CA2136895A1 - Vapor separating device - Google Patents
Vapor separating deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2136895A1 CA2136895A1 CA002136895A CA2136895A CA2136895A1 CA 2136895 A1 CA2136895 A1 CA 2136895A1 CA 002136895 A CA002136895 A CA 002136895A CA 2136895 A CA2136895 A CA 2136895A CA 2136895 A1 CA2136895 A1 CA 2136895A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- oil
- vapors
- filter
- canister
- filter body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/0027—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions
- B01D46/003—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions including coalescing means for the separation of liquid
- B01D46/0031—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions including coalescing means for the separation of liquid with collecting, draining means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/24—Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using rigid hollow filter bodies
- B01D46/2403—Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using rigid hollow filter bodies characterised by the physical shape or structure of the filtering element
- B01D46/2411—Filter cartridges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/56—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition
- B01D46/58—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition connected in parallel
- B01D46/60—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition connected in parallel arranged concentrically or coaxially
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
- F01M13/04—Crankcase ventilating or breathing having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2279/00—Filters adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours specially modified for specific uses
- B01D2279/30—Filters adapted for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours specially modified for specific uses for treatment of exhaust gases from IC Engines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
- F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
- F01M13/04—Crankcase ventilating or breathing having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil
- F01M2013/0438—Crankcase ventilating or breathing having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil with a filter
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02F—CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02F7/00—Casings, e.g. crankcases or frames
- F02F7/006—Camshaft or pushrod housings
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S55/00—Gas separation
- Y10S55/19—Crankcase ventilation
Abstract
In a device for separating oil from the blow-by exhaust vapors of a combustion engine, a filter stack is mounted in a canister having an inlet port for the intake of said vapors from the engine, a gas outlet port for connection to a source of suction for causing the vapors to flow through the canister, and a discharge port communicating with said flow passage for removal of condensed oil. The filter stack is operatively arranged so that the vapors pass in contact with and through the filter stack. A plate partially surrounds the filter so that the oil in the vapors condense, and flow outwardly through the passage between the plate and the interior wall surface of the canister.
Description
h~ 6 8 9 5 FIELD OF THE lNV~N'l'lON
The present invention relates to improvements in vapor separating devices and, more particularly, to a device for the separation from contaminated air of impurities, such as oil vapors, intermixed therewith prior to its use for combustion in an internal combustion-type engine.
B~CRGROUND OF THE lNV~NLlON
In an internal combustion-type engine, the carburetor mixes controlled quantities of filtered air and fuel and feeds the resultant mixture to the intake manifold, from which it is distributed to the cylinder for combustion. It has been recog-nized by those skilled in the art that during compression of the fuel-air mixture by the piston in a particular cylinder, certain quantities of blow-by vapors leak into the crankcase of the engine and become trapped therein with contaminants such as oil vapors emitted by heated engine-lubricating oil.
Modern automobile engines have been equipped with a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system which is disposed in a blow-by gas recirculation line connecting the crankcase and - hl36895 the intake manifold to recycle the contaminated blow-by vapors back into the combustion chamber. In such a system, a stream of fresh air is directed into the engine interior wherein it recirculates, picking up the vapors therein. The contaminated blow-by vapors then leaves the crankcase through a PCV valve and is conducted by conduit means to the intake manifold, wherein it mixes with the fuel-air mixture provided by the carburetor and is distributed to the cylin~ers for combustion.
It has also been recognized that the oil and other contami-nants mixing with the blow-by vapors in the crankcase and, thereafter, reaching the intake manifold and combustion cylin-ders, has a number of undesirable effects on engine performance, including fouling of spark plugs through accumulation thereon of non-combustible residues, increased exhaust emissions due to the presence of unburned vapors, and decreased gas mileage as a result of incomplete combustion and the necessity of enriching the fuel-air mixture to off-set the loss of power therefrom.
In my earlier patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,136,650 issued January 30, 1979, I have provided a crankcase oil recovery system for separating oil from the recycled blow-by vapors.
While this system is satisfactory, an improved, simpler, less ~ l 36895 costly system, as well as one which is more effective in separating oil, is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~~ oN
In view of the aforementioned shortcomings, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for the separation of impurities, such as oil, from crankcase ventilation vapors which is constructed of inexpensive, commercially available components, is easily installed on existing engines and has a higher separating efficiency than current available devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a separating and condensing device to recover oil from the blow-by vapors in the crankcase of an internal combustion-type engine and return the recovered oil to the crankcase.
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises an oil separating device for blow-by vapors intermixed with oil vapors in the crankcase of a combustion-type engine having an oil pan.
The device comprises a canister having an inlet for blow-by vapor entrance and an outlet for blow-by vapor exit. A filter is located in the canister between the inlet and outlet such ~13G895 that contaminated blow-by vapors pass through the filter The device also comprises means for collecting and/or removing at least some of the condensed oil separated from the contaminated blow-by gases the remainder being removed through the filter.
The filter is supported in a sleeve and mounted so as to provide an annular air passage between the sleeve and the inner wall of the canister. As the vapor enters the canister, the vapors hit the sleeve and the oil condenses thereon dropping to the bottom of the canister.
Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, and will be better understood when read in conjunc-tion with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illus-trating the invention, there is shown in the drawings the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical V-type engine incorporating the oil separator of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view partially broken to show the oil separator of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the oil separator of the present invention, illustrating pictorially its various components;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the oil separator of the present invention, illustrating pictorially its various components;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
~1368g5 Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Fig. 1 a typical V-type gasoline-powered engine, generally designated 10, of the type shown in my aforementioned patent. Air flowing into the air filter 12 through the intake duct 14 is directed via a conduit 16 through an engine aperture 18 to the interior of a crankcase 20 in the engine block 22, passing first through an engine cleaner. An oil pan 26 at the bottom of the block holds a volume of lubricating oil that is circulated throughout the crankcase 20 as seen by the arrow 28.
As the engine 10 runs, the lubricating oil heats and emits oil vapors, which are trapped in the crankcase 20.
Additionally, vapors consisting of an air-fuel mixture escape into the crankcase 20 from the combustion chambers, mixing therein with trapped oil vapors. As shown by the arrows 28 in Fig. 1, fresh air entering the crankcase 20 at aperture 18 circulates therein, mixing with the trapped vapors (this mixture hereinafter referred to as "blow-by vapors"), exiting engine block 22 at a discharge aperture 30, and passing thence through positive crankcase ventilating (PCV) valve 32. The direction of flow is defined by a vacuum present in the intake manifold 34 whenever the engine is running, which vacuum pulls the air ~1368~5 through the engine 10. The blow-by vapors from crankcase 20 are channeled via a conduit 36 from PCV valve 32 to an oil separator, generally designated 38, for recovery and return to the engine, as further described below.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the present invention provides an oil separator 38 comprising a housing in the form of a canister 40 closed at one end 42, provided with a removable, vacuum tight seal cap 44 at its other end, and having a smooth internal housing wall surface 46. An inlet 48 for the entrance of blow-by vapors which are channeled via conduit 36, and an outlet 50 for the discharge of cleansed blow-by vapors and air to the intake manifold 34 and a drainage port 52 for removal of condensed oil vapors are provided in the wall of the canister 40.
Preferably, the canister 40 is cylindrical in shape and is fabricated from a high-strength, non-corrosive steel material.
However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that other configurations and materials are suitable for the canister 40 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
As will be described functionally later, the inlet 48 is set off at 90 from the drainage port 52, in the circumferential wall, ~13~95 while the outlet 50 extends along the center axis of the canister from the bottom wall 42.
Mounted within the canister, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 is a filter stack S4 for separating the oil vapors from the blow-by vapors. In the embodiment seen in Fig. 3, the filter stack 54 comprises a generally tubular filter body 56 of unitary con-struction mounted on a porous, tubular core 58. The filter stack is formed of material which is permeable to gas but impermeable to oil. Preferably, the filtering material is wool although other filtering materials such as felt or any other material which is permeable to air but offers resistance to the through-flow of oil is suitable. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the core 58 is a wire screen of a mesh selected to permit the blow-by gases to flow freely therethrough. Alternatively, the core 58 may be a cylindrical hollow tube of metal or plastic material provided with a predetermined number of evenly spaced apertures, as will be seen from Fig. 4.
The ends of the filter body 56 are closed by an annular sealing disk 60 which dilutes the end of tubular core 58 and which is provided with an annular cup-shaped gasket or ring 62 which is glued or adhered, as at 64, to the cap 44 and the closed wall 42 to securely seal and maintain the filter body 56 fixed in place. The disk 60 is radially enlarged plate which abuts flat against the ends of the filter body 56 at both ends to thus compress together the filter material.
The filter body 56 is surrounded by a split sleeve 66 which is held fixedly in cylindrical form by one or more cinches or bands 68 tight against the edges and of the disks 64 so as to be spaced from the filter body 56. The sleeve 66 does not fully surround the filter body and its longitudinal edges define a slot 70 providing radial access to the filter body 56. The sleeve 66 is further provided with a plurality of weep holes 82 opposite the slot 70. The filter stack 54 is sized with a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the canister such that, upon insertion into the open end, the outer sleeve 66 is also spaced from the inner wall surface 46 of the canister, defining therebetween an annular flow passage. Thus, as the vapors are introduced through inlet port 48, they flow over both surfaces of the sleeve 66 and are condensed into liquid drop-lets.
The annular sealing disks 60, in compressing the filter body 56 to hold the split sleeve 66 away from the filter body 56 ~1~689~
to maintain a relatively cooler sleeve surface 'or better condensation of vapors and forces flow outward over the filter stack 54 and sleeve 66 thus separating vapors and drawing cleansed air through the filter stack for final, second stage cleansing, and then through to the filter stack core shaft for discharge from outlet 50 into intake manifold 34. The plate 64 has a slightly larger diameter than the filter body 56.
The filter stack 54, when assembled with body and sleeve, is inserted within the canister and the canister cap 44, together with a filter seal 76, are force fit over the open end and secured by soldering or welding to the housing forming a vacuum tight seal. The filter stack is of such length that the cap 44 and filter seal 76 provide a compression fit longitu-dinally to hold the filter stack firmly within the canister.
The canister wall may be provided with an abutment for limiting the depth of the cap within the housing or other means to orient the cap.
Preferably, the sleeve 66 and disks 64 are made from thin gauge aluminum sheet metal which inherently stays cooler and cools down faster. The retaining bands 68 may be metal or plastic ties or wire fastened together or welded. In addition, ~13~835 it will be appreciated that by bringing the cable or wire ends or weld into contact with the internal surface of the housing, a grounding means may be provided for the entire condenser grid against any static electricity that might accumulate. Ridding the condenser grid of this static electricity may greatly reduce the resistance of the natural vacuum and condensed oil flow over the sleeve.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, which is basically of the same construction and where the same components are refer-enced by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3, the filter body is formed of a plurality of filter sections 72 separated by annular metallic plates 74 to define a composite tubular body.
In the embodiment of Fig. 4, three sections 72 and disks 74 are shown. However, it will be understood that additional sections may be provided. The separating disk 74 acts to stabilize the sleeve 66 and provide additional surface for condensation.
Their numbers, of course, are not critical. Separate end seals in the form of small washers 76 are provided and glued or otherwise adhered to the end cap 44 and closed wall 42, since radial support at the ends is critical. As mentioned earlier, the filter sections 72 are mounted on a porous core 78, here ~136895 shown as a solid tube with a plurality of holes 80 rather than being formed as a wire mesh.
The oil separator of the invention is arranged, as seen in Fig. 1, in the blow-by circuit in a similar manner to that shown in my aforementioned patent and its relationship with the engine is the same. However, the oil separator of the present inven-tion is assembled so that when the filter stack 54 is inserted into the canister 40, the slot 70 in the sleeve 66 lies 180 from the inlet port 48. The pair of weep holes 82 are provided in the sleeve 66, offset about 90 degrees from the slot 70, in opposition to the oil discharge port 52. Thereby, when intro-duced into the canister, the polluted crankcase vapors impinge upon the outer surface of the sleeve 66 and a substantial amount of the oil in the vapors condense and drop down on to the inner wall surface 46 of the canister to be removed through the drainage port 52 which lies 90 from the inlet 46 and from the slot 70. Simultaneously, a vacuum is drawn through the outlet port 50 which, as noted earlier, is connected to the intake manifold 34 of the engine. The vacuum through outlet port 50 causes the vapors to flow through the annular passage about the outer surface of the sleeve 66 through the slot 70, between the inner wall surface of the sleeve 66 and the filter body 56 and thence through the filter material of the bodies 72 where the vapors are condensed and further cleansed of their pollutants.
The cleansed vapors are then carried off through the core 58 (78) and the outlet port 50 while any oil condensing or falling onto the interior surface of the sleeve drops into the inner wall surface of the canister for removal through drainage port 52. To insure the gravitational flow of the condensed oil from the sleeve toward the drainage port, the assembled canister is preferably arranged within the blow-by circuit in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1.
In addition to its use in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the oil separator 10 of the present invention may be used in several other ways. For example, it may be employed in an engine which was not manufactured with a crankcase return, and the oil drainage port 52 may be capped. The oil may then be stored in the housing until the filter stack needs to be replaced at which time the oil may be removed. The canister wall may be provided with a bulge at its bottom to collect the oil. Alternatively, a short length hose may be attached to the drainage port 52 and the oil accumulated therein. The hose may be provided with a nozzle or valve for periodic removal of the oil. Alternatively, the hose may be connected to a collection ~1368~5 container directly on top of the PCV valve located on the engine rocker cover. The placement of the oil separating device in this manner allows for gravitational flow of the condensed oil vapors back through the PCV valve and into the crankcase during engine off periods when there is no vacuum pressure in the system.
From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises an improved oil separating device.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that changes could be made to the embodiments described in the foregoing description without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention relates to improvements in vapor separating devices and, more particularly, to a device for the separation from contaminated air of impurities, such as oil vapors, intermixed therewith prior to its use for combustion in an internal combustion-type engine.
B~CRGROUND OF THE lNV~NLlON
In an internal combustion-type engine, the carburetor mixes controlled quantities of filtered air and fuel and feeds the resultant mixture to the intake manifold, from which it is distributed to the cylinder for combustion. It has been recog-nized by those skilled in the art that during compression of the fuel-air mixture by the piston in a particular cylinder, certain quantities of blow-by vapors leak into the crankcase of the engine and become trapped therein with contaminants such as oil vapors emitted by heated engine-lubricating oil.
Modern automobile engines have been equipped with a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system which is disposed in a blow-by gas recirculation line connecting the crankcase and - hl36895 the intake manifold to recycle the contaminated blow-by vapors back into the combustion chamber. In such a system, a stream of fresh air is directed into the engine interior wherein it recirculates, picking up the vapors therein. The contaminated blow-by vapors then leaves the crankcase through a PCV valve and is conducted by conduit means to the intake manifold, wherein it mixes with the fuel-air mixture provided by the carburetor and is distributed to the cylin~ers for combustion.
It has also been recognized that the oil and other contami-nants mixing with the blow-by vapors in the crankcase and, thereafter, reaching the intake manifold and combustion cylin-ders, has a number of undesirable effects on engine performance, including fouling of spark plugs through accumulation thereon of non-combustible residues, increased exhaust emissions due to the presence of unburned vapors, and decreased gas mileage as a result of incomplete combustion and the necessity of enriching the fuel-air mixture to off-set the loss of power therefrom.
In my earlier patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,136,650 issued January 30, 1979, I have provided a crankcase oil recovery system for separating oil from the recycled blow-by vapors.
While this system is satisfactory, an improved, simpler, less ~ l 36895 costly system, as well as one which is more effective in separating oil, is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE lNV~~ oN
In view of the aforementioned shortcomings, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for the separation of impurities, such as oil, from crankcase ventilation vapors which is constructed of inexpensive, commercially available components, is easily installed on existing engines and has a higher separating efficiency than current available devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a separating and condensing device to recover oil from the blow-by vapors in the crankcase of an internal combustion-type engine and return the recovered oil to the crankcase.
Briefly stated, the present invention comprises an oil separating device for blow-by vapors intermixed with oil vapors in the crankcase of a combustion-type engine having an oil pan.
The device comprises a canister having an inlet for blow-by vapor entrance and an outlet for blow-by vapor exit. A filter is located in the canister between the inlet and outlet such ~13G895 that contaminated blow-by vapors pass through the filter The device also comprises means for collecting and/or removing at least some of the condensed oil separated from the contaminated blow-by gases the remainder being removed through the filter.
The filter is supported in a sleeve and mounted so as to provide an annular air passage between the sleeve and the inner wall of the canister. As the vapor enters the canister, the vapors hit the sleeve and the oil condenses thereon dropping to the bottom of the canister.
Full details of the present invention are set forth in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, and will be better understood when read in conjunc-tion with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illus-trating the invention, there is shown in the drawings the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a typical V-type engine incorporating the oil separator of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view partially broken to show the oil separator of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the oil separator of the present invention, illustrating pictorially its various components;
Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the oil separator of the present invention, illustrating pictorially its various components;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
~1368g5 Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Fig. 1 a typical V-type gasoline-powered engine, generally designated 10, of the type shown in my aforementioned patent. Air flowing into the air filter 12 through the intake duct 14 is directed via a conduit 16 through an engine aperture 18 to the interior of a crankcase 20 in the engine block 22, passing first through an engine cleaner. An oil pan 26 at the bottom of the block holds a volume of lubricating oil that is circulated throughout the crankcase 20 as seen by the arrow 28.
As the engine 10 runs, the lubricating oil heats and emits oil vapors, which are trapped in the crankcase 20.
Additionally, vapors consisting of an air-fuel mixture escape into the crankcase 20 from the combustion chambers, mixing therein with trapped oil vapors. As shown by the arrows 28 in Fig. 1, fresh air entering the crankcase 20 at aperture 18 circulates therein, mixing with the trapped vapors (this mixture hereinafter referred to as "blow-by vapors"), exiting engine block 22 at a discharge aperture 30, and passing thence through positive crankcase ventilating (PCV) valve 32. The direction of flow is defined by a vacuum present in the intake manifold 34 whenever the engine is running, which vacuum pulls the air ~1368~5 through the engine 10. The blow-by vapors from crankcase 20 are channeled via a conduit 36 from PCV valve 32 to an oil separator, generally designated 38, for recovery and return to the engine, as further described below.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the present invention provides an oil separator 38 comprising a housing in the form of a canister 40 closed at one end 42, provided with a removable, vacuum tight seal cap 44 at its other end, and having a smooth internal housing wall surface 46. An inlet 48 for the entrance of blow-by vapors which are channeled via conduit 36, and an outlet 50 for the discharge of cleansed blow-by vapors and air to the intake manifold 34 and a drainage port 52 for removal of condensed oil vapors are provided in the wall of the canister 40.
Preferably, the canister 40 is cylindrical in shape and is fabricated from a high-strength, non-corrosive steel material.
However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that other configurations and materials are suitable for the canister 40 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
As will be described functionally later, the inlet 48 is set off at 90 from the drainage port 52, in the circumferential wall, ~13~95 while the outlet 50 extends along the center axis of the canister from the bottom wall 42.
Mounted within the canister, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 is a filter stack S4 for separating the oil vapors from the blow-by vapors. In the embodiment seen in Fig. 3, the filter stack 54 comprises a generally tubular filter body 56 of unitary con-struction mounted on a porous, tubular core 58. The filter stack is formed of material which is permeable to gas but impermeable to oil. Preferably, the filtering material is wool although other filtering materials such as felt or any other material which is permeable to air but offers resistance to the through-flow of oil is suitable. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the core 58 is a wire screen of a mesh selected to permit the blow-by gases to flow freely therethrough. Alternatively, the core 58 may be a cylindrical hollow tube of metal or plastic material provided with a predetermined number of evenly spaced apertures, as will be seen from Fig. 4.
The ends of the filter body 56 are closed by an annular sealing disk 60 which dilutes the end of tubular core 58 and which is provided with an annular cup-shaped gasket or ring 62 which is glued or adhered, as at 64, to the cap 44 and the closed wall 42 to securely seal and maintain the filter body 56 fixed in place. The disk 60 is radially enlarged plate which abuts flat against the ends of the filter body 56 at both ends to thus compress together the filter material.
The filter body 56 is surrounded by a split sleeve 66 which is held fixedly in cylindrical form by one or more cinches or bands 68 tight against the edges and of the disks 64 so as to be spaced from the filter body 56. The sleeve 66 does not fully surround the filter body and its longitudinal edges define a slot 70 providing radial access to the filter body 56. The sleeve 66 is further provided with a plurality of weep holes 82 opposite the slot 70. The filter stack 54 is sized with a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the canister such that, upon insertion into the open end, the outer sleeve 66 is also spaced from the inner wall surface 46 of the canister, defining therebetween an annular flow passage. Thus, as the vapors are introduced through inlet port 48, they flow over both surfaces of the sleeve 66 and are condensed into liquid drop-lets.
The annular sealing disks 60, in compressing the filter body 56 to hold the split sleeve 66 away from the filter body 56 ~1~689~
to maintain a relatively cooler sleeve surface 'or better condensation of vapors and forces flow outward over the filter stack 54 and sleeve 66 thus separating vapors and drawing cleansed air through the filter stack for final, second stage cleansing, and then through to the filter stack core shaft for discharge from outlet 50 into intake manifold 34. The plate 64 has a slightly larger diameter than the filter body 56.
The filter stack 54, when assembled with body and sleeve, is inserted within the canister and the canister cap 44, together with a filter seal 76, are force fit over the open end and secured by soldering or welding to the housing forming a vacuum tight seal. The filter stack is of such length that the cap 44 and filter seal 76 provide a compression fit longitu-dinally to hold the filter stack firmly within the canister.
The canister wall may be provided with an abutment for limiting the depth of the cap within the housing or other means to orient the cap.
Preferably, the sleeve 66 and disks 64 are made from thin gauge aluminum sheet metal which inherently stays cooler and cools down faster. The retaining bands 68 may be metal or plastic ties or wire fastened together or welded. In addition, ~13~835 it will be appreciated that by bringing the cable or wire ends or weld into contact with the internal surface of the housing, a grounding means may be provided for the entire condenser grid against any static electricity that might accumulate. Ridding the condenser grid of this static electricity may greatly reduce the resistance of the natural vacuum and condensed oil flow over the sleeve.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, which is basically of the same construction and where the same components are refer-enced by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3, the filter body is formed of a plurality of filter sections 72 separated by annular metallic plates 74 to define a composite tubular body.
In the embodiment of Fig. 4, three sections 72 and disks 74 are shown. However, it will be understood that additional sections may be provided. The separating disk 74 acts to stabilize the sleeve 66 and provide additional surface for condensation.
Their numbers, of course, are not critical. Separate end seals in the form of small washers 76 are provided and glued or otherwise adhered to the end cap 44 and closed wall 42, since radial support at the ends is critical. As mentioned earlier, the filter sections 72 are mounted on a porous core 78, here ~136895 shown as a solid tube with a plurality of holes 80 rather than being formed as a wire mesh.
The oil separator of the invention is arranged, as seen in Fig. 1, in the blow-by circuit in a similar manner to that shown in my aforementioned patent and its relationship with the engine is the same. However, the oil separator of the present inven-tion is assembled so that when the filter stack 54 is inserted into the canister 40, the slot 70 in the sleeve 66 lies 180 from the inlet port 48. The pair of weep holes 82 are provided in the sleeve 66, offset about 90 degrees from the slot 70, in opposition to the oil discharge port 52. Thereby, when intro-duced into the canister, the polluted crankcase vapors impinge upon the outer surface of the sleeve 66 and a substantial amount of the oil in the vapors condense and drop down on to the inner wall surface 46 of the canister to be removed through the drainage port 52 which lies 90 from the inlet 46 and from the slot 70. Simultaneously, a vacuum is drawn through the outlet port 50 which, as noted earlier, is connected to the intake manifold 34 of the engine. The vacuum through outlet port 50 causes the vapors to flow through the annular passage about the outer surface of the sleeve 66 through the slot 70, between the inner wall surface of the sleeve 66 and the filter body 56 and thence through the filter material of the bodies 72 where the vapors are condensed and further cleansed of their pollutants.
The cleansed vapors are then carried off through the core 58 (78) and the outlet port 50 while any oil condensing or falling onto the interior surface of the sleeve drops into the inner wall surface of the canister for removal through drainage port 52. To insure the gravitational flow of the condensed oil from the sleeve toward the drainage port, the assembled canister is preferably arranged within the blow-by circuit in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1.
In addition to its use in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the oil separator 10 of the present invention may be used in several other ways. For example, it may be employed in an engine which was not manufactured with a crankcase return, and the oil drainage port 52 may be capped. The oil may then be stored in the housing until the filter stack needs to be replaced at which time the oil may be removed. The canister wall may be provided with a bulge at its bottom to collect the oil. Alternatively, a short length hose may be attached to the drainage port 52 and the oil accumulated therein. The hose may be provided with a nozzle or valve for periodic removal of the oil. Alternatively, the hose may be connected to a collection ~1368~5 container directly on top of the PCV valve located on the engine rocker cover. The placement of the oil separating device in this manner allows for gravitational flow of the condensed oil vapors back through the PCV valve and into the crankcase during engine off periods when there is no vacuum pressure in the system.
From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises an improved oil separating device.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that changes could be made to the embodiments described in the foregoing description without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (13)
1. Apparatus for separating oil from the blow-by exhaust vapors of a combustion engine comprising a canister having an inlet port for the intake of said vapors from the engine, a gas outlet port for connection to a source of suction for causing the vapors to flow through said canister, a discharge port communicating with said flow passage for removal of condensed oil, and a filter stack located in said canister and operatively arranged so that the vapors pass in contact with and through the filter stack in flowing from the inlet to the gas outlet port, said filter stack comprising a filter body formed of material permeable to gas and impermeable to oil and plate means partial-ly surrounding said filter body on which the oil in said vapors condense, said filter stack being mounted with said canister to define a flow passage between said plate means and the interior wall surface of said canister in which said oil in said vapors may condense prior to passage through said filter body.
2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein:
said filter stack comprises a generally cylindrical filter body having a porous core extending axially therethrough;
a pair of seal caps secured to opposite ends of said housing and an end closure filter material compressed against said seal cap to provide an airtight seal at both ends of said housing, said cooling means comprising a sleeve wrapped about said filter body in fixed cylindrical position.
said filter stack comprises a generally cylindrical filter body having a porous core extending axially therethrough;
a pair of seal caps secured to opposite ends of said housing and an end closure filter material compressed against said seal cap to provide an airtight seal at both ends of said housing, said cooling means comprising a sleeve wrapped about said filter body in fixed cylindrical position.
3. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said filter body is of unitary construction.
4. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said filter body member comprises a plurality of filter sections separated by annular plates and arranged in stacked relationship.
5. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said core is a tubular wire mesh.
6. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said core is a solid tube formed with a plurality of perforations.
7. The device according to Claim 2, including spacing means comprising a pair of annular disks having a diameter greater than the diameter of said filter body, each of said disks being interposed between said filter body and a respective one of filter stack material end that is compressed on to seal caps at opposite ends of said housing such that said core extends through said disks, and retaining means securing said sleeve about said annular disks and in spaced enveloping relation to said filter body.
8. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said cooling means comprises a thin sheet of metal, said sheet enveloping said cylindrical body member approximately three-quarters of the way around thereof to define said slotted opening.
9. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said oil collecting means comprises a drainage port within said housing and valve means in series connection with said drainage port to close the same against through flow of oil during periods of engine operation, said engine oil pan being in series connection with said drainage port and said valve means to collect the condensed oil passing in series through said drainage port and valve means.
10. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said oil collecting means comprises a portion of said internal surface of said housing, whereby condensed oil is collected at said internal surface portion and remains therein until said device is discarded at the end of a predetermined period.
11. The device according to Claim 11, wherein said internal surface portion is provided with a sump for collecting said condensed oil.
12. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said collec-ting means comprises a drainage port within said housing and a container in series connection therewith to collect the con-densed oil passing through said drainage port.
13. The device according to Claim 2, wherein said collec-ting means comprises a drainage port within said housing and conduit means in series connection at a first end thereof with said drainage port to collect condensed oil passing through said drainage port, said conduit means including a removable drainage cap at a second end thereof for periodic draining of said condensed oil collected therein.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/241,600 | 1994-05-12 | ||
| US08/241,600 US5586996A (en) | 1994-05-12 | 1994-05-12 | Vapor separating device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2136895A1 true CA2136895A1 (en) | 1995-11-13 |
Family
ID=22911367
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002136895A Abandoned CA2136895A1 (en) | 1994-05-12 | 1994-11-29 | Vapor separating device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5586996A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2136895A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109673148A (en) * | 2016-08-19 | 2019-04-23 | 三星电子株式会社 | Air purifier |
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| ZA982922B (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 1998-10-09 | Mann & Hummel Filter | Modular filter system |
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| US6143049A (en) * | 1997-06-27 | 2000-11-07 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Aerosol separator; and method |
| US6187073B1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2001-02-13 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Air cleaner; aerosol separator; and method |
| DE19916172C2 (en) * | 1999-04-10 | 2001-05-31 | Druckluft Dannoehl Gmbh | Piston booster |
| DE19923093A1 (en) * | 1999-05-20 | 2000-11-23 | Mann & Hummel Filter | Fluid separator for purifying IC engine crankshaft gases has a separator cartridge with an elastic end plate on at least one of its front sides corresponding to a receiver |
| US6290739B1 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2001-09-18 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Aerosol separator; and method |
| JP3858563B2 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2006-12-13 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Solid-state laser capable of car lens mode synchronization |
| JP2002004956A (en) * | 2000-06-23 | 2002-01-09 | Aisan Ind Co Ltd | Device for preventing discharging of evaporated fuel |
| EP1241327A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-09-18 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Oil separator |
| US6606982B1 (en) * | 2002-04-17 | 2003-08-19 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Crankcase ventilation system for a hydrogen fueled engine |
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| US20040207836A1 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2004-10-21 | Rajeshwar Chhibber | High dynamic range optical inspection system and method |
| AU2002952646A0 (en) * | 2002-11-12 | 2002-11-28 | HUNTER, Shane | A crankcase breather for a motorcycle engine |
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| US20140290634A1 (en) * | 2013-04-02 | 2014-10-02 | Caterpillar Inc. | Crankcase breather |
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| KR101637695B1 (en) * | 2014-10-16 | 2016-07-07 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Vibration type Oil Seperator and Closed Crankcase Ventilation therefor |
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| US5140957A (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1992-08-25 | Walker Robert A | Combination in line air-filter/air-oil separator/air-silencer |
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1994
- 1994-05-12 US US08/241,600 patent/US5586996A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-11-29 CA CA002136895A patent/CA2136895A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109673148A (en) * | 2016-08-19 | 2019-04-23 | 三星电子株式会社 | Air purifier |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5586996A (en) | 1996-12-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |