EP1905971B1 - Device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine. - Google Patents

Device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine. Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1905971B1
EP1905971B1 EP20070117341 EP07117341A EP1905971B1 EP 1905971 B1 EP1905971 B1 EP 1905971B1 EP 20070117341 EP20070117341 EP 20070117341 EP 07117341 A EP07117341 A EP 07117341A EP 1905971 B1 EP1905971 B1 EP 1905971B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flexible membrane
pressure
face
separation element
flange
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP20070117341
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1905971A3 (en
EP1905971A2 (en
Inventor
Samuel Bonne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sogefi Filtration SA
Original Assignee
Filtrauto SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1905971A2 publication Critical patent/EP1905971A2/en
Publication of EP1905971A3 publication Critical patent/EP1905971A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1905971B1 publication Critical patent/EP1905971B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
    • F01M11/03—Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
    • F01M13/04—Crankcase ventilating or breathing having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine.
  • This type of separation device is more particularly, but not exclusively, arranged between the crankcase (at the crankcase or the rocker cover) and the air intake of the internal combustion engine, that is to say that the inlet of the separating device is directly connected to the engine casing while the output of the device is directly connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • filter medium is meant a media having a filtering function for the solid particles and / or a coalescent function for the liquid particles.
  • certain materials materials produced by the internal combustion engine and which are present inside the crankcase these materials produced by the internal combustion engine consist in particular, on the one hand, of a liquid part such as an aerosol whose distribution in number of droplets is centered, for example, around 0.6 microns and an oil film deposited on the walls of the housing, and on the other hand, a gaseous part such as fuel vapors, water or oil, and finally a solid part such as soot suspended in the gas or in the liquid contained in the housing.
  • a liquid part such as an aerosol whose distribution in number of droplets is centered, for example, around 0.6 microns and an oil film deposited on the walls of the housing
  • a gaseous part such as fuel vapors, water or oil
  • a solid part such as soot suspended in the gas or in the liquid contained in the housing.
  • crankcase gas recirculation circuit or blow-by gas by the skilled person.
  • the intake of air by the engine can create a vacuum in the intake line and thus via the crankcase recirculation circuit, this vacuum is applied in part to the inside of the crankcase.
  • This depression is a function of the operating conditions of the engine, that is to say the engine speed and its load, this depression then promoting the evacuation of gases or materials produced in the housing ensuring the integrity of the seals between the engine block and the crankcase.
  • the flexible membrane disposed inside the housing of the separation device forms a shutter valve which then acts to limit the vacuum in the housing by completely closing the gas circuit in case of excessive depression.
  • the dimensions of the assembly formed by the housing and the cover and in particular the height of the assembly can be relatively large and the number of constituent components the whole can be equally important.
  • the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.
  • the subject of the invention is a device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the flexible membrane has an external edge which is wedged directly in a sealed manner between the first flange of the separation element and an element of the separation device, so as to position this membrane closer to the first flange.
  • the flexible membrane or, more exactly, its outer peripheral edge is directly sealingly stuck via at least the first flange of the separating element, which has dimensions that are always smaller than those of the casing so that the assembly shutter valve comprising the flexible membrane requires fewer components and a smaller footprint than the known provisions of the prior art and this with a lower manufacturing cost.
  • This arrangement significantly reduces the external height of the assembly formed by the housing and the cover.
  • the figure 1 represents a first embodiment of a device for separating certain substances produced by an internal combustion engine and which come directly from the casing, these materials being able to be composed of liquid parts, gaseous parts and solid parts, as stated above.
  • This separation device 1 mainly comprises a housing 2 comprising a bottom 3 from which extends upwardly a cylindrical wall 4 which in the example considered here has an inlet pipe 5 which is directly connected to the housing (not shown ) of the internal combustion engine. It is therefore from this inlet pipe 5 that the materials in liquid, gaseous or solid form, as stated above, occur.
  • the housing 2 also contains a separating element 6 which consists of a filter medium 7 which extends between a first flange 8 called upper flange 8 and a second flange 9 called lower flange 9 in the example considered here.
  • a separating element 6 which consists of a filter medium 7 which extends between a first flange 8 called upper flange 8 and a second flange 9 called lower flange 9 in the example considered here.
  • the lower flange 9 is in sealing contact with the bottom 3 of the housing 2, while the upper flange 8 has external edges which are in sealing contact with the upper end of the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 .
  • the separation device 2 also comprises a flexible membrane 10 which has a outer edge 11 which rests directly on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6. More exactly, the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 rests on a shoulder formed on the opening of the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 so that a cover 12 wedges tightly the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 against the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6. More generally, the upper flange 8 and / or the cover 12 may define a groove in which the outer edge 11 is embedded.
  • the lid 12 has a hole or orifice 12a so as to put the flexible membrane in communication with the atmosphere.
  • the housing 2 or more exactly the bottom 3 also comprises a central tube 13 which serves as an outlet pipe, this outlet pipe being intended to be directly connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • This central tube 13 also comprises an annular flange or flange 14 on which comes to rest a compression spring 15 which bears directly on the flexible membrane.
  • This flexible membrane 10 which is made from an elastomer material may also be overmoulded directly on a plastic or metal insert 10a so as to reinforce its rigidity at the level of the support of the spring 15.
  • the separating element 6 delimits an upstream zone 16 communicating with the inlet pipe 5 and a downstream zone 17 communicating directly with the outlet pipe 13.
  • the flexible membrane 10 comprises a first face subjected to atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of the gases in the downstream zone 17 and the pressure of the spring 15.
  • the substances produced by the engine that is to say the gaseous part that is to say charged with a liquid and solid part are directly conveyed via the inlet pipe 5 in the upstream zone 16 of the device separation device to then pass through the filter medium 7.
  • This filtering medium has a coalescent function on the droplets of water and oil. Indeed, the filter medium 7 captures the droplets of oil and water which then as they cross the thickness of the media from upstream to downstream, will be united in drops more voluminous which finally regroup on the inner periphery of the filter media.
  • the constituent fibers of the media are hydrophobic and oleophobic treated.
  • the filtering medium 7 may have a homogeneous porosity over its thickness or still a gradient of increasing porosity on the thickness of the media from upstream to downstream.
  • the filtering medium 7 is multilayered, the layers of which are arranged and formed in such a way that the porosity of the filter media increases from upstream to downstream in order to improve the coalescence through the thickness of the filter. media.
  • the filter medium 7 has a filtration function and stops the soot and all the impurities from the housing.
  • the filtered gases are in turn brought directly to the downstream zone 17 by the pressure exerted by the casing and are then directly discharged through the outlet tube 13 to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • FIG. figure 2 We will now describe a second embodiment of the separation device as shown in FIG. figure 2 .
  • the same numerical references will be kept for the different elements having the same function so as to make the description below clearer.
  • the upstream zone 16 is partly formed by the zone radially inside the separating element 7 and the downstream zone 17 is partly formed by the zone radially outside the separating element.
  • the second face of the flexible membrane 10 is this time subjected to the pressure of the gases in the upstream zone 16 and the pressure of the spring 15.
  • the flexible membrane 10 has an outer edge which is directly wedged between the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and the cover 12 which this time is sealingly attached to the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 of the device.
  • the upper flange 8 comprises a cylindrical rib which wedges the projecting outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 in an annular groove directly formed on the cover 12.
  • This cover 12 also has an opening 12a so as to put in communication the membrane flexible with the atmosphere.
  • the inlet pipe 5 is directly formed on the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and extends inside the separating element 7 while the outlet pipe 13 is made on the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2.
  • the lower flange 9 of the separating element 6 is always in sealing contact with the bottom 3 of the casing 2 while the outer edge of the upper flange 8 is in sealing contact with the cylindrical wall 4 of the casing 2. Furthermore, in this case embodiment the inlet tube 5 also has an internal flange 14a on which comes to rest the spring 15 which also bears on the flexible membrane 10 at the upstream zone 16 of the separating element 6.
  • the pipe 18 for discharging liquid phases such as water and oil is also located in the downstream zone 17.
  • the filtering medium also has a coalescent function for the oil and water droplets. water allowing the latter to unite by crossing the filter media from upstream to downstream to form larger drops that gather this time on the outer periphery of the media and then fall back to the level of the area swallow to the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and finally be discharged to the crankcase via the conduit 18.
  • the displacement of the flexible membrane 10 is different from that previously described for the figure 1 .
  • it when a significant depression occurs at the intake, it must apply up to the upstream zone 16 (minus the difference in pressure - pressure drop - due to the passage of the filter medium) to be able to move the flexible membrane 10.
  • the pressure in the upstream zone 16 is then lower than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the displacement of the membrane 10 to the inlet tube 5 allows the closure of the latter by preventing the recycling of gases to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • the rise of the flexible membrane 10 in its position as shown in FIG. figure 2 can then be obtained only when the pressure will be sufficiently large so that the gases from the housing and back to the separation device are at a sufficient pressure in the upstream zone 16 to raise the flexible membrane 10.
  • This flexible membrane 10 thus prevents any excessive depression in the housing, which would be likely to cause a call from the outside to the housing thus inducing a deterioration of the seals disposed between the housing and the engine block .
  • the figure 3 represents a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the inlet tube 5 is directly formed on the wall 4 of the housing 2 of the separation device and the gas outlet line 13 and the pipe 18 are directly formed on the bottom 3 of the housing 2
  • the separating element 6 always has an upper flange 8 and a lower flange 9.
  • the upper flange 8 has an opening whose outer periphery serves as a seat for the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 which is further housed in a groove directly on the cover 12 which has an opening 12a.
  • the separating element 6 also comprises a reinforcing element 19 which extends between the upper and lower flanges 8 9, this reinforcing element 19 itself having a central tube 19a which comes directly to the sealingly in the outlet pipe 13.
  • the central tube 19a of the reinforcing element 19 also comprises an outer collar 19b on which the spring 15 rests, which bears on the flexible membrane 10.
  • the figure 4 represents a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 is directly sealingly wedged between the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and the upper end of the reinforcing element 19.
  • the upper flange 8 has an annular groove in which is disposed the outer edge 11 of the membrane 10 so that the latter is wedged and sealingly attached by the reinforcing element 19.
  • the figure 5 represents a fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • the separation device 2 is constituted by a cylinder head cover which is intended to be disposed above the cylinder heads of the internal combustion engine.
  • This separation device comprises a housing 2 which has a shape adapted to the upper part of the internal combustion engine and which has in its lower part a bottom 3 which comprises an opening 5 acting as an inlet of the gases directly from the crankcase of the engine to internal combustion.
  • This housing 2 is also provided with a cover 12 which is provided with an opening 12a and which is also provided with a groove or circular groove in which the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 is housed, this external edge 11 being sandwiched between the cover 12 and the upper flange 9 of the separation element 6, the lower flange 8 is in sealing contact with a portion 3a of the bottom 3 of the housing.
  • This bottom 3 of the housing 2 also comprises an outlet pipe 13 through which the purified gases are intended to be discharged, which will then be conveyed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • This pipe 13 which has a substantially perpendicular shape also comprises in the downstream zone 17 a central tube 13a which comprises a collar 14 on which rests the spring 15 which also bears on the flexible membrane 10.
  • the bottom 3 of the housing 2 of the cylinder head cover also comprises a port 18 for discharging liquids such as oil and water, this orifice 18 being located in the downstream zone 17 of the separating element.
  • the figure 6 represents a sixth embodiment of the invention.
  • the device always has a bottom 3 provided with an inlet pipe 5 of gases from the casing and the cylindrical wall 4 which is provided with the output pipe 13 of the gas which will be directly routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • the bottom 3 of the housing 2 also has a central duct 20 which has a first orifice 20a, open in the upstream zone 16, and a second orifice 20b, open in the downstream zone 17, the functions of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. -after.
  • the separating element 6 always has a lower flange 9 which rests sealingly against the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and also partly against the pipe 20 of the same bottom 3, and an upper flange 8 which has a circular rib to seal the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10.
  • This outer edge 11 is itself housed in a circular groove directly formed in the cover 12 which is sealingly attached to the upper part of the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 of the device.
  • the spring 15 is disposed between the cover 12 and the flexible membrane 10 so that the flexible membrane 10 naturally closes the orifice 20a of the pipe 20.
  • this flexible membrane which in its equilibrium state closes the orifice 20a is only to be moved upwards when there is an overpressure in the housing and when the gases conveyed to the inlet pipe 5 are at a sufficiently high pressure to lift the flexible membrane 10 and against the force exerted by the spring 15.
  • this flexible membrane 10 is moved upwardly by releasing the orifice 20a, the gases can then go directly through the bypass line 20 to be then directly routed to the outlet line 13 which is connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • This sixth embodiment represented on the figure 6 therefore serves as a separation device comprising a flexible membrane for the purpose of ensuring a bypass of the gas directly from the inlet pipe 5 to the outlet pipe 13 and without passing through the separation element 6.
  • This bypass can also be carried out when the separating element or more exactly its filter media 7 is fouled and can no longer ensure proper separation. In that case, the gases can no longer be filtered and pass through the filter element 6, so that the overpressure of the gases in the upstream zone 16 will cause the membrane 10 to rise against the force exerted by the spring 15 so as to directly connecting the inlet pipe 5 with the outlet pipe 13 of the gases.
  • the figure 7 represents a seventh embodiment of the invention in which the flexible membrane 10 also acts as a bypass membrane as previously described in the embodiment shown in FIG. figure 6 .
  • the inlet pipe 5 and the outlet pipe 18 of the liquids are directly formed on the bottom 3 of the casing 2 while the gas outlet 13 is formed on the cylindrical wall 4.
  • the flexible membrane 10 or more exactly its outer edge 11 is always wedged between the cover 12 and the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6.
  • the cover 12 has a circular groove in which is housed the outer edge 11 of the membrane 10 and the upper flange 8 has a ring 21 which extends upwards to an upper end which abuts against the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10.
  • This flexible membrane 10 also bears on the upper flange 8 or more exactly at the outer periphery of its central opening.
  • the ring 21 comprises a plurality of orifices 21a whose function will be described below.
  • the gases coming from the crankcase arrive via the inlet pipe 5 for arrive in the downstream zone 17 then through the separation element 6 before being discharged to the outlet pipe 13 to be routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • the outlet pipe 18 of liquid and oil is placed in the downstream zone 17.
  • the filtering medium has a coalescent function for the liquid particles such as oil and water, and a filtration function of solid particles such as soot.
  • the flexible membrane 10 which rests on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 is raised against the force exerted by the spring 15 so that the gases pass through the orifices 21a for arrive directly in the downstream chamber 17 and be routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine via the outlet pipe 13 of the separation device.
  • the figure 8 represents yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention.
  • This embodiment represented on the figure 8 can be considered to be similar to that of the figure 4 except that the central tube 13 is this time arranged over the entire length of the filter element and that the inner collar 14 serves to support the compression spring 15 which also bears against the flexible membrane 10.
  • the outlet tube 18 is formed in the downstream portion of the filter element.
  • the flexible membrane is directly sealingly stuck on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and a flange 19c formed at the upper end of the reinforcing element 19.
  • the upper flange 8 represents an annular groove in which is disposed the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 so that the latter is jammed and sealed by the reinforcing member 19. The lid then abuts against the upper flange 8 so as to fix the entire element sealingly.
  • the figure 9 represents another embodiment of the separation arrangement 2 which is constituted by a cylinder head cover as also described with respect to the figure 5 .
  • the separating element 7 or more exactly its upper end is provided with a Upper flange which also forms the cover 12 of the housing 2 of head cover.
  • the flexible membrane 10 or more exactly its outer edge 11 is wedged between a circular groove formed on the upper cover flange 12 and the tubular reinforcing element 19 which bears on the inner part of the filter medium 7.
  • the filter element or the separation element 6 has a lower flange 9 which bears directly on the bottom of the cylinder head cover.
  • the spring is fully supported on the element 14 which is a flange formed on the bottom of the cylinder head cover and is supported directly on a semi-rigid portion directly overmolded in the flexible membrane 10.
  • the filter medium 7, the lower flange 9, the upper cover flange 12 and the flexible membrane 10 form an assembly that can be dismountable with respect to the casing cover 2.
  • said assembly is fixed to the housing 2 by the upper flange forming a cover 12 by means of a detachable snap type connection.
  • This mode of connection is not limiting, a connection for example by screwing between said assembly and the housing 2 would also be appropriate.
  • the arrangement of the separating device makes it possible to reduce or eliminate the bulk associated with the flexible membrane 10.
  • the positioning of the latter is for example realized so that the closing portion of the flexible membrane 10 is placed inside the volume of space of the separating element 6 delimited by the two flanges 8, 9. In the examples of the figures and in a nonlimiting manner, this volume of space is substantially cylindrical.
  • the arrangement thus produced makes it possible to insert part of the bulk space of the flexible membrane 10 (frustoconical shape volume for example) into the bulk volume of the separating element 6.
  • the sealing portion of the flexible membrane 10 may correspond to a portion that is remote from the outer edge 11 (for example a central portion).
  • the flexible membrane 10 may be staggered and / or have an extra thickness at the sealing portion.
  • the outer edge 11 can thus remain in a determined position adjacent to an outer face of the upper flange 8, while the closure portion can for example move between two levels, at least of which is lower than the determined position in which the outer edge 11 is jammed.
  • the shutter portion can therefore have axially a degree of freedom in translation.
  • the translation axis corresponds to an axis parallel to the direction of extension of the filter medium 7 between the two flanges 8, 9.
  • This translational movement of the diaphragm portion serving for the closure can be exerted in an axial zone inside the bulk volume of the separating element 6.
  • This axial zone is for example between the level of the upper flange 8 and that of the lower flange 9, and may be surrounded by the media filtering 7.
  • the upper flange 8 serves as a sealing support for the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 to minimize the overall height of the assembly.
  • a similar reduction in size can be obtained by placing the flexible membrane closer to the upper flange 8, whether there is direct contact or not between this flange 8 and an outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10.
  • the communication path vis-à-vis the closing portion must lead to the interior of the space volume of the separation element 6.
  • the Flexible membrane 10 is then at least partly included in this volume of space.
  • a gain in compactness is obtained because the additional space bound to the flexible membrane 10 is greatly reduced.
  • the arrangement according to the invention thus makes it possible to arrange the flexible membrane 10 as close as possible to the upper flange 8.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
  • Lubrication Details And Ventilation Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à un dispositif de séparation de certaines matières produites par un moteur à combustion interne.The present invention relates to a device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine.

Plus particulièrement, ce dispositif comprend :

  • un boîtier dans lequel est disposé un élément de séparation qui délimite une zone amont communiquant avec une entrée et une zone avale communiquant avec une sortie, l'élément de séparation comprenant un média filtrant qui s'étend entre des premier et deuxième flasques, et
  • une membrane flexible disposée à l'intérieur du boîtier, cette membrane flexible étant soit dans une première position dans laquelle elle permet une communication entre l'entrée et la sortie, soit dans une deuxième position dans laquelle elle empêche cette communication entre l'entrée et la sortie.
More particularly, this device comprises:
  • a housing in which is disposed a separating element which delimits an upstream zone communicating with an inlet and a downstream zone communicating with an outlet, the separating element comprising a filter medium which extends between first and second flanges, and
  • a flexible membrane disposed inside the housing, this flexible membrane being either in a first position in which it allows communication between the inlet and the outlet, or in a second position in which it prevents this communication between the inlet and the outlet; the exit.

Ce type de dispositif de séparation est plus particulièrement, mais non exclusivement, disposé entre le carter moteur (au niveau du carter cylindre ou du couvre culbuteur) et l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne, c'est-à-dire que l'entrée du dispositif de séparation est directement reliée au carter du moteur tandis que la sortie du dispositif est directement reliée à l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne.This type of separation device is more particularly, but not exclusively, arranged between the crankcase (at the crankcase or the rocker cover) and the air intake of the internal combustion engine, that is to say that the inlet of the separating device is directly connected to the engine casing while the output of the device is directly connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.

Par média filtrant, on entend un média ayant une fonction filtrante pour les particules solides et/ou une fonction coalescente pour les particules liquides.By filter medium is meant a media having a filtering function for the solid particles and / or a coalescent function for the liquid particles.

Un tel dispositif de séparation est notamment décrit dans la demande de brevet allemand DE 195 07 202 .Such a separation device is described in particular in the patent application. German DE 195 07 202 .

Il est connu par ailleurs, par le document DE U 203 08 834 , d'intégrer un clapet flexible dans un filtre à huile, un tel clapet étant placé contre un couvercle et à distance de l'élément de séparation.It is also known from the document DE U 203 08 834 , integrating a flexible valve in an oil filter, such a valve being placed against a cover and away from the separating element.

Par l'expression "certaines" matières on entend des matières produites par le moteur à combustion interne et qui sont présentes à l'intérieur du carter moteur ces matières produites par le moteur à combustion interne sont notamment constituées, d'une part, d'une partie liquide telle qu'un aérosol dont la distribution en nombre de gouttelettes est centrée, par exemple, aux environs de 0.6 µm et d'un film d'huile déposé sur les parois du carter, et d'autre part, d'une partie gazeuse telle que des vapeurs de carburant, d'eau ou d'huile, et enfin d'une partie solide telle que des suies en suspension dans le gaz ou dans le liquide contenues dans le carter.By the term "certain" materials are meant materials produced by the internal combustion engine and which are present inside the crankcase these materials produced by the internal combustion engine consist in particular, on the one hand, of a liquid part such as an aerosol whose distribution in number of droplets is centered, for example, around 0.6 microns and an oil film deposited on the walls of the housing, and on the other hand, a gaseous part such as fuel vapors, water or oil, and finally a solid part such as soot suspended in the gas or in the liquid contained in the housing.

A cause des fuites à la segmentation et au niveau des soupapes, des gaz chargés d'imbrûlés s'introduisent dans le carter moteur provoquant une augmentation de la pression du carter moteur. Afin d'éviter que cette pression à l'intérieur du carter ne devienne trop importante, ces gaz doivent être évacués tout en sachant que la réglementation imposée interdit que l'évacuation des gaz ne se fasse dans l'environnement. Ainsi, de manière connue en soi le carter est relié à l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne via le dispositif de séparation afin d'évacuer en continue ces gaz ; c'est ce que l'on appelle plus communément le circuit de recyclage des gaz de carter ou gaz de blow-by par l'homme du métier.Due to segmentation leakage and valve leakage, unburnt gases enter the crankcase causing an increase in crankcase pressure. In order to prevent this pressure inside the casing from becoming too great, these gases must be evacuated while knowing that the regulations imposed prohibit the evacuation of gases from being done in the environment. Thus, in a manner known per se, the casing is connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine via the separation device in order to continuously discharge these gases; this is more commonly known as crankcase gas recirculation circuit or blow-by gas by the skilled person.

On comprend également que l'aspiration d'air par le moteur peut créer une dépression dans la ligne d'admission et donc via le circuit de recyclage des gaz de carter, cette dépression s'applique en partie à l'intérieur du carter moteur. Cette dépression est fonction des conditions de fonctionnement du moteur, c'est-à-dire du régime moteur et de sa charge, cette dépression favorisant alors l'évacuation des gaz ou des matières produites dans le carter en garantissant l'intégrité des étanchéités entre le bloc moteur et le carter.It is also understood that the intake of air by the engine can create a vacuum in the intake line and thus via the crankcase recirculation circuit, this vacuum is applied in part to the inside of the crankcase. This depression is a function of the operating conditions of the engine, that is to say the engine speed and its load, this depression then promoting the evacuation of gases or materials produced in the housing ensuring the integrity of the seals between the engine block and the crankcase.

Toutefois, lorsque la dépression devient trop importante, il y a alors risque d'aspiration d'air de l'extérieur vers le carter par exemple à travers les joints de l'arbre à came et de l'arbre de vilebrequin, ce qui peut être dommageable pour le bon fonctionnement du moteur. La membrane flexible disposée à l'intérieur du boîtier du dispositif de séparation forme un clapet d'obturation qui intervient alors pour limiter la dépression dans le carter en obturant complètement le circuit des gaz en cas de dépression trop importante.However, when the vacuum becomes too great, there is then risk of air intake from the outside to the casing for example through the joints of the cam shaft and the crankshaft, which can be damaging to the proper functioning of the engine. The flexible membrane disposed inside the housing of the separation device forms a shutter valve which then acts to limit the vacuum in the housing by completely closing the gas circuit in case of excessive depression.

Néanmoins, dans toutes les solutions connues et notamment dans la demande de brevet allemande DE 195 07 202 citée ci-dessus, la membrane flexible ou plutôt son bord périphérique externe est coincé entre le boîtier du dispositif de séparation et un couvercle.Nevertheless, in all the known solutions and in particular in the patent application German DE 195 07 202 cited above, the flexible membrane or rather its outer peripheral edge is wedged between the housing of the separation device and a lid.

Dans ce cas, les dimensions de l'ensemble formé par le boîtier et le couvercle et notamment la hauteur de l'ensemble peut être relativement importante et le nombre de composants constituants l'ensemble peut être également important. Ces inconvénients sont également rencontrés avec un dispositif de séparation ayant un clapet du type décrit dans le document DE 203 08 834 .In this case, the dimensions of the assembly formed by the housing and the cover and in particular the height of the assembly can be relatively large and the number of constituent components the whole can be equally important. These disadvantages are also encountered with a separating device having a valve of the type described in the document DE 203 08 834 .

La présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients cités ci-dessus.The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un dispositif de séparation de certaines matières produites par un moteur à combustion interne, caractérisé en ce que la membrane flexible présente un bord externe qui est coincé directement de manière étanche entre le premier flasque de l'élément de séparation et un élément du dispositif de séparation, de façon à positionner cette membrane au plus près de ce premier flasque.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the flexible membrane has an external edge which is wedged directly in a sealed manner between the first flange of the separation element and an element of the separation device, so as to position this membrane closer to the first flange.

Un agencement d'un tel dispositif est également proposé pour limiter l'encombrement additionnel de la membrane flexible.An arrangement of such a device is also proposed to limit the additional bulk of the flexible membrane.

Grâce à ces dispositions, la membrane flexible ou plus exactement son bord périphérique externe est directement coincé de manière étanche via au moins le premier flasque de l'élément de séparation qui présente des dimensions toujours inférieures à celles du boîtier de telle sorte que l'assemblage du clapet d'obturation comprenant la membrane flexible nécessite moins de composants et un encombrement inférieur aux dispositions connues de l'art antérieur et ceci avec un meilleur coût de fabrication. Cette disposition permet de réduire considérablement la hauteur extérieure de l'ensemble formé par le boîtier et le couvercle.Thanks to these arrangements, the flexible membrane or, more exactly, its outer peripheral edge is directly sealingly stuck via at least the first flange of the separating element, which has dimensions that are always smaller than those of the casing so that the assembly shutter valve comprising the flexible membrane requires fewer components and a smaller footprint than the known provisions of the prior art and this with a lower manufacturing cost. This arrangement significantly reduces the external height of the assembly formed by the housing and the cover.

Dans des modes de réalisation préférés de l'invention, on peut éventuellement avoir recours en outre à l'une et/ou à l'autre des dispositions suivantes:

  • la membrane flexible a un côté soumis à la pression atmosphérique par l'intermédiaire d'une ouverture du dispositif distincte de l'entrée et de la sortie;
  • la membrane flexible comporte une partie d'obturation placée, au moins pour ladite deuxième position de la membrane, à l'intérieur d'un volume d'encombrement de l'élément de séparation délimité par les premier et deuxième flasques;
  • le deuxième flasque de l'élément de séparation est en appui étanche sur une partie interne du boîtier ;
  • la membrane flexible présente une première face soumise à la pression atmosphérique et une deuxième face soumise à la pression d'un ressort et à la pression des gaz dans la zone avale.
  • la membrane flexible présente une première face soumise à la pression atmosphérique et une deuxième face soumise à la pression d'un ressort et à la pression des gaz dans la zone amont.
  • l'élément du dispositif de séparation se présente sous la forme d'un couvercle qui est directement rapporté de manière étanche sur le premier flasque de l'élément de séparation, ce couvercle étant pourvu d'une ouverture de telle sorte que la première face de la membrane flexible soit soumise à la pression atmosphérique ;
  • l'élément du dispositif de séparation se présente sous la forme d'un couvercle qui est directement rapporté de manière étanche sur le boîtier en formant une enceinte dans laquelle est disposé l'élément de séparation, ce couvercle étant pourvu d'une ouverture de telle sorte que la première face de la membrane flexible soit soumise à la pression atmosphérique ;
  • le premier flasque de l'élément de filtration et/ou le couvercle présente une rainure dans laquelle est disposé le bord externe saillant de la membrane flexible ;
  • un élément de renfort est disposé contre la périphérie interne de l'élément de séparation, cet élément de renfort comprenant un tube central qui présente une collerette sur laquelle repose le ressort qui prend appui sur la membrane flexible ;
  • l'élément du dispositif de séparation se présente sous la forme d'un élément de renfort disposé contre la périphérie interne de l'élément de séparation, cet élément de renfort s'étendant entre des premier et deuxième extrémités, le bord externe de la membrane flexible étant coincé entre la première extrémité de l'élément de renfort et le premier flasque de l'élément de filtration ;
  • l'élément de renfort comprend un tube central qui présente une collerette sur laquelle repose le ressort qui prend appui sur la membrane flexible ;
  • la sortie se présente sous la forme d'un tube qui s'étend à l'intérieur de l'élément de séparation dans la zone avale, ledit tube étant pourvu d'une collerette sur laquelle repose le ressort qui prend appui sur la membrane flexible ;
  • l'entrée se présente sous la forme d'un tube qui s'étend à l'intérieur de l'élément de séparation dans la zone amont, ledit tube étant pourvu d'une collerette sur laquelle repose le ressort qui prend appui sur la membrane flexible ;
  • l'entrée du dispositif est connectée à la sortie des gaz du carter et la sortie du dispositif est connectée à l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne.
  • la membrane élastique est réalisée à partir d'un matériau élastomère dans lequel est surmoulé un organe rigide ;
  • la membrane flexible présente, d'une part, une première face soumise à la pression atmosphérique et à la pression d'un ressort, et d'autre part, une deuxième face qui prend appui sur un organe et qui est soumise à la pression des gaz issus du carter du moteur à combustion interne ;
  • l'élément du dispositif de séparation se présente sous la forme d'un couvercle qui est directement rapporté de manière étanche sur le boîtier en formant une enceinte dans laquelle est disposé l'élément de séparation, ce couvercle étant pourvu d'une ouverture de telle sorte que la première face de la membrane flexible soit soumise à la pression atmosphérique ;
  • l'organe contre lequel repose la deuxième face de la membrane flexible est formé par un tube qui s'étend à l'intérieur de l'élément de séparation du côté amont, ledit tube étant en communication directe avec la sortie du côté aval lorsque la pression des gaz issus du carter est supérieure à la pression atmosphérique et à la pression du ressort ;
  • l'organe contre lequel repose la deuxième face de la membrane flexible est formé par le premier flasque de l'élément de séparation qui présente une ouverture susceptible de mettre en communication directe l'entrée et la sortie du dispositif lorsque la pression des gaz issus du carter est supérieure à la pression atmosphérique et à la pression du ressort ; et
  • le premier flasque de l'élément de séparation est formé par un couvercle du boîtier.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or both of the following:
  • the flexible membrane has a side subjected to atmospheric pressure through an opening of the device distinct from the inlet and the outlet;
  • the flexible membrane comprises a sealing portion placed, at least for said second position of the membrane, within a volume of space of the separating element defined by the first and second flanges;
  • the second flange of the separating element is in sealing engagement on an inner part of the housing;
  • the flexible membrane has a first face subjected to atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of a spring and the pressure of the gases in the downstream zone.
  • the flexible membrane has a first face subjected to atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of a spring and the pressure of the gases in the upstream zone.
  • the element of the separating device is in the form of a cover which is directly attached sealingly to the first flange of the separating element, this cover being provided with an opening so that the first face of the flexible membrane is subjected to atmospheric pressure;
  • the element of the separating device is in the form of a cover which is directly attached sealingly to the housing forming an enclosure in which the separating element is arranged, this cover being provided with an opening of such so that the first face of the flexible membrane is subjected to atmospheric pressure;
  • the first flange of the filter element and / or the cover has a groove in which is disposed the projecting outer edge of the flexible membrane;
  • a reinforcing element is disposed against the inner periphery of the separating element, this reinforcement element comprising a central tube which has a flange on which the spring rests which bears on the flexible membrane;
  • the element of the separating device is in the form of a reinforcing element disposed against the inner periphery of the separating element, this reinforcement element extending between the first and second ends, the outer edge of the membrane flexible being wedged between the first end of the reinforcing member and the first flange of the filter element;
  • the reinforcing element comprises a central tube which has a flange on which rests the spring which bears on the flexible membrane;
  • the outlet is in the form of a tube which extends inside the separating element in the downstream zone, said tube being provided with a collar on which rests the spring which bears on the flexible membrane ;
  • the inlet is in the form of a tube which extends inside the separating element in the upstream zone, said tube being provided with a collar on which rests the spring which bears on the membrane flexible ;
  • the input of the device is connected to the outlet of the crankcase gases and the output of the device is connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  • the elastic membrane is made from an elastomeric material in which is molded a rigid member;
  • the flexible membrane has, on the one hand, a first face subjected to the atmospheric pressure and to the pressure of a spring, and on the other hand, a second face which bears on an organ and which is subjected to the pressure of the gases from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine;
  • the element of the separating device is in the form of a cover which is directly attached sealingly to the housing forming an enclosure in which the separating element is arranged, this cover being provided with an opening of such so that the first face of the flexible membrane is subjected to atmospheric pressure;
  • the member against which the second face of the flexible membrane rests is formed by a tube which extends inside the separating element of the upstream side, said tube being in direct communication with the outlet of the downstream side when the pressure of the gases from the crankcase is greater than the atmospheric pressure and the spring pressure;
  • the member against which the second face of the flexible membrane rests is formed by the first flange of the separating element which has an opening capable of placing in direct communication the inlet and the outlet of the device when the pressure of the gases coming from the crankcase is greater than the atmospheric pressure and at the spring pressure; and
  • the first flange of the separating element is formed by a cover of the housing.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description suivante de plusieurs de ces modes de réalisation, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif de séparation selon un premier mode de réalisation conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un second mode de réalisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un troisième mode de réalisation conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un cinquième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un sixième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un septième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un huitième mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du dispositif selon un neuvième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge during the following description of several of these embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic view in axial section of the separation device according to a first embodiment according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a schematic view in axial section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;
  • the figure 3 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a third embodiment according to the invention;
  • the figure 4 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 5 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 6 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 7 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 8 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; and
  • the figure 9 is a schematic view in axial section of the device according to a ninth mode of embodiment of the invention.

Sur les différentes figures, les mêmes références désignent des éléments identiques ou similaires.In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

La figure 1 représente un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de séparation de certaines matières produites par moteur à combustion interne et qui sont directement issues du carter, ces matières pouvant être composées de parties liquides, de parties gazeuses et de parties solides, telles qu'énoncées ci-dessus.The figure 1 represents a first embodiment of a device for separating certain substances produced by an internal combustion engine and which come directly from the casing, these materials being able to be composed of liquid parts, gaseous parts and solid parts, as stated above.

Ce dispositif de séparation 1 comprend principalement un boîtier 2 comprenant un fond 3 à partir duquel s'étend vers le haut une paroi cylindrique 4 qui dans l'exemple considéré ici présente une conduite d'entrée 5 qui est directement raccordée au carter(non représenté) du moteur à combustion interne. C'est donc à partir de cette conduite d'entrée 5 qu'arrivent les matières sous forme liquides, gazeuses ou solides, tel qu'énoncé ci-dessus.This separation device 1 mainly comprises a housing 2 comprising a bottom 3 from which extends upwardly a cylindrical wall 4 which in the example considered here has an inlet pipe 5 which is directly connected to the housing (not shown ) of the internal combustion engine. It is therefore from this inlet pipe 5 that the materials in liquid, gaseous or solid form, as stated above, occur.

Le boîtier 2 renferme également un élément de séparation 6 qui se compose d'un média filtrant 7 qui s'étend entre un premier flasque 8 appelé flasque supérieur 8 et un deuxième flasque 9 appelé flasque inférieur 9 dans l'exemple considéré ici.The housing 2 also contains a separating element 6 which consists of a filter medium 7 which extends between a first flange 8 called upper flange 8 and a second flange 9 called lower flange 9 in the example considered here.

Comme on peut le voir, le flasque inférieur 9 est en contact étanche avec le fond 3 du boîtier 2, tandis que le flasque supérieur 8 présente des bords externes qui sont en contact étanche avec l'extrémité supérieure de la paroi cylindrique 4 du boîtier 2.As can be seen, the lower flange 9 is in sealing contact with the bottom 3 of the housing 2, while the upper flange 8 has external edges which are in sealing contact with the upper end of the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 .

Le dispositif de séparation 2 comprend également une membrane flexible 10 qui présente un bord externe 11 qui repose directement sur le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6. Plus exactement, le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 repose sur un épaulement formé sur l'ouverture du flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6 de telle sorte qu'un couvercle 12 vienne coincer de manière étanche le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 contre le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6. Plus généralement, le flasque supérieur 8 et/ou le couvercle 12 peuvent définir une gorge dans laquelle le bord externe 11 est noyé. Le couvercle 12 présente un trou ou orifice 12a de manière à mettre la membrane flexible en communication avec l'atmosphère.The separation device 2 also comprises a flexible membrane 10 which has a outer edge 11 which rests directly on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6. More exactly, the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 rests on a shoulder formed on the opening of the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 so that a cover 12 wedges tightly the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 against the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6. More generally, the upper flange 8 and / or the cover 12 may define a groove in which the outer edge 11 is embedded. The lid 12 has a hole or orifice 12a so as to put the flexible membrane in communication with the atmosphere.

Le boîtier 2 ou plus exactement le fond 3 comprend également un tube central 13 qui fait office de conduite de sortie, cette conduite de sortie étant destinée à être directement raccordée à l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. Ce tube central 13 comprend également un rebord annulaire ou collerette 14 sur laquelle vient reposer un ressort de compression 15 qui prend directement appui sur la membrane flexible. Cette membrane flexible 10 qui est réalisée à partir d'un matériau élastomère peut également être directement surmoulé sur un insert plastique ou métallique 10a de manière à renforcer sa rigidité au niveau de l'appui du ressort 15.The housing 2 or more exactly the bottom 3 also comprises a central tube 13 which serves as an outlet pipe, this outlet pipe being intended to be directly connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. This central tube 13 also comprises an annular flange or flange 14 on which comes to rest a compression spring 15 which bears directly on the flexible membrane. This flexible membrane 10 which is made from an elastomer material may also be overmoulded directly on a plastic or metal insert 10a so as to reinforce its rigidity at the level of the support of the spring 15.

Ainsi avec les éléments tels que décrits ci-dessus, l'élément de séparation 6 délimite une zone amont 16 communiquant avec la conduite d'entrée 5 et une zone avale 17 communiquant directement avec le tube de sortie 13.Thus with the elements as described above, the separating element 6 delimits an upstream zone 16 communicating with the inlet pipe 5 and a downstream zone 17 communicating directly with the outlet pipe 13.

Comme on peut également le voir sur cette figure 1, la membrane flexible 10 comprend une première face soumise à la pression atmosphérique et une deuxième face soumise à la pression des gaz dans la zone avale 17 et la pression du ressort 15.As can also be seen on this figure 1 the flexible membrane 10 comprises a first face subjected to atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of the gases in the downstream zone 17 and the pressure of the spring 15.

Lors du fonctionnement normal du moteur à combustion interne, c'est-à-dire lorsque l'aspiration d'air par le moteur ne crée pas une dépression dans la ligne d'admission qui s'appliquerait en aval de l'élément de séparation 6, les matières produites par le moteur c'est-à-dire la partie gazeuse c'est-à-dire chargée d'une partie liquide et solide sont directement acheminées via la conduite d'entrée 5 dans la zone amont 16 du dispositif de séparation pour traverser ensuite le média filtrant 7. Ce média filtrant exerce une fonction coalescente sur les gouttelettes d'eau et d'huile. En effet, le média filtrant 7 permet de capturer les gouttelettes d'huile et d'eau qui ensuite au fur et à mesure qu'elles traversent l'épaisseur du média de l'amont vers l'aval, vont s'unir en gouttes plus volumineuses qui finalement se regroupent sur la périphérie interne du média filtrant. Ces gouttelettes d'eau et d'huile qui se trouvent dans la zone avale 17 tombent alors par gravité vers le fond 3 du boîtier 2 et sont récoltées par une conduite 18 formée dans le fond 3 du boîtier 2 dans la zone avale 17, cette conduite 18 étant elle-même directement raccordée au carter 8 de telle sorte que l'eau ainsi que l'huile soient réacheminées dans le carter. De préférence, les fibres constituants le média sont traitées hydrophobe et oléophobe. Le média filtrant 7 peut avoir une porosité homogène sur son épaisseur ou encore un gradient de porosité croissant sur l'épaisseur du média de l'amont vers l'aval. Dans une variante de réalisation, le média filtrant 7 est multicouches dont les couches sont disposées et formées de manière à ce que la porosité du média filtrant soit croissante de l'amont vers l'aval pour améliorer la coalescente au travers de l'épaisseur du média. En outre, le média filtrant 7 a une fonction de filtration et permet d'arrêter les suies ainsi que toutes les impuretés provenant du carter.During normal operation of the internal combustion engine, that is to say when the intake of air by the engine does not create a vacuum in the intake line that would apply downstream of the separating element 6, the substances produced by the engine that is to say the gaseous part that is to say charged with a liquid and solid part are directly conveyed via the inlet pipe 5 in the upstream zone 16 of the device separation device to then pass through the filter medium 7. This filtering medium has a coalescent function on the droplets of water and oil. Indeed, the filter medium 7 captures the droplets of oil and water which then as they cross the thickness of the media from upstream to downstream, will be united in drops more voluminous which finally regroup on the inner periphery of the filter media. These droplets of water and oil which are in the downstream zone 17 then fall by gravity to the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and are collected by a pipe 18 formed in the bottom 3 of the housing 2 in the downstream zone 17, this duct 18 itself being directly connected to the housing 8 so that the water and the oil are re-routed into the housing. Preferably, the constituent fibers of the media are hydrophobic and oleophobic treated. The filtering medium 7 may have a homogeneous porosity over its thickness or still a gradient of increasing porosity on the thickness of the media from upstream to downstream. In an alternative embodiment, the filtering medium 7 is multilayered, the layers of which are arranged and formed in such a way that the porosity of the filter media increases from upstream to downstream in order to improve the coalescence through the thickness of the filter. media. In addition, the filter medium 7 has a filtration function and stops the soot and all the impurities from the housing.

A l'inverse, les gaz filtrés sont quant à eux directement amenés vers la zone avale 17 par la pression exercée par le carter et sont ensuite directement évacués par le tube de sortie 13 vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne.Conversely, the filtered gases are in turn brought directly to the downstream zone 17 by the pressure exerted by the casing and are then directly discharged through the outlet tube 13 to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.

Lorsque survient une dépression à l'admission, celle-ci s'applique au canal 13 puis dans la zone avale 17. La pression dans la zone avale 17 est alors inférieure à la pression atmosphérique. Ceci provoque alors la descente de la membrane flexible 10 vers le bas à l'encontre de la pression exercée par le ressort 15. Cette descente de la membrane 10 permet d'obturer le tube de sortie 13 de manière à couper le recyclage des gaz vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne jusqu'à ce que la pression à l'intérieur du carter soit redevenue suffisamment importante de telle sorte que les gaz issus du carter et revenant vers le dispositif de séparation soient à une pression suffisante dans la zone avale 17 pour faire remonter la membrane flexible 10 de telle sorte que le circuit de recyclage des gaz vers l'admission d'air du moteur soit possible.When a vacuum occurs at the intake, it applies to the channel 13 and in the downstream zone 17. The pressure in the downstream zone 17 is then below atmospheric pressure. This then causes the flexible membrane 10 to descend downwards against the pressure exerted by the spring 15. This descent of the membrane 10 makes it possible to close off the outlet tube 13 so as to cut the recycling of the gases towards the air intake of the internal combustion engine until the pressure inside the crankcase has become sufficiently large so that the gases coming from the crankcase and returning to the separation device are at a sufficient pressure in the crankcase. the downstream zone 17 to raise the flexible membrane 10 so that the gas recycling circuit to the engine air intake is possible.

On voit donc qu'avec ce dispositif de séparation, le recyclage des gaz se fait en direction de l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne tandis que toutes les phases liquides sont séparées et retournées vers le carter moteur.So we see that with this device separation, the gas recirculation is towards the air intake of the internal combustion engine while all the liquid phases are separated and returned to the crankcase.

Nous allons maintenant décrire un second mode de réalisation du dispositif de séparation tel que représenté sur la figure 2. Les mêmes références numériques seront conservées pour les différents éléments ayant la même fonction de manière à rendre plus claire la description ci-après.We will now describe a second embodiment of the separation device as shown in FIG. figure 2 . The same numerical references will be kept for the different elements having the same function so as to make the description below clearer.

Selon ce deuxième mode de réalisation et à l'inverse du premier mode de réalisation, la zone amont 16 est en partie formée par la zone radialement à l'intérieur de l'élément de séparation 7 et la zone avale 17 est en partie formée par la zone radialement à l'extérieur de l'élément de séparation.According to this second embodiment and contrary to the first embodiment, the upstream zone 16 is partly formed by the zone radially inside the separating element 7 and the downstream zone 17 is partly formed by the zone radially outside the separating element.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 2, la deuxième face de la membrane flexible 10 est cette fois-ci soumise à la pression des gaz dans la zone amont 16 et à la pression du ressort 15.As can be seen on the figure 2 the second face of the flexible membrane 10 is this time subjected to the pressure of the gases in the upstream zone 16 and the pressure of the spring 15.

Selon ce deuxième mode de réalisation, la membrane flexible 10 présente un bord externe qui est directement coincé entre le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6 et le couvercle 12 qui cette fois-ci est fixé de manière étanche à la paroi cylindrique 4 du boîtier 2 du dispositif. Le flasque supérieur 8 comprend une nervure cylindrique qui vient coincer le bord externe saillant 11 de la membrane flexible 10 dans une gorge annulaire directement réalisée sur le couvercle 12. Ce couvercle 12 présente également une ouverture 12a de manière à mettre en communication la membrane flexible avec l'atmosphère. Par ailleurs, dans ce mode de réalisation, la conduite d'entrée 5 est directement réalisée sur le fond 3 du boîtier 2 et s'étend à l'intérieur de l'élément de séparation 7 tandis que la conduite de sortie 13 est réalisée sur la paroi cylindrique 4 du boîtier 2.According to this second embodiment, the flexible membrane 10 has an outer edge which is directly wedged between the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and the cover 12 which this time is sealingly attached to the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 of the device. The upper flange 8 comprises a cylindrical rib which wedges the projecting outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 in an annular groove directly formed on the cover 12. This cover 12 also has an opening 12a so as to put in communication the membrane flexible with the atmosphere. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inlet pipe 5 is directly formed on the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and extends inside the separating element 7 while the outlet pipe 13 is made on the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2.

Le flasque inférieur 9 de l'élément de séparation 6 est toujours en contact étanche avec le fond 3 du boîtier 2 tandis que le bord externe du flasque supérieur 8 est en contact étanche avec la paroi cylindrique 4 du boîtier 2. Par ailleurs, dans ce mode de réalisation le tube d'entrée 5 présente également une collerette interne 14a sur laquelle vient reposer le ressort 15 qui prend également appui sur la membrane flexible 10 au niveau de la zone amont 16 de l'élément de séparation 6.The lower flange 9 of the separating element 6 is always in sealing contact with the bottom 3 of the casing 2 while the outer edge of the upper flange 8 is in sealing contact with the cylindrical wall 4 of the casing 2. Furthermore, in this case embodiment the inlet tube 5 also has an internal flange 14a on which comes to rest the spring 15 which also bears on the flexible membrane 10 at the upstream zone 16 of the separating element 6.

Selon ce second mode de réalisation, la conduite 18 d'évacuation des phases liquides telles que l'eau et l'huile est également située dans la zone avale 17. Le média filtrant exerce également une fonction coalescente pour les gouttelettes d'huile et d'eau permettant à ces dernières de s'unir en traversant le média filtrant de l'amont vers l'aval pour former des gouttes plus volumineuse qui se regroupent cette fois-ci sur la périphérie externe du média pour ensuite retomber au niveau de la zone avale vers le fond 3 du boîtier 2 et finalement être évacuées vers le carter moteur par le conduit 18.According to this second embodiment, the pipe 18 for discharging liquid phases such as water and oil is also located in the downstream zone 17. The filtering medium also has a coalescent function for the oil and water droplets. water allowing the latter to unite by crossing the filter media from upstream to downstream to form larger drops that gather this time on the outer periphery of the media and then fall back to the level of the area swallow to the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and finally be discharged to the crankcase via the conduit 18.

Le déplacement de la membrane flexible 10 est différent de celui précédemment décrit pour la figure 1. En effet, lorsqu'une dépression importante survient à l'admission, celle-ci doit s'appliquer jusqu'à la zone amont 16 (moins la différence de pression - perte de charge - due au passage du média filtrant) pour pouvoir déplacer la membrane flexible 10. La pression dans la zone amont 16 est alors inférieure à la pression atmosphérique.Ainsi, le déplacement de la membrane 10 vers le tube d'entrée 5 permet l'obturation de ce dernier en empêchant le recyclage des gaz vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. La remontée de la membrane flexible 10 dans sa position telle que représentée sur la figure 2 ne pourra alors être obtenue que lorsque la pression sera redevenue suffisamment importante de telle sorte que les gaz issus du carter et revenant vers le dispositif de séparation soient à une pression suffisante dans la zone amont 16 pour faire remonter la membrane flexible 10.The displacement of the flexible membrane 10 is different from that previously described for the figure 1 . In fact, when a significant depression occurs at the intake, it must apply up to the upstream zone 16 (minus the difference in pressure - pressure drop - due to the passage of the filter medium) to be able to move the flexible membrane 10. The pressure in the upstream zone 16 is then lower than the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the displacement of the membrane 10 to the inlet tube 5 allows the closure of the latter by preventing the recycling of gases to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. The rise of the flexible membrane 10 in its position as shown in FIG. figure 2 can then be obtained only when the pressure will be sufficiently large so that the gases from the housing and back to the separation device are at a sufficient pressure in the upstream zone 16 to raise the flexible membrane 10.

Cette membrane flexible 10 empêche donc toute dépression trop importante dans le carter, ce qui serait susceptible de provoquer un appel d'air depuis l'extérieur vers le carter en induisant donc une détérioration des joints d'étanchéité disposés entre le carter et le bloc moteur.This flexible membrane 10 thus prevents any excessive depression in the housing, which would be likely to cause a call from the outside to the housing thus inducing a deterioration of the seals disposed between the housing and the engine block .

La figure 3 représente un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.The figure 3 represents a third embodiment of the invention.

Selon ce troisième mode de réalisation, le tube d'entrée 5 est directement réalisé sur la paroi 4 du boîtier 2 du dispositif de séparation et la conduite de sortie 13 des gaz ainsi que la conduite 18 sont directement réalisées sur le fond 3 du boîtier 2. L'élément de séparation 6 présente toujours un flasque supérieur 8 et un flasque inférieur 9. Le flasque supérieur 8 présente une ouverture dont la périphérie externe fait office de siège pour le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 qui est en outre logé dans une rainure directement réalisée sur le couvercle 12 qui présente une ouverture 12a. Dans ce mode de réalisation, l'élément de séparation 6 comprend également un élément de renfort 19 qui s'étend entre les flasques supérieur 8 et inférieur 9, cet élément de renfort 19 présentant lui-même un tube central 19a qui vient directement s'emboîter de manière étanche dans la conduite de sortie 13. Le tube central 19a de l'élément de renfort 19 comprend également une collerette externe 19b sur laquelle repose le ressort 15 qui vient prendre appui sur la membrane flexible 10.According to this third embodiment, the inlet tube 5 is directly formed on the wall 4 of the housing 2 of the separation device and the gas outlet line 13 and the pipe 18 are directly formed on the bottom 3 of the housing 2 The separating element 6 always has an upper flange 8 and a lower flange 9. The upper flange 8 has an opening whose outer periphery serves as a seat for the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 which is further housed in a groove directly on the cover 12 which has an opening 12a. In this embodiment, the separating element 6 also comprises a reinforcing element 19 which extends between the upper and lower flanges 8 9, this reinforcing element 19 itself having a central tube 19a which comes directly to the sealingly in the outlet pipe 13. The central tube 19a of the reinforcing element 19 also comprises an outer collar 19b on which the spring 15 rests, which bears on the flexible membrane 10.

La figure 4 représente un quatrième mode de réalisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention.The figure 4 represents a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Selon ce quatrième mode de réalisation, le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 est directement coincé de manière étanche entre le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6 et l'extrémité supérieure de l'élément de renfort 19.According to this fourth embodiment, the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 is directly sealingly wedged between the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and the upper end of the reinforcing element 19.

Comme on peut le voir sur cette figure 4, le flasque supérieur 8 présente une gorge annulaire dans laquelle est disposé le bord externe 11 de la membrane 10 afin que ce dernier soit coincé et fixé de manière étanche par l'élément de renfort 19.As we can see on this figure 4 , the upper flange 8 has an annular groove in which is disposed the outer edge 11 of the membrane 10 so that the latter is wedged and sealingly attached by the reinforcing element 19.

Les autres éléments du dispositif de séparation représentés sur la figure 4 sont similaires à ceux déjà décrits dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 3.The other elements of the separation device shown on the figure 4 are similar to those already described in the embodiment shown in the figure 3 .

La figure 5 représente un cinquième mode de réalisation de l'invention.The figure 5 represents a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, le dispositif de séparation 2 est constitué par un couvre culasse qui est destiné à être disposé au-dessus des culasses du moteur à combustion interne. Ce dispositif de séparation comporte un boîtier 2 qui présente une forme adaptée à la partie haute du moteur à combustion interne et qui présente dans sa partie inférieure un fond 3 qui comprend une ouverture 5 faisant office d'entrée des gaz directement issus du carter du moteur à combustion interne. Ce boîtier 2 est également pourvu d'un couvercle 12 qui est pourvu d'une ouverture 12a et qui est également pourvu d'une rainure ou gorge circulaire dans laquelle vient se loger le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10, ce bord externe 11 étant pris en sandwich entre le couvercle 12 et le flasque supérieur 9 de l'élément de séparation 6 dont le flasque inférieur 8 est en contact étanche avec une portion 3a du fond 3 du boîtier. Ce fond 3 du boîtier 2 comprend également une conduite de sortie 13 par laquelle sont destinés à être évacués les gaz épurés qui seront ensuite acheminés vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. Cette conduite 13 qui présente une forme sensiblement perpendiculaire comprend également dans la zone d'avale 17 un tube central 13a qui comprend une collerette 14 sur laquelle repose le ressort 15 qui prend également appui sur la membrane flexible 10.In this embodiment, the separation device 2 is constituted by a cylinder head cover which is intended to be disposed above the cylinder heads of the internal combustion engine. This separation device comprises a housing 2 which has a shape adapted to the upper part of the internal combustion engine and which has in its lower part a bottom 3 which comprises an opening 5 acting as an inlet of the gases directly from the crankcase of the engine to internal combustion. This housing 2 is also provided with a cover 12 which is provided with an opening 12a and which is also provided with a groove or circular groove in which the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 is housed, this external edge 11 being sandwiched between the cover 12 and the upper flange 9 of the separation element 6, the lower flange 8 is in sealing contact with a portion 3a of the bottom 3 of the housing. This bottom 3 of the housing 2 also comprises an outlet pipe 13 through which the purified gases are intended to be discharged, which will then be conveyed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. This pipe 13 which has a substantially perpendicular shape also comprises in the downstream zone 17 a central tube 13a which comprises a collar 14 on which rests the spring 15 which also bears on the flexible membrane 10.

Le fond 3 du boîtier 2 du couvre culasse comprend également un orifice 18 d'évacuation des liquides tels que l'huile et l'eau, cet orifice 18 étant situé dans la zone avale 17 de l'élément de séparation.The bottom 3 of the housing 2 of the cylinder head cover also comprises a port 18 for discharging liquids such as oil and water, this orifice 18 being located in the downstream zone 17 of the separating element.

La figure 6 représente un sixième mode de réalisation de l'invention. Dans ce sixième mode de réalisation, le dispositif présente toujours un fond 3 pourvu d'une conduite d'entrée 5 des gaz issus du carter ainsi que la paroi cylindrique 4 qui est quant à elle pourvue de la conduite de sortie 13 des gaz qui seront directement acheminés vers 1' admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. Le fond 3 du boîtier 2 présente également un conduit central 20 qui présente un premier orifice 20a, ouvert dans la zone amont 16, ainsi qu'un deuxième orifice 20b, ouvert dans la zone avale 17, dont les fonctions seront décrites plus en détail ci-après. L'élément de séparation 6 présente toujours un flasque inférieur 9 qui repose de manière étanche contre le fond 3 du boîtier 2 et également en partie contre la conduite 20 de ce même fond 3, ainsi qu'un flasque supérieur 8 qui présente une nervure circulaire permettant de coincer de manière étanche le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10. Ce bord externe 11 est lui-même logé dans une rainure circulaire directement pratiquée dans le couvercle 12 qui est fixé de manière étanche à la partie supérieure de la paroi cylindrique 4 du boîtier 2 du dispositif. Dans l'exemple considéré ici, le ressort 15 est disposé entre le couvercle 12 et la membrane flexible 10 de telle sorte que la membrane flexible 10 vient naturellement obturer l'orifice 20a de la conduite 20. Cette obturation de l'orifice 20a de la conduite 20 par la membrane flexible 10 oblige donc les gaz arrivant par la conduite d'entrée 5a de traverser directement le média filtrant 7 de l'élément de filtration 6 pour arriver ensuite dans la zone avale 17 par lequel les gaz filtrés seront ensuite directement acheminés vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne via la conduite de sortie 13. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la conduite de sortie 18 de liquide telle que l'eau ou l'huile est directement réalisée dans la zone avale. Comme pour les précédents modes de réalisation, le média filtrant exerce une fonction coalescente pour les particules liquides telles que l'huile et l'eau, et une fonction de filtration de particules solides telles des suies. Par contre, contrairement aux autres modes de réalisation représentés sur les figures 1 à 5, la membrane flexible 10 n'a pas pour fonction ici de se déplacer lorsqu'il existe une dépression à l'admission. Au contraire, cette membrane flexible qui dans son état d'équilibre obture l'orifice 20a est uniquement appelée à être déplacée vers le haut lorsqu'il existe une surpression dans le carter et lorsque les gaz acheminés vers la conduite d'entrée 5 sont à une pression suffisamment importante pour soulever la membrane flexible 10 et ce à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par le ressort 15. Lorsque cette membrane flexible 10 est déplacée vers le haut en libérant l'orifice 20a, les gaz peuvent alors directement passer par la conduite de dérivation 20 pour être ensuite directement acheminés vers la conduite de sortie 13 qui est reliée à l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. Ce sixième mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 6 fait donc office de dispositif de séparation comportant une membrane flexible ayant pour objet d'assurer une dérivation des gaz directement depuis la conduite d'entrée 5 vers la conduite de sortie 13 et ce sans passer par l'élément de séparation 6.The figure 6 represents a sixth embodiment of the invention. In this sixth embodiment, the device always has a bottom 3 provided with an inlet pipe 5 of gases from the casing and the cylindrical wall 4 which is provided with the output pipe 13 of the gas which will be directly routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. The bottom 3 of the housing 2 also has a central duct 20 which has a first orifice 20a, open in the upstream zone 16, and a second orifice 20b, open in the downstream zone 17, the functions of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. -after. The separating element 6 always has a lower flange 9 which rests sealingly against the bottom 3 of the housing 2 and also partly against the pipe 20 of the same bottom 3, and an upper flange 8 which has a circular rib to seal the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10. This outer edge 11 is itself housed in a circular groove directly formed in the cover 12 which is sealingly attached to the upper part of the cylindrical wall 4 of the housing 2 of the device. In the example considered here, the spring 15 is disposed between the cover 12 and the flexible membrane 10 so that the flexible membrane 10 naturally closes the orifice 20a of the pipe 20. This closure of the orifice 20a of the The duct 20 via the flexible membrane 10 thus forces the gases arriving via the inlet duct 5a to pass directly through the filter media 7 of the filtration element 6 and then to the downstream zone 17 through which the filtered gases will then be directly conveyed. to the air intake of the internal combustion engine via the outlet pipe 13. In this embodiment, the outlet pipe 18 of liquid such that water or oil is directly produced in the downstream area. As for the previous embodiments, the filter media has a coalescing function for liquid particles such as oil and water, and a filtration function of solid particles such as soot. On the other hand, unlike the other embodiments represented on the Figures 1 to 5 , the flexible membrane 10 does not function here to move when there is a vacuum on admission. On the contrary, this flexible membrane which in its equilibrium state closes the orifice 20a is only to be moved upwards when there is an overpressure in the housing and when the gases conveyed to the inlet pipe 5 are at a sufficiently high pressure to lift the flexible membrane 10 and against the force exerted by the spring 15. When this flexible membrane 10 is moved upwardly by releasing the orifice 20a, the gases can then go directly through the bypass line 20 to be then directly routed to the outlet line 13 which is connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. This sixth embodiment represented on the figure 6 therefore serves as a separation device comprising a flexible membrane for the purpose of ensuring a bypass of the gas directly from the inlet pipe 5 to the outlet pipe 13 and without passing through the separation element 6.

Cette dérivation peut également s'effectuer lorsque l'élément de séparation ou plus exactement son média filtrant 7 est encrassé et ne peut plus donc assurer une séparation convenable. Dans ce cas, les gaz ne pourront plus être filtrés et traverser l'élément filtrant 6, si bien que la surpression des gaz dans la zone amont 16 provoquera le soulèvement de la membrane 10 à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par le ressort 15 de manière à mettre en communication directe la conduite d'entrée 5 avec la conduite de sortie 13 des gaz.This bypass can also be carried out when the separating element or more exactly its filter media 7 is fouled and can no longer ensure proper separation. In that case, the gases can no longer be filtered and pass through the filter element 6, so that the overpressure of the gases in the upstream zone 16 will cause the membrane 10 to rise against the force exerted by the spring 15 so as to directly connecting the inlet pipe 5 with the outlet pipe 13 of the gases.

La figure 7 représente un septième mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel la membrane flexible 10 assure également le rôle de membrane de dérivation tel que précédemment décrit dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 6.The figure 7 represents a seventh embodiment of the invention in which the flexible membrane 10 also acts as a bypass membrane as previously described in the embodiment shown in FIG. figure 6 .

Sur cette figure 7, la conduite d'entrée 5 ainsi que la conduite de sortie 18 des liquides sont directement réalisées sur le fond 3 du boîtier 2 tandis que la sortie des gaz 13 est réalisée sur la paroi cylindrique 4. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la membrane flexible 10 ou plus exactement son bord externe 11 est toujours coincé entre le couvercle 12 et le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6. A cet effet, le couvercle 12 présente une rainure circulaire dans lequel est logé le bord externe 11 de la membrane 10 et le flasque supérieur 8 présente une couronne 21 qui s'étend vers le haut jusqu'à une extrémité supérieure qui vient en appui contre le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10. Cette membrane flexible 10 prend également appui sur le flasque supérieur 8 ou plus exactement au niveau de la périphérie externe de son ouverture centrale. Par ailleurs, comme on peut le voir sur cette figure 7, la couronne 21 comprend une pluralité d'orifices 21a dont la fonction sera décrite ci-dessous.On this figure 7 , the inlet pipe 5 and the outlet pipe 18 of the liquids are directly formed on the bottom 3 of the casing 2 while the gas outlet 13 is formed on the cylindrical wall 4. In this embodiment, the flexible membrane 10 or more exactly its outer edge 11 is always wedged between the cover 12 and the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6. For this purpose, the cover 12 has a circular groove in which is housed the outer edge 11 of the membrane 10 and the upper flange 8 has a ring 21 which extends upwards to an upper end which abuts against the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10. This flexible membrane 10 also bears on the upper flange 8 or more exactly at the outer periphery of its central opening. Moreover, as we can see on this figure 7 , the ring 21 comprises a plurality of orifices 21a whose function will be described below.

En temps normal d'utilisation, les gaz issus du carter arrivent via la conduite d'entrée 5 pour arriver dans la zone avale 17 puis traversent l'élément de séparation 6 avant d'être évacués vers la conduite de sortie 13 pour être acheminés vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne. La conduite de sortie 18 de liquide et d'huile est placée dans la zone avale 17. Comme pour les précédents modes de réalisation, le média filtrant exerce une fonction coalescente pour les particules liquides telles que l'huile et l'eau, et une fonction de filtration des particules solides telles que des suies. Lorsqu'il existe une surpression dans le carter ou lorsque le média filtrant 7 est encrassé et ne peut donc plus assurer la filtration des gaz issus du carter, il existe alors une surpression des gaz dans la zone amont 16 du dispositif de séparation. Dans ce cas, la membrane flexible 10 qui repose sur le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6 se soulèvent à l'encontre de l'effort exercé par le ressort 15 de telle sorte que les gaz passent au travers des orifices 21a pour arriver directement dans la chambre aval 17 et être acheminés vers l'admission d'air du moteur à combustion interne via la conduite de sortie 13 du dispositif de séparation.In normal use, the gases coming from the crankcase arrive via the inlet pipe 5 for arrive in the downstream zone 17 then through the separation element 6 before being discharged to the outlet pipe 13 to be routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine. The outlet pipe 18 of liquid and oil is placed in the downstream zone 17. As in the previous embodiments, the filtering medium has a coalescent function for the liquid particles such as oil and water, and a filtration function of solid particles such as soot. When there is an overpressure in the crankcase or when the filtering medium 7 is fouled and therefore can no longer ensure filtration of the gases from the crankcase, there is then an overpressure of the gases in the upstream zone 16 of the separation device. In this case, the flexible membrane 10 which rests on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 is raised against the force exerted by the spring 15 so that the gases pass through the orifices 21a for arrive directly in the downstream chamber 17 and be routed to the air intake of the internal combustion engine via the outlet pipe 13 of the separation device.

Comme on a pu le constater, les figures sont des schémas de principe. Les liaisons entre les pièces ne sont pas figées (flasque, tube, couvercle, cuve) l'homme du métier verrait tout de suite que les liaisons utilisent des technologies connexes comme : soudure, soudure lame chauffante, colle, clipsage, clipsage plus joint et égaiement vissage et bien d'autres encore.As we have seen, the figures are schematic diagrams. The connections between the parts are not fixed (flange, tube, lid, tank) the person skilled in the art would immediately see that the links use related technologies such as: welding, welding hot blade, glue, clipping, clipping more joined and likewise screwing and many more.

La figure 8 représente encore un autre mode de réalisation du dispositif conforme à l'invention.The figure 8 represents yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Ce mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 8 peut être envisagé comme étant similaire à celui de la figure 4 hormis le fait que le tube central 13 est cette fois-ci disposé sur toute la longueur de l'élément filtrant et que la collerette interne 14 sert d'appui au ressort de compression 15 qui prend également appui contre la membrane flexible 10.This embodiment represented on the figure 8 can be considered to be similar to that of the figure 4 except that the central tube 13 is this time arranged over the entire length of the filter element and that the inner collar 14 serves to support the compression spring 15 which also bears against the flexible membrane 10.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, et comme représenté également sur la figure 4 comme sur la figure 8, le tube de sortie 18 est réalisé dans la partie avale de l'élément filtrant.In this embodiment, and as also shown on the figure 4 as on the figure 8 , the outlet tube 18 is formed in the downstream portion of the filter element.

De même, on peut également s'apercevoir que la membrane flexible est directement coincée de manière étanche sur le flasque supérieur 8 de l'élément de séparation 6 et une collerette 19c formée à l'extrémité supérieure de l'élément de renfort 19.Similarly, it can also be seen that the flexible membrane is directly sealingly stuck on the upper flange 8 of the separating element 6 and a flange 19c formed at the upper end of the reinforcing element 19.

Par ailleurs, le flasque supérieur 8 représente une gorge annulaire dans laquelle est disposée le bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 afin que ce dernier soit coincé et fixé de manière étanche par l'élément de renfort 19. Le couvercle vient ensuite en appui contre le flasque supérieur 8 de manière à fixer l'ensemble de l'élément de manière étanche.Furthermore, the upper flange 8 represents an annular groove in which is disposed the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 so that the latter is jammed and sealed by the reinforcing member 19. The lid then abuts against the upper flange 8 so as to fix the entire element sealingly.

La figure 9 représente un autre mode de réalisation du disposition de séparation 2 qui est constitué par un couvre culasse tel qu'également décrit par rapport à la figure 5.The figure 9 represents another embodiment of the separation arrangement 2 which is constituted by a cylinder head cover as also described with respect to the figure 5 .

Dans ce nouveau mode de réalisation qui présente quelques similarités avec la figure 5, nous pouvons voir que l'élément de séparation 7 ou plus exactement son extrémité supérieure est pourvue d'un flasque supérieur qui forme également le couvercle 12 du boîtier 2 de couvre culasse. La membrane flexible 10 ou plus exactement son bord externe 11 est coincée entre une gorge circulaire réalisée sur le flasque supérieur formant couvercle 12 et l'élément de renfort tubulaire 19 qui prend appui sur la partie interne du média filtrant 7.In this new embodiment, which has some similarities with the figure 5 , we can see that the separating element 7 or more exactly its upper end is provided with a Upper flange which also forms the cover 12 of the housing 2 of head cover. The flexible membrane 10 or more exactly its outer edge 11 is wedged between a circular groove formed on the upper cover flange 12 and the tubular reinforcing element 19 which bears on the inner part of the filter medium 7.

Par ailleurs, l'élément filtrant ou l'élément de séparation 6 présente un flasque inférieur 9 qui prend directement appui sur le fond du couvre culasse.Furthermore, the filter element or the separation element 6 has a lower flange 9 which bears directly on the bottom of the cylinder head cover.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, nous pouvons encore remarquer que le ressort est complètement en appui sur l'élément 14 qui est une collerette formée sur le fond du couvre culasse et prend appui directement sur une partie semi rigide directement surmoulée dans la membrane flexible 10.In this embodiment, we can also notice that the spring is fully supported on the element 14 which is a flange formed on the bottom of the cylinder head cover and is supported directly on a semi-rigid portion directly overmolded in the flexible membrane 10.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, le média filtrant 7, le flasque inférieur 9, le flasque supérieur formant couvercle 12 et la membrane flexible 10 forment un ensemble qui peut être démontable par rapport au boîtier 2 de couvre culasse.In this embodiment, the filter medium 7, the lower flange 9, the upper cover flange 12 and the flexible membrane 10 form an assembly that can be dismountable with respect to the casing cover 2.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 9, ledit ensemble est fixé au boîtier 2 par le flasque supérieur formant couvercle 12 à l'aide d'une connexion amovible de type encliquetage. Ce mode de connexion n'est pas limitatif, une connexion par exemple par vissage entre ledit ensemble et le boîtier 2 serait également appropriée.As can be seen on the figure 9 , said assembly is fixed to the housing 2 by the upper flange forming a cover 12 by means of a detachable snap type connection. This mode of connection is not limiting, a connection for example by screwing between said assembly and the housing 2 would also be appropriate.

On comprend que l'agencement du dispositif de séparation permet de réduire ou éliminer l'encombrement lié à la membrane flexible 10. Le positionnement de cette dernière est par exemple réalisé de façon à ce que la partie d'obturation de la membrane flexible 10 soit placée à l'intérieur du volume d'encombrement de l'élément de séparation 6 délimité par les deux flasques 8,9. Dans les exemples des figures et de manière non limitative, ce volume d'encombrement est sensiblement cylindrique. L'agencement ainsi réalisé permet d'insérer en partie le volume d'encombrement de la membrane flexible 10 (volume de forme tronconique par exemple) dans le volume d'encombrement de l'élément de séparation 6.It will be understood that the arrangement of the separating device makes it possible to reduce or eliminate the bulk associated with the flexible membrane 10. The positioning of the latter is for example realized so that the closing portion of the flexible membrane 10 is placed inside the volume of space of the separating element 6 delimited by the two flanges 8, 9. In the examples of the figures and in a nonlimiting manner, this volume of space is substantially cylindrical. The arrangement thus produced makes it possible to insert part of the bulk space of the flexible membrane 10 (frustoconical shape volume for example) into the bulk volume of the separating element 6.

La partie d'obturation de la membrane flexible 10 peut correspondre à une partie qui est distante du bord externe 11 (par exemple une partie centrale). La membrane flexible 10 peut être étagée et/ou comporter une surépaisseur au niveau de la partie d'obturation. Le bord externe 11 peut ainsi rester dans une position déterminée adjacente par rapport à une face extérieure du flasque supérieur 8, tandis que la partie d'obturation peut par exemple se déplacer entre deux niveaux dont au moins est plus bas que la position déterminée dans laquelle le bord externe 11 se trouve coincé. La partie d'obturation peut donc posséder axialement un degré de liberté en translation. L'axe de translation correspond à un axe parallèle à la direction d'extension du média filtrant 7 entre les deux flasques 8,9. Ce mouvement de translation de la partie de membrane servant pour l'obturation peut s'exercer dans une zone axiale à l'intérieur du volume d'encombrement de l'élément de séparation 6. Cette zone axiale est comprise par exemple entre le niveau du flasque supérieur 8 et celui du flasque inférieur 9, et peut être entourée par le média filtrant 7.The sealing portion of the flexible membrane 10 may correspond to a portion that is remote from the outer edge 11 (for example a central portion). The flexible membrane 10 may be staggered and / or have an extra thickness at the sealing portion. The outer edge 11 can thus remain in a determined position adjacent to an outer face of the upper flange 8, while the closure portion can for example move between two levels, at least of which is lower than the determined position in which the outer edge 11 is jammed. The shutter portion can therefore have axially a degree of freedom in translation. The translation axis corresponds to an axis parallel to the direction of extension of the filter medium 7 between the two flanges 8, 9. This translational movement of the diaphragm portion serving for the closure can be exerted in an axial zone inside the bulk volume of the separating element 6. This axial zone is for example between the level of the upper flange 8 and that of the lower flange 9, and may be surrounded by the media filtering 7.

Dans l'exemple nullement limitatif des figures 1 à 9, le flasque supérieur 8 sert de support d'accrochage étanche du bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10 pour minimiser l'encombrement en hauteur de l'ensemble. De manière générale et comme peut l'apprécier l'homme du métier, une réduction d'encombrement analogue peut être obtenue en plaçant la membrane flexible au plus près du flasque supérieur 8, qu'il y ait un contact direct ou non entre ce flasque 8 et un bord externe 11 de la membrane flexible 10. Préférentiellement, la voie de communication en vis-à-vis de la partie d'obturation doit déboucher à l'intérieur du volume d'encombrement de l'élément de séparation 6. La membrane flexible 10 est alors au moins en partie comprise dans ce volume d'encombrement.In the non-limiting example of Figures 1 to 9 , the upper flange 8 serves as a sealing support for the outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10 to minimize the overall height of the assembly. In general and as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a similar reduction in size can be obtained by placing the flexible membrane closer to the upper flange 8, whether there is direct contact or not between this flange 8 and an outer edge 11 of the flexible membrane 10. Preferably, the communication path vis-à-vis the closing portion must lead to the interior of the space volume of the separation element 6. The Flexible membrane 10 is then at least partly included in this volume of space.

Un gain en compacité est obtenu car l'encombrement additionnel lié à la membrane flexible 10 est fortement réduit. L'agencement selon l'invention permet ainsi de disposer la membrane flexible 10 au plus près du flasque supérieur 8.A gain in compactness is obtained because the additional space bound to the flexible membrane 10 is greatly reduced. The arrangement according to the invention thus makes it possible to arrange the flexible membrane 10 as close as possible to the upper flange 8.

Claims (21)

  1. Device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine, the device comprising:
    - a case (2) wherein is arranged a separation element (6) which delimits an upstream zone (16) communicating with an inlet (5) and a downstream zone (17) communicating with an outlet (13), the separation element (6) comprising a filtering medium (7) which extends between first and second flanges (8, 9), and
    - a flexible membrane (10) arranged inside the case, this flexible membrane (10) being either in a first position wherein it makes possible a communication between the inlet (5) and the outlet (13), or in a second position wherein it prevents said communication between the inlet (5) and the outlet (13),
    characterised in that the flexible membrane (10) has an external edge (11) which is wedged directly in a sealed manner between the first flange (8) of the separation element (6) and an element (12; 19) of the device for separating.
  2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane (10) has one side subjected to the atmospheric pressure by the intermediary of an opening (12a) of the device separate from the inlet (5) and the outlet (13).
  3. Device according to one or the other of claims 1 and 2, wherein the second flange (9) of the separation element (6) is pressing in a sealed manner against an internal portion (3) of the case (2).
  4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible membrane (10) has a first face subjected to the atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of a spring (15) and to the pressure of gases in the downstream zone (17).
  5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible membrane (10) has a first face subjected to the atmospheric pressure and a second face subjected to the pressure of a spring (15) and to the pressure of gases in the upstream zone (16).
  6. Device according to one or the other of claims 4 and 5, wherein the element of the device for separating has the form of a cover (12) which is directly added in a sealed manner on the first flange (8) of the separation element (6), this cover being provided with an opening (12a) in such a way that the first face of the flexible membrane (10) is subjected to the atmospheric pressure.
  7. Device according to one or the other of claims 4 and 5, wherein the element of the device for separating has the form of a cover (12) which is directly added in a sealed manner on the case (2) by forming an enclosure wherein is arranged the separation element (6), this cover (12) being provided with an opening (12a) in such a way that the first face of the flexible membrane (10) is subjected to the atmospheric pressure.
  8. Device according to one or the other of claims 6 and 7, wherein the first flange (8) of the filtering element (6) and/or the cover (12) has a groove wherein is arranged the external edge (11) protruding from the flexible membrane (10).
  9. Device according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein a reinforcing element (19) is arranged against the internal periphery of the separation element (6), this reinforcing element (19) comprising a central tube (19a) which has a collar (19b) whereon rests the spring (15) which presses against the flexible membrane (10).
  10. Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the element of the device for separating has the form of a reinforcing element (19) arranged against the internal periphery of the separation element (16), this reinforcing element (19) extending between first and second ends, the external edge (11) of the flexible membrane (10) being wedged between the first end of the reinforcing element (19) and the first flange (8) of the filtering element (6).
  11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing element (19) comprises a central tube (19a) which has a collar (19b) whereon rests the spring (15) which presses against the flexible membrane (10).
  12. Device according to claim 4, combined with any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the outlet (13) has the form of a tube which extends inside the separation element (6) in the downstream zone (17), said tube (13) being provided with a collar (14) whereon rests the spring (15) which presses against the flexible membrane (10).
  13. Device according to claim 5, combined with any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the inlet (5) has the form of a tube which extends inside the separation element (6) in the upstream zone (16), said tube being provided with a collar (14a) whereon rests the spring (15) which presses against the flexible membrane (10).
  14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (5) of the device is connected to the outlet of the gases of the casing and the outlet (13) of the device is connected to the air intake of the internal combustion engine.
  15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic membrane (10) is made from an elastomer material wherein is overmoulded a rigid member (10a).
  16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible membrane (10) has, on the one hand, a first face subjected to the atmospheric pressure and to the pressure of the spring, and on the other hand, a second face which presses against a member (20a, 8) and which is subjected to the pressure of the gases coming from the casing of the internal combustion engine.
  17. Device according to claim 16, wherein the element of the device for separating has the form of a cover (12) which is directly added in a sealed manner on the case (2) by forming an enclosure wherein is arranged the separation element (6), this cover (12) being provided with an opening (12a) in such a way that the first face of the flexible membrane (10) is subjected to the atmospheric pressure.
  18. Device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the member against which rests the second face of the flexible membrane (10) is formed by a tube (20) which extends inside the separation element (6) of the upstream side (16), said tube (20) being in direct communication with the outlet of the downstream side (17) when the pressure of the gases coming from the casing is greater than the atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the spring (15).
  19. Device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the member against which rests the second face of the flexible membrane (10) is formed by the first flange (8) of the separation element (6) which has an opening able to place into direct communication the inlet and the outlet of the device when the pressure of the gases coming from the casing is greater than the atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the spring (15).
  20. Device according to one of claims 1, 10 or 11, wherein the first flange (8) of the separation element (6) is formed by a cover (12) of the case (2).
  21. Device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane (10) has a sealing portion placed, at least in said second position, inside a blockaded volume of the separation element (6), delimited by the first and second flanges (8, 9).
EP20070117341 2006-09-28 2007-09-27 Device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine. Expired - Fee Related EP1905971B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0608534A FR2906564B1 (en) 2006-09-28 2006-09-28 DEVICE FOR SEPARATING CERTAIN MATERIALS PRODUCED BY AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1905971A2 EP1905971A2 (en) 2008-04-02
EP1905971A3 EP1905971A3 (en) 2010-08-04
EP1905971B1 true EP1905971B1 (en) 2011-08-10

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20070117341 Expired - Fee Related EP1905971B1 (en) 2006-09-28 2007-09-27 Device for separating certain materials produced by an internal combustion engine.

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP1905971B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2906564B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102410062A (en) * 2011-10-24 2012-04-11 杭州电子科技大学 Composite oil-gas separator

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2929985B1 (en) * 2008-04-09 2012-12-28 Filtrauto SEPARATING DEVICE WITH FILTER MEDIA FOR SEPARATING CASTER GAS OIL FROM AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
FR3047052B1 (en) 2016-01-25 2018-01-05 Renault S.A.S CRANKSHAFT WITH OLEOPHOBIC COVER
FR3123396B1 (en) 2021-05-26 2023-04-21 Renault Sas Anti-bubble crankshaft

Family Cites Families (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19507202C2 (en) * 1994-03-28 1998-07-16 Knecht Filterwerke Gmbh Vent valve
DE20016214U1 (en) * 2000-09-18 2002-02-07 Hengst Walter Gmbh & Co Kg Throttle valve for automatic regulation of the pressure in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine
DE20308834U1 (en) * 2003-06-05 2003-10-02 Karabach Oleksandr Oil filter has two additional protective screens with one located at distance from outer face of main filter element, and second located at distance from outer face of additional filter element for bypass oil
DE102004022275A1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2005-12-01 Robert Bosch Gmbh Pressure control valve
DE202005010445U1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2006-11-16 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Filter arrangement for liquids

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102410062A (en) * 2011-10-24 2012-04-11 杭州电子科技大学 Composite oil-gas separator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1905971A3 (en) 2010-08-04
FR2906564A1 (en) 2008-04-04
EP1905971A2 (en) 2008-04-02
FR2906564B1 (en) 2012-02-24

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