Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Crankcase vapor used with combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-08-14
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Crankcase vapor used with combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273074
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a crankcase emission control system for use in an engine of an off-road vehicle. The present invention is especially suited for use in applications that can benefit from a crankcase emission control system that is easily attached, offers simple construction, and functions sufficiently even when the vehicle is operated when tilted in a horizontal or vertical direction.
2. Background Art
There are several conventional types of crankcase emission control systems. One crankcase emission control system utilizes an air cleaner and a reduction chamber that is heated by the hot exhaust gases passing through the muffler. This type of system is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei. 11-036841. A second type of crankcase emission control system is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei. 10-212923, where lubrication oil is returned to the engine case via a breather hose arranged in an elevated position above a crankcase. A third type of crankcase emission control system is shown in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei. 11-50831. This system includes a gas-liquid separation chamber provided with an oil removing means to separate crankcase lubricant from gas emissions.
However, with each of the above-described conventional examples, reduction is carried out in combination with an air cleaner. This can have a considerable effect on the intake air amount of the air cleaner. In addition, since special components are required for attachment of the conventional devices, the overall number of components is increased. Finally, if the posture of a vehicle changes severely, such as when the vehicle is being driven off-road, a liquid component of the blow-by gas is likely to flow directly to an air cleaner side of these systems. Similarly, when a 4-wheeled buggy is stored in an upright position, a liquid component inside the gas-liquid separation chamber is also likely to flow to the air cleaner side of these systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with the prior art and achieves other advantages not realized by the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a crankcase emission control system that is capable of preventing a liquid component of a blow-by gas from a crankcase from flowing back into the intake passageway of the system.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce and/or eliminate any liquid from flowing back into the intake passageway of the system even under severe tilting or leaning of a vehicle.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce and/or eliminate additional components and fastening means required in the systems of the conventional art.
These and other objects are accomplished by a crankcase emission control system for a vehicle comprising a blow-by gas extraction port for a crankcase; a connecting tube for connecting a carburetor and an air cleaner; a communicating opening connecting a shaft hole surrounding said crankcase with a curved communicating passage; a horizontal communicating passage for a breather chamber, wherein said curved communicating passage is connected to said horizontal communicating passage in order to deliver crankcase blow-by gas to the breather chamber; a breather chamber joint pipe connected through an introduction tube; a catch tank, the introduction tube provided for leading blow-by gas occurring inside the crankcase to the catch tank and the catch tank has at least an inside surface, an outside surface, a right side surface, a left side surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side surface, and a rear side surface, wherein blow-by gas is expanded in the catch tank to effect gas-liquid separation and liquid accumulates along the inside and bottom surfaces of the tank; an introduction pipe formed at a corner portion of the catch tank where the bottom surface, front side surface, and either of the right or left side surfaces meet, wherein the introduction pipe is connected to said introduction tube; a catch tank joint pipe for connecting the catch tank to the connecting tube, wherein the joint pipe is positioned along either the right or left side surfaces of said catch tank for providing liquid-free communication of gases to the connecting tube; wherein the catch tank joint pipe is provided at a position in front of the rear side surface of said tank that is defined by a distance dimension d, wherein h and d are arranged to prevent a liquid component flowing from the catch tank joint pipe to the connecting tube during operation in upright and tilted positions.
These and other objects are also accomplished by a crankcase emission control system for a vehicle comprising a carburetor; an air cleaner; a connecting tube; a catch tank, wherein the catch tank has at least an inside surface, an outside surface, a right side surface, a left side surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side surface, and a rear side surface, wherein blow-by gas is expanded in the catch tank to effect gas-liquid separation; an introduction pipe formed at a corner portion of the catch tank where the bottom surface, front side surface, and either of the right or left side surfaces of the catch tank adjoin; and a catch tank joint pipe formed along either the right or left side surface of the catch tank for connecting the catch tank to the connecting tube, wherein the catch tank joint pipe is positioned for providing liquid-free communication of gases to the connecting tube.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4269607 (1981-05-01), Walker
patent: 5499616 (1996-03-01), Enright
patent: 5697349 (1997-12-01), Blum
patent: 5992397 (1999-11-01), Hideaki et al.
patent: 10-212923 (1998-08-01), None
patent: 1150831 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 1136841 (1999-02-01), None
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
McMahon Marguerite
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