CLIAMS:We Claim:
1. A fastener (14) for fastening a metering unit (10) of a fuel control unit (12) to an engine block, said fastener (14) comprising:
at least one clamp comprising a first end portion (16) and a second end portion (18);
and
said first end portion (16) of said at least one clamp secured to said metering unit (10), said second end portion (18) of said at least one clamp fitted to said engine block to fasten said metering unit (10) to said engine block.

2. The fastener (14) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said first end portion (16) of said at least one clamp comprises a member to secure said metering unit.

3. The fastener (14) in accordance with Claim 2 wherein said metering unit (10) is located within said member of said at least one clamp to prevent movement of said metering unit (10).

4. The fastener (14) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said second end portion (18) of said at least one clamp is fitted to said engine block through at least one screw (22) inserted through said at least one clamp.

5. The fastener (14) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said second end portion (18) of said at least one clamp is fitted to said engine block in such a manner that a gap is maintained between said second end portion (18) of said at least one clamp and said engine block.

6. The fastener (14) in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said at least one clamp is a clamp selected from a group such as a C-clamp, G-clamp, sash clamp, bench clamp, web clamp, mitre clamp, power clamp, screw clamp, and the like. ,TagSPECI:Field of the invention:
[001] This invention relates to a fastener and specifically to an apparatus for fastening a metering unit to an engine block.

Background of the invention:
[002] A metering unit is normally fastened to a fuel control unit housing using a plurality of screws. As the material of the fuel control unit is plastic, the tightening torque exerted by the screws of the metering unit causes the fuel control unit to fail. Under the circumstances, it is required to fasten the metering unit to the fuel control unit using a suitable clamping mechanism where tensile forces acting on the fuel control unit are eliminated. The fuel control unit is robust and capable of being subjected to compressive forces. In the present invention, the metering unit is fastened to the fuel control unit using a C-clamp that applies a compressive force between the metering unit and the fuel control unit.

[003] U.S. Patent Number 3,926,405 describes a solenoid operated proportional valve. The solenoid operated proportional valve includes a body and an upper housing. The body and upper housing are fastened to each other to form the valve housing by a plurality of screws which pass through holes in the upper housing and into the body. Leakage of fluid along the interface of the upper housing and body is prevented by an O-ring that is placed in a horizontal O-ring groove in an outer surface of the upper housing.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[004] An exemplifying embodiment of the invention is explained in principle below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are:
[005] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a metering unit that is coupled to a fuel control unit.

Detailed Description of the invention:
[006] As shown in Figure 1, a fastener 14 for fastening a metering unit 10 of a fuel control unit 12 to an engine block is described. The fastener 14 comprises at least one clamp comprising a first end portion 16 and a second end portion 18. The first end portion 16 of the at least one clamp is secured to the metering unit 10. The second end portion 18 of the at least one clamp is fitted to the engine block to fasten the metering unit 10 to the engine block.

[007] The metering unit 10 is coupled to a fuel control unit 12. The metering unit 10 is secured to the fuel control unit 12 by inserting the metering unit 10 within the fuel control unit 12. A fastener 14 is used to fasten the metering unit 10 to the fuel control unit 12. The fastener 14 comprises a first end portion 16 and a second end portion 18. The first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 comprises a semi-circular shaped portion. An opening is defined within the semi-circular shaped portion of the fastener 14. The metering unit 10 is inserted within the opening of the first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 such that the metering unit 10 is firmly grasped within the semi-circular shaped portion of the fastener 14. The metering unit 10 includes a lip shaped portion 20. A bottom surface of the first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 is positioned against an upper surface of the lip shaped portion 20 of the metering unit 10. The first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 that is positioned against an upper surface of the lip shaped portion 20 of the metering unit 10 facilitates applying a compressive force to the metering unit 10.

[008] In an alternate embodiment, the first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 comprises a circular shaped portion. Alternatively, the first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 comprises two semi-circular shaped portion that are secured to each other by means of a fastener. In yet another alternate embodiment, the first end portion 16 of the fastener 14 comprises at least two circular shaped portions that are secured together by means of a connector.

[009] The second end portion 18 of the fastener 14 is secured to an engine block. The second end portion 18 of the fastener 14 is secured to the engine block using a plurality of screws 22. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two screws 22 are used to couple opposing end portions of the fastener 14 to the engine block. The screw 22 is therein inserted in the engine block and tightened to secure the fastener 14 to the engine block. A gap is maintained between the second end portion 18 of the fastener 14 and the engine block after the screw has been tightened fully.

[0010] The fastener 14 prevents movement of the metering unit 10 and applies purely compressive forces between the metering unit 10 and the engine block. Therefore, the metering unit 10 may be secured firmly against the fuel control unit 12 without any tensile forces acting on the fuel control unit 12. The fastener 14 may be formed by placing two or more similarly shaped portions of clamps abutting each other to constitute an assembly. The fastener 14 is a clamp selected from a group such as C-clamp, G-clamp, sash clamp, bench clamp, web clamp, mitre clamp, power clamp, screw clamp, and the like.

[0011] The above described fastener 14 helps in securing the metering unit 10 to the fuel control unit 12, thereby eliminating movement of the metering unit 10. Moreover, the fastener 14 facilitates maintaining compressive forces between the metering unit 10 and the fuel control unit 12 and eliminates the requirement of applying torsional loads on the fuel control unit 12.

[0012] It must be understood that the embodiments explained in the above detailed description is only illustrative and does not limit the scope of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. Many modification and changes in the embodiments aforementioned are envisaged and are within the scope of this invention.