US4492631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal separator
Assignee: Mann and Hummel GmbH
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Filing: 1983-11-15
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Granted: 1985-01-08
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Expires: 2003-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A centrifugal separator for separating contaminants from contaminated oil has an outer casing and a rotor within that casing mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. Oil under pressure enters the rotor at one end and at the other end exits through jets into a chamber within the casing which is normally filled with air. As the jets of oil impinge upon the inner wall of the casing, a small amount of air becomes entrained in the oil and as the oil flows to a sump, the air is gradually removed from the interior of the casing. In order to prevent a build-up of oil within the casing, which could interfere with rotation of the rotor, air under pressure is supplied to the interior of the casing by means of a float-operated valve member so that while the valve member is normally closed, any increase in the oil level will cause the float to rise with that oil level and thereby open the valve to allow additional air to enter into the interior of the casing.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Woods Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:00
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/005; F; F01; F01M; F01M1/00; F01M1/10; F01M2001/1028; F01M2001/1035; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S494/00; Y10S494/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for a machine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining a first chamber having an upper end and a lower end, a drain line between said chamber lower end and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising means to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build up of oil within said chamber, said air supply means including sensing means responsive to the oil level in said chamber lower end and a valve operated by said sensing means and connected to a source of pressurized air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for a machine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining a first chamber having an upper end and a lower end, a drain line between said chamber lower end and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising means to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build up of oil within said chamber, said air supply means including sensing means responsive to the oil level in said chamber lower end and a valve operated by said sensing means and connected to a source of pressurized air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing means is a float.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 2, including a float arm movably mounted with respect to said casing, and said float is secured to said float arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said float is located in a second chamber positioned below said first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said float is located in said second chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for a machine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining first and second chambers, a drain line between said second chamber and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said first chamber having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said first chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, a drain passage connecting said first and second chambers, a float mounted in said second chamber movable in response to the oil level in said second chamber, and a valve operated by said float and connected to a source of pressurized air to supply pressurized air to said second chamber and through said drain passage to said first chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build-up of oil within said first and second chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for a machine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining first and second chambers, a drain line between said second chamber and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said first chamber having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said first chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, a drain passage connecting said first and second chambers, a float mounted in said second chamber movable in response to the oil level in said second chamber, and a valve operated by said float and connected to a source of pressurized air to supply pressurized air to said second chamber and through said drain passage to said first chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build-up of oil within said first and second chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said second chamber is located below said first chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 6, including a float arm pivotally mounted in said second chamber, said float being secured to said float arm, and means on said float arm to operate said valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for an internal combustion engine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining a chamber having an upper and a lower end, a drain line between said chamber lower end and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising float-operated valve means in said chamber lower end to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build-up of oil within said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A centrifugal oil filter system for an internal combustion engine having an oil pump adapted to supply oil under pressure and a sump, said filter including a casing defining a chamber having an upper and a lower end, a drain line between said chamber lower end and said sump, an oil pressure line connected between said oil pump and said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising float-operated valve means in said chamber lower end to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil returning to said sump and thereby prevent a build-up of oil within said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 9, including mounting means for mounting said filter casing on said engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said mounting means comprises a threaded fitting interconnecting said mounting means and said casing and said oil pressure line passes through said fitting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said mounting means also includes said drain line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said float-operated valve means includes a float arm, said float being secured to one end of said float arm and a valve member is mounted on said float arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said valve member cooperates with a valve seat on said casing and said valve seat is carried by a fitting connected to a source of pressurized air.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said float arm is flexible and the other end of said float arm is secured to said casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
171 words
A centrifugal oil filter including a casing defining a chamber having an upper end and a lower end, a drain line for draining oil away from said chamber lower end, an oil pressure line connected to said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted to rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising regulator means adapted to be connected to a source of air pressure to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil in said drain line and thereby prevent a build up of oil within said chamber, said regulator means including sensing means responsive to the oil level in said chamber lower end and a valve operated by said sensing means to admit air to said chamber when said oil level rises above a predetermined level below said rotor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
171 words
A centrifugal oil filter including a casing defining a chamber having an upper end and a lower end, a drain line for draining oil away from said chamber lower end, an oil pressure line connected to said casing, a rotor in said chamber upper end mounted to rotation about a substantially vertical axis and having an interior supplied with oil under pressure from said pressure line, said rotor having jets to discharge oil into said chamber and by reaction cause said rotor to rotate, the improvement comprising regulator means adapted to be connected to a source of air pressure to supply air under pressure to said chamber to replace air entrained in the oil in said drain line and thereby prevent a build up of oil within said chamber, said regulator means including sensing means responsive to the oil level in said chamber lower end and a valve operated by said sensing means to admit air to said chamber when said oil level rises above a predetermined level below said rotor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A centrifugal oil filter system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said sensing means is a float.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-07-09 | 1989-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-08 | 1992-07-09 | 1993-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-08 | 1996-07-09 | 1997-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |