US2218715A - Oil cleaner and temperature regulator - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 22, 1940.

J. G, MacCORMACK OIL CLEANERAND TEMPERATURE REGULATOR ATTORNEY.

Oct. 22, v1940. J, G, MaccoRMACK I2,218,715

'01;l CLEANER Aub TEMPERATURE REGULATOR Filednec. 1'7. 1937 sheets-sheet 2 Anh-....... ee queienga /7 lll l rNvEN'roR. (702% BY l ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1940 PATENT OFFICE OIL CLEANER AND TEMPERATURE REGULATOR John G. MacCormack, New York, N. Y., assigner to Transportation Appliances, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 17, 1937, Serial No. 180,283

This invention relates generally to means for cleansing and controlling circulating lubricating oil used in internal combustion engines.

It is generally recognized that the temperature of lubricating oil circulated from the sump or crank case of a gasoline or fuel oil internal combustion engine becomes at times so high as to break down the physical structure of the oil. At other times, as at periods of engine starting or under low atmospheric temperature, the chilled oil does not flow properly until after a considerable period of initial engine operation. From engineering tests it has been ascertained that power loss and cylinder wear is greatest when 1B engine temperatures are below 140 degrees F.,

while, on the .other hand, when engine temperatures are above'l70 degrees F., lubricating oil temperature is correspondingly raised to the point tending to cause reductionof the viscosity oi the 2o oil to an extent likely to impair its lubricating eiciency, with consequent risk of undue cylinder wear from this cause.

Having these circumstances in view, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel, simple 2l and efficient apparatus operative to control engine lubricating oil temperature so as to maintain the same within desired limits calculated to prolong its eillcient use life.

I have also found that to maintain engine 80 lubricating oil within safe temperature limits, it

is highly desirable to remove contaminating substances therefrom, such as sludge, carbon, road dust, etc., it being known that transfer of heat to or from contaminated oil, heavy with insolubles, is exceedingly diicult. This invention, therefore, has for a further object to provide, in my novel oil temperature regulating apparatus, means for cleansing the oil by removing therefrom accumulating impurities.

I have also observed that sludge formed in engine lubricating oil contains-fa considerable percentage, rarely less thanl 12 per cent, of oxidized binders which form hard asphaltic or lparafnic deposits in filters, and which tend to impede both free iiow of oil in the oil circulating system of an engine, as well as to impede dissipation of heat from the oil thus permitting the rise of abnormal engine operating temperatures. This invention, therefore, has for another object to provide an oil iiltering or cleansing medium which is im-A the consequence that the emcient operative life (Cl. 21o-1225) of said medium is prolonged, while at the same time giving back to the lubricating oil constituents lost through excess engine heat, so that the oil is maintained in free flowing condition for longer periods of useful life, and tendency to 5- formation of gum deposits in the engine and oil circulatory system is greatly reduced.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will become apparent from the following detailed description of l0 the same.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 isA a front elevation of the novel oil cleaner and temperature regulator device accordl5 ing to this invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top end view ofthe same; and Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on line Q0 5-5 in Fig. 3. I Similar characters `of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference char- 25 acter I0 indicates the external casing of the device. This' casing preferably consists of a tubular metallic shell having open, bottom and top ends. Suitably affixed to and surrounding the major portion of said casing, intermediate its'30 ends, is an enveloping jacket shell II forming between the same and the casing an annular chamber I2 through which is circulated a heating fluid. Connected to an inlet I3, adjacent to the lower end of said jacket shell H, is a heating 3'5 uid supply conduit I4, and connected to an outlet I5, adjacent to the upper end of said jacket shell II, is a heating iiuid return conduit I6. A heating iiuid, such as exhaust gas from the engine served by the device or hot water fromthe engine o cooling system, is caused tof'ow orf-circulate through the jacket chamber 'I2 in contact with the casing shell I0. The flow of the heating iluid may be controlled by means of any suitable type of thermostatically actuated control valve means 45 (not shown), so that the heat applied'to the casing shell maybe maintained at a selected desired temperature degree. For example, the thermostatically actuated control valve may be set to close at degrees F. and to open on a 5o temperature drop below that point, thus maintaining a degree of heat as applied to the oil cleanser and temperature regulator device at 'approximately 160 degrees F. If, under such conditions, the engine lubricating oil flowing through 55 the internal structure of the device, enters the latter say at 130 degrees F., its temperature will be raised, by transfer of heat thereto from the heating fluid circulating through the jacket chamber I2, to approximately 145 to 150 degrees F., which is a satisfactory oil heat. It will be understood that the applied heating fluid temperature will be set and controlled variably as given conditions may require, the above example being mentioned only by way of illustration.

The open bottom endof said casing shell I is closed by a removable bottom head I1, the same having a skirting rim I8 to fit externally over and around the bottom end of said casing shell I0. A joint sealing gasket I9 is interposed between the casing shell margin and the inner side of said bottom lhead.

In like manner, the open top end of said casing shell I0 is closed by a removable top head 29, the same having a skirting rim 2| to fit externally over and around the top end of said casing shell I0. A joint sealing gasket 22 is interposed between the casing shell margin and the inner side of said top head.

Said bottom and top`heads are respectively `provided with means for securing the same tightly engaged in assembled relation to the casing shell. Each said means includes a bridging clamp bar 23, havinga central internally screw threaded hub 24 through which is threaded a clamp screw 25. Said clamp bar is provided with hook-like extremities 26 to engage 'through perforate ears 21, which are aflxed to and project upwardly respectively from diametrically opposite sides of the casing shell I0. The head is provided with a centrally disposed upwardly open socket boss 25 to receive engagement of the free end of said clamp screw 25, which, when turned home, forces the hook-like vextremities 26 of the clamp bar 23 against the upper ends of the slotted ears 2l, thus giving purchase to the clamp screw 25 whereby it thrusts downwardly upon the head to firmly and tightly seat and sealthel same to the end of the casing shell.

The bottom head Il is cored to provide an oil inlet passage 28, to which may be suitably coupled a conduit (not shown) leading from the sump or crankcase of the engine, the line of said conduit including a suitable oil circulating vpump (not shown) Mounted in connection with said bottom head I1, to open outwardly from said oil inlet passage 28, is a pressure reducing valve fitting 29, the port 30 of which is normally closed by a spring controlled valve member 3l.`

The outlet end of said valve fitting 29 is connected by a conduit (not shown) leading back to the sump or crankcase of the engine. sired, said bottom head'may be also provided with a drain port 32 which leads outwardly from the bottom interior of the casing shell l0, said drain port being normally closed by a removable closure plug 33.

The top head 20 is cored to provide an oil outlet passage 34, to which may be suitably coupled a conduit (not shown) to deliver oil back to the sump or crankcase of the machine, or to any suitable lubricating oil distributing system with head 20 is provided on its inner side with an internal boss or neck38 formed to provide an internally threaded socket 39, with the interior of which'theinner end of said oil outlet passage 34 communicates.

Arranged within the interior of said casing shell l0 is a means for cleansing and treating the lubricating oil which is caused to flow through the interior of the device. The cleansing and treating means broadly considered comprises a cylindrical hollow container 40, preferably made of thin sheet metal. The diameter of said container is somewhat less than the internal diameter of the casing shell I0, so that when the same is fixed in place within the interior of the latter, a comparatively narrow annular intermediate space 4I is formed contiguous to the casing shell wall, so that a relatively thin body of oil filling the same makescontact with the casing shell wall so that heat may be transferred to or from said oil body as, under varying circumstances, may be required. The containpr 4I)l is provided with a top end wall 42 having a centrally disposed discharge opening 43 bounded by an axially extending externally threaded throat 44; the latter screws into the threaded socket 39 of the neck 38 of said top head 20,'

whereby the interior of said container is coupled in communication with the oil outlet passage 34 of said top head 20. The container 40 is further provided with a bottom end wall 45. The outlying portion of the interior of the container 40 is provided with capillary body or wicking 46, of substantial thickness, which extends upwardly from the bottom end wall 45 contiguous to the inner wall surface of said container.l Provided in the bottom end wall 45 of the container are a plurality of intake openings 41 which register with the bottom end of said capillary body or wicking 45 so as to give oil access thereto. Packed into the interior of said container 40 and in contact with the inner side of. the capillary body or wicking 46 is a mass of filtering material 48. This filtering material may consist of a suitable substance through which the oil may percolate, but preferably consists of a brous material such as cotton waste, cellulose or the like. Embedded within the mass of filtering material 41, preferably in horizontally and vertically spaced apart relation so as to occupy respectively different positions within the mass of said filtering material, are interstitial bodies 49 adapted to provide by-pass oil flow paths in the filtering material mass. Illustrative of one means for producing said by-pass forming bodies, the same are formed by rolling Woven wire mesh into cylindrical form, thus providing a more or less open or comparatively unrestricted passage space for oil ow at the points within the filtering material mass where these Ywire mesh cylindrical formations are embedded. The mass of ltering material is impregnated with a solvent combination of petroleum elements which will act with solvent effect upon gum residues, tars and other petroleum binders carried by the lubricating oil delivered thereinto, thus maintaining for a longer time the normal physical structure and free flowing condition of the lubricant.

It will be understood that although the abovedescribed oil cleansing and treating means may be made in a single unitary form, it is preferable, however, to furnish the same in a sectional unitary form as shown in Fig. 3, in which case a plurality of sections or units, each comprising the combination of elements above described, is employed, as, for example, the units A and B shown in Fig. 3. These units are connected together, but in such manner as to function indivldually, i. e., independently of each other. To effect this arrangement the upper unit A is providedat its bottom end with an internally threaded neck to receive the externally threaded throat 44 of the lower unit B. The upper unit A is additionally provided with an axially disposed by-pass conduit 5| Aopening through its bottom end wall 45 so as to communicate with the discharge opening 43 of the lower unit B; the upper end of said by-pass conduit 5| communicates directly with the outlet passage 34 of the top head 20.

If desired the cleansing and treating means structure may be additionally supported and braced in its operative assembled relation by interposing between the bottom end of the same and the bottom head Il a resilient supporting or bracing bridge spring 52.

'I'he process of oil heat regulation with cleansing and revivifying effect, as carried on by and Within the device above described, comprises the circulatory movement of oil from the engine crankcase through the device and back to the crankcase. When the engine is started the heat generated by the consumed fuel is transferred to the engine cooling jacket Water which is also circulated through the chamber I2 of the jacket shell Il so as to apply heat to the walls of the casing I0, or, if desired, exhaust gases of the consumed engine fuel may be utilized for like purpose.

It is desirable to maintain a ow of oil at a constant pressure through the device regardless of engine speed, so that suic'ient time is allowed forfboth heat exchange and cleansing effects. Assuming, therefore', that the oil is delivered, by a suitable lpumping means, from the engine crankcase, at comparatively high pressures., more or less variable proportionally to engine speedv but, e. g., averaging about eighty pounds to the square inch, the oil enters and iills the interior of the device, but, by reason of the operation of the pressure controlling and regulating means with which the device is provided, is maintained, e. g., at a pressure within the device of approximately fifty pounds to the square inch. The oil at the comparatively high pressure reaches and enters thfe device through the inlet passage 28, but since this passage is provided with a pressure relief valve means 2940-3! which is set to relieve pressures in excess, e. g., of fty pounds to the square inch, said relief valve means will by-pass oil' in excess of the latter pressure back to the engine crankcase, and consequently the oil pressure within the device is kept constant at the deslned pressure of ilfty pounds. This result is further assured by the provision of the additional f pressure relief valve means SHG- 31 of the oil outlet passage I4 of the device, which operates, ,n li' internal pressure of oil within the device tends to build up beyond the desired fty pounds, to relieve such excess pressure by direct discharge of the oil from the interior of the casing I0, which thus by-passes the cleansing and treating means. Under the desired constant internal pressure the oil delivered into and filling the interior of the device is caused to fill the space 4I intermediate the walls of the casing l0 and the cleansing and treating means, and in contact with said walls so as to exchange heat. If the oil is at a temperature below degrees F., the temperature of the casing walls being heated to say about degrees `F. by the thermostatlcally controlled circulation heating fluid through the jacket chamber I2, heat will be transferred to the oil within the device to raise its temperature labove the desired minimum of 140 degrees F.

If, on the other hand, the oil is at a temperature in excess of 1'70 degrees F., heat will be transferred from the oil within the device to lower its temperature below the desired maximum of degrees F.

The oil lling the interior of the device, and under the controlled pressure, passes inwardly through the lopenings 41 in the bottoms vof the cleansing and treating units and into contact lwith the capillary bodies or wickings 46. Said capillary bodies or wickings 46, by their capillary action quickly carry up the oil along the interior aides of the said units so as to pass the same into the filtering material 48 through which the oil percolates. As the oil thus percolates through the nltering material, any impurities, sludge, gums,- contaminating carbon, road dust, etc., is separated therefrom. At the same time, due to the presence of the solvent agent with which the imprrgnating material is impregnated, the accumulacing gums and like elements tend to be dissolved .-.nd returned to the oil content so as to revivify the same, leaving only the insolubles separated and held in restraint by the filtering material.

AThe oil as it leaves the device through the oil outlet 34 thereof returns to the'crankcase at an efiicient temperature and well cleansed of irnn purities, so that the entire content of lubricating oil with which the engine is supplied is kept for .a maximum length of time in eilicient serviceable condition.

Since the mass of filtering material is provided, Il

atdilerent points within its mass, with the more or less open interstitial bodies 49,- a by-pass path to diiferent areas of the filtering material is assured, so that as said filtering material becomes choked with separated impurities and insolvents easy passage'may be provided for the incoming oil past the heavier deposit to cleaner areas of the filtering material, until the accumulations within the latter collect. to such an extent that replacement of the cleaning and treating units is advisable.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the above described constructions, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof asdened by the following claims. It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: A

1. A device of the kind described comprising, a casing, means to apply a heat exchange fluid in contact with said casing, means for admitting oil to be treated into one end of said casing, means -to discharge said oil at the other end of said casing, means to maintain the oil within said casing at a substantially constant pressure comprising an excess pressure relief valve cooperative with the oil admission means and an internal pressure relief valve cooperative with the oil discharge means, and an oil cleansing means including a.v container within said casing spaced from the side walls thereof to provide a comparatively narrow 'intermediate olreceiving space to dispose incom-n ing oil in contact with the heated casing walls, said space being Adirectly communicative with said internal pressure relief valve, a capillary means lining the side walls of said container, said con-l tainer having oil admission means communicating With the lower end portion of saida capillary means, a mass of filtering material lling said container and disposed contiguous to said capillary lining means, and said container having at its centralV top portions an oil outlet means connected in communication with the oil discharge means of said casing.

2. A device of the kind described as defined in claim 1, wherein said filtering material of the oil cleansing means is impregnated with a solventl adapted to dissolve accumulating gums, tars and the like carried in the oil under treatment.

3. A device of the kind described comprising, a casing, means to apply a heat exchange fluid in contact with said casing, means for admitting oil to be treated into one end of said casing, means to discharge said oil at the other end of said casing, means to maintain the oil within said casing at a substantially constant pressure comprising an excess pressure relief valve cooperative with the oil admission means and an internal pressure relief valve cooperative with the oil discharge means, and an oil cleansing means including a container within said casing spaced from the side Walls means, a mass of filtering material lling said container and disposed contiguous to and in- -wardly of said capillary means, a plurality of lter material separator devices respectively embedded at different points within the mass of said filtering material to provide relatively unobstructed by-passes from one portion to another of said mass, and said container having at its central top portion an oil outlet means connected in communication with the oil discharge means of said casing. y

4. A device of the kind described as dened in claim 3, wherein said filtering material of the oil cleansing means is impregnated with a solvent adapted to dissolve accumulating gums, tars and the like carried in the oil under treatment.

JOHN G. MACCORMACK.

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