Patent ID: 6354283
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: F01M

Abstract:
A diesel engine crankcase ventilation filter comprising a flat low profile vertically extending filter housing having an inlet receiving oil and air from said diesel engine, and an outlet returning air to said diesel engine, a flat filter element extending vertically in said housing and having a first vertical side receiving said oil and air from said inlet, and separating said oil from said air, and having a second vertical side passing air to said outlet, wherein said housing extends vertically from a top end to a bottom end, and extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end, and wherein said flat panel filter element extends vertically and longitudinally in said housing, said housing has a lower drain discharging separated oil, and wherein said oil falls by gravity and drips vertically along said vertically extending flat panel filter element, said housing has a first vertically and longitudinally extending flat plenum facing first side of said filter element, wherein said oil and air from said inlet flow through said first plenum, said housing has a second vertically and longitudinally extending flat plenum facing said second side of said filter element, wherein said air flows through second plenum to said outlet, said housing has a vertically extending first filter mount guide channel, and a vertically extending second filter mount guide channel, said guide channels engaging and locating said filter element such that said filter element extends vertically in said housing and is located laterally between said first and second plenums, said housing has a longitudinally extending lower filter mount guide channel engaging and locating said filter element, and wherein each of said first, second and lower guide channels includes a scaling gasket sealing said first plenum from said second plenum, said housing has a top opening receiving said filter element such that said filter element may be inserted downwardly into said housing, and wherein said filter element has a top end with a top closure plate sealingly attached thereto, such that as said filter element is inserted into said housing, said top closure plate engages said housing and closes said first and second plenums, and wherein said filter element has a first vertically extending end sealed by said sealing gasket of said first guide channel, a second vertically extending end sealed by said scaling gasket of said second guide channel, and a lower end sealed by said sealing gasket of said lower guide channel, and wherein filter element has a top end sealed by its attachment to said top closure plate.