Liquid purification or separation – With heater or heat exchanger – For filter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-07-17
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With heater or heat exchanger
For filter
C210S130000, C210S424000, C210S429000, C210S440000, C123S1960AB, C165S916000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261448
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an oil filtration apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
All motor vehicles are equipped with some form of oil filtration apparatus. These oil filtration apparatus generally have a flow path with an inlet end an outlet end. A filter medium is disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end. All oil that passes from the inlet end to the outlet end of the oil filtration apparatus must pass through the filter medium.
When oil is exposed to high temperatures it begins to break down and loses its lubricating properties. It is, therefore, desirable in high performance applications to cool as well as filter the oil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is an oil filtration apparatus that is capable of cooling, as well as filtering, oil.
According to the present invention there is provided an oil filtration apparatus which includes an oil filtration apparatus which includes a housing having a peripheral sidewall, a first end, a second end, and an internal cavity. A plurality of external vanes extend outwardly from the peripheral sidewall. A flow manifold is positioned at the first end of the housing having an inlet and an outlet. A filter housing is disposed within the interior cavity of the housing having a sidewall with fluid flow openings and a central flow passage in communication with the outlet of the flow manifold. A divider is positioned within the interior cavity of the housing overlying the filter housing and dividing the interior cavity into at least one outer flow passage and at least one inner flow passage. The outer flow passage extends between the first end and the second end of the housing between the divider and the peripheral sidewall. The outer flow passage has a first end at the first end of the housing and a second end at the second end of the housing. The inner flow passage extends between the first end and the second end of the housing between the divider and the filter housing. The inner flow passage has a first end at the first end of the housing and a second end at the second end of the housing. An end cap at the second end of the housing permits fluid communication between the outer flow passage and the inner flow passage. The inlet of the flow manifold communicate with the first end of the outer flow passage with a heat exchange occurring between oil passing along the outer flow passage and cool air passing by the external vanes. As the oil reaches the end cap it is diverted into the second end of the inner flow passage. As the oil passes along the inner flow passage, the oil passes through the fluid flow openings in the filter housing and then through the central flow passage to the outlet of the flow manifold.
With the oil filtration apparatus, the oil is cooled by passing along the flow passages associated with the external vanes.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the oil filtration apparatus, as defined above, when the engine is cold or in cold weather conditions the cooling of the oil is no longer desirable. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when a valve member for diverting liquids flowing through the inlet of the flow manifold is provided having a first position and a second position. When the valve member is in the first position the first end of the inner flow passage is blocked and liquids can only flow from the inlet of the flow manifold into the first end of the outer flow passage, with a heat exchange occurring between oil passing along the outer flow passage and cool air passing by the external vanes. As the oil reaches the end cap it is diverted into the second end of the inner flow passage. As the oil passes along the inner flow passage, the oil passes through the fluid flow openings in the filter housing and passes through the central flow passage to the outlet of the flow manifold. When the valve member is in the second position the first end of the outer flow passage is blocked and liquids can only flow from the inlet of the flow manifold into the first end of the inner flow passage. As the oil passes along the inner flow passage, the oil passes through the fluid flow openings in the filter housing and passes through the central flow passage to the outlet of the flow manifold.
With the provision of the valve member, as described above, the oil filtration apparatus can be adapted to suit any operating conditions merely by selecting between a cooling and filtering and a filtration only mode.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the oil filtration apparatus, as described above, an undesirable pressure build up can occur if the filter becomes clogged. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when a diverter passage extends from flow cap to the central flow passage. A pressure sensitive valve member is positioned in the diverter passage, such that an increase in pressure within the housing as a result of a filter in the filter housing becoming plugs triggers the pressure sensitive valve permitting oil to be diverted through the diverter passage directly to the central flow passage without passing through the filter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1901484 (1933-03-01), Winslow et al.
patent: 2468866 (1949-05-01), Collier
patent: 3887467 (1975-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5476139 (1995-12-01), Gire
patent: 5520801 (1996-05-01), Gerber et al.
patent: 5740772 (1998-04-01), Bluma
Kluge Jens
Loblick Norton
Merchant Gerald
Cecil Terry K.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Drodge Joseph W.
Merch Performance Inc.
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