Patent ID: 6579218
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B01D,B04B,F01M

Abstract:
In an engine of a vehicle, a centrifuge housing supporting a centrifuge rotor for rotation about a predetermined axis for removal of soot from engine oil, the centrifuge housing comprising:a drive mechanism external to the centrifuge rotor mechanically coupled to the centrifuge rotor for driving the centrifuge rotor about the predetermined axis; a sealed centrifuge rotor chamber providing an isolated environment in which the centrifuge rotor is supported for rotation; an inlet port connected to the engine to receive oil; an outlet port connected to the engine to return oil to the engine; a venturi conduit interposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, having operatively larger and smaller flow capacity passage portions adapted to create a low pressure region, the isolated atmosphere fluidically connected to the venturi conduit wherein the low pressure region creates a partial vacuum in the isolated environment of the sealed centrifuge rotor chamber for reduced air drag on the centrifuge rotor during rotation; a housing body having an open end and a removable lid, a seal disposed between the removable lid and the housing body to maintain the isolated environment, the housing body including a mount adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, the centrifuge rotor being serviced through the open end via removal of the lid; an inlet conduit deriving a portion of the oil flow from the inlet port for filtering, the inlet conduit including an unfiltered oil outlet feeding unfiltered oil into the centrifuge rotor; and a restriction interposed along the inlet conduit controlling the flow rate of unfiltered oil through the unfiltered oil outlet, the restriction being provided by a plug selected from a plurality of plugs, each plug providing a restriction having a different effect on the pressure and flow rate of oil into the centrifuge rotor, the size of the restriction being selected to provide a residence time for oil in the centrifuge rotor that is sufficiently long enough to facilitate removal of soot from oil.