Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

John A Norcutt

Chris P Roxin

Rodney Lewis Lopez

John G Kilby

Deepak B Chhaya

Michael A Scheuer

Kevin Fulmer

A method to improve design efficiency by reducing power plant complexity and engineering costs by minimizing power plant changes when installing into new powertrain groups. A three-dimensional grid is defined for the powertrain group with power plant and transmission zones to define projections for attaching selected components to a powertrain version. The zones correspond to matrices dividing each of a width, length, and height of a respective plant and of a transmission into specified proportions. A respective zone is designated for attaching each of the selected components within the group. Each powertrain version is designed to place each selected component for a powertrain version within a predetermined tolerance margin of its respective designated zone. The grid organization is also applied to placement of components and placement of the powertrain itself within the underhood environment of a vehicle, a vehicle platform, or a group of vehicle models.

Grid architecture for powertrain packaging

A fuel system and associated method include a fuel injector and associated injector cup having an integral device that provides rotational orientation while allowing axial sliding engagement of the fuel injector relative to the cup after assembly. One embodiment includes retention tabs in the cup that engage corresponding grooves in the injector.

Twist-lock fuel injector assembly

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Northville, MI, United States of America

John A Norcutt