Patent ID: 6186128
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B01D,F01M

Abstract:
A system for the treatment of crankcase emissions materials, in a positive crankcase ventilation system of an internal combustion engine, in which the crankcase emissions materials, containing at least one of partially and completely unburned hydrocarbon materials, oil, particulate materials and gaseous combustion byproducts, are drawn from the crankcase of the engine and directed to an air intake portion of the engine for recirculation through and further combustion in the engine, the system for treatment of crankcase emissions materials in a positive crankcase ventilation system comprising:a filtering apparatus, for containing a liquid filter medium, the filtering apparatus being operably configured to receive therethrough crankcase emissions materials conducted substantially directly from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, for substantially separating said at least one of said partially and completely unburned hydrocarbon materials, oil, particulate materials and gaseous combustion byproducts from crankcase emissions materials;a positive crankcase ventilation valve, operably positioned downstream from the filtering apparatus, for regulating the pressure of crankcase emissions materials passing through the filtering apparatus;an electronic apparatus, operably positioned downstream from the positive crankcase ventilation valve, for imparting an electrostatic charge to the filtered crankcase emissions materials, prior to delivery of the filtered crankcase emissions materials to the air intake portion of an internal combustion engine;the filtering apparatus further comprisinga housing, having an inlet and an outlet;the inlet of the housing being operably connected, at least indirectly, to a positive crankcase ventilation outlet of an internal combustion engine,the outlet of the filter medium reservoir being operably connected, at least indirectly, to a positive crankcase ventilation vacuum port of an internal combustion engine;at least one baffle member, operably disposed within the housing, and configured for constraining introduction of the crankcase emissions materials, from the crankcase, into at least one treatment chamber defined by the housing and the at least one baffle member.