Apparatus for Treating Crankcase Gases from Engines

• US 20100051388A1
• Filed: 09/03/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Clark, Janet S. Clark
• Original Assignee: George Clark, Janet S. Clark
• Inventors: Clark, George, Clark, Janet S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,051,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.240
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/35 for venting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/30 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using loose filtering material
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 13/04 having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2013/026 with pumps sucking air or blow-by gases from the crankcase
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2013/0438 with a filter
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2013/0488 with oil trap in the return conduit to the crankcase
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/029 Expansion reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2011/061 Cleaning or combating corrosion using filters

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for removing oil from crankcase gases flowing from an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes filtration particles, contained within an outer case, that collect oil particles and allow drainage of the oil into an accumulator. An inner shell may be used as a water accumulator.

Claims

1. ) An apparatus for separation of oil from crankcase gases of an engine, comprising:

an outer casing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;

an inner shell;

a filter support interposed between the gas inlet and gas outlet;

a selected volume of filtering particles of a selected size range interposed between the filter support and the gas outlet; and

a port for oil flow from the outer casing.

2. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filtering particles comprise a polymer.

3. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filtering particles contain channels therein for fluid flow.

4. ) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the volume of filtering particles comprises a plurality of layers, each of a selected size.

5. ) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inlet port and an outlet port in the inner shell.

6. ) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flow line for returning oil to the engine.

7. ) The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a valve in the flow line.

8. ) A method for separating oil from crankcase gases of an engine, comprising:

providing the apparatus of claim 1;

providing a first conduit from a region of the engine containing crankcase gases;

connecting the first conduit to the apparatus of claim 1; and

operating the engine.

9. ) The method of claim 8, further comprising:

adding an inlet port and outer port within the inner shell;

providing a second conduit from a radiator; and

connecting the second conduit to the inlet port within the inner shell.

10. ) The method of claim 8, further comprising;

providing a conduit between the port for oil flow in the outer casing and the engine; and

returning oil to the engine.

11. ) The method of claim 10 further comprising placing a check valve in the conduit.

12. ) The method of claim 10 further comprising placing a valve in the conduit and operating the valve in response to oil level in the accumulator.