Distributor fuel injection pump having a nutator pump subassembly

Abstract

Previously disclosed distributor fuel injection pumps for internal combustion engines offer the advantages of reduced size, weight, and cost of a fuel injection system. However, these pumps have not been able to provide relatively high fuel injection pressures which could improve fuel combustion for better fuel economy and lower noxious emissions. In contrast, the subject distributor fuel injection pump generates relatively high fuel injection pressures in a relatively compact arrangement. A semi-spherical nutator member freely rotatably mounted on an oblique journal of a drive shaft imparts high speed harmonic motion to at least one reciprocating pump plunger for pressurizing the fuel. A relatively large semi-spherical bearing interface between the nutator member and a pump housing accommodates very high pumping reaction loads. A distributor rotor for sequentially delivering the pressurized fuel to more than one engine combustion cylinder is rotatively driven by a planetary gear reduction mechanism coupled to the drive shaft. Very little force is required to adjust either the timing or quantity of fuel injection which are adjustable by angular movement of at either a normally stationary planetary ring gear or a fuel metering collar, respectively.