Oil bath air cleaner

Claim 1

An air cleaner for internal combustion engines of the type which include a casing having an air inlet and air outlet, at least one filter cartridge, and a pool of liquid therein; and wherein air from the inlet of the casing flows into contact with the liquid, then flows through said filter cartridge, and then flows towards the outlet of the casing: said air cleaner comprising first means to provide a substantially constant ratio between the quantity of air passing through said cleaner and the quantity of liquid associated with the air during its passage, said first means comprising a substantially vertical tubular member having (a) a plurality of spaced teething defining open spaces, at least partially immersed in said pool of liquid, for the passage of air and (b) having a frusto-conical portion at its lower end which includes said spaces and having its wide circumference at the bottom of said portion, and having an inclination of its generating lines of between 5° and 9° relative to its axis; and wherein said air flows downwardly through said tubular member, through said spaces in contact with said liquid, and then through said cartridge, and wherein any increase in air pressure effects a lowering of the liquid level in said pool of liquid in said frusto-conical portion, thereby increasing the area of said spaces and the surface area of liquid contacting said air.