Flange for a device for separating an oil aerosol from air

A flange for a device for separating an oil aerosol from air. This flange consists of a rubber-coated sheet metal and has the purpose of providing a seal between a housing and a mounting plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to a flange particularly for a device for separating
 an aerosol from air.
 Published German Patent Application No. DE 3,311,682 discloses an air
 drying system for a compressed air apparatus driven by a compressor,
 especially the air-brake apparatus of motor vehicles. It operates with a
 drying agent which has a limited absorption capacity and has to be changed
 frequently as liquid accumulates.
 Furthermore, German Utility Model No. DE-GM 85/01,736 discloses an air
 de-oiling element which is constructed as a changeable filter. This means
 that the coalescer is disposed in a replaceable element. This replaceable
 element can be fastened to a separator head with a central mounting screw
 thread. A disadvantage of this known oil separator is that when the
 coalescer is changed, the entire replaceable element must be removed and
 replaced with a fresh one. As a result, a large amount of waste, in
 particular waste requiring special handling, must be disposed of.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for
 separating an oil aerosol from air.
 Another object of the invention is to provide a device for separating an
 oil aerosol from air which produces only a small amount of waste material
 for subsequent waste disposal.
 These and other objects of the invention have been achieved by providing an
 apparatus for separating an oil aerosol from air which comprises a flange
 which is formed of a rubber-coated metal sheet.
 The invention thus relates to a device for separating an oil aerosol from
 air in which a flange is provided which consists of a rubber-coated sheet
 metal.
 Rubber-coated sheet metal is described, for example, in the literature of
 EAGLE PICHER Industries GmbH. This document discloses flat gaskets of
 rubber-coated sheet metal and other sealing materials, as well as noise
 absorbing plates for motor vehicle brakes etc.
 The invention utilizes the advantages of these rubber-covered sheet metals
 and uses them in a flange which on one hand has a sealing action and on
 the other hand can be equipped with appropriate fastening means.
 In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is
 made for the use of sheet metal that is coated with rubber on both sides.
 In this way a sealing action can be achieved on both sides of the flange.
 The flange is preferably disposed on an annular coalescer. Such a
 coalescer element is disposed on the one hand between the surrounding
 housing and a base element.
 These and other features of preferred embodiments of the invention, in
 addition to being set forth in the claims, are also disclosed in the
 specification and/or the drawings, and the individual features each may be
 implemented in embodiments of the invention either individually or in the
 form of subcombinations of two or more features and can be applied to
 other fields of use and may constitute advantageous, separately
 protectable constructions for which protection is also claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 FIG. 1 shows two air de-oiling elements 11 and 12, which are fastened on a
 base member or flange piece 10. The air de-oiling elements each consist of
 an oil separator 13, a housing 14 and mounting rings 15. Each housing 14
 and associated oil separator 13 form a unit releasably mounted on the base
 member 10. To replace the oil separator, the mounting ring 15 is released
 and the housing 14 is removed.
 FIG. 2 shows a detail view of another embodiment of a flange. The flange 27
 in this version is situated within an inside cylinder or tube 28. This
 inside cylinder 28 is slightly crimped at its bottom part 29. The
 coalescer element 22 is disposed inside the flange 27, as shown in FIG. 1.
 A metal coated adhesive band or copper foil 30 is cemented to the flange
 27 in order to form an electrical connection between the inside cylinder
 28 and the housing 14 or base member 10. This copper foil thus connects
 the inside tube 28 electrically to the housing 14 and effectively prevents
 any static electrical charging of the coalescer element.
 The air from which oil is to be removed flows through the inlet opening 19
 and distribution passages 20 into the outer chambers 21 of the two oil
 separators 13. Then this air flows through the coalescer elements 22 of
 the oil separators 13 and exits the oil separators 13 through the inner
 chambers 23. The de-oiled air passes through the outlet passage 24 and the
 outlet opening 25 in base member 10 to an internal combustion engine,
 which is not shown in the drawing.
 In the device shown in the drawings, it is possible to operate both of the
 oil separators in parallel. But it is also possible to operate only one of
 the two oil separators or to alternate between them through an appropriate
 changeover valve which can be disposed in the base member 10. Thus, the
 device can be adapted to various operating conditions.
 Referring to FIG. 1, sealing between the mounting rings 15 and base member
 10 is accomplished through a flange 26, 27, that is rubber-covered on both
 sides. The oil separator element 13 is fastened to this flange by means of
 an adhesive strip or the like. By coating the flange on both sides with
 rubber, a reliable seal is produced on the one hand between the base
 member 10 and the housing 14, and on the other between the inlet opening
 19 and the outlet opening 25.
 The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely to
 illustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Since
 modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and
 substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the
 invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of
 the appended claims and equivalents thereof.