Abstract:
Vehicles and engines are provided. The engine, for example, may include a first engine component configured to be ohmically coupled to a common ground, a second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, the second engine component comprising an insulative materially ohmically isolating the second engine component from the first engine component, the second engine component including an inclusion having a predetermined depth along a surface of the second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, a third engine component configured to be coupled to the second engine component, and a spring clip configured to be ohmically coupled to the third engine component, wherein the spring clip is further configured to be disposed within the inclusion of the second engine component and to have a deflectable surface having an undeflected depth greater than the predetermined depth of the inclusion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/642,328, filed May 3, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field generally relates to grounding of automotive components, and more particularly relates to ground straps. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fuel rails are used to deliver fuel to individual fuel injectors on internal combustion engines. Fuel rails for, for example, port fuel injection (PFI) engines are often coupled to an intake manifold. Fuel rails are designed to have a pocket or seat for each injector as well as an inlet for a fuel supply. Some fuel rails also incorporate an attached fuel pressure regulator. Fuel rails are used on engines with multi-point fuel injection systems, although some multi-point systems use a fuel distributor with individual pipes or tubes to feed each injector. Fuel rails are generally coupled to an intake manifold, which is the part of an engine that supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders. Fuel rails need to be grounded. However, intake manifolds are generally made of plastic, which electrically isolates the fuel rail from a common vehicle ground. 
     Traditionally, a bolt is used to couple the intake manifold to a grounded cylinder head. A ground plate, which is ohmically connected to the fuel rail, is generally secured by the bolt to the intake manifold. Accordingly, the bolt ohmically couples the cylinder head to the ground plate. However, the ground plate can interfere with the secure coupling of the bolt, potentially causing the intake manifold to loosen from the cylinder head and causing the fuel rail to again become electrically isolated from the vehicle common ground. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to securely ground the fuel rail while securely coupling the intake manifold to the cylinder head. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     SUMMARY 
     An engine is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the engine may include, but is not limited to, a first engine component configured to be ohmically coupled to a common ground, a second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, the second engine component comprising an insulative material ohmically isolating the second engine component from the first engine component, the second engine component including having a predetermined depth along a surface of the second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, a third engine component configured to be coupled to the second engine component, and a spring clip configured to be ohmically coupled to the third engine component, wherein the spring clip is further configured to be disposed within the inclusion of the second engine component and to have a deflectable surface having an undeflected depth greater than the predetermined depth of the inclusion. 
     A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include, but is not limited to, an engine including a first engine component configured to be ohmically coupled to a common ground, a second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, the second engine component comprising an insulative material ohmically isolating the second engine component from the first engine component, the second engine component including an inclusion having a predetermined depth along a surface of the second engine component configured to be coupled to the first engine component, a third engine component configured to be coupled to the second engine component, and a spring clip configured to be ohmically coupled to the third engine component, wherein the spring clip is further configured to be disposed within the inclusion of the second engine component and to have a deflectable surface having an undeflected depth greater than the predetermined depth of the inclusion 
     An engine is provided. The engine may include, but is not limited to at least one cylinder head configured to be ohmically coupled to a common ground, an intake manifold configured to be coupled to the at least one cylinder head, the intake manifold comprising an insulative material ohmically isolating the intake manifold from the least one cylinder head, the intake manifold including an inclusion having a predetermined depth along a surface of the intake manifold configured to be coupled to the least one cylinder head, a fuel rail configured to be coupled to the intake manifold, and a spring clip configured to be ohmically coupled to the fuel rail, wherein the spring clip is further configured to be disposed within the inclusion of the intake manifold and to have a deflectable surface having an undeflected depth greater than the predetermined depth of the inclusion. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a vehicle having an engine in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an engine, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the engine illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold and spring clip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring clip illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold and spring clip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary intake manifold and spring clip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold and spring clip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the spring clip illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold and spring clip, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the spring clip illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a vehicle  100  having an engine  110  in accordance with an embodiment. The vehicle  100  may be an automobile, a watercraft, an aircraft, or any other type of vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The engine may be a diesel engines, HCCI engines, hydrogen fuel cell engines, steam engines, 2-stroke engines, hybrid technology engines, DI IC Engines, PFI IC engines, or any other type of engines, electric motors, or general assemblies that require a serviceable or non-serviceable electrostatic ground of any kind. 
     The engine  110  includes an intake manifold  120  and at least one cylinder head  130 . The primary function of the intake manifold  120  is to distribute the combustion mixture (or just air in a direct injection engine) to an intake port for each cylinder head  130  in the engine  110 . The intake manifold  120  may also serve as a mount for one or more other engine components  140 . The one or more other engine components may be, for example, a carburetor, a throttle body, a fuel rail and/or fuel injectors. Other engines components that could be grounded as discussed herein include, but are not limited to, an intake air heater, electronic actuators of any kind (intake manifold tuning valves, swirls valves, variable intake manifold valves, or the like), sensors of any kind (pressure, temperature, WIF (water in fuel), humidity, or the like), exhaust recirculation gases (EGR) temperature sensors, or EGR valves. 
     In one embodiment, for example, the intake manifold  120  may be constructed from plastic. However, in other embodiments the intake manifold  120  may be constructed from another insulating material. Accordingly, the engine components  140  coupled to the intake manifold  120  are electrically isolated from the vehicle common ground. However, the intake manifold  120  is configured to be coupled to the cylinder head  130 . The cylinder head is generally conductive and is coupled to the common ground for the vehicle. Accordingly, as discussed in further detail below, a ground strap  150  is used to ohmically connect the engine components  140  mounted on the intake manifold  120  to the cylinder head  130 . In another embodiment, for example, the ground strap  150  may be ohmically coupled to an engine block, an oil pan, an exhaust manifold or a vehicle frame or body. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an engine  200 , in accordance with an embodiment. The engine  200  includes an intake manifold  210  and a fuel rail  220 . The fuel rail  220  delivers fuel to the engine  200  through a fuel injection system  230 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the fuel rail  220  is one of the components mounted on the intake manifold  210 . Thus, the fuel rail  220  could be subject to static buildup since the fuel rail  220  is electrically isolated from the vehicle common ground. As the fuel rail  220  transports a combustible material, the fuel rail  220  must be grounded for safety. In order to ground the fuel rail  220 , a ground strap  240  is used to ohmically connect the fuel rail  220  a cylinder head, as discussed in further detail below. 
     The ground strap  240  illustrated in  FIG. 2  includes a spring clip  250 . The spring clip  250  is configured to be coupled to the intake manifold  210 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for example, the spring clip  250  is coupled to the intake manifold  210  via a fastener, such as a screw or a bolt. In other embodiments, for example, the spring clip  250  may be friction fit to the intake manifold or held in place by other means, as discussed in further details below. The spring clip  250  is ohmically coupled to the fuel rail  220  via a wire  260 . In one embodiment, for example, the wire  260  may be welded or soldered to the fuel rail  220  and the spring clip  250 , however any other method for ohmically coupling the wire  260  to the fuel rail  220  and spring clip  250  may be used. 
     The intake manifold  210  includes an inclusion  270  on a surface of the intake manifold  210  that couples to a cylinder head. The inclusion  270  extends into the intake manifold by a predetermined distance. The spring clip  250  includes a flexible protrusion  255  having a deflectable surface which is configured to be inserted into the inclusion  270  of the intake manifold  210 . In this embodiment, for example, the flexible protrusion  255  has an arched surface. In one embodiment, for example, the spring clip  250  may be manufactured from any spring steel that is conductive and would retain spring load against a ground component. The width of the protrusion  255  of the spring clip  250  configured to be inserted into the inclusion  270  is greater than the depth of the inclusion  270 , such that the protrusion of the spring clip  250  is pressed against a cylinder head when the intake manifold is coupled  210  to the cylinder head. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the engine  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the surface of the intake manifold  210  is configured to be coupled to a surface of a cylinder head  300 . The spring clip  250  includes a protrusion  255  configured to be placed in the inclusion  270  in the intake manifold  210 . The protrusion  255  of the spring clip  250  is of sufficient size to extend beyond the surface of the intake manifold  210  when the intake manifold  210  is not coupled to the cylinder head  300  to ensure that the spring clip  250  is ohmically coupled to the cylinder head  300 . Further, the protrusion of the spring clip  250  is configured to be flexible so as to not impede the coupling of the intake manifold  210  to the cylinder head  300 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , a length of the inclusion  270  in the intake manifold  210  is also greater than a length of the spring clip  250 . Accordingly, as the spring clip  250  flexes when the intake manifold  210  is coupled to the cylinder head  300 , the spring clip  250  expands into the open area, preventing strain on the spring clip  250 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold  400  and spring clip  410 , in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the spring clip illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment. The intake manifold  400  includes an inclusion  420  on the surface of the intake manifold that is to be coupled to a cylinder head. The intake manifold  400  also includes an inclusion  430  along a top surface. The inclusion  420  on the surface of the intake manifold that is to be coupled to a cylinder head and the inclusion  430  along a top surface of the intake manifold  400  are connected such that a spring clip  410  inserted in the inclusion  430  along a top surface of the intake manifold  400  can extend past the inclusion  420  on the surface of the intake manifold that is to be coupled to a cylinder head. 
     The spring clip  410  is configured to be inserted into the inclusion  430  along the top surface of the intake manifold and to lock into the inclusions  420  and  430 . The spring clip is removable by pressing on the surface of the spring clip  410  that extends beyond the surface of the intake manifold that couples to a cylinder head such that the various components can be serviced, if necessary. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold  600  and spring clip  610 , in accordance with an embodiment. The spring clip  610  includes an outer portion  620  and an inner portion  630 . The inner portion  620  is configured to extend beyond a surface of an intake manifold  600  and deflect, to ohmically couple an engine component to a cylinder head without impeding the coupling of the intake manifold  600  to the cylinder head. The intake manifold  600  includes an inclusion  640 . The inclusion has a first width along a top surface of the intake manifold and a second wider width along a surface of the intake manifold  600  configured to be coupled to a cylinder head. The outer portion  620  of the spring clip  610  is configured to be larger than the width of inclusion  640  along the top surface of the intake manifold to keep the spring clip in place when the intake manifold is coupled to the cylinder head. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary intake manifold  700  and spring clip  710 , in accordance with an embodiment. The spring clip  710  includes a series of protrusions  720  along an outer surface of the spring clip  710 . The spring clip  710  is wider than an inclusion  730  in the intake manifold  700 . The protrusions  720  along an outer surface of the spring clip  710  are flexible. Accordingly, when the spring clip  710  is inserted into the inclusion  730 , the friction of the protrusions on the surface of the inclusion help keep the spring clip  710  in place. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold  800  and spring clip  810 , in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the spring clip  810  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the intake manifold  800  includes an inclusion  820  along the surface to be coupled to a cylinder head while also allowing a portion of the spring clip  810  to be inserted into the intake manifold  800  and pass thru to a second side  830  of the intake manifold  800 . The spring clip  810  includes two deflectable portions. The first portion  840  is configured to extend beyond a surface of the intake manifold  800  in a similar manner discussed above. The second deflectable portion  850  is configured to be displaced when being inserted into the inclusion of the intake manifold  800 , and to expand upon exiting to the second side  830  of the intake manifold  800 , to lock the spring clip  810  into place. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another exemplary intake manifold  1000  and spring clip  1010 , in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the spring clip  1010  illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in accordance with an embodiment. The spring clip  1010  includes a deflectable surface  1020  with an inclusion  1030  therein. The spring clip  1010  may be screwed or bolted to an intake manifold  1000  through the inclusion  1030 . 
     While the above embodiment describe coupling a fuel rail to a cylinder head using a spring clip, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other automotive components may be grounded using a similar system. 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.