Sandwich adapter reusable oil filter mounted to same and process for using the same
First Claim
1. An oil filter mounting adapter directly connectable with an internal lube oil passage system and the oil pump discharge passage of the engine block of an internal combustion engine, the mounting adapter comprising:
- a sandwich adapter having a first face adapted to sealingly contact the engine block and to overlay associated openings in the internal lube oil passage system and the oil pump discharge passage, a second face adapted to sealingly connect with an associated oil filter unit, said sandwich adapter having at least one engine oil entry opening in proximity to the associated opening in the internal lube oil passage system, at least one engine oil exit opening proximate to said oil filter unit, a central through bore extending laterally through said sandwich adapter from said first face to said second face, and means for introducing and removing fluids through said sandwich adapter, wherein said fluid introduction means comprises a flush fluid inlet opening in fluid communication with a first end of an inlet channel, said inlet channel having said first end and a second end, and wherein said fluid removal means comprises a flush fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with a first end of an exit channel, said inlet channel having said first end and a second end;
an inlet hose having a first end connected to said flush fluid inlet opening and a second end releasably connectable with an external pump device;
an outlet hose having a first end connected to said flush fluid outlet opening and a second end releasably connectable with an external pump device; and
a nipple located in and extending through said central through bore, said nipple comprising;
a) a conduit having a hollow body, said hollow body having first and second opposed ends and at least one aperture centrally located therebetween, said first end adapted to matingly connect with the associated opening in the internal lube oil passage system, and said second end adapted to matingly connect with said oil filter unit;
b) means for releasably and matingly connecting said first conduit end with said filter orifice in the lube oil passage system; and
c) means for releasably and matingly connecting said second conduit end with an exit portal located in said oil filter unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a permanent liquid filter assembly, which includes an oil filter unit made up of an outer housing with inlet and outlet ports and a reconditionable filter material and a bypass valve means for providing a passage way between the inlet and outlet ports, when the differential pressure across the filter means exceeds a certain predetermined value contained therein. The assembly also includes an adapter with multiple inlet and outlet ports, providing fluid communication means between the inlet and outlet ports of the filter and the oil inlet and outlet ports of the engine block to which the filter assembly is attached, as well as inlet and outlet ports for making fluid connections with an external pump device by means of fluid quick disconnet couplers, thereby enabling a flushing fluid to be pumped through the filter element in a reverse direction opposite that of the oil normal flow. This procedure facilitates dislodging and removing contaminant particles from the oil filter material thereby essentially reconditioning the filter means for further continued use, without having to remove the filter. In addition, the adapter configuration of the present invention allows the introduction of fresh engine oil under pressure into the reconditioned filter.
33 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An oil filter mounting adapter directly connectable with an internal lube oil passage system and the oil pump discharge passage of the engine block of an internal combustion engine, the mounting adapter comprising:
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a sandwich adapter having a first face adapted to sealingly contact the engine block and to overlay associated openings in the internal lube oil passage system and the oil pump discharge passage, a second face adapted to sealingly connect with an associated oil filter unit, said sandwich adapter having at least one engine oil entry opening in proximity to the associated opening in the internal lube oil passage system, at least one engine oil exit opening proximate to said oil filter unit, a central through bore extending laterally through said sandwich adapter from said first face to said second face, and means for introducing and removing fluids through said sandwich adapter, wherein said fluid introduction means comprises a flush fluid inlet opening in fluid communication with a first end of an inlet channel, said inlet channel having said first end and a second end, and wherein said fluid removal means comprises a flush fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with a first end of an exit channel, said inlet channel having said first end and a second end; an inlet hose having a first end connected to said flush fluid inlet opening and a second end releasably connectable with an external pump device; an outlet hose having a first end connected to said flush fluid outlet opening and a second end releasably connectable with an external pump device; and a nipple located in and extending through said central through bore, said nipple comprising; a) a conduit having a hollow body, said hollow body having first and second opposed ends and at least one aperture centrally located therebetween, said first end adapted to matingly connect with the associated opening in the internal lube oil passage system, and said second end adapted to matingly connect with said oil filter unit; b) means for releasably and matingly connecting said first conduit end with said filter orifice in the lube oil passage system; and c) means for releasably and matingly connecting said second conduit end with an exit portal located in said oil filter unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A process for cleaning and reconditioning an engine oil filter in position and in fluid communication with an associated internal combustion engine, the engine oil filter unit being releasably mounted on an oil filter mounting adapter, the adapter being directly connectable with an internal lube oil passage system and an oil pump discharge passage of the engine block of the internal combustion engine, the adapter further having at least one exterior inlet and outlet, the process comprising the steps of:
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introducing an amount of purge gas through the exterior inlet of the oil filter mounting adaptor into contact with the filtration media and the inner cavity of the oil filter unit, the amount of purge gas being sufficient to remove residual spent oil from the oil filter unit; introducing a suitable flushing fluid through the exterior inlet in the filter mounting adapter into contact with the internal cavity and filtration media contained therein; circulating said introduced flushing fluid within said filter housing in a manner to facilitate dislodgement of contaminants and particulate material contained on said filtration media; removing said circulated flushing fluid from the oil filtration unit through the exterior outlet in the filter mounting adapter after said dislodgement of said particulate material and said contaminants from said filtration media; and introducing a measured portion of fresh oil into the filter unit after removal of said flushing fluid with said particulate material and said contaminants from said filtration media. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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8. A process for cleaning and reconditioning an engine oil filter unit, the filter unit having an outer housing defining an internal cavity and filtration media contained therein, the process comprising the steps of:
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introducing a suitable flushing fluid into contact with the internal cavity and filtration media contained therein; circulating said introduced flushing fluid within said filter housing for an interval sufficient to facilitate dislodgement of said contaminants and said particulate material, said introduced flushing fluid circulating in a direction opposed to conventional circulation of engine oil; and removing said circulated flushing fluid from oil filter unit after said dislodgement of said particulate material and said contaminants from said filtration media, wherein spent oil circulates through the filtration media in a first direction during intervals of engine operation and wherein said flushing fluid is circulated through the filtration media in a second direction opposed to said first direction of spent oil circulation, said flushing fluid circulation occurring during intervals when said interval combustion engine is idle. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification