Gas separation – Means within gas stream for conducting concentrate to collector
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-24
2003-11-18
Hopkins, Robert (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
Means within gas stream for conducting concentrate to collector
C055S433000, C055S444000, C055S446000, C055SDIG001, C096S190000, C123S19800E
Reexamination Certificate
active
06648939
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inertial separator, and to an oil module, a cylinder head cover, and an intake module in which such an inertial separator is integrated.
An inertial separator for mechanically separating liquids and/or solid particles from a gas stream is known from German Patent Application No. DE 200 04 131. This inertial separator comprises two sheet metal shells mutually connected to a hollow body. Profiles are arranged parallel to one another at regular intervals in the sheet metal shells. The profiles in the first sheet metal shell are opened in the direction of the gas flow, and the profiles in the second sheet metal shell are opened in the direction opposing the gas flow. The profiles are formed by the incorporation of slots in the sheet metal shells with subsequent bending of the slotted regions. The bent regions interlock with one another, thereby reversing the gas stream twice before it passes through the inertial separator. This double reversal of the gas stream causes droplets or solid particles entrained in the gas stream to be propelled by centrifugal force against the profile. A liquid film thus forms on the interior of the profile which slowly drains down into a collecting channel.
Similar inertial separators are also known from Wimboeck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,422 (=EP 615 098).
Bending of the slotted regions creates transition zones in which there is insufficient reversal of the gas stream between the profiles. In this design, impurities may be impelled through the inertial separator, thereby impairing its efficiency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved inertial separator.
Another object of the invention is to provide an inertial separator which reliably removes impurities from a gas stream.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing an inertial separator for separating particles or droplets from a gas stream, the separator comprising a gas inlet, a gas outlet; a plurality of separation lamellae arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the separation lamellae each having an arcuately-shaped design with a concave side and a convex side; at least two first separation lamellae being linearly arranged next to one another separated by an interval A with their convex sides facing the inlet, and at least two second separation lamellae being arranged offset from the linearly arranged first separation lamellae with the concave sides of the second separation lamellae arranged opposite the concave sides of the first separation lamellae, and a drainage slope for the separated impurities provided on the separation lamellae.
The inertial separator according to the invention is advantageously suited for removing impurities such as dust or liquid droplets from a gas stream. To this end, the inertial separator comprises a housing with an inlet through which the gas to be purified enters the inertial separator and an outlet through which the purified gas exits. The inlet may have various cross sections, such as circular or rectangular shapes, for example. The outlet likewise may also have any desired cross section. However, the cross sections of the inlet and of the outlet need not correspond to one another. For example, the inlet may be designed as a circular bore and the outlet as a rectangular aperture. In other variants, the inlet and outlet may correspond to one another in area as well as in cross-sectional shape.
Arcuately-shaped separation lamellae are arranged in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The separation lamellae have a concave side and a convex side as a result of their arcuately-shaped design. The separation lamellae may also have, for example, an undulating shape with a plurality of inflection points. The separation lamellae may be made of synthetic resin material, for example, to reduce the weight of the component, although of course other materials such as metals may be used to produce the separation lamellae. The choice of material for the separation lamellae depends on the required material properties or environmental conditions. Metallic materials are better suited for high temperatures, whereas synthetic resin materials may be preferred under low thermal loads for cost reasons.
The inertial separator has at least two first separation lamellae which are linearly arranged next to one another and separated by an interval. This interval creates a gap between the first separation lamellae, which are situated with their convex sides facing the inlet. Second separation lamellae, likewise linearly arranged, are provided offset from the linearly arranged first separation lamellae. These second separation lamellae are arranged with their concave sides opposite the concave sides of the first separation lamellae.
A drainage slope is provided on the separation lamellae on which the separated impurities can drain off. A separate drainage slope may be provided on each individual separation lamella. Alternatively, a single drainage slope may join all first separation lamellae or all second separation lamellae, or all first and second separation lamellae combined. The drainage slope preferably extends at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to the inlet. The separated impurities slide downward via the drainage slope, and thus can no longer be carried through the inertial separator. In addition, the drainage slope prevents a leakage air stream from flowing past the separation lamellae.
Separated impurities such as oil may be conducted from the drainage slope back to the untreated oil side, thereby being returned to the oil circulation system. Other impurities such as dust, if not recirculated, are conveyed to a waste receptacle, for example, which is emptied as needed.
To facilitate the sliding of impurities down the drainage slope, the drainage slope may be provided with a surface structure which agglomerates the impurities and thus accelerates their sliding motion. The surface structure may be provided with indentations or channels which are arranged, for example, parallel or at any desired angle to the direction of the incoming gas flow.
The gas flowing through the inlet is deflected and guided by the convex sides of the separation lamellae into the gap between the first separation lamellae. The gas stream is “bundled” by the gap and impacts against the center of the concave side of the second separation lamellae. Impingement of the gas stream on the second separation lamellae causes the impurities to be propelled against the separation lamellae, where drop-like impurities adhere and flow off. Dust-like impurities likewise fall downward.
The gas stream is divided by the concave side and its flow is reversed. The reversal of the gas stream occurs in the region of the greatest acceleration, with the impurities being pressed against the separation lamellae by centrifugal force. After this first reversal the gas stream is turned back to the first separation lamellae, where it impacts against the concave sides of the first row of separation lamellae. The remaining impurities in the gas stream are separated on these first separation lamellae. The gas stream is again reversed by the concave sides of the first separation lamellae, and thus “bundled,” the purified gas can then exit from the inertial separator through the outlet.
Depending on the purity of gas required after the impurities are separated, a plurality of successive rows of separation lamellae may be provided. The purer that the gas exiting the outlet is required to be, the greater the number of successive rows of separation lamellae that are provided.
Furthermore, the degree of purity of the gas may also be regulated by the size of the gap between the separation lamellae. The higher the required purity of the gas, the narrower the gap that is chosen. In this regard it is important that the pressure drop caused by the inertial separator increases as the gap size decreases. Therefore, the gap size should be chosen to be as large as possible in order to optim
Neuschwander Helmut
Trautmann Pius
Crowell & Moring LLP
Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
Hopkins Robert
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