Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6503393
-
Patent Number
6,503,393
-
Date Filed
Saturday, March 31, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 7, 200321 years ago
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 210 222
- 210 223
- 210 172
- 184 625
- 184 106
- 335 305
- 335 306
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus includes an oil pan member having a magnet assembly reception channel. A magnetic filter assembly is received in the magnet assembly reception channel, and attachment means are provided for attaching the magnetic filter assembly to the oil pan member. The magnetic filter assembly separates ferro-magnetic particles from oil in the oil pan member and traps the separated particles on the magnetic filter assembly. The magnetic filter assembly includes a magnet support unit which is attachable to the attachment means. A magnet unit is supported by the magnet support unit. The magnet unit provides a high magnetic flux region to circulating oil in the vicinity of an oil pump intake tube for trapping metal particles on the magnetic filter assembly. The magnet unit includes a plurality of individual magnets arrayed in highly cohesive relationship.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to oil filter devices and, more particularly, to oil filter devices mounted on motor vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of oil filtering devices for motor vehicles is known in the prior art. In my prior patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,024 there is disclosed a magnet assembly or attachment for magnetically collecting metallic particles within an oil filter. That inventive device includes a pair of magnets supported in a spaced relationship by a carrier which latter is positionable along an exterior of a filter cartridge. The carrier serves the additional function of a heat sink. A shunt couples opposite poles of the magnets together to increase the magnetic flux directed into the filter cartridge to separate and retain metallic particles from the filtered fluid.
An oil lubrication circuit of a motor vehicle includes a variety of components, two of which are an oil pan and an oil pump that includes an oil intake pipe. Oil flows from the oil pan into the oil intake pipe. It is conceived by the present inventor that it would be desirable to apply magnetic treatment of the circulating oil in the vicinity of the oil intake pipe of the oil pump.
To optimize the application of magnetic fields to the vicinity of the oil intake pipe, it would be desirable to provide an element which directs the flow of oil to a prepositioned gap between the oil intake pipe and a magnetic assembly.
In addition to providing a reservoir for oil, an oil pan covers the oil intake pipe. In this respect, it would be desirable if an oil pan were provided that is combined with a magnet assembly that is positioned near the oil intake pipe.
In view of the above considerations, the present inventor discloses herein an improved combined oil pan and magnetic filter apparatus. Yet, still other features would be desirable in such combined oil pan containing and magnetic filter apparatus. For example, it would be desirable if the magnet assembly could easily be removed from the oil pan for cleaning and replaced in the oil pan after being cleaned.
Moreover, it would be desirable if an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus were provided which includes a magnet unit which includes a plurality of magnets arrayed to strongly concentrate magnetic flux for attracting and retaining ferro-magnetic particles, thereby effectively separating the ferro-magnetic particles from the oil.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use a magnet assembly for aiding in the filtration of oil in a motor vehicle, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) magnetically treats circulating oil in the vicinity of the oil intake pipe of the oil pump; (2) provides an element which directs the flow of oil to a prepositioned gap between an oil intake pipe and a magnetic assembly; (3) combines an oil pan with a magnet assembly that is positioned near the oil intake pipe; (4) provides a magnet assembly that can easily be removed from the oil pan for cleaning and replaced in the oil pan after being cleaned; and (5) provides a magnet unit having a plurality of magnets arrayed to strongly concentrate magnetic flux for attracting and retaining ferro-magnetic particles, thereby effectively separating the ferro-magnetic particles from the oil. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which includes an oil pan member which includes a magnet assembly reception channel. A magnetic filter assembly is received in the magnet assembly reception channel, and attachment means are provided for attaching the magnetic filter assembly to the oil pan member. The magnetic filter assembly separates ferro-magnetic particles from oil in the oil pan member and traps the separated particles on the magnetic filter assembly.
The magnetic filter assembly includes a magnet support unit which is attachable to the attachment means. A magnet unit is supported by the magnet support unit. The magnet unit provides a high magnetic flux region to circulating oil in the vicinity of an oil pump intake tube for trapping metal particles on the magnetic filter assembly.
More specifically, the magnetic filter assembly includes a magnet support unit and a magnet unit supported by the magnet support unit. The magnet support unit includes a support connector portion. A support riser portion is connected to the support connector portion. A magnet holding member is connected to the support riser portion. A sealing flange portion is connected to a bottom end of the support connector portion, and a first attachment ring portion is connected to the sealing flange portion. The magnet unit provides a high magnetic flux region to circulating oil in the vicinity of an oil pump intake tube, and attachment means for connecting with the support connector portion for attaching the magnetic filter assembly to the oil pan member.
The support connector portion includes external threads for engaging complimentary internal threads of the attachment means. The attachment means includes a second attachment ring placed on an inside surface of the oil pan member, and fasteners connect the second attachment ring with a portion of the oil pan member. The second attachment ring includes internal threads for engaging complimentary external threads on the support connector portion.
The magnet unit includes a magnet unit floor member. A plurality of individual magnets are connected to the magnet unit floor member. Connection means are provided for connecting the magnet unit to the magnet support unit. The connection means include a connector sleeve reception channel in the magnet unit floor member. A connector screw reception channel is in the magnet holding member. A connector screw is received in the connector screw reception channel. A connector sleeve is screwed onto the connector screw. The connector sleeve includes a pin reception channel, and a lock pin is received in the pin reception channel. The magnet unit floor member includes a central riser region which extends upward towards the magnet holding member.
The plurality of individual magnets includes a set of first bar magnets supported on the magnet unit floor member and extending longitudinally upward from the magnet unit floor member. A set of second bar magnets are supported on the magnet unit floor member and extend transversely along the magnet unit floor member. Magnet attachment screws are provided for securing the first bar magnets to the magnet unit floor member.
The first bar magnets extend upward from four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member. The first bar magnets are arrayed sequentially at the four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation.
The second bar magnets are arrayed sequentially at sides of the magnet unit floor member between the four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation. Respective polarities of the first bar magnets are arrayed with respect to opposite polarities of the second bar magnets.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the second bar magnets have a vertical height that is approximately equal to the cylindrical diameter of the first bar magnets, and the magnet holding member has flat top surface.
With another aspect of the invention, wherein both the connector sleeve and the connector sleeve reception channel have a square cross-section.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the magnet unit includes a magnet unit floor member and a magnet unit wall portion extending upward from the magnet unit floor member, and the magnet unit floor member includes spanner wrench reception channels. The magnet unit to magnet support unit connection means includes internal threads on an inner portion of the sealing flange portion and external threads on the magnet unit wall portion. The first bar magnets and the second bar magnets are retained within a magnet retention space defined by the magnet unit floor member and the magnet unit wall portion.
With still another aspect of the invention, a plurality of first bar magnets are received the magnet unit, wherein all of the first bar magnets are aligned with their respective longitudinal axes parallel and oriented vertically.
The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining four preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus available to the buying public.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which magnetically treats circulating oil in the vicinity of the oil intake pipe of the oil pump.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus that provides an element which directs the flow of oil to a prepositioned gap between an oil intake pipe and a magnetic assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus which combines an oil pan with a magnet assembly that is positioned near the oil intake pipe.
Even another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus that provides a magnet assembly that can easily be removed from the oil pan for cleaning and replaced in the oil pan after being cleaned.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus that provides a magnet unit having a plurality of magnets arrayed to strongly concentrate magnetic flux for attracting and retaining ferro-magnetic particles, thereby effectively separating the ferro-magnetic particles from the oil.
These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 2
is an enlarged bottom view of the embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 2
taken along line
3
—
3
thereof.
FIG. 4
is an enlarged top view of the embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 5
is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 3
wherein the magnet unit is separated from the magnet holding member of the magnet support unit.
FIG. 6
is a top view of the magnet unit of
FIG. 5
taken along line
6
—
6
thereof.
FIG. 7
is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the magnetic filter apparatus of the invention, excluding the oil pan member.
FIG. 8
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9
is an enlarged top view of the second embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of FIG.
8
.
FIG. 10
is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 8
wherein the magnet unit is separated from the magnet holding member of the magnet support unit.
FIG. 11
is a top view of the magnet unit of
FIG. 10
taken along line
11
—
11
thereof.
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of a connector sleeve that has a square cross-section.
FIG. 13
is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the magnetic filter apparatus of the invention, excluding the oil pan member.
FIG. 14
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15
is an enlarged top view of the third embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of FIG.
14
.
FIG. 16
is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 14
wherein the magnet unit is separated from the magnet holding member of the magnet support unit.
FIG. 17
is a top view of the magnet unit of
FIG. 16
taken along line
17
—
17
thereof.
FIG. 18
is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the magnetic filter apparatus of the invention, excluding the oil pan member.
FIG. 19
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20
is an enlarged top view of the fourth embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of FIG.
19
.
FIG. 21
is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIG. 19
wherein the magnet unit is separated from the magnet holding member of the magnet support unit.
FIG. 22
is a top view of the magnet unit of
FIG. 21
taken along line
21
—
21
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings, a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.
Turning to
FIGS. 1-7
, there is shown a first embodiment of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral
10
. In the first embodiment, an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus
10
includes an oil pan member
12
which includes a magnet assembly reception channel
14
. A magnetic filter assembly
16
is received in the magnet assembly reception channel
14
, and attachment means are provided for attaching the magnetic filter assembly
16
to the oil pan member
12
. An oil pump intake tube
20
of an oil pump (not shown) is provided for directing oil flow to a high magnetic flux region of the magnetic filter assembly
16
. The magnetic filter assembly
16
separates ferro-magnetic particles from oil in the oil pan member
12
and traps the separated particles on the magnetic filter assembly
16
.
The magnetic filter assembly
16
includes a magnet support unit
25
which is attachable to the attachment means. A magnet unit
24
is supported by the magnet support unit
25
. The magnet unit
24
provides a high magnetic flux region to circulating oil in the vicinity of an oil pump intake tube
20
for trapping metal particles on the magnetic filter assembly
16
. The magnet unit
24
can be a magnet unit such as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,510,024, incorporated herein by reference Alternately, and preferably, the magnet unit
24
can be as described hereinbelow.
The magnet support unit
25
includes a support connector portion
22
for connecting to the attachment means. A sealing flange portion
38
extends below the support connector portion
22
, and a first attachment ring portion
32
extend outward from the sealing flange portion
38
. A support riser portion
26
extends above the support connector portion
22
, and a magnet holding member
28
is connected to the support riser portion
26
. The support connector portion
22
includes external threads for engaging complimentary internal threads of the attachment means.
Serving as attachment means for connecting the magnetic filter assembly
16
to the oil pan member
12
, a second attachment ring
34
is placed on an inside surface of the oil pan member
12
encompassing the magnet assembly reception channel
14
. The second attachment ring
34
has internal threads
30
. Fasteners
42
connect the second attachment ring
34
to the oil pan member
12
.
The magnet unit
24
includes a magnet unit floor member
44
. A plurality of individual magnets are connected to the magnet unit floor member
44
. Connection means are provided for connecting the magnet unit
24
to the magnet support unit
25
. The connection means include a connector sleeve reception channel
46
in the magnet unit floor member
44
. A connector screw reception channel
48
is in the magnet holding member
28
. A connector screw
50
is received in the connector screw reception channel
48
. A connector sleeve
52
is screwed onto the connector screw
50
. The connector sleeve
52
includes a pin reception channel
54
, and a lock pin
56
is received in the pin reception channel
54
.
The magnet unit floor member
44
includes a central riser region
58
which extends upward towards the magnet holding member
28
. The central riser region
58
serves two functions. One function is to permit connection of the magnet unit
24
to the magnet holding member
28
. The other function of the central riser region
58
is to align the plurality of individual magnets in the magnet unit
24
.
The connector screw
50
, the magnet holding member
28
, the connector sleeve
52
, the central riser region
58
, the pin reception channel
54
, and the lock pin
56
all cooperate to secure the magnet unit
24
to the magnet support unit
25
. More specifically, the lock pin
56
is located on the bottom side of the central riser region
58
, and the head of the connector screw
50
is located on the top side of the magnet holding member
28
. When the connector screw
50
is screwed into the internally threaded portion of the connector sleeve
52
, the connector screw
50
pulls the connector sleeve
52
, the central riser region
58
, and the lock pin
56
towards itself. In essence, the connector sleeve
52
and the central riser region
58
are securely sandwiched between the head of the connector screw
50
and the lock pin
56
. In this way, the magnet unit
24
is firmly secured to the magnet support unit
25
.
The plurality of individual magnets includes a set of first bar magnets
62
supported on the magnet unit floor member
44
and extend transversely along the magnet unit floor member
44
. The first bar magnets
62
can be separated from each other by separation posts located at the comers of the magnet unit floor member
44
. The separation posts can be secured to the magnet unit floor member
44
using attachment screws. The separation posts can be non-magnetic, if desired. The separation posts and the attachment screws are not illustrated in the drawings.
Alternatively, the plurality of individual magnets includes a set of second bar magnets
60
supported on the magnet unit floor member
44
and extending longitudinally upward from the magnet unit floor member
44
. That is, the separation posts can be replaced by the second bar magnets
60
, and the attachment screws can be replaced by magnet attachment screws
64
.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, there are portions of the inner surfaces of the magnet holding member
28
that are in close contact with the top surfaces of the first bar magnets
62
and the second bar magnets
60
. The close contact of those inner surfaces of the magnet holding member
28
with the respective magnets provides that oil in the oil pan member
12
comes into a high magnetic flux region so that ferro-magnetic particles in the oil are firmly adhered to the top of the magnet holding member
28
.
The second bar magnets
60
extend upward from four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member
44
. The second bar magnets
60
are arrayed sequentially at the four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member
44
with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation. In the drawing figures, the north pole for a magnet is represented by a “+” (plus) sign, and the south pole for a magnet is represented by a “−” (minus) sign.
The first bar magnets
62
are arrayed sequentially at sides of the magnet unit floor member
44
between the four comer areas of the magnet unit floor member
44
with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation. Respective polarities of the second bar magnets
60
are arrayed with respect to opposite polarities of the first bar magnets
62
. That is, of the second bar magnets
60
, each second bar magnet
60
has a floor-contacting end in contact with opposite polarity portions of two first bar magnets
62
. In addition, each of the first bar magnets
62
has a respective polarity end in contact with a second bar magnet
60
of opposite polarity. The opposing polarity nature of the contact between the respective first and second bar magnets provides a strongly unified and cohesive magnet unit
24
and provides relatively high magnet fields with relatively highly concentrated magnetic lines of force.
To implement the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus
10
of the invention, either a conventional oil pan member
12
is obtained and a magnet assembly reception channel
14
is established therein, or an oil pan member
12
already containing a magnet assembly reception channel
14
is provided.
With respect to the oil pan member
12
, the second attachment ring
34
is placed on the inner side of the oil pan member
12
, with the second attachment ring
34
encompassing the magnet assembly reception channel
14
. The fasteners
42
provide an oil tight seal between the second attachment ring
34
and the oil pan member
12
. Then, the magnet holding member
28
and the support riser portion
26
of the magnet support unit
25
are moved through the magnet assembly reception channel
14
and into the interior of the oil pan member
12
. Then, the support connector portion
22
is screwed into the internal threads
30
of the second attachment ring
34
. When this occurs, the sealing flange portion
38
and the first attachment ring portion
32
press up against the outer surface of the oil pan member
12
. There are two sealing rings
40
which form an oil tight seal between the magnet support unit
25
and the oil pan member
12
. More specifically, there is an inner sealing ring
40
and an outer sealing ring
40
. The inner sealing ring
40
has a smaller internal radius than the outer sealing ring
40
. The outer sealing ring
40
lies circumferentially outside the location of the fasteners
42
.
Then, oil is added to the crankcase of the motor vehicle, and oil enters the oil pan member
12
which has been attached to the motor vehicle using an oil-tight seal. When the engine of the motor vehicle is operating, the oil pump sucks oil up the oil pump intake pipe
20
and out from an oil pump output pipe (not shown) to lubricate the engine. For oil to reach the oil pump intake pipe
20
from the oil pan member
12
, oil follows the pathway shown by arrows
27
in FIG.
3
. More specifically, oil is sucked from the interior of the oil pan member
12
around the support riser portion
26
of the magnetic filter assembly
16
, across the top of magnet holding member
28
, and into the oil pump intake pipe
20
. The regions next to the support riser portion
26
and above the magnet holding member
28
are high magnetic flux regions due to the presence of the magnet unit
24
attached to the bottom side of the magnet holding member
28
. Consequently, when oil from the interior of the oil pan passes beside the support riser portion
26
and across the top of the magnet holding member
28
, that oil is subjected to high magnetic flux. As a result, ferro-magnetic particles in that high magnetic flux region are attracted to the magnet unit
24
, and those particles are separated from the flowing oil and are retained on the support riser portion
26
and on the top of the magnet holding member
28
.
To service the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus
10
of the invention, after oil is drained from the oil pan member
12
from a conventional drain plug
23
, the magnetic filter assembly
16
can be unscrewed from the second attachment ring
34
and the oil pan member
12
. Then, the top of the magnet holding member
28
and the support riser portion
26
can be cleaned to remove any particles that are adhering thereto. Cleaning of the magnet holding member
28
and the support riser portion
26
can be facilitated by removing the magnet unit
24
from the magnet support unit
25
. When this is done, the ferro-magnetic particles can be easily wiped off of the support riser portion
26
and the magnet holding member
28
. After the magnetic filter assembly
16
has been cleaned and reassembled, the cleaned magnetic filter assembly
16
can be screwed back into the oil pan member
12
and the second attachment ring
34
, and an oil-tight seal is re-established between the sealing flange portion
38
of the magnetic filter assembly
16
and the oil pan member
12
using the inner and outer sealing rings
40
.
Turning to
FIGS. 8-13
, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. Reference numerals are shown that correspond to like reference numerals that designate like elements shown in the other figures. In addition, The second bar magnets
60
have a vertical height that is approximately equal to the cylindrical diameter of the first bar magnets
62
, and the magnet holding member
28
has flat top surface
39
. With this embodiment of the invention, ferro-magnetic particles from the oil are trapped onto the flat top surface
39
. wherein both the connector sleeve
52
A and the connector sleeve reception channel
46
A have a square cross-section. The interrelationship between the square connector sleeve
52
A and the square connector sleeve reception channel
46
A prevent the magnet unit
24
from rotating with respect to the magnet support unit
25
due to engine vibrations and road shocks.
Turning to
FIGS. 14-18
, a third embodiment of the invention is shown. Reference numerals are shown that correspond to like reference numerals that designate like elements shown in the other figures. In addition, The magnet unit
24
includes a magnet unit floor member
44
and a magnet unit wall portion
45
extending upward from the magnet unit floor member
44
, and the magnet unit floor member
44
includes spanner wrench reception channels
47
, the magnet unit to magnet support unit connection
92
includes internal threads
17
on an inner portion of the sealing flange portion
38
and external threads
19
on the magnet unit wall portion
45
.
The first bar magnets
62
and the second bar magnets
60
are retained within a magnet retention space defined by the magnet unit floor member
44
and the magnet unit wall portion
45
. To fit the magnet unit
24
onto the magnet support unit
25
, the magnet unit
24
is grasped, and the external threads
19
of the magnet unit
24
are screwed into the internal threads
17
of the magnet support unit
25
. The screwing-in step is continued so that the tops of the first bar magnets
62
and the second bar magnets
60
are adjacent the bottom surface of the magnet holding member
28
. When this is done. A high magnetic flux region
100
is present at the flat top surface
39
of the magnet holding member
28
so that ferro-magnetic particles
101
from the oil are readily trapped on the flat top surface
39
.
To securely tighten the magnet unit
24
onto the magnet support unit
25
. A spanner wrench
102
(not shown) can be employed. More specifically, the spanner ends are fit into the spanner wrench reception channels
47
, and the spanner wrench
102
is used to tighten the magnet unit
24
onto the magnet support unit
25
.
Turning to
FIGS. 19-22
, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. Reference numerals are shown that correspond to like reference numerals that designate like elements shown in the other figures. In addition, wherein a plurality of first bar magnets
62
are received the magnet unit
24
, wherein all of the first bar magnets
62
are aligned with their respective longitudinal axes parallel and oriented vertically. The first bar magnets
62
are received in the magnet unit
24
so that the first bar magnets
62
provide clearances around the spanner wrench reception channels
47
so that use of a spanner wrench
102
is not interfered with by the presence of the first bar magnets
62
.
The components of the oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and operation, and which may advantageously be used to magnetically treat circulating oil in the vicinity of the oil intake pipe of the oil pump. With the invention, an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus provides an element which directs the flow of oil to a prepositioned gap between an oil intake pipe and a magnetic assembly. With the invention, an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus is provided which combines an oil pan with a magnet assembly that is positioned near the oil intake pipe. With the invention, an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus provides a magnet assembly that can easily be removed from the oil pan for cleaning and replaced in the oil pan after being cleaned. With the invention, an oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus provides a magnet unit having a plurality of magnets arrayed to strongly concentrate magnetic flux for attracting and retaining ferro-magnetic particles, thereby effectively separating the ferro-magnetic particles from the oil.
Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.
Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.
Claims
- 1. An oil pan containing a magnetic filter apparatus, comprising:an oil pan member which includes a magnet assembly reception channel, a magnetic filter assembly received in said magnet assembly reception channel, wherein said magnetic filter assembly includes a magnet support unit defining a substantially sealed cavity facing an exterior of said oil pan member, and a magnet unit supported by said magnet support unit within said substantially sealed cavity, wherein said magnet support unit includes a support connector portion for connecting a lower end of said magnet support unit to said oil pan member, a support riser portion connected to said support connector portion extending upwardly from said support connector portion, a magnet holding member connected to an upper end of said support riser portion, a sealing flange portion connected to a bottom end of said support connector portion for sealingly engaging said oil pan member, and a first attachment ring portion connected to and extending radially outwardly from said sealing flange portion, wherein said magnet unit provides a high magnetic flux region to circulating oil in the vicinity of an oil pump intake tube, and attachment means for connecting with said support connector portion for attaching said magnetic filter assembly to said oil pan member.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support connector portion includes external threads for engaging complimentary internal threads of said attachment means.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment means includes:a second attachment ring placed on an inside surface of said oil pan member, and fasteners which connect said second attachment ring with a portion of said oil pan member.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second attachment ring includes internal threads for engaging complimentary external threads on said support connector portion.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:said magnet unit includes a magnet unit floor member, a plurality of individual magnets connected to said magnet unit floor member, connection means for connecting said magnet unit to said magnet support unit.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said connection means include:a connector sleeve reception channel in said magnet unit floor member, a connector screw reception channel in said magnet holding member, a connector screw received in said connector screw reception channel, a connector sleeve that is screwed onto said connector screw, wherein said connector sleeve includes a pin reception channel, and a lock pin received in said pin reception channel.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein both said connector sleeve and said connector sleeve reception channel have a square cross-section.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said magnet unit floor member includes a central riser region which extends upward towards said magnet holding member.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said plurality of individual magnets include:a set of first bar magnets supported on said magnet unit floor member and extending transversely along said magnet unit floor member.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first bar magnets are arrayed sequentially at sides of said magnet unit floor member between four comer areas of said magnet unit floor member with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of individual magnets include:a set of second bar magnets supported on said magnet unit floor member and extending longitudinally upward from said magnet unit floor member.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein respective polarities of said first bar magnets are arrayed with respect to opposite polarities of said second bar magnets.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further including:magnet attachment screws for securing said second bar magnets to said magnet unit floor member.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second bar magnets extend upward from said four comer areas of said magnet unit floor member.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second bar magnets are arrayed sequentially at said four comer areas of said magnet unit floor member with sequentially opposite magnetic polarity orientation.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:said second bar magnets have a vertical height that is approximately equal to a cylindrical diameter of said first bar magnets, and said magnet holding member has flat top surface.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:said magnet unit includes a magnet unit floor member and a magnet unit wall portion extending upward from said magnet unit floor member, and wherein said magnet unit floor member includes spanner wrench reception channels, said magnet unit to magnet support unit connection means include internal threads on an inner portion of said sealing flange portion and external threads on said magnet unit wall portion, and said plurality of individual bar magnets includes first bar magnets and second bar magnets retained within a magnet retention space defined by said magnet unit floor member and said magnet unit wall portion.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a plurality of first bar magnets are received said magnet unit, wherein all of said first bar magnets are aligned with their respective longitudinal axes parallel and oriented vertically.
US Referenced Citations (4)