Abstract In combination with an internal combustion engine, a device for the purification of lubricating oil. Installed as a bypass between the outlet side of the oil pump and the crankcase, the device refines contaminated oil by boiling off under a suitable temperature range condition, contaminants such as condensed water, diluted fuel, and products resulting from partial decomposition of the oil. The device comprises a closed chamber admitting oil under pressure at the bottom of the chamber. The oil is forced through a maze formed by a stack of circular vanes before exiting near the top of the chamber and being returned to the crankcase. An electrical heating element under control of a thermostat heats the vanes to a temperature necessary to boil off the contaminants. The vaporized contaminants can escape through a vent in the top portion of the chamber.
In combination with an internal combustion engine, an apparatus for refining motor oil which comprises: a closed chamber having an oil inlet in the base section; a vapor outlet in the upper section; an oil outlet at an intermediate level between the oil inlet and the vapor outlet; means for heating the interior of said chamber having: a vertical tubular column in the center of the chamber; a plurality of vanes extending radially from said column across said chamber; a heating resistor within the column; and means for connecting the resistor to a source of electrical current; means for connecting the inlet to a source of pressurized oil in the engine; and means for connecting the oil outlet to the engine crankcase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine, an apparatus for refining motor oil which comprises: a closed chamber having an oil inlet in the base section; a vapor outlet in the upper section; an oil outlet at an intermediate level between the oil inlet and the vapor outlet; means for heating the interior of said chamber having: a vertical tubular column in the center of the chamber; a plurality of vanes extending radially from said column across said chamber; a heating resistor within the column; and means for connecting the resistor to a source of electrical current; means for connecting the inlet to a source of pressurized oil in the engine; and means for connecting the oil outlet to the engine crankcase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein each said vane extends horizontally across the entire width of the chamber and is pierced with at least one hole whereby said hole allows the oil from passing from under said vane to above said vane as it flows from said inlet toward said oil outlet across the chamber
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said oil on a first vane and said oil on a second vane adjacent to the first vane are located on widely separated radii.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said oil outlet has a diameter greater than the diameter of said inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein: said chamber is a vertical cylinder; said vanes are horizontal discs intimately bonded to the central column.