GB2246528A - Magnetic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A magnet device for removing metal particles from engine oil is fixed to the oil filter. It comprises a substrate (2) having magnets (4) mounted thereon, and attachment means (6, 8) for attaching the substrate to an oil filter of the engine. The magnets help remove metal particles from the recirculated oil and retain them in the oil filter. <IMAGE>

Description

MAGNETIC DEVICE The present invention relates to a magnetic device for fitting to an oil filter which improves the efficiency of removal of metal particles from engine oil. The device is intended to be sold to the car enthusiast.

Engine oil in internal combustion engines requires to be regularly changed, since the oil becomes degraded after a period of use and due to the build up of waste products therein. In particular, minute particles of metal worn from bearing surfaces build up in the oil and may themselves tend to cause further wear of moving parts.

For this reason, most engines include an oil filter for filtering out the solid particles. Nevertheless, the efficiency of such filters decreases as they tend to become blocked, and in any case the filters may not be efficient at removing the smallest metal particles.

The object of the present invention is to provide a magnet device which may be fitted by the car owner to the oil filter to assist collection of magnetisable particles in the oil filter.

The present invention provides a magnet device for removal of metal particles from engine oil, which comprises: - a substrate having magnet means mounted thereon; and - attachment means for attaching the substrate to an oil filter of the engine.

The magnet means may comprise one or a plurality of magnets depending on the size of the filter and the removal efficiency required.

substrate to an oil filter of the engine.

The substrate may be flexible and formed of fabric, wire mesh or plastics material. The magnet means may be attached to the substrate in an appropriate manner. For example, in the case of a fabric, magnets may be sewn into pockets provided on the fabric. In the case of plastics material, the magnets may be integrally moulded into the plastics by injection moulding.

The flexible substrate may be in the form of a band for attaching around the filter, or a sleeve for passing over the filter. Generally speaking, the device will be detachable so that it may be re-used.

Alternatively, the substrate may be rigid or semi-rigid and might for example be formed of a material which is a metal such as aluminium or a mouldable resin (such as melamine) or plastics material. The material will be chosen to be resistant to the temperatures encountered, and to petrol and oil. Preferably, the magnet means will be set or moulded into the material, and for this purpose may be provided with holes or undercuts.

The device also includes attachment means for attaching the device to the flat or round part of the oil filter. In the case of a flexible substrate the attachment means may include a clip, hooks and eyes, press studs, VELCRO (Trade Mark) fastening material or any other suitable attachment means. In a particular embodiment, draw strings are provided for tying the device around the cylindrical surface of the filter.

Where the substrate is rigid or semi-rigid, the attachment means is preferably in the form of a strap to pass around the oil filter. The strap may be separate or integrally formed as part of the substrate. In particular the strap might be a wire or a so-called cable tie including a one-way ratchet tightening means.

In order to prevent the device from slipping off the oil filter, it is preferred to provide means for searing the device around the rim of the filter such as a hook(s) to hook over the rim, or a draw-string.

The magnetic device of the invention is effective in attracting particles to the inside wall of the oil filter opposite the magnet means and thereby assisting the efficiency of the oil filter in removing magnetisable particles (particularly steel) from the recirculating engine oil.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only in conjunction with the drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a plan of a magnet device in the form of a strap; and Figure 2 is a side view; and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tie-on device; and Figures 4, 5 and 6 are side, front and top views of a further form of the device having magnets embedded in a rigid substrate.

The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a band 2 formed of fabric and having six magnets attached to one side thereof, either by gluing or by stitching in pockets. Strips of Velcro hook and loop attachment material 6, 8 are attached, one on the upper side and one on the lower side of the band so as to be interengageable when the ends of the band are overlapped.

In use, the band is wound around the cylindrical surface of the oil filter with the magnets facing inwards and secured in place by the Velcro fasteners. The magnets also attach themselves by virtue of the magnetisable nature of the steel outer can normally used for oil filters. Magnetisable particles in the recirculating oil are attracted to the inside of the filter opposite the magnets thereby improving the efficiency of the oil filter. After use for a predetermined time, the oil filter and collected metal particles is removed and thrown away. The magnet device is re-usable and can then be fitted to the new filter.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment which is tied around the oil filter. The device comprises a band 10 having attached thereto a plurality of magnets 16. At either edge of the band are sewn in tie cords 12, 14 which may be tightened and tied in the manner shown so as to secure the device in place. Alternatively, twistable wires might be used in place of the tie cords. In this manner, the device may be secured around the cylindrical surface of a flat oil filter 20 having a screwed sleeve for attachment to the engine.

Figures 4-6 show a further embodiment having a rigid substrate 30 formed of a mouldable resin having embedded therein two magnets 32, 34.

The substrate includes a hook 36 for hooking over the rim of the oil filter 40 adjacent the engine so as to help retain the device in place. In addition, a strap 38 is tightened around the device and the filter. The strap is accommodated in a groove 42 and cut-outs 44, 46 in the centre of the substrate. Alternatively, a slot might be provided through the substrate to accommodate the strap.

The strap is a so-called cable-tie or might be a heat and oil resistant rubber strap.

It is found that using the magnetic device of the present invention, patches of particles may be seen collected on the inner surface of the oil filter, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the device in assisting removal of metal particles from recirculating engine oil.

Claims (7)

1. A magnet device for removal of metal particles from engine oil, which comprises a substrate having magnet means mounted thereon; and attachment means for attaching the substrate to an oil filter of the engine.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is in the form of a flexible band for attaching around the filter, or sleeve for passing over the filter.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the attachment means comprises a draw string extending along a longitudinal edge of the band or sleeve for tightening the band or sleeve around the filter.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is rigid or semi-rigid and the magnet means are set into or moulded into the substrate.

5. A device according to claim 4 which further comprises a strap for passing around the oil filter, the substrate being provided with a groove or slot to locate the strap.

6. A device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the attachment means further comprises hook means for hooking over a rim of the oil filter.

7. A magnet device substantially according to any embodiment described in conjunction with the drawings.