Abstract:
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.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in further detail hereinafter with reference to illustrative preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows the use of a flange according to the invention in a parallel arrangement of two air de-oiling elements. 
     FIG. 2 shows a detail view of another embodiment of a flange. 
    
    
     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.