Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
  • B01D35/14—Safety devices specially adapted for filtration; Devices for indicating clogging
  • B01D35/143—Filter condition indicators
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
  • B01D35/14—Safety devices specially adapted for filtration; Devices for indicating clogging
  • B01D35/147—Bypass or safety valves

Definitions

• This invention relates to a novel oil filter apparatus. More particularly the invention comprises a combination of an electronic apparatus for monitoring and signaling the condition of an oil filter operable to remove solid contaminates and water or other volatile contaminates from engine lubricating oils.
• Internal combustion engines, and the like, having a large number of relative moving parts are continuously lubricated by an associated lubrication system.
• the lubrication system typically includes an oil sump from which oil is pumped in a fluidic loop or splashed around and over moving engine parts such as valves, piston rods, etc.
• the oil is continuously pumped through an oil filter mounted in series with the oil loop.
• At least one previously known system is designed to signal actuation of an engine mounted bypass valve.
• the valve structure is placed in series with an engine battery and in parallel with an alarm.
• the bypass valve and circuit are opened the battery will conduct through the alarm thus signalling opening of the bypass valve.
• alarm systems of this type require special fitting within an oil system.
• a potential for sparking exists within the oil system when the bypass electrical circuit is broken.
• bypass valves are subject to "chatter" during starting, etc. due to temporary high loads.
• bypass structure tends to be relatively expensive when compared with many filter canisters.
• inferior character of most filtering media and systrems dictates relatively rapid replacement.
• An oil bypass valve is mounted in the oil system adjacent the canister and serves to accurately monitor the condition of the filter media. When a clogged filter is detected a signal is actuated and oil is temporarily routed past the filter until the filter can be replaced.
• the bypass valve is so constructed such that only a clogged condition is sensed and temporary pressure surges do not trigger the system.
• the bypass valve is electrically connected between a common ground and a base of a transistor switching circuit.
• the transistor switch is biased to pass current to a signal when the low voltage of the base to common ground is interrupted. Accordingly a signal is actuated when the bypass valve opens without creating a potential for arcing within the lubrication system.
• FIGURE 1 is a side view of an oil filter canister and bypass valve arrangement mounted on a tractor according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
• FIGURE 2 is a side detail view, partially broken away and discloses an oil canister filter construction and bypass valve in accordance with the invention
• FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view and discloses a novel valve switch arrangement in accordance with the invention
• FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;
• FIGURE 5 is a detailed side view of the flow of oil around a check valve arrangement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIGURE 6 is an electrical diagram of the invention wherein a common base transistor circuit enables actuation of a signal lamp upon breaking a low voltage connection to ground.
• FIGURE 7 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein a bypass valve is mounted upon an adapter for a conventional canister type oil filter;
• FIGURE 8 is a side view of the adapter disclosed in FIGURE 7.
• FIG. 1 a forward segment of a tractor 10 is disclosed in Figure 1 wherein a cab 12 is shown in a service position tilted forward about axis 13.
• the tractor includes a conventional engine block 14, radiator 16 etc.
• An oil filter assembly 18, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is connected to the block and includes an oil filter 20 and an associated bypass and indicator valve 22 assembly connected into the engine lubrication system of the tractor.
• the oil filter 20 includes a generally cylindrical housing or cannister 24 which is operable to receive a conventional solid cylindrical filter media 25.
• the filter media releasably slides into the housing 24 and may be facilely replaced when desired.
• the top of the canister 24 is covered with an evaporator plate 26.
• the evaporator plate includes an electrical resistance heating element 28 which serves to vaporize volatile contaminants within an engine's lubricating oil such as water. The vaporized contaminants are vented to the atmosphere through an open vent 30 in the evaporator plate 26.
• an oil filter operable for use with the subject invention is disclosed in a United States Engel patent No. 4,189,351. The disclosure of this Engel patent is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth at length.
• the flow of oil through the oil filter 20 is provided by an inlet line 32 which passes through the bypass valve 22 in accordance with the invention and enters the filter housing 24 at the base thereof, as indicated at 34 by directional arrow 35. From the inlet oil then flows upwardly through the porous filter media into an upper chamber 36 where volatile contaminants within the oil are heated and vented to the atmosphere. The cleansed oil is then returned to the engine block through return line 38; as indicated by directional arrow 39.
• a bypass valve 22 is connected into the oil inlet line 32 and as specifically disclosed in Figure 3 the bypass valve includes an inlet coupling 40 and an outlet coupling 42. Accordingly under normal circumstances engine lubricating oil will pass directly through the bypass valve 22 into the oil filter 20 and back to the tractor engine block 14.
• the bypass valve 22 includes a cylindrical internal sleeve 44.
• a valve seat 46 is mounted at the base of the sleeve 44 and is configured to sealingly engage a valve body 48.
• the valve body 48 depicted in FIGURES 3-5 comprises in a preferred embodiment at a metallic sphere. Other valve shapes, however, may be used such as cones, cylinders and the like as desired.
• the valve body 48 is normally biased against the valve seat 46 by a compression spring 50 which reacts against an end cap positioned across the valve casing 44.
• a plurality of fluid ports 54, note particularly Figure 4, extend radially through the sleeve 44 and are located in an axial posture downstream from the valve body seat 46.
• bypass valve 22 In order to warn an operator of the actuation of bypass valve 22 an indicator assembly is connected to the bypass valve which will appraise the operator of a need to change the oil filter media.
• an electronic circuit 70 note Figure 6, which includes a source of voltage potential 72, such as a battery, a signal
• a lamp 74 such as a lamp, buzzer or other warning indicia, and a transistor switch 76.
• the transistor switch preferably comprises an
• NPN common ground circuit wherein the lamp 74 is in series with a resistor R1 in the base/collector circuit and a second resistor R2 is in the base emittor circuit.
• the base is connected to a common ground such as the tractor engine chassis through a conduit 77 and a switch 78.
• the switch 78 physically comprises an axially extending contact shaft 80 which is coaxially mounted within the bypass valve 22, note Figure 3, within a dielectric sleeve 82.
• a distal end surface 84 of the shaft 80 normally abutts against and establishes an electrical contact with the metallic valve body 48.
• the shaft 80 is biased from right to left as viewed in Figure 3 by a compression spring 88 having a normal spring force less than compression spring 50 such that the contact shaft 80 will be biased into engagement with valve 48 but without releasing the valve from its seat under normal operating conditions.
• An internal shoulder 90 is fashioned within the dielectric sleeve 82 which cooperates with an external shoulder 92 on the axial shaft 80. Accordingly the contact 80 operably rides against the valve 48 for a degree of axial travel until sufficient pressure is built up within the bypass valve to firmly release the valve and cause system oil to bypass the filter media. This lost motion or degree of free travel eliminates valve chatter and signally of a clogged valve during temporary or intermittent increases in system pressure.
• the resistances R1 and R2 are chosen in combination with the base/common ground connection to reverse bias the transistor 76.
• the transistor 76 When the base to ground contact is broken by travel of the valve body away from the contact shaft 80 the transistor 76 is forward biased and permits current to pass which actuates the signal 74 indicating the fact that oil is bypassing the filter 18 and that a new filter is required.
• an adapter unit 90 includes a first upstanding flange 92 having a plurality of aperatures 94 fashioned therethrough and being operable to mount the adapter upon an engine block, frame member or the like of an internal combustion engine.
• the adapter 90 further includes a head plate 96 having an internal peripheral wall 98 which serves to divide the adapter head into an outer peripheral inlet chamber 100 and an inner cylindrical outlet chamber 102.
• the adapter is further provided with a central threaded fitting, not shown, of a conventional design operable to securely couple a conventional cylindrical oil filter 104 to the adapter.
• a particular advantage is the provision of a system which can be reliably utilized to maintain an oil lubrication system in a clean condition thus eliminating the need to change the oil.
• volatile contaminants such as water and the like are removed from the lubrication system by an oil filter having an evaporation head while solid impurities are concomitantly filtered from the system via a cylindrical filter media.
• the overall system iseconomic in that a bypass valve to the filter media is provided which is operable to reliably signal the existence of a clogged filter to an operator. Since the timing for filter replacement can be accurately determined with the subject system expensive filters can be utilized to the maximum extent of their operating capacity while fully protecting the engine from solid abrasion contaminants.
• Another significant feature of the instant invention is the provision of a lost motion valve assembly wherein temporary increases in lubrication pressure will not signal a defective filter condition. It is another aspect of the instant invention to provide a signalling system whereby breaking a milli or micro-volt potential between a transistor base and common ground is achieved when the bypass valve is open. Such low potential significantly reduces the possibility of any arcing at the switch contact point during operation of the bypass valve. Yet another aspect of the subject invention is the provision of an adapter system which may be facilely mounted upon an engine block and operably connected to a lubricaton system wherein conventional cylindrical oil canisters may be utilized.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Lubrication Details And Ventilation Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22161051

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1981
  • 1981-01-19 EP EP81901589A patent/EP0069734A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1981-01-19 WO PCT/US1981/000080 patent/WO1982002497A1/en unknown
  • 1981-01-19 AU AU72906/81A patent/AU7290681A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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