Patent ID: 6033462
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B01D,Y10S

Abstract:
An air/oil separator used as part of a closed loop oil seal system for a vacuum pump, which separates and collects oil particulate from the oil discharge, generated by the operation of the vacuum pump, where the oil discharge includes liquid oil and gaseous oil mist, the separator comprising:a multi-chambered accumulator for receiving the oil discharge from the pump and accumulating liquid oil separated from the oil discharge, a filter element mounted to and in communication with the accumulator for removing the remaining portion of the oil particulate from the oil mist passed through the accumulator, and outlet means for returning liquid oil collected in the separator to circulation in the oil seal system,the accumulator including an outer housing defining a first reservoir chamber for collecting liquid oil condensed from the oil mist,an inner housing disposed within the outer housing and defining a second reservoir chamber for collecting liquid oil separated from the oil discharge deposited therein,means extending into the inner housing for depositing the oil discharge from the pump into the second reservoir chamber, andmeans formed in said inner housing for venting oil mist deposited from the oil discharge from the second reservoir chamber into the first reservoir chamber.