OIL DRAIN DEVICE FOR AN ENGINE OIL SEPARATOR

Abstract

An oil separator separates oil from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine. The oil drainage device includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of stages arranged in a stack between the inlet and the outlet. Each stage includes a generally upright side wall having opposite top and bottom faces. An end wall is disposed at the bottom face of the side wall. The end wall has opposite upper and lower surfaces. The end wall has a bore extending through the upper and lower surfaces for receiving a flow of crankcase gases therethrough. A plate diverts the flow of crankcase gases exiting the bore for creating a pressure increase that separates oil from the crankcase gases. A tube extends through the bore for directing the flow of crankcase gases therethrough. The tube being spaced apart from an inner surface of the bore allowing oil to flow therethrough in an opposite direction relative to the crankcase gases.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an oil separator according one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one stage of the oil separator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross sectional view of a portion of the oil separator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an oil separator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an oil separator according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an oil separator according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an oil separator according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An oil separator for separating oil from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine, said oil drainage device comprising: an inlet;an outlet; anda plurality of stages arranged in a stack between the inlet and the outlet, each stage comprising: a generally upright side wall having opposite top and bottom faces;an end wall disposed at the bottom face of the side wall, said end wall having opposite upper and lower surfaces, said end wall having a bore extending through the upper and lower surfaces for receiving a flow of crankcase gases therethrough;a plate diverting the flow of crankcase gases exiting the bore for creating a pressure increase that separates oil from the crankcase gases;a tube extending through the bore for directing the flow of crankcase gases therethrough, the tube being spaced apart from an inner surface of the bore allowing oil to flow therebetween in an opposite direction relative to the crankcase gases.

2. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tubes of each stage are coaxially aligned with each other.

3. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the tubes has opposite upper and lower ends, the at least one of the tubes having a flange that extends outwardly from the lower end to direct oil away from a center region of a stage below.

4. An oil separator as set forth in claim 3, wherein the flange extends generally orthogonally relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube.

5. An oil separator as set forth in claim 3, wherein the at least one of the tubes includes a neck that extends outwardly from a side of the flange opposite the upper end of the tube for preventing oil from reentering the flow of crankcase gases through the tube.

6. An oil separator as set forth in claim 5, wherein the neck has substantially the sane diameter as the tube.

7. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein each tube has a flange that extends outwardly from a lower end thereof to direct oil away from a center region of a stage below.

8. An oil separator as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least one of the tubes includes a neck that extends generally orthogonally from the flange for preventing oil from reentering the flow of crankcase gases through the tube.

9. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tube in each stage has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the tube in a preceding stage.

10. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the end wall includes a top surface that is angled downwardly relative to the side wall for directing oil toward the bore.

11. An oil separator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bore has a generally cylindrical shaped upper end.

12. An oil separator as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bore has a generally funnel-shaped lower end.