Abstract:
The filter removes volatile, particulate and water-based contaminants from a fluid, such as lubricating oil, of a different density than the contaminants. The device has a cone shaped, jet-propelled, helical-spiral wiper rotor creating centrifugal forces that separate the volatile and heavier particulate matter. Ports in a base assembly facilitate removal of the separated contaminants. A settling tank with vertical grid filter minimizes turbulence for further separation of heavier particulate matter. A volatile tank with vertical grid filter and flow restrictor minimizes turbulence to allow volatiles to rise from the fluid. A filter tank filters out remaining particulate matter from the fluid. A combination of flow restrictors and baffles minimize cross-contamination, thereby maximizing purity of oil returned to the engine. The collection tanks are easily cleaned and reused. The compact design minimizes oil volume necessary for purification. Aluminum housing and by-pass design maximize engine oil cooling to enhance viscosity maintenance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/630,947, filed on Jul. 30, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,419 filed Jul. 31, 2002. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The field of the present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for filtering fluid, such as oil from internal combustion engines, to remove particulate and liquid contaminants from the fluid. More particularly, the present invention relates to such apparatuses and methods which use centrifugal separators to separate liquid, corrosive, particulate and/or volatile contaminants from fluid and routing the contaminants into easily emptied collection tanks. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such apparatuses and methods which utilize separate tanks or compartments to filter and store contaminants from the fluid.  
         [0004]     B. Background  
         [0005]     As is well known, internal combustion engines and other mechanical equipment and machines require lubrication of the moving components to prevent damage and premature wear to the engine or machine. Generally, engines and other machines have a lubrication fluid circulating system that coats the moving components with a thin layer of lubricant. During circulation of the lubricating fluid through the machine, the fluid is exposed to, absorbs and carries a variety of liquid, particulate and volatile contaminants. Because these contaminants can significantly reduce the ability of the lubricant to provide the required lubricating effect and, as a result be a hazard to engine life and performance and increase emissions from such engines, it is necessary to filter the lubricant to remove as much of the contaminants as possible in order to maintain lubrication purity. In motor vehicles and other equipment having internal combustion engines, the most common type of lubricant is oil and the most common filter is a full-flow filter that attaches to the oil pan or sump of the engine to remove contaminants from the flowing lubrication stream. Presently, the most widely accepted and utilized method of maintaining oil purity and quality in internal combustion engines is to frequently and periodically change, by removing and replacing, the oil and oil filter.  
         [0006]     Although removing contaminated oil and filters is necessary and effective, replacing the oil and filter as a means to maintain oil quality has many drawbacks. The cost of replacing the oil and filters, as well as the labor involved, over the life of the engine or machine is considerable. In addition, other related expenses, in many industries, include hazardous waste removal costs and government fees and hazardous waste liability insurance. During the intervals between oil changes, contaminants are progressively building up in the oil, and during this time, can cause damage and increase emissions. Although the oil and filter are removed, much of the contamination is left in the crank case, as well as the bottom of the oil pan, to be circulated into the new oil when it is introduced into the system. Additionally, the effect of the new filter is limited, in that standard full-flow filters are designed to remove only the largest of particles and do little or nothing to remove other types of contaminants, such as water, corrosives, volatile contaminants and small particles, all of which are considered damaging to the life and performance of the engine. Based on this well known problem, the obvious solution would seem to be enhanced filtering of the oil during circulation through the engine.  
         [0007]     Thus far, the market for enhanced filtering systems has not shown itself to be very broad. The expense associated with replacement of these filtering elements is one major issue, and the disposal of the rather large, used filter media is another. Also, these systems can easily become clogged with the contaminants they are configured to remove from the lubricating fluid. Although an improvement in lubrication fluid purity by these devices and methods has been demonstrated, they do not address the issue of volatile build-up in the oil, which can decrease viscosity. This is a major concern for the owner of an internal combustion engine who expects to run that engine on the same oil for any extended period of time, as the decrease in viscosity can lead to less effective lubrication. Insofar as these methods can keep oil cleaner, this benefit is of little value when the oil or other lubricating fluid being filtered loses viscosity, which oil and other lubricants are well known to do after extended periods of use at high temperatures (as found in internal combustion engines). The expense associated with the known enhanced filtering systems becomes difficult to justify, when taking into consideration the now viscosity-limited life of the oil, which is the original reason for utilizing the filtering system to keep it clean.  
         [0008]     Many attempts have been made to bring to market less expensive and more efficient apparatuses for maintaining oil purity and quality in order to extend lubricating fluid life. Larger more dense filter media and disposable filters that last longer and increase purification have been proposed. Other forms of separation have been attempted and, in certain applications, have been cost effective improvements over previously used methods. One area which appears to be the most promising, for the purpose of extending the life of oil, is centrifugal separation. Patents have been granted for devices intended to remove contaminants from oil through centrifugal force. A couple of examples pertinent to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,225 to Wong et al and U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,772 to Graham.  
         [0009]     The patent to Wong describes a liquid filter having a centrifugal separator with an annular filter element and a series of slanted fins at the main entrance to the housing which are intended to encourage the fluid travel in a specific direction, that being the outer walls of the filter housing, before the fluid travels through the filter element that is located at the center of the device. The filter is configured such that the heavier, separated contaminants are intended to move against the inside of the outer walls of the housing and accumulate at the bottom of the housing below the filter element. Although the device appears to be able to extend the life of the filter, by removing particles from the fluid to be filtered, it does not necessarily extend engine oil life as it provides no mechanism for removing volatiles from the lubricating fluid. Another limitation with this filter is the likely creation of turbulence within the filter, for which no solution or control is offered. Turbulence within the filter system results in the reintroduction of the contaminants to the flow of fluid, causing them to be returned to the general fluid circulation, which would tend to reduce the reduce the possibility of extended filter life.  
         [0010]     The oil assembly detailed in the patent to Graham is also based on the concept of centrifugal force to separate contaminants from lubricating oil. This assembly seeks to create enough centrifugal force, through the use of a preferably disposable rotor, to separate the contaminants from the oil. As with the patent to Wong, however, the patent to Graham does not address the volatile issue, nor does it address the issue of turbulence control in order to prevent the reintroduction of contaminants to the oil. Another apparent limitation of this device is that the contaminants that are separated by being forced against the walls of the housing appear to only maintain their separation for as long as the rotor is kept turning. Because the rotor is kept turning by the circulation of the engine oil, the logical assumption is that upon turning the motor off, the sludge and other contaminants would run to the bottom of the unit. Unfortunately, the unit is designed to return oil from the bottom of the rotor directly back to the engine, and also bleed off to the filter element below, thereby reducing the effectiveness of all the rotor turning and separation of elements for oil purification and extension of filter life.  
         [0011]     What is needed, therefore, is a relatively low cost, effective and easy to utilize apparatus and method for removing contaminates, including liquid, particulate and volatile contaminants, from a fluid, such as lubricating oil or any other fluid having particulate matter and/or one or more contaminating fluids of a different specific gravity than the clean fluid. The optimum solution would be a system that uses centrifugal separation, with specifically stratified and directed removal of all contaminants. This would allow for lighter volatile removal, as well as removal of water, corrosives and particulate matter. Such a system would also result in greatly extended filter life. Another requisite for such a device would be a system of pressure balances and baffles to control flow and turbulence within the filter. The preferred filter should also include one or more reusable, accessible collection tanks or compartments for ease in removal of each class of contaminant. Such as system would effectively serve as a compact, onboard refinery for the lubricating oil or other fluid.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The filter apparatus and method for removing contaminants from a fluid of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for removing liquid, corrosive, particulate and volatile contaminants from lubricating oil and other fluids. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the filter apparatus has a centrifugal separation system with a jet-propelled rotor that is powered by oil pressure from a source of contaminated oil, such as an internal combustion engine, to separate the heavier contaminants and lighter volatiles from the oil. Various flow restrictors and baffles are utilized to balance pressures. A chamber assembly having a plurality of reusable and accessible tanks collect the contaminants from the oil for ease in removal of each class of contaminant.  
         [0013]     In one aspect of the apparatus of the present invention, the filter apparatus has an inlet configured to receive fluid from a source of pressurized fluid, such as the engine lubricating system on an internal combustion engine, into the filter apparatus and an outlet to discharge the fluid from the filter apparatus back to the engine. A centrifugal separator assembly having a rotor housing forming at least a portion of a rotor chamber and a rotor rotatably disposed inside the rotor chamber receives the fluid and imparts centrifugal forces to the fluid so as to separate one or more classes of contaminates, such as volatiles and heavier particulate matter, from the fluid. An upper bearing assembly and a lower bearing assembly, each having a rotor bearing and a bearing shaft, facilitate rotation of the rotor inside the rotor housing. A base assembly connected to the centrifugal separator assembly has a plurality of ports and passages to direct the fluid and different classes of contaminants to a chamber assembly having more than one chamber therein for receiving and filtering the fluid and classes of contaminates. The chamber assembly can have a settling chamber with a vertical grid filter for removing the heavier particulate matter from the fluid and a volatile chamber with a vertical grid filter for separating, without causing turbulence, the volatiles from the fluid. A filter chamber that has a filter disposed therein receives the remaining fluid and filters out the mid-range contaminants. The fluid separated from the heavier particulate matter is recycled back through the separator assembly for further processing. In the preferred configuration, the rotor is a generally conical shaped rotor having a helical, spiral wiper assembly for improved separation. Also in the preferred configuration, the rotor has one or more rotor jets thereon that utilize the pressure from the fluid to be filtered to rotate the rotor inside the rotor housing. The chambers can be removable tanks that are configured to allow disposal of the contaminates and for cleaning so as to allow reuse of the tanks. The materials selected for the filter apparatus and the by-pass design can provide additional engine oil cooling to further enhance viscosity of the oil.  
         [0014]     In one aspect of the method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of receiving the fluid from a source of fluid (such as an internal combustion engine) into the filter, separating a portion of the contaminants in the fluid (such as the volatile and heavier particulate matter) from the fluid, selectively directing the separated materials through a base assembly to one or more chambers or tanks configured for processing like contaminates, filtering the separated materials in the chambers or tanks to further remove the contaminates from the fluid, and discharging the processed fluid from the filter apparatus back to the source of fluid.  
         [0015]     Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a filter apparatus and method for removing contaminants from a fluid that provides the advantages described herein and that overcomes the disadvantages and/or limitations associated with presently available apparatuses and methods for filtering such contaminants.  
         [0016]     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a filter apparatus that utilizes a centrifugal separator element to separate contaminants in a fluid into one or more tanks or compartments that prevent re-mixing or reintroduction of the contaminants into the filtered fluid.  
         [0017]     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide an improved filter apparatus and method to reduce the cost of replacing oil and other lubricating fluids by removing contaminants, including volatiles, from the lubricating fluid so as to maintain the fluid in a clean condition and maintain its viscosity.  
         [0018]     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a filter apparatus and method to reduce the volume of hazardous waste product, hazardous waste disposal costs and the transportation of hazardous waste.  
         [0019]     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a filter apparatus and method for reducing engine wear and emissions associated with the use of contaminated lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine.  
         [0020]     It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method of removing contaminants from a fluid that also provides additional engine oil cooling to reduce engine oil breakdown.  
         [0021]     The above and other objectives of the present invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an exterior frontal view of the apparatus of the present invention primarily showing the housing for the apparatus and its primary components;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a median vertical section in right angle relation to  FIG. 1  showing a sectional view of the filter chamber;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a median vertical section in 120° angle relation to  FIG. 2  showing a sectional view of the settling chamber;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a median vertical section in 120° angle relation to  FIG. 3  showing a sectional view of the volatile chamber;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a section view of the base assembly taken on the center of the inlet and outlet porting;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a median vertical section of the helical rotor utilized in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the helical rotor utilized in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the present invention for removing contaminants from a fluid; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention for removing volatile, particulate and fluid contaminates from oil used in an internal combustion engine.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the present invention, and particularly with reference to the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments, representing several different ways of configuring the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses of the present invention are illustrated and set forth in this disclosure, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein.  
         [0033]     A preferred embodiment of the filter apparatus of the present invention, identified generally as  10  in the figures, primarily comprises centrifugal separator assembly  12 , base assembly  14  and chamber assembly  16 , as best shown in  FIG. 1 . As set forth in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the filter apparatus  10  of the present invention is utilized with a source of fluid  18  contaminated with particulate matter and/or one or more fluid contaminates having a different specific gravity than that of fluid  18 . The source of fluid  18  can include the oil lubricating system  20  of an internal combustion engine, such as those used in motor vehicles, as well as other sources of contaminated fluid that, if cleaned, could be reused in the source from which it came. As set forth below, in the preferred embodiment of the filter apparatus  10  of the present invention, the source of fluid  18  is pressurized so as provide operational benefit to filter apparatus  10 . For example, if the source of fluid  18  is an internal combustion engine, the oil pressure of the engine&#39;s lubricating system  20  is used to provide power to centrifugal separator assembly  12 . The operation of filter apparatus  10  is based on the general principal that contaminants, fluid and/or solid, having different densities from that of the fluid to be cleaned can be separated from the fluid by centrifugal force. Once the centrifugal separator separates the contaminants from the fluid, the different classes of contaminants are directed into appropriately configured collection units in chamber assembly  16  for filtering of such contaminants. In the preferred embodiment, chamber assembly  16  is easily removed from filter apparatus  10  for disposing of the particulate and volatile materials and cleaning, as necessary or desired, chamber assembly  16 .  
         [0034]     As best set forth in  FIG. 9 , one primary intended use for filter apparatus  10  and the method of the present invention is for purification of oil circulated in an internal combustion engine lubricating system  20  by means of a by-pass on the engine through which oil is pumped under pressure from the crankcase or sump through filter apparatus  10  and then returned to the crankcase or sump independent of the lubricating system  20  of the engine. For ease of explanation, this disclosure will primarily reference use of filter apparatus  10  with internal combustion engine lubricating system  20  utilizing oil as the lubricating fluid to be cleaned.  
         [0035]     Centrifugal separator assembly  12  of filter apparatus  10  has a rotor housing  22  with a rotor chamber  24 , having bottom side  24   a , outer edge  24   b  and top side  24   c  (as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , respectively), in which rotor  26  rotates substantially about is vertical axis. In the preferred embodiment of filter apparatus  10  of the present invention, centrifugal separator assembly  12  is configured such that when rotor housing  22  is connected to base assembly  14  it forms rotor chamber  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 . In the preferred embodiment, rotor  26  is a jet-propelled helical rotor that rotates due to the pressure supplied by the source of fluid  18  (i.e., the oil pressure in internal combustion engine lubricating system  20 ). In the embodiment shown in the figures, rotor housing  22  connects to base assembly  14  by use of a plurality of bolts  28 , such as the six shown in use, that threadably engage base assembly  14  to tightly hold rotor housing thereon. Other connecting mechanisms, including screws, rivets, adhesives and the like, can be utilized to securely join rotor housing  22  to base assembly  14 . Alternatively, rotor housing  24  and base assembly  14  can be configured to have integral locking mechanisms that join these components together by engaging their respective locking mechanisms. Under certain circumstances, it may be possible to form rotor housing  22  and base assembly  14  as a single component. Sealing members, such as gaskets, o-rings or other seals (not shown), can be utilized to seal the connection between rotor housing  22  and base assembly  14 . Although a variety of materials can be utilized for rotor housing  22 , the preferred material is a metal, such as aluminum, that is sufficiently strong to contain rotor  26 .  
         [0036]     Rotor  26  is configured to substantially freely rotate inside rotor chamber  24  formed by rotor housing  22 . In one configuration, as shown in the figures, rotor chamber  24  and rotor  26  are substantially cone shaped. Rotor chamber  24  has an upper rotor bearing  30  and a lower rotor bearing  32  for rotatably engaging rotor  26  to allow substantially free rotation thereof. In one embodiment, upper rotor bearing  30  is of the needle type and lower rotor bearing  32  is a radial ball bearing. As known to those skilled in the art, other types of bearings can be utilized with rotor  26  of the present invention and any such bearings  30  and  32  can be made out of bearing material such as bronze, Teflon® or any other type of material suitable for rotor  26 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , rotor  26  has an upper bearing shaft  34  configured to be rotatably received in upper rotor bearing  30  of rotor housing  22  and a lower bearing shaft  36  configured to be rotatably received in lower rotor bearing  32  of rotor housing  22 . As well known, upper bearing shaft  34  and lower bearing shaft  36  are positioned substantially on the vertical axis of the cone-shaped rotor  26  to facilitate free and smooth rotation of rotor  26  inside rotor chamber  24 . Upper  34  and lower  36  bearing shafts can be made out of a variety of materials consistent with rotatable cooperation with upper  30  and lower  32  rotor bearings. Generally, upper  34  and lower  36  bearing shafts will be made out of a material that is hard and suitable for being made with a smooth surface and high degree of precision. If rotor  26  is made out of aluminum, it could be hard anodized. Upper  34  and lower  36  bearing shafts can be grinded to the desired size and shape or they could be separate components made out of hardened steel or other suitable materials with modifications to rotor  26  so that upper  34  and lower  36  bearing shafts could be pressed, bolted, screwed or otherwise attached to rotor  26 .  
         [0037]     In the preferred embodiment, pressurized fluid from fluid source  18  enters rotor  26  through rotor inlet  38  at lower bearing shaft  36  and passes through one or more rotor passageways  40  to one or more rotor jets  42 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Rotor passageway  40  divides into first rotor passageway  40   a  and second rotor passageway  40   b  to allow the pressurized oil or other fluid to flow to rotor jets  42 , having jet discharge ports  44  facing generally tangent to the vertical axis of rotor  26 , so as to cause rotor  26  to rotate or spin about its vertical axis on upper rotor bearing  30  and lower rotor bearing  32 . Jet discharge ports  44  have a reduced diameter to intensify the velocity of oil be discharged from rotor jets  42  so as to facilitate rotation or spinning of rotor  26  on its vertical axis between upper  30  and lower  32  rotor bearings. In the preferred embodiment, rotor  26  also has a helically shaped wiper  46  configured to impart a dredging action and to facilitate spinning of the fluid (i.e., oil) in rotor chamber  24  such that as rotor  26  spins, the centrifugal force separates the fluid into a separated fluid and one more classes of contaminated fluids, such as particulate fluid and volatile fluid. The particulate fluid comprises liquids and heavier particulate matter, with a certain amount of fluid/oil, that were forced to the outer portion of rotor housing  24  by centrifugal force. The volatile fluid comprises the lighter, volatile materials, with a certain amount of fluid/oil, which rise and migrate to the center of rotor  26  and top of rotor chamber  24 . As described below, the contaminates are then removed from the fluid before discharging the clean or processed fluid back to the fluid source  18 . The one or more rotor passageways  40 , such as first  40   a  and second  40   b  rotor passageways, can be drilled prior to forming the helically shaped wiper  46  and then plugged by welding or other mechanism. The helical wiper  46  can be formed by a CNC machine with a C axis and should have a pitch size and shape somewhat as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Other shaped configurations for wiper  46  may also provide the desired dredging and spinning action on the fluid. Rotor jets  42  can be drilled tangent to the radius of rotor  26 . The size of jet discharge ports  44  for rotor jets  42  is determined by the restriction at the source of oil, which will be 80% combined. Jet discharge ports  44  and rotor jets  42  should be sized and configured to facilitate the rotation or spinning of rotor  26  in rotor chamber  24  so as to separate the heavier contaminants and volatile materials from the fluid being cleaned.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  5 , base assembly  14  has a base inlet port  48  configured to connect to a tubular or other member (not shown) that connects to fluid source  18  and a base outlet port  50  configured to connect to a tubular or other member to discharge clean, processed fluid generally back to fluid source  18 . In one configuration, inlet port  48  and base outlet port  50  have a threaded fitting suitable for cooperatively receiving a threaded end of a tubing, hose, pipe or other tubular member. When used with internal combustion engine lubricating system  20 , oil under pressure enters inlet port  48  and flows along inlet channel  52  to rotor inlet  38 , as best shown in  FIG. 5 , where it will flow to rotor jets  42  to rotate rotor  26 , as described above. Bolts  28  connect rotor housing  22  to base assembly  14 . As will be described in more detail below and shown in  FIG. 5 , base assembly  14  comprises one or more chamber ports, such as filter chamber port  54 , settling chamber port  56  and volatile chamber port  58  for connecting one or more chambers, such as filter chamber  60 , settling chamber  62  and volatile chamber  64 , to base assembly  14  and rotor assembly  12 . Base assembly  14  also has a filter chamber inlet port  66 , filter chamber discharge channel  68  interconnecting filter chamber port  54  and base outlet port  50 , settling chamber discharge port  70 , volatile chamber inlet  72  and a volatile chamber discharge channel  74  interconnecting volatile chamber port  58  and filter chamber discharge channel  68 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , or base outlet port  50 . As described below, these various components interact to remove contaminants in fluid from fluid source  18  and discharge clean, processed fluid back to fluid source  18  or to other locations as desired.  
         [0039]     In the preferred embodiment, chamber assembly  16  of filter apparatus  10  has three separate chambers for receiving and filtering three different types of contaminants. The preferred embodiment utilizes separate tanks for forming chambers  60 ,  62  and  64 . As known to those skilled in the art, chamber assembly  16  can consist of one tank having multiple, distinct chambers (i.e., chambers  60 ,  62  and  64 ) therein. Chambers  60 ,  62  and  64  are configured to generally receive and filter out contaminants from the fluid, such as oil, after the fluid is acted upon by centrifugal separator assembly  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  and explained in more detail below, collection chambers or tanks  60 ,  62  and  64  removably attach to base assembly  14  and have removable bottom sections  75  that are held in place by bolts  76  at the bottom thereof.  
         [0040]     Filter chamber/tank  60 , best shown in  FIG. 2 , is configured to receive fluid from rotor assembly  12  and filter out the medium level contaminants (i.e., the contaminants not separated by rotor assembly  12 ). As rotor  26  spins, the heavier contaminants are forced to the outermost portion of rotor chamber  22 . A spacer or other such device (not shown) maintains a lower gap  78  in rotor chamber  24  between the bottom of rotor  26  and the top of base assembly  14 . The fluid/oil that has the fewest contaminants, referred to as the separated fluid, in it will resist the centrifugal force from rotor  26  and flow through lower gap  78  to filter chamber inlet  66  and then inside filter chamber  60 . Inside filter chamber  60 , the separated fluid will pass, in a generally horizontal direction, through first filter  80 . First filter  80  is held in place by filter chamber tube  82  that is threaded into base assembly  14  at filter chamber port  54  with upper filter flange  84  and lower filter flange  86  that are threaded, pinned or welded into place inside filter chamber  60 . After passing through first filter  80 , the separated fluid/oil will pass through filter tube ports  88  into the inner channel  90  of filter chamber tube  82 . A flow restrictor  92  placed in or before filter chamber port  54  is utilized to restrict the processed fluid passing through base outlet port  50 , which is connected to the sump of the engine in the same manner as base inlet port  48 .  
         [0041]     In a preferred embodiment, filter chamber  60  is a tank that is removable from base assembly  14  by disengaging filter chamber tube  82  from filter chamber port  54 . Once filter chamber  60  is separated from base assembly  14 , first filter  80  and filter chamber tube  82  can be removed from filter chamber  60  by disengaging bolt  76  so that first filter  80  may be cleaned or replaced. At the same time, the inside of filter chamber  60  can also be cleaned. Alternatively, the entire filter chamber  60 , with all of its internal components, can be replaced. In another alternative embodiment, where the shell of filter chamber  60  is fixedly attached to base assembly  14 , disengaging bolt  76  allows the user to remove bottom section  75  from filter chamber  60  and disengage filter chamber tube  82  from filter chamber port  54  so that first filter  80  can be removed, with or without filter chamber tube  82 , for cleaning or replacement.  
         [0042]     Settling chamber/tank  62 , best shown in  FIG. 3 , is configured to receive and filter fluid, referenced as the particulate fluid, having the highest concentrations of contaminants and under the highest pressure in filter apparatus  10  due to the centrifugal force of rotor  26 . The particulate fluid is forced against the inner walls of rotor housing  22  by the centrifugal force of rotor  26  to flow down upper gap  94  to settling chamber port  56  through settling chamber inlet passageway  96 . The particulate fluid/oil then flows through the inner channel  98  of the settling chamber tube  100  that is removably attached to base assembly  14 , by threads or other mechanisms. The particulate fluid then exits inner channel  98  through one or more tube discharge ports  102  to the interior of settling chamber  62 . In one embodiment, four discharge ports  102  are utilized. This fluid is forced into a horizontal flow by a baffle flange  104  so as to flow horizontally over the second filter  106 , which can comprise a vertical settling grid, that is pressed over settling chamber tube  100  and securely held in position either by press-fit glue, pins or other mechanism. The lighter oil, relative to the heavier particulate matter, is then drawn through settling chamber outlet passageway  108  as a result of the lower pressure created by the centrifugal force of rotor  26 . Restrictor  110  in passageway  108  facilitates the settling of contaminants below second filter  106  by reducing fluid flow out of settling chamber  62 . The fluid then flows through first rotor housing channel  112  and reintroduced to rotor chamber  24  to be processed again. Because some of the heavier contaminants have been removed from the fluid, some or all of the fluid being reprocessed will be included with the fluid exiting centrifugal separator assembly  12  to filter chamber/tank  60  as described above. The fluid still having heavy contaminants will again pass through settling chamber  62  as described herein.  
         [0043]     In a preferred embodiment, settling chamber  62  is a tank that is removable from base assembly  14  by disengaging settling chamber tube  100  from settling chamber port  56 . Once settling chamber  62  is separated from base assembly  14 , second filter  106  and settling chamber tube  100  can be removed from settling chamber  62  by disengaging bolt  76  so that second filter  106  may be cleaned or replaced. At the same time, the inside of settling chamber  62  can also be cleaned. Alternatively, the entire settling chamber  62 , with all of its internal components, can be replaced. In another alternative embodiment, where the shell of settling chamber  62  is fixedly attached to base assembly  14 , disengaging bolt  76  allows the user to remove bottom section  75  from settling chamber  62  and disengage settling chamber tube  100  from settling chamber port  56  so that second filter  106  can be removed, with or without settling chamber tube  100 , for cleaning or replacement.  
         [0044]     Volatile chamber/tank  64 , best shown in  FIG. 4 , is for retrieving and filtering fluid having volatile materials therein, referred to as volatile fluids. Due to flow restrictor  92 , shown in  FIG. 2 , filter apparatus  10  of the present invention maintains a small amount of pressure in it. This pressure allows for volatiles and other contaminants that are lighter in specific gravity than the fluid/oil to be forced with the fluid/oil into second rotor housing channel  114  that opens into rotor chamber  24  at or near the top (i.e., the apex in the preferred conical-shape of rotor chamber  24 ). From second rotor housing channel  114 , the volatile fluid travels through volatile inlet  72  into the interior of the volatile chamber/tank  64 . In the preferred embodiment, the flow of the volatile fluid/oil is slowed by flow restrictor  116  in volatile chamber port  58 , thereby allowing the heavier oil, relative to the volatile materials in the volatile fluid, to be drawn down through the third filter or volatile grid  118 , which is attached to volatile chamber tube  120  that is threaded into the volatile chamber port  58  in the same manner as the second filter/settling grid  106  shown in  FIG. 3 , creating minimal turbulence within volatile chamber  64 . Volatile chamber/tank  64  allows the volatiles and other lighter contaminants to remain at the top of volatile chamber  64 . The oil portion of the fluid in volatile chamber  64  moves through volatile tube port  122  at or near the bottom of volatile chamber  64  and into volatile chamber tube channel  124  inside volatile chamber tube  120 . The fluid passes through flow restrictor  116  and volatile chamber port  58  and into volatile chamber discharge channel  74 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the fluid flows from volatile chamber discharge channel  74  to filter chamber discharge channel  68  to be mixed with the other processed fluid/oil and returned to the engine oil sump through base outlet port  50 . Alternatively, volatile chamber discharge channel  74  can connect directly with base outlet port  50  for return to the oil sump.  
         [0045]     In a preferred embodiment, volatile chamber  64  is a tank that is removable from base assembly  14  by disengaging volatile chamber tube  120  from volatile chamber port  58 . Once volatile chamber  64  is separated from base assembly  14 , third filter  118  and volatile chamber tube  120  can be removed from volatile chamber  64  by disengaging bolt  76  so that third filter  118  may be cleaned or replaced. At the same time, the inside of volatile chamber  64  can also be cleaned. Alternatively, the entire volatile chamber  64 , with all of its internal components, can be replaced. In another alternative embodiment, where the shell of volatile chamber  64  is fixedly attached to base assembly  14 , disengaging bolt  76  allows the user to remove bottom section  75  from volatile chamber  64  and disengage volatile chamber tube  120  from volatile chamber port  58  so that third filter  118  can be removed, with or without volatile chamber tube  120 , for cleaning or replacement.  
         [0046]     The vertical settling grids of second filter  106  and third filter  118  are generally characterized by having a plurality of vertically extending slender passageways, thereby providing a mechanism to withdraw sinking or rising contaminants from the fluid/oil. This further enhances the separation of contaminants from the fluid/oil before returning it to circulation from the settling chamber  62  or the volatile chamber  64 . An ideal material for second filter  106  and third filter  118  is commonly available commercially as a honeycomb of hexagonal walls that is available in various thicknesses. Tank tubes  82 ,  100  and  120  can be made out of solid bronze rod that is threaded, tapped, drilled and ported. Tubing could be used provided if it is plugged in the proper places. Steel or aluminum could also be used considering the strength of the material and adjusting the size as necessary to compensate.  
         [0047]     Various materials can be utilized for the various components of filter apparatus  10  of the present invention. For instance, rotor housing  22  and base assembly  14  can be constructed from billet aluminum. Other materials, such as injected molded plastic, billet or cast steel or the like could be utilized but are generally not preferred due to their thermal properties. Chambers or tanks  60 ,  62  and  64  can be made from aluminum tubing formed by spinning or cast machining. Other materials, such as molded plastic, steel that has been hydro-formed or processed similarly to aluminum, can be used for chambers/tanks  60 ,  62  and  64 . As with the other components, one of the primary considerations is the thermal properties of the materials selected. Aluminum is preferred due primarily to the balance of cost, weight and ability to transfer heat. By transferring heat out filter apparatus  10 , particularly chamber assembly  16 , and passing the fluid through the various filters, ports and channels, the filter apparatus  10  provides additional cooling for the fluid before it is returned to its source.  
         [0048]     In use, a tubular member (not shown), or other mechanism suitable for allowing fluid to flow to filter apparatus  10 , connects the high-pressure side of the lubricating system  20  of an internal combustion engine, or other fluid source  18 , with inlet  48  on base assembly. The flow will be restricted at that point to a safe level so as not to interfere with normal operation of the engine lubricating system  20 . In one embodiment, oil will flow from the internal combustion engine&#39;s lubricating system  20  under pressure, through base inlet channel  52  to rotor inlet  38 , through rotor passageway  40  and then split into passageways  40   a  and  40   b  to rotor jets  42 . Because rotor jets  42  are directed generally tangent to the vertical axis of rotor  26  and have a reduced diameter discharge port  44 , the velocity of the oil being discharged from rotor jet is intensified, causing rotor  26  to spin in a direction opposite that of discharge ports  44  of rotor jets  42  (i.e., clockwise in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 ). Rotor  26  will spin on its vertical axis between upper bearing shaft  34  in upper rotor bearing  30  and lower bearing shaft  36  in lower rotor bearing  32 .  
         [0049]     As rotor  26  spins, wiper  46  imparts a dredging action and spins the oil, causing heavier particulate matter and liquids to be forced to the outer and lower portions of rotor housing  22  and the lighter volatile materials to rise and migrate to the center of rotor  26 . The portion of the oil separated from the volatiles and heaver particulate matter will flow to filter chamber  60  through lower gap  78  and filter channel inlet  66  to the inside of filter channel  60 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 . The fluid then flows through first filter  80 , into inner channel  90  and then to filter chamber port  54  past flow restrictor  92 . From filter chamber port  54 , the processed fluid flows through filter chamber discharge channel  68  and base outlet port  50  to the engine&#39;s sump. Fluid having heavier particulate matter is thrown against the inner wall of rotor chamber  24  and flows through settling chamber inlet passageway  96  to settling chamber port  56 , and then to inner channel  98  of settling chamber tube  100 , as best shown in  FIG. 3 . Baffle flanges  104  above tube discharge ports  102  causes the fluid to flow horizontally across the top of second filter  106 . The heavy contaminates flow down past second filter  106  while the lighter oil is drawn up into settling chamber outlet passageway  108  past restrictor  110  to first rotor housing channel  112 , where it is directed back into rotor chamber  24  for reprocessing. The lighter volatile materials exit rotor chamber  24  through second rotor housing channel  114  to volatile chamber inlet port  72  and into volatile chamber  64 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The volatile materials remain at the top of volatile chamber  64  while the heavier oil flows through third filter  118  to remove any remaining contaminants. The oil flows through volatile tube port  122  into volatile tank tube channel  124  and past flow restrictor  116  into volatile chamber port  58 , from where it flows through volatile chamber discharge channel  74  to base outlet port  50 .  
         [0050]     While there are shown and described herein certain specific alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. In particular, the apparatus and method are adaptable to a variety of different size and configurations of chambers and/or tanks and filters disposed inside those chambers/tanks. The apparatus and method can be utilized with a variety of different fluids to remove liquid, volatile, particulate and other contaminants of a different density than the desired fluid.