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Disclosed is an apparatus and method for lubricating a plunger residing within a bushing of a fuel injector. The apparatus includes a fuel lubrication mechanism comprised of lubrication grooves formed within and around the outer axial surfaces of the plunger. The grooves act as fuel reservoirs for s

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for lubricating a plunger residing within a bushing of a fuel injector. The apparatus includes a fuel lubrication mechanism comprised of lubrication grooves formed within and around the outer axial surfaces of the plunger. The grooves act as fuel reservoirs for storing a small portion of fuel on the outer axial surface of the plunger. The stored or retained fuel interfaces with the walls of the bushing during injection to provide a lubricated interface between the bushing and plunger. The lubricated interface increases the service life of the fuel injector by reducing seizing, scoring and scuffing caused by excessive heat.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel injection lubrication mechanism for lubricating a fuel injector comprising: a plunger having helical grooves circumscribed within and about the outer circumference of the plunger and the grooves having a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of

The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel injection lubrication mechanism for lubricating a fuel injector comprising: a plunger having helical grooves circumscribed within and about the outer circumference of the plunger and the grooves having a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger up to about 0.1 inches whereby retained fuel within the grooves provides lubrication for the fuel injector. 2. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 1, wherein the helical grooves are continuous whereby the grooves are self cleaning. 3. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 1, wherein the distance separating the helical grooves is varied whereby lubrication can be increased as the distance between the helical grooves decreases. 4. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 1, wherein the plunger includes; a first and a second opposed ridge, a recessed channel positioned there between the opposed ridges, the recessed channel defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separates a first and second control surface of the plunger, and wherein the helical grooves reside in the first portion of the control surface of the plunger. 5. The fuel lubrication mechanism of claim 4, wherein the helical grooves further reside in the second portion of the control surface of the plunger. 6. A plunger for a fuel injector comprising: a first and a second opposed ridge formed within and encircling an axial portion of the plunger; a recessed channel positioned between the first and second opposed ridges, wherein the recessed channel being defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger; a first control surface adjacent to the first ridge and a second control surface adjacent to the second ridge; a lubricating fuel reservoir formed within the first control surface comprising up to about 10 percent of a total surface area of the outer circumference of the first control surface. 7. The plunger of claim 6, wherein the lubricating fuel reservoir further resides in the second portion of the control surface of the plunger. 8. The plunger of claim 6, further including a plurality of discontinuous fuel reservoirs. 9. The plunger of claim 8, wherein the discontinuous fuel reservoirs are selected from the group having a configuration of ringed grooves, material voids, depressions and combinations thereof. 10. A fuel injection mechanism for regulating the volume of fuel injected comprising: a body wherein the body housing a rotatable plunger slidably fitting within a bushing; a first and a second port opening formed within the bushing; and wherein the plunger includes a first and a second opposed ridge and a recessed channel positioned there between, the recessed channel defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separating the outer circumference of the plunger and defining a first and second control surface of the plunger, and helical grooves residing in a portion of the control surface of the plunger, and wherein the grooves have a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger of up to about 0.1 inches. 11. A fuel injection mechanism 10, wherein the distance separating the helical grooves is varied whereby lubrication can be increased as the distance between the helical grooves decreases. 12. A diesel engine, comprising: a fuel system, the fuel system including, a plurality of cylinders; a plurality of fuel injection mechanisms seated in respective cylinders, each injection mechanism including a body, a rotatable plunger slidably fitting within a bushing, and a nozzle spray tip; helical grooves formed within the plunger for lubricating the plunger within the bushing and wherein the grooves have a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger of up to about 0.1 inches; a rack and governor constructed and arranged to control rotation of the plunger; a fuel supply line to supply fuel to the injection mechanisms; and a fuel return line to return fuel to a fuel supply tank cooperating with the engine. 13. The diesel engine of claim 12, wherein the plunger includes a first and a second opposed ridge and a recessed channel formed there between and defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separating the outer circumference of the plunger and defining a first and second control surface of the plunger, and the helical grooves residing in a portion of at least one of the control surfaces of the plunger. 14. The diesel engine of claim 12, wherein the distance separating the helical grooves is varied whereby lubrication can be increased as the distance between the helical grooves decreases. 15. A method of lubricating a fuel injection mechanism for regulating the volume of fuel injected; forming within an outer axial surface of a plunger fuel reservoirs, wherein the helical fuel reservoirs to a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger up to about 0.1 inches; supplying to the fuel reservoirs a quantity of fuel; and lubricating walls of a bushing in cooperation with the plunger with the fuel supplied to the fuel reservoirs. 16. The method of claim 15, further including forming helical fuel reservoirs about the outer axial surface of the plunger. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the distance separating the grooves is varied whereby lubrication can be increased as the distance between the grooves decreases. 18. A fuel injection lubrication mechanism for lubricating a fuel injector comprising: a plunger having vertical grooves parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plunger and the grooves circumscribed within the outer circumference of the plunger, wherein the vertical grooves have a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger up to about 0.1 inches and whereby retained fuel within the grooves provides lubrication for the fuel injector. 19. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 18, wherein the vertical grooves are continuous whereby the grooves are self cleaning. 20. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 18, wherein the distance separating the vertical varies whereby areas of the outer circumference plunger can be designated for increased lubrication. 21. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 18, wherein the plunger includes; a first and a second opposed ridge, a recessed channel positioned there between the opposed ridges, the recessed channel defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separates a first and second control surface of the plunger, and wherein the vertical grooves reside in the first portion of the control surface of the plunger. 22. The fuel lubrication mechanism of claim 21, wherein the vertical grooves further reside in the second portion of the control surface of the plunger. 23. A fuel injection lubrication mechanism for lubricating a fuel injector comprising: a plunger having opposed helical grooves circumscribed within and about the outer circumference of the plunger to a depth relative to the surface of the outer circumference of the plunger up to about 0.1 inches wherein the opposed helical grooves intersecting at an angle to form a cross-hatching pattern about the outer circumference of the plunger and whereby retained fuel within the grooves provides lubrication for the fuel injector. 24. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 23, wherein the opposed helical grooves are continuous whereby the grooves are self cleaning. 25. The fuel injection lubrication mechanism of claim 23, wherein the plunger includes; a first and a second opposed ridge, a recessed channel positioned there between the opposed ridges, the recessed channel defined by the first and second opposed ridges and encircling an axial portion of the plunger, wherein the recessed channel separates a first and second control surface of the plunger, and wherein the opposed helical grooves reside in the first portion of the control surface of the plunger. 26. The fuel lubrication mechanism of claim 25, wherein the opposed helical grooves further reside in the second portion of the control surface of the plunger.