Abstract:
This embodiment is for diverting a portion of oil away from the primary lubrication system of an internal combustion engine to a secondary device while maintaining full oil pressure for another secondary device. The oil diverter provides restricted out going only oil flow to a device requiring oil flow back to the engine. The devices out going only anti flow back valve allows the secondary oil use device to maintain its oil level when oil pressure stops. The system includes the oil return device with the purpose to send the diverted oil back to the primary lubrication system after use by the secondary oil use device or devices. 
     The oil return contains a reservoir that facilitates the capture of sample oil during the operation of the engine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/511,091 filed 2011 Jul. 24 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Prior Art 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 4,752,387 
                   
                 Jun. 21 , 1988 
                 Thomas 
               
               
                   
                 4,452,695 
                   
                 Jun. 5, 1984 
                 Schmidt 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 U.S. Patent Application Publications 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Publication Nr. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Publ. Date 
                 Applicant 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 2008/0078716 
                 A1 
                 Apr 3, 2008 
                 Farmer 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0003]    Increased use of the diesel engine commonly finds deployment of a by-pass filter in addition to the standard full flow oil filter to assist with improved filtration of the engine oil. This practice allows the oil to be cleaned as the engine is running. The benefit is evident when extended oil change intervals are possible. The result is reduced oil use and decreased cost. By-pass filter cartridges are available in a variety of filtration grades. Many commercial grade vehicles that use diesel engines have the availability of systems to integrate the by-pass filter process. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Many systems have been produced that allow connectivity of remotely located secondary oil filtration devices. The predominant method used connects the various filters and adapter bases together to route engine oil away from the internal lubrication system and back. Many engine types require the connectivity of the parts to be designed by the individual deploying the filtration device resulting in few standards and difficult to fabricate solutions. All remote filtration mounts heretofore are known to suffer from a number of disadvantages:
       (a) Single device connectivity adapters limit the usefulness of the oil diverting component.   (b) The use of common secondary filter systems will only allow installation in the upright position as gravity will not allow the installation in an inverted orientation without drain back.   (c) Other systems rely on alteration or machining of engine components for the oil to effectively return to the engine oil supply.   (d) Oil samples are extracted and used for analysis to determine wear rates on internal components of the engine. Sample extraction is difficult and risky when removal of a component, while running the engine is required for collection.   (e) A lack of standardization and difficult installation when connecting oil diverter, filtration, and return devices to engines complicates their use.       
 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0011]    Several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: Use without modification to the engine, oil feed to multiple devices simultaneously, oil flow is restricted within the anti flow back valve circuit while allowing unrestricted flow in a parallel circuit, oil samples collect constantly while the engine is running permitting access to the sample after the engine and oil have cooled. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the oil return body assembly according to the present invention 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the oil return body assembly and oil return clamp assembly 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a left side perspective view of the oil diverter and anti flow back valve assembly showing oil flow according to the present invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is the left side front end perspective view of the oil diverter 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is the right side perspective view of the oil diverter 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  is the bottom perspective view of the oil diverter 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the oil return body assembly and oil diverter including a conventional secondary oil device and depicting oil flow between the devices. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0019]    See accompanying drawings. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Drawing Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Drawing 1/4 
               
               
                   
                 FIG. 1A - 
               
               
                   
                 110 Conventional Oil Cap 
               
               
                   
                 112 Oil Cap Boss 
               
               
                   
                 114 Oil Cap Rotation Stop 
               
               
                   
                 116 Oil Cap Retainer Slot 
               
               
                   
                 118 Clearance hole 
               
               
                   
                 120 Threaded Hole Left 
               
               
                   
                 122 Threaded Oil Input Port 
               
               
                   
                 124 Oil Return Body Assembly 
               
               
                   
                 126 Threaded Hole Right 
               
               
                   
                 128 Left Oil Return Clamp Flange 
               
               
                   
                 130 Oil Return Clamp Clearance Slot 
               
               
                   
                 132 Left Clamp Screw Chamfer 
               
               
                   
                 134 Oil Return Clamp Assembly 
               
               
                   
                 136 Clamp Screw 
               
               
                   
                 138 Right Oil Return Clamp Flange 
               
               
                   
                 140 Right Clamp Screw Chamfer 
               
               
                   
                 142 Clamping Bolt 
               
               
                   
                 144 Oil Inlet Hole 
               
               
                   
                 146 Conventional Circlip Fastener 
               
               
                   
                 148 Oil Groove 
               
               
                   
                 150 Oil Capture Vessel 
               
               
                   
                 152 Plugged Base of Capture Vessel 
               
               
                   
                 153 Twist Retainer Assembly 
               
               
                   
                 154 Oil Cap Mortise Number One 
               
               
                   
                 156 Concavity Passage 
               
               
                   
                 158 Oil Inlet Hole 
               
               
                   
                 160 Oil Cap Mortise Number Two 
               
               
                   
                 162 Opening To Fit Capture Vessel 
               
               
                   
                 164 Threaded Locking Socket Screw 
               
               
                   
                 166 Retainer Locking Lug 
               
               
                   
                 168 Engine Valve Cover Enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 170 Engine Oil Inlet Boss 
               
               
                   
                 172 Engine Oil Inlet Boss Notch 
               
               
                   
                 Drawing 2/4 
               
               
                   
                 FIG. 1B - 
               
               
                   
                 174 Oil Return O ring 
               
               
                   
                 176 Oil Return Inlet Passage 
               
               
                   
                 Drawing 3/4 
               
               
                   
                 FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D - 
               
               
                   
                 210 Anti Flow Back Valve Spring Retainer Plug 
               
               
                   
                 212 Anti Flow Back Valve Spring 
               
               
                   
                 214 Anti Flow Back Valve Ball 
               
               
                   
                 216 Anti Flow Back Valve Plug Hole 
               
               
                   
                 218 Unrestricted Oil Out Flow 
               
               
                   
                 220 Top Oil Diverter Mortise 
               
               
                   
                 222 Oil Diverter Mounting Hole 
               
               
                   
                 224 Engine Oil Out Flow 
               
               
                   
                 226 Out Only Restricted Oil Out Flow 
               
               
                   
                 228 Oil Out Port 
               
               
                   
                 230 Oil Passage Plug Hole 
               
               
                   
                 232 Unrestricted Oil Out Flow Sensor/Sender 
               
               
                   
                 234 Oil Diverter 
               
               
                   
                 236 Oil Sensor/Sender Port 
               
               
                   
                 238 Oil Diverter Inlet Passage 
               
               
                   
                 242 Conventional Banjo Bolt 
               
               
                   
                 244 Threaded Plug 
               
               
                   
                 246 Bottom Oil Diverter Mortise 
               
               
                   
                 248 Unrestricted Oil Out Flow Port 
               
               
                   
                 Drawing 4/4 
               
               
                   
                 FIG. 3 - 
               
               
                   
                 310 Conventional Oil Line Fitting 
               
               
                   
                 312 Conventional Oil Line 
               
               
                   
                 314 Engine Block 
               
               
                   
                 316 Engine Block Oil Outlet 
               
               
                   
                 318 Oil Inlet Passage 
               
               
                   
                 320 Diverter Oil Out Flow 
               
               
                   
                 322 Conventional Secondary Oil Device 
               
               
                   
                 324 Secondary Device Oil Out Flow 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The apparatus of the present invention is depicted schematically in  FIGS. 1A and 2A  and is comprised of two primary devices in the oil return body assembly  124  and oil diverter  234 . 
         [0021]    As seen in  FIG. 1A  the oil return body assembly  124  comprises the device formed by the aggregate of the following, starting with oil cap boss  112  containing oil cap retainer slot  116  and oil cap rotation stop  114  to fit conventional oil cap  110 . There is clearance hole  118  and associated oil cap mortise number one  154  and oil cap mortise number two  160  in the center of the return assembly  124  as clearance for the oil cap  110 . The oil return clamp assembly  134  is affixed to the bottom of return assembly  124  by means of clamp screw  136  in two places to be located in left clamp screw chamfer  132  and right clamp screw chamfer  140  fastening through left oil return clamp flange  128  and right oil return clamp flange  138  to threaded hole left  120  and threaded hole right  126 . The clamping action is facilitated by the oil return clamp clearance slot  130  and clamping bolt  142 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1A  the return assembly  124  further contains the twist retainer assembly  153  providing a method to lock return assembly  124  to the engine valve cover enclosure  168  by the retainer locking lug  166  and its insertion into the engine oil inlet boss notch  172  within the engine oil inlet boss  170 . Threaded Locking Socket Screw  164  secures retainer assembly  153  to return assembly  124  when tightened. Oil delivery from the conventional secondary oil device  322  consists of oil flow to threaded oil input port  122  then through inlet passage  176  as shown in  FIG. 1B  to concavity passage  156  to the oil inlet hole  158  to oil groove  148  then through oil inlet hole  144  for oil delivery to oil capture vessel  150  resting in opening to fit capture vessel  162  vertically held in place by conventional circlip fastener  146 . Capture vessel  150  oil overflow returns through boss  170  to the engine facilitated by the plugged base of capture vessel  152 . 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 1B  it can be seen that the return assembly  124  provides threaded oil input port  122  connection to oil return inlet passage  176 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1B  the cross-sectional view shows oil return o ring  174  creates a fluid seal between return assembly  124  and engine oil inlet boss  170 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  shows oil diverter  234  to include anti flow back valve plug hole  216  to be sealed by anti flow back valve spring retainer plug  210  containing anti flow back valve spring  212  and anti flow back valve ball  214  for out only restricted oil out flow  226 . In addition  FIG. 2A  shows oil passage plug hole  230  as the opposing end of oil diverter inlet passage  238 . ( FIG. 2B ) 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2A  out only restricted oil out flow  226  is provided by oil out port  228  for said conventional secondary oil device  322 . Alternatively unrestricted oil out flow  218  ( FIG. 2A ) is provided by unrestricted oil out flow port  248  ( FIG. 2C ) creating oil flow for an additional conventional secondary oil device  322 . In addition unrestricted oil out flow sensor/sender  232  is provided by oil sensor/sender port  236   
         [0027]      FIG. 2B  shows oil diverter  234  ( FIG. 2A ) with oil diverter mounting hole  222  and inlet passage  238 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2C  shows oil diverter  234  ( FIG. 2A ) with unrestricted oil out flow  218  ( FIG. 2A ) from unrestricted oil out flow port  248  along with threaded plug  244  and top oil diverter mortise  220 . In addition the conventional banjo bolt  242  being an externally threaded hollow bolt having an axial bore and transverse port leading to the inlet passage  238  ( FIG. 2B ) from engine oil out flow  224 . ( FIG. 2A ) 
         [0029]      FIG. 2D  shows oil diverter  234  ( FIG. 2A ) with bottom oil diverter mortise  246 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts a schematic view of the invention including return assembly  124  and oil diverter  234 . It can be seen that oil diverter  234  shows conventional banjo bolt  242  providing a means of attachment, oil seal, and oil flow from engine block  314  using mounting hole  222  ( FIG. 2A ) along with top mortise  220  ( FIG. 2A ) and bottom mortise  246  ( FIG. 2D ) and oil out flow  224  using engine block oil outlet  316  through oil inlet passage  318  to inlet passage  238  ( FIG. 2B ) via unrestricted oil out flow sensor/sender  232  ( FIG. 2A ) to oil sensor/sender port  236 . Alternatively out only restricted oil out flow  226  ( FIG. 2A ) exits using oil out port  228  ( FIG. 2A ) through conventional oil line fitting  310  and conventional oil line  312  as diverter oil out flow  320  to conventional secondary oil device  322 . In addition Secondary device oil out flow  324  routes to return assembly  124  by way of conventional oil line fitting  310  and conventional oil line  312   
       Features and Operation 
       [0031]    The present invention relates to an apparatus separate from the internal combustion engine and its primary oil filtration and oil circulation system. The two external devices as part of said invention provide a method for diverting a portion of primary engine oil flow to a conventional secondary oil device. The function of oil diverter  234  is to produce unrestricted oil out flow sensor/sender  232  for oil sensor/sender port  236  and unrestricted oil out flow  218  while producing out only restricted oil out flow  226  through oil out port  228  for conventional secondary oil device  322 . Anti flow back valve spring  212  and anti flow back valve ball  214  comprise the flow restricting portion of oil diverter  234 . The method to retain valve spring  212  is the anti flow back valve spring retainer plug  210  inserted into anti flow back valve plug hole  216 . When engine oil out flow  224  applies sufficient pressure to valve ball  214  the oil supply overcomes the valve spring  212  bias on the ball against the seat thereby permitting out only restricted oil out flow  226  and providing diverter oil out flow  320  to conventional secondary oil device  322 . In the event said pressure subsides said bias on valve ball  214  is relaxed resulting in blockage of restricted out flow  226  preventing reverse flow. Oil diverter  234  attaches to the engine block  314  via the engine block oil outlet  316  and Conventional banjo bolt  242  utilizing oil diverter mounting hole  222 , top mortise  220 , and bottom mortise  246 . 
         [0032]    Invention further includes the second method and device oil return body assembly  124  for returning said engine oil flow from conventional secondary oil device  322  back to the engine valve cover enclosure  168  and into the oil circulation system. Oil return o ring  174  creates the seal between return assembly  124  and enclosure  168 . Oil out flow  224  passes through oil inlet passage  318  by way of conventional banjo bolt  242  to oil diverter inlet passage  238 . Additionally said passage  318  connects through oil diverter  234  and inlet passage  238  to oil passage plug hole  230 . Said engine oil outflow  224  is dispersed with full flow and pressure to oil sensor/sender port  236  while at the same time providing full flow and pressure to unrestricted oil out flow port  248  and additionally as out only restricted oil out flow  226  to said oil out port  228  for use by conventional secondary oil device  322 . Secondary device oil out flow  324  routes to return assembly  124  by way of conventional oil line fitting  310  and conventional oil line  312  through threaded oil input port  122  then oil return inlet passage  176  and into retainer assembly  153  via concavity passage  156  through oil inlet hole  158  and oil groove  148  through oil inlet hole  144  to the oil capture vessel  150  where a small amount of oil is collected while allowing excess oil flow to return back to the engine as overflow through the openings on both sides of the retainer assembly  153  created by the fit into return assembly  124 . 
         [0033]    The return assembly  124  also includes the retainer assembly  153  providing a method and device for attachment of return assembly  124  to engine oil inlet boss  170  within the enclosure  168  by way of the retainer locking lug  166  inserted into the engine oil inlet boss notch  172 . A twisting action engages said retainer locking lug  166  into said boss notch  172  providing the vertical and first of two methods comprising attachment of said return assembly  124  to the engine. The clamp assembly  134  provides the method to apply horizontal clamping action by way of the oil return clamp clearance slot  130  and clamping bolt  142 . Said horizontal clamping action increases as clamping bolt  142  is tightened reducing the gap for clearance slot  130  until entire return assembly  124  is secured to the boss  170 . 
         [0034]    The clamp assembly  134  and the retainer assembly  153  are associated and to be used in unison as a method of attachment for the entire return assembly. Said clamp assembly  134  is secured to return assembly  124  by way of clamp screw  136  in two places through left  132  and right  140  clamp screw chamfers attaching to threaded hole left  120  and right  126 . Additionally this attachment utilizes left  128  and right  138  clamp flanges. Once return assembly  124  and retainer assembly  153  are assembled a further securing method is utilized by tightening threaded locking socket screw  164  resulting in the coupling of the retainer assembly  153  previously locked into the boss notch  172  and the clamp assembly  134  already tightened by way of clamping bolt  142 . The resulting union of the two assemblies provides secure attachment to said enclosure  168 . Once return assembly  124  and retainer assembly  153  are combined conventional oil cap  110  uses oil cap mortise  154  and  160  as clearance to fit to retainer assembly  153 . 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0035]    Thus the reader will see that the embodiment of the oil diverter, oil return body, twist retainer and oil return clamp assemblies provide an apparatus, methods and devices facilitating an integrated apparatus for utilizing conventional secondary oil devices with internal combustion engines. Some of the unique features of each being the multi output port diverter with anti flow back valve, the method of attachment for the twist retainer and oil return body and the oil capture vessel. 
         [0036]    While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible.
       For example one or more conventional secondary oil devices can be attached. If only one is needed threaded plug  244  can be deployed blocking unrestricted oil out flow port  248 .   The oil diverter  234 , oil return body assembly  124 , oil return clamp assembly  134 , twist retainer assembly  153 , or oil capture vessel  150  can be created from a variety of materials or changed in size to still perform the same function. Color is not a factor. Shapes can vary as well.   The anti flow back valve ball  214  and anti flow back valve spring  212  seat within anti flow back valve plug hole  216  and can vary in size of ball and bias of spring to fit the flow or restriction desired. The seat for anti flow back valve ball  214  is created by striking a hardened ball of the same size for suitable seal in aluminum. Alternatively harder material can be used in creation of the oil diverter  234  and lapping procedures or other custom seat creation will then assure seal of ball to valve seat.   Methods other than threaded plugs may be used to cap anti flow back valve plug hole  216  and unrestricted oil out flow port  248 .   Conventional banjo bolt  242  can vary in material of construction and configuration of overall size, length, thread specification, internal axial bore and transverse port size and length.   Conventional circlip fastener  146  is available in a variety of sizes and configurations to fit the oil capture vessel as created.   Conventional oil cap  110  is available in a variety of size and fit depending on the sizing and configuration used when creating oil cap boss  112 , oil cap rotation stop, clearance hole  118 , and oil cap retainer slot  116 . Variations in the size and dimensions can be adjusted to fit the conventional oil cap  110  and any of the associated oil return assembly, including the oil return clamp assembly  134  and twist retainer assembly  153  and also including the oil capture vessel  150 .   Thus the oil return clamp assembly  135 , oil return body assembly  124 , twist retainer assembly  153  can be adjusted or created in alternate sizes and configurations to fit a variety of engine valve cover enclosures. Engine valve cover enclosure  168  being one embodiment. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.