with a pair of flats which define steps 1 3 for engagement by one end portion of the clamping element as will be described. The opposite end portion of the clamping element engages a boss 14 which is defined on the cylinder head and an intermediate portion of the clamping element defines a bore through which can extend a bolt or stud 1 5 which is secured to the cylinder head. In the case of the stud a nut 1 6 is engaged therewith and tightened to provide the required clamping force. Turning now to Fig. 1 the form of element illustrated is the one which is illustrated in Fig. 3. The element is formed from a length of metal plate and is bent intermediate its ends to define a hoop portion 17, an intermediate portion 1 8 and a forked end portion 1 9 the hoop portion engages with the boss 1 4 and the limbs 20 of the forked end portion, with the steps 1 3 respectively. The hoop portion has a base wall 21 and side walls 22 initially extending substantially at right angles to the base wall but then turning inwardly into engagement at a securing zone 23.The intermediate portion lies between the securing zone 23 and a further securing zone 24 and in this zone the two portions of the plate are deformed so as to define an aperture 25 through which the aforesaid bolt or stud can extend in use. From the securing zone 24 the two portions of the plate diverge outwardly and then are arranged to extend parallel to each other to form the forks 20. At the securing zones 23 and 24 the two portions of the plate are secured together. This can be achieved by welding or by the use of rivets whichever is the more convenient. In order to cope with manufacturing tolerances, the edges of the forks 20 which engage the steps 1 3 are as shown in Fig. 3, formed to present convex surfaces to the steps. The clamping element which is shown in Fig. 2, is constructed in a similar way to the element shown in Fig. 1. In this case however the forks 26 which define the forked portion 19, have their free ends turned inwardly towards each other and the hoop portion 1 7 is of a size such that it can engage over the nozzle. The clamping element pf Fig. 2 is therefore used in the opposite way to that shown in Fig. 3 with the side walls of the hoop portion 1 7 engaging the aforesaid steps 1 3 respectively and being formed to convex shape. As shown in Fig. 3 the aperture 25 can be fitted with a flanged sleeve 27, the flange of the sleeve acting in the manner of a washer to prove more even transfer of the clamping force between the nut 1 6 and the clamping element. CLAIMS

3. An element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which said aperture is defined at an intermediate portion in which the plates are spaced apart to form the aperture, the element having securing zones at opposite ends of the intermediate portion at which the portions of the plate are secured together.

4. An element according to Claim 3 in which the portions of the plate are secured together as by welding or by the use of rivets.

5. An element according to Claim 3 in which a flanged sleeve is mounted in the aperture.

6. An element according to any one of the preceding claims in which the surfaces of the element which in use engage the nozzle are of convex form.

7. A clamping element for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A clamping element for use when clamping a fuel injection nozzle into a bore in the cylinder head of an engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

3 of the accompanying drawings.