Abstract:
Described is a housing ( 18 ) for a separating device ( 12 ) for separating fluid from a gas, a housing cover ( 28 ) and a connecting part ( 16 ) of a device ( 12 ) and a device ( 12 ) for separating a fluid. The housing ( 18 ) has at least one first gas passage ( 82 ), which is centrally disposed relative to an axis ( 30 ) on a connection device ( 14 ). The housing ( 18 ) has at least one second gas passage ( 52 ), which is disposed radially outside the at least one first gas passage ( 82 ) with respect to the axis ( 30 ). The housing ( 18 ) has at least one fluid outlet ( 36, 48, 64 ) for fluid separated from the gas, which is disposed radially between the at least one first gas passage ( 82 ) and the at least one second gas passage ( 52 ) with respect to the axis ( 30 ). Between the at least one second gas passage ( 52 ) and the at least one fluid outlet ( 36, 48, 64 ), at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part ( 66 ) of at least one fluid outlet sealing device ( 92 ) is disposed, which is configured to sealingly interact with at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part ( 68 ) of the connecting part ( 16 ), which is provided for connecting the housing ( 18 ) with the connection device ( 14 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a housing of a device for separating at least one fluid, in particular oil, from a gas, in particular air, in particular an air/oil separator box or an air/oil separator element, in particular of a compressor, a compressed air system or a vacuum pump, having at least one first gas passage which, with respect to an axis, in particular an assembly axis, of the housing is centrally, in particular coaxially, disposed on a connecting device, having at least one second gas passage which, with respect to the axis, is disposed radially outward from the at least one first gas passage, and having at least one fluid outlet for fluid separated from the gas, which is disposed with regard to the axis radially between the at least one first gas passage and the at least one second gas passage. 
         [0002]    The invention further relates to a housing cover of a housing of a device for separating at least one fluid, in particular oil, from a gas, in particular air, in particular an air/oil separator box or an air/oil separator element, in particular of a compressor, a compressed air system or a vacuum pump, having at least one first gas passage which, with respect to an axis, in particular an assembly axis, of the housing is centrally, in particular coaxially, disposed on a connecting device, having at least one second gas passage which, with respect to the axis, is disposed radially outward from the at least one first gas passage, and having at least one fluid outlet for fluid separated from the gas, which is disposed with regard to the axis radially between the at least one first gas passage and the at least one second gas passage. 
         [0003]    The invention also relates to a connecting part, in particular a connection nipple or connection tube fitting for connecting a device for separating at least one fluid, in particular oil, from a gas, in particular air, in particular an air/oil separator box or an air/oil separator element, in particular of a compressor, a compressed air system or a vacuum pump, with a connection device having at least one gas-conducting space, particularly an inner space, for at least one first gas passage of a housing of the device. 
         [0004]    The invention finally relates to a device for separating at least one fluid, in particular oil, from a gas, in particular air, in particular an air/oil separator box or an air/oil separator element, in particular of a compressor, a compressed air system or a vacuum pump, having at least one first gas passage which, with respect to an axis, in particular an assembly axis, of the housing is centrally, in particular coaxially, disposed on a connecting device, having at least one second gas passage which, with respect to the axis, is disposed radially outward from the at least one first gas passage, and having at least one fluid outlet for fluid separated from the gas, which is disposed with regard to the axis radially between the at least one first gas passage and the at least one second gas passage. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    An apparatus for separating oil droplets from air with a separator head is known from DE 8501736 U1. The separator head has an eccentrically disposed inflow channel for the raw air and a central outflow channel for the clean air. A housing cover closes a housing on a lower end side. The housing cover has a central threaded hole to be screwed onto a threaded pipe stub firmly fixed on the separator head. The housing cover further has a concentric sealing ring outside the threaded hole for sealed engagement with the separator head. The housing cover is provided with inflow openings at the inflow channel in the region between the threaded hole and the sealing ring. An annular gap connected to a separate outflow channel serves to discharge the separated oil. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The object of the invention is to design a housing, a housing cover, a connecting part and a device of the aforementioned type, in which a leakproofness of connections of at least one gas passage and/or at least one fluid outlet, in particular a liquid outlet of the housing, with the connection device and/or the connecting part, can be improved. In particular, any tolerances, in particular component-related and/or assembly-related tolerances, can be better compensated. 
         [0007]    This object is achieved with the housing according to the invention in that between the at least one second gas passage and the at least one fluid outlet is disposed at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing device, which can sealingly interact with at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part or a connecting part, which is provided for connecting the housing with the connection device. 
         [0008]    According to the invention, disposed between the at least one second, outer gas passage and the at least one fluid outlet is at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part of at least one fluid outlet sealing device. The at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can sealingly interact with at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part of the connecting part. The at least one second gas passage can be sealed against the at least one fluid outlet with the at least one fluid outlet sealing device. In this way, the risk can be reduced that gas from the at least one second gas passage can enter the at least one fluid outlet and/or that separated fluid from the at least one fluid outlet can enter the at least one second gas passage. 
         [0009]    The connecting part serves to connect the housing with the connection device, in particular with a corresponding fluid line or gas line. At least one part of the connecting part can be a part of the housing, or fixedly or releasably connected thereto, in particular pre-installed. Alternatively or additionally, at least one part of the connecting part can be a part of the connection device, or fixedly or releasably connected thereto, in particular pre-installed. Accordingly, the at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part can be fixedly or removably connected with the connecting part and/or the connection device. 
         [0010]    The at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can sealingly interact with the at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part, in particular automatically, when the housing is correspondingly connected with the at least one corresponding fluid outlet sealing part of the connecting part and/or the connection device. 
         [0011]    The connection device can advantageously be a connector head. The connector head can have corresponding feed lines and/or discharge lines for the gas and/or separated fluid. 
         [0012]    The connecting part can advantageously be fixedly or removably connected with the housing on the housing side and/or with the connection device on the connection side. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the connecting part can have a tube-like, in particular cylindrical and/or conical, connection piece or connection section. The tube-like connection piece can, in particular when it is connectible on the housing side and removable, also be referred to as a nipple or a connection nipple. 
         [0014]    Advantageously, the housing can be connected with the connection device by means of a screw and/or plug-in connection. The screw and/or plug-in connection can advantageously be pluggable or screwable with respect to the axis. In this case, the axis can coincide with an assembly axis of the housing with the connection device, in particular the housing with the connecting part and/or the connecting part with the connection device. The housing can in particular be screwed by means of a screw connection directly or indirectly, in particular by means of the connecting part, in or on the connection device. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, the axis, in particular the assembly axis, can be coaxial or parallel to a housing axis of the housing and/or an element axis of a filter element and/or separating element. The axis can advantageously be coaxial with an axis of the connecting part. 
         [0016]    The connecting part can have at least a connection element for connection with the housing and/or the connection device, in particular by means or a screw and/or plug-in connection, in particular a screw connection, a plug connection, a clamp connection, a latching connection and/or a bayonet-type connection or the like. In particular, the connecting part may have at least on external thread and/or at least one internal thread. Accordingly, the housing and/or the connection device can have at least one suitable inner thread and/or at least one outer thread. The thread can advantageously be coaxial with the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0017]    The housing can advantageously be cup-shaped or pot-shaped. Advantageously, the housing, in particular a housing vessel, can be closed on one end face by a housing cover. Advantageously, the connecting part and/or the connection device can be especially optionally connected with the housing cover at one end face. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the housing, in particular the housing vessel and/or the housing cover, can be made of metal and/or plastic or at least have these materials. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the housing, in particular the housing vessel and/or the housing cover, can be axial or coaxial to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0020]    In the housing can advantageously be disposed at least one separating element for separating the fluid from the gas, in particular at least one filter element, at least one coalescing element, at least one separation or baffle wall and/or a cyclone or the like, or a combination of various separating elements. The fluid can be separated from the gas by means of the at least one separating element. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, disposed in the housing can be at least one filter device for filtering gases, in particular an air filter element. 
         [0022]    Advantageously, at least one filter medium can be combined or connected with at least one separation medium, in particular a coalescing medium, for the fluid, in particular a liquid. In this way, the assembly space requirement can be reduced. 
         [0023]    Advantageously, at least one separation element and/or at least one filter device, in particular a filter medium, can circumferentially surround, in particular completely, the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In particular, the at least one separation element and/or the at least one filter device can be axial or coaxial with the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0024]    Advantageously, the at least one first gas passage can be provided for a flow of gas during operation of the device for separating a fluid, which is oriented oppositely with respect to an interior of the housing to a flow of gas through the at least one second gas passage. Advantageously, the at least one first gas passage can be a gas outlet for treated gas. The at least one second gas passage can be a corresponding gas inlet for gas to be treated. Alternatively, the at least one first gas passage can be a gas inlet, and the at least one second gas passage can be a gas outlet. 
         [0025]    The at least one separation element and/or the at least one filter device can advantageously be disposed between at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet and separate these from one another. In this way, the at least one separation element and/or the at least one filter device can be forcibly flowed through by the gas. 
         [0026]    The gas can flow through the at least one separation element and/or the at least one filter device from radially outside to radially inside with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, or vice versa, depending on which of the gas passages serves as the gas inlet, and which serves as the gas outlet. 
         [0027]    The at least one fluid, in particular a liquid such as oil, can be separated from the gas with the at least one separation element. Following gravity, the fluid can drop downwards into a lower region of the housing. 
         [0028]    Advantageously, the at least one fluid outlet in the lower region can lead out of the housing. The separated fluid can thus exit the housing through the at least one fluid outlet. The at least one fluid outlet can be connected with a fluid channel, in particular in or on the connecting part and/or the connection device. Advantageously, the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can be disposed on an end face of the housing, in particular where appropriate the housing cover. 
         [0029]    Advantageously, the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can extend at least partially circumferentially with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. Advantageously, the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can completely circumferentially surround the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can particularly completely circumferentially surround at least one, in particular downstream with respect to the flow of fluid, section of the at least one fluid outlet. 
         [0031]    Advantageously, the at least one second gas passage can be disposed with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, radially outside the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part. 
         [0032]    Advantageously, a plurality of second gas passages can be disposed circumferentially, in particular evenly distributed, with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0033]    Advantageously, at least one first gas passage, at least one second gas passage and at least one fluid outlet can be disposed on the same side of the housing, in particular on or in the housing cover. In this way, a connection of the housing with the connecting part and/or the connection device can be more easily and/or space-savingly realized. 
         [0034]    Advantageously, the invention can be used in a gas/oil separator apparatus, in particular an air/oil separator apparatus, in particular with a so-called air/oil separator box or a so-called air/oil separator element. With a gas/oil separator apparatus, any oil droplets carried with the gas can be separated and removed. Such gas/oil separator apparatuses can advantageously be used in compressors, vacuum pumps or pneumatic systems. They can be disposed before a gas inlet of the corresponding unit. In this way, the gas can be deoiled before it enters the unit. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one gas/air separator apparatus can be disposed after a gas outlet of the unit. In this way, oil, which can enter the gas in particular during operation of the unit, can be removed after emission from the unit. The connection device can advantageously be provided with corresponding gas lines. 
         [0035]    The invention can also be used in connection with an internal combustion engine, in particular an intake duct for combustion gas, in particular combustion air, or a crankcase vent. The invention can be used in internal combustion engines of motor vehicles or other types of internal combustion engines, in particular industrial motors. It can also be used outside of internal combustion engines, in particular in motor vehicles. 
         [0036]    Instead of in a device for separating oil, the invention can also be used for the separation of other types of fluids from gas. It can also be used in connection with a room air conditioning system or air conditioner. 
         [0037]    In an advantageous embodiment, at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can, with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, at least radially sealingly interact with at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part. According to the invention, in the connection of the housing with the connecting part and/or the connection device, the housing-side fluid outlet sealing part and the connection-side fluid outlet sealing part can lie at least radially directionally against each other. 
         [0038]    Advantageously, sealing forces acting on the fluid outlet sealing parts can be directed exclusively radially with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In addition, axial force components can also be present. The fluid outlet sealing parts can then seal radially and axially. 
         [0039]    A radially sealing sealing device has the advantage that the sealing forces are substantially directed perpendicularly to the corresponding assembly force, which acts between the housing on one side and the connecting part and/or the connection device on the other. The assembly forces are parallel or coaxial with the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In this way, any dimensional tolerances between the housing and the connecting part and/or the connection device can be better compensated. Furthermore, mechanical loads on the at least one fluid outlet sealing device can thus be reduced. Such mechanical loads can be caused in particular by operational vibrations or oscillations. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, when the housing is brought together with the connecting part and/or the connection device axially with the axis, in particular the assembly axis, the radially acting fluid outlet sealing device can easily compensate a dimensional tolerance in the axial direction. 
         [0041]    In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can have at least one sealing surface acting radially inward or preferably radially outward, which is formed on at least one sealing lip and/or at least one sealing ring, in particular an O-ring, extending at least radially with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. When the housing is brought together with the connecting part and/or the connection device axially to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, a sealing lip or a sealing ring can easily slide along against the at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part. 
         [0042]    Advantageously, at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part and at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part can be coaxial with an axis, in particular with the axis, in particular with the assembly axis. In this way, the corresponding fluid outlet sealing parts can be more easily guided into one another. The fluid outlet sealing parts can thereby easily slide alone one another. 
         [0043]    Advantageously, the at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part can have at least one sealing surface. Advantageously, the at least one sealing surface can be cylindrical and/or conical. Advantageously, one axis of the at least one cylindrical/conical sealing surface can be parallel or coaxial to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0044]    Advantageously, at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can be at least partially elastic. In this way, the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can more easily conform to the corresponding at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part. Further, tolerances can thus be compensated and/or vibrations can thus be dampened better and more easily. 
         [0045]    Advantageously, the at least one sealing lip and/or at least one sealing ring can be elastic, in particular made from an elastic material. 
         [0046]    Advantageously, at least two sealing lips can be provided. At least two sealing lips can be disposed behind one another in the direction of an axis, in particular the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In this way, the sealing effect can be further improved. 
         [0047]    O-rings have the advantage that they can easily slide or roll along the corresponding sealing surface of the connection-side fluid outlet sealing part during assembly of the respective components. 
         [0048]    In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can be realized in connection with at least one support part, which can be connected in one piece or multiple pieces with at least one housing section, in particular a housing cover, of the housing. At least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can be pre-assembled separately with the at least one support part. The pre-assembled assembly can be easily connected in further manufacturing steps to the at least one housing. 
         [0049]    The at least one support part can advantageously be connected in one piece or multiple pieces with at least one housing section. 
         [0050]    Advantageously, the at least one support part can be connected with the at least one housing section by means of a material fitting and/or form fitting and/or force locking connection, in particular an adhesive connection, welded connection, clamp connection, snap connection, clip connection, screw connection, plug connection and/or a bayonet-like connection. 
         [0051]    Advantageously, the at least one support part can be connected with the at least one housing section by means of a, in particular removable, fixing element. The at least one fixing element can advantageously have at least one locking element, in particular a locking arm. The at least one locking arm can have at least one locking lug. The locking lug can be latched or clipped on the side of the housing section. 
         [0052]    At least one locking arm can advantageously be locked or clipped on the housing side in at least one passage, in particular a gas passage. The at least one locking arm can advantageously pass through the at least one passage. 
         [0053]    The at least one support part can advantageously be connected with a housing cover of the housing. 
         [0054]    The at least one support part can advantageously have at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part or a receptacle for at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part. 
         [0055]    The at least one support part can advantageously have at least one sealing lip and/or a sealing groove for a sealing ring. 
         [0056]    The at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can advantageously be realized in one piece or multiple pieces on the at least one support part. The at least one support part can advantageously be realized with at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part as a two-component part. 
         [0057]    In a further advantageous embodiment, the support part can have a first, in particular cylinder-shaped, section, which extends axially outward from the housing section. Hereby, the housing-side fluid outlet sealing part is preferably disposed on the support part, in particular the axial end thereof, such that it extends radially away therefrom, in particular outwardly or inwardly in a ring shape. 
         [0058]    The at least one support part can be, in comparison with at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part, rigid or dimensionally stable. In this way, the at least one support part can absorb or transfer forward corresponding holding forces and/or sealing forces which can act upon the at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part. 
         [0059]    The at least one support member can advantageously be annular. It can advantageously circumferentially surround the axis, in particular the assembly axis. The at least one support part can advantageously be coaxial with the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0060]    In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one surrounding sealing device, which can sealingly interact with at least one corresponding, in particular terminal-side and/or connection-side surrounding sealing part of the connection device and/or the connecting part, can be disposed at least between at least one second gas passage and a surrounding of at least one housing-side surrounding sealing part. With the surrounding sealing device, the at least one second gas passage can be sealed towards the surrounding. The space surrounding the housing in its assembly position on the connection device is regarded as the surrounding. 
         [0061]    The at least one second gas passage can lie relatively far outward with regard to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In particular, it can be disposed further outward than the at least one fluid outlet and/or the at least one first gas passage with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. 
         [0062]    The housing-side surrounding sealing part can advantageously have at least one seal and/or at least one sealing surface. Accordingly, the at least one in particular terminal-side and/or connection-side surrounding sealing part can have at least one sealing surface and/or at least one seal. 
         [0063]    The at least one housing-side surrounding sealing part can advantageously at least axially sealingly interact with the at least one in particular terminal-side surrounding sealing part. In this way, a holding force of the housing against the connection device and/or the connecting part, which is directed parallel to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, can more strongly press the surrounding sealing parts together. A sealing effect can thus be improved. 
         [0064]    At least one housing-side surrounding sealing part and at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part can advantageously be disposed on the same end face of the housing, in particular the housing cover. 
         [0065]    The at least one housing-side surrounding sealing part can advantageously at least partially circumferentially surround at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. In this way, the at least one first gas passage and the at least one fluid outlet can also be sealed toward the surrounding. 
         [0066]    The at least one surrounding sealing device can also be referred to as an outer sealing device, and the corresponding sealing parts as outer sealing parts. Accordingly, the at least one fluid outlet sealing device can be referred to as an inner sealing device and the sealing parts thereof as inner sealing parts. 
         [0067]    Advantageously, the combination of the at least one at least radially acting fluid outlet sealing device and the at least one at least axially acting surrounding sealing device can allow greater dimensional tolerances in the device, in particular in the housing and/or the connection device, for separating at least one fluid. 
         [0068]    In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one first gas passage can have an assembly opening for at least one connecting part, in particular a nipple or a pipe stub, and at least one fluid outlet can have at least one passage opening, which is materially technically separated from the at least one assembly opening. 
         [0069]    The at least one connecting part can be introduced in the assembly opening. The at least one connecting part can be passed in through the assembly opening and led into an interior of the housing. 
         [0070]    In an assembled housing, an axis of the at least one connecting part can advantageously run axially, in particular coaxially, to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. For installation, the at least one connecting part can thus be passed axially to the axis, in particular the assembly axis, through the assembly opening. 
         [0071]    The at least one connecting part can advantageously be connected with the assembly opening by means of a screw or plug-in connection, in particular a screw connection. 
         [0072]    Advantageously, a radially outer peripheral side of the at least one connecting part can have an outer thread, which can be screwed in to connect to the housing having a corresponding inner thread in the region of the assembly opening. 
         [0073]    At least one fluid outlet can advantageously have at least one passage opening, which is materially technically separated from the at least one assembly opening. Advantageously, at least one fluid outlet can be radially spaced from the at least one assembly opening with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. Between the at least one assembly opening and the at least one fluid outlet can be located at least one material section, in particular a web of material of the housing, in particular the housing cover. The material section can separate the assembly opening from the fluid outlet. In particular when a screw connection is used between the connecting part and the housing, the inner thread in the region of the axis, in particular the assembly axis, can thus interact evenly and completely with the outer thread of the connecting part. 
         [0074]    In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one gas passage and/or at least one fluid outlet and/or at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part and/or at least one housing-side surrounding sealing part can be realized in/on/with a housing cover with an in particular cup-shaped housing. In this way, the mentioned components can be easily realized on the housing cover. The housing cover can be realized and/or pre-assembled independently from the remaining housing, in particular the housing vessel. 
         [0075]    During assembly of the device for separation of a fluid, a corresponding separation and/or filter element can be easily introduced into the housing. The housing can then be closed by the housing cover. 
         [0076]    The pre-assembled housing can be easily fitted with the connecting part. Alternatively, the connection device can be fitted with the connecting part. The housing and the connection device can then be connected. The connecting part is thereby correspondingly connected with the respective other component. During connection, the gas passages and the at least one fluid outlet can be automatically brought into connection with the corresponding gas channels and fluid channels of the connecting part and/or the connection device. Likewise, depending on the mounting method, the fluid outlet sealing device and optionally the surrounding sealing device can be respectively automatically activated in the same assembly step or in different assembly steps. 
         [0077]    Further, the object according to the invention is achieved by the housing cover in that between the at least one second gas passage and the at least one fluid outlet is disposed at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing device, which can sealingly interact with at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part or a connecting part, which is provided for connecting the housing with the connection device. 
         [0078]    In addition, the object according to the invention is achieved by the connecting part in that the connecting part has at least one fluid passage or is at least constructed for at least one fluid outlet of the housing for the fluid separated from the gas, which is disposed outside the at least one gas-conducting space, and at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part of the at least one fluid outlet sealing device is disposed on a side opposite the gas-conducting space of the at least one fluid outlet, which can sealingly interact with at least one corresponding housing-side fluid outlet sealing part. 
         [0079]    The connecting part comprises at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part, in particular at least one sealing surface and/or one sealing receptacle, in particular a sealing groove, for at least one seal and/or at least one seal, at least one fluid outlet sealing device, which can sealingly interact with at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing part of the at least one fluid outlet sealing device. 
         [0080]    Advantageously, the at least one connection-side fluid outlet sealing part can have at least one radially oriented sealing surface, in particular extending circumferentially and axially with respect to the axis, in particular the assembly axis. Advantageously, the at least one sealing surface can have the form of a cylinder shell, in particular a circular cylinder shell. 
         [0081]    Finally, the object is achieved according to the invention with a device for separating a fluid in that between the at least one second gas passage and the at least one fluid outlet is disposed at least one housing-side fluid outlet sealing device, which sealingly interacts with at least one corresponding connection-side fluid outlet sealing part or a connecting part, which is provided for connecting the housing with the connection device. 
         [0082]    Furthermore, the features and advantages associated with the housing according to the invention, the housing cover according to the invention, the connecting part according to the invention and the device according to the invention and all respective preferred embodiments thereof apply accordingly to one another and vice versa. Of course, the individual features and advantages can be combined with one another, whereby further advantageous effects can be configured which extend beyond the sum of the individual effects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0083]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings are explained in more detail. A person skilled in the art will also appropriately consider the features disclosed in the drawings, the description and the claims individually and combine them into further sensible combinations. Shown schematically are: 
           [0084]      FIG. 1  shows a longitudinal section of an air/oil separator apparatus with an air/oil separator element according to a first exemplary embodiment, with a housing having a housing cover with a support ring and an oil outlet seal and a connection nipple, for connection with a connector head; 
           [0085]      FIG. 2  shows a detail view of the air/oil separator apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the region of the housing cover; 
           [0086]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with a view of the inside of the housing cover; 
           [0087]      FIG. 4  shows the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 to 3  with a view of the outside thereof; 
           [0088]      FIG. 5  shows a longitudinal section of the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 to 4 ; 
           [0089]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the inside of the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 to 5 ; 
           [0090]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of the outside of the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 to 6 ; 
           [0091]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of the outside of the housing cover of  FIGS. 1 to 7  without support ring and oil outlet seal; 
           [0092]      FIG. 9  shows a transverse partial section of an air/oil separator apparatus according to a second embodiment, which is similar to the air/oil separator apparatus of  FIGS. 1 to 8 , with a viewing direction from the connector head to the housing cover; 
           [0093]      FIG. 10  shows the partial section of the air/oil separator apparatus of  FIG. 9  without connection nipple, support ring and oil outlet seal; 
           [0094]      FIG. 11  shows a longitudinal section of the air/oil separator apparatus of  FIG. 9  along the section line XI-XI; 
           [0095]      FIG. 12  shows a detail view of the longitudinal section of  FIG. 11  in the region of the housing cover; 
           [0096]      FIG. 13  shows a longitudinal section of the air/oil separator apparatus of  FIG. 10  along the section line XIII-XIII; 
           [0097]      FIG. 14  shows a longitudinal section of an air/oil separator apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment, in which the oil outlet seal has an O-ring seal. 
       
    
    
       [0098]    In the figures, identical components are provided with the same reference characters. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0099]    In  FIGS. 1 to 8  is shown an air/oil separator apparatus  10  in various depictions, sections and detail views. The air/oil separator apparatus  10  serves for the separation from the air of such oil as is carried with the air. The air/oil separator apparatus is used, for example, in compressors, vacuum pumps compressed air systems or the like. It can be disposed before the inlet or after the outlet of a corresponding unit. 
         [0100]    The air/oil separator apparatus  10  comprises an air/oil separator element  12 , which can also be referred to as an air/oil separator box. The air/oil separator element  12  is replaceably fixed on a connector head  14 , at the bottom of  FIG. 1 . The connector head  14  serves as a connection device for corresponding air lines and oil lines for connecting with the corresponding unit. In  FIG. 1 , the connector head  14  is only indicated schematically by dashed lines. A hollow, pipe stub-like connection nipple  16  connects the air/oil separator element  12  with the connector head  14 . The interior of the connection nipple  16  is gas-conducting, in particular air-conducting. 
         [0101]    The air/oil separator element  12  comprises a cup-shaped housing  18 . In the housing  18  is disposed by way of example a filter element  20  designed as a ring-shaped coalescing element. By way of example, the filter element  20  has as a filter medium a glass fiber mat, which is repeatedly annularly wrapped and bounded by an upper end plate  22  and a lower end plate  24  facing the connector head  14 . As a further filter medium, a non-woven material is disposed in the interior of the glass fiber wrap. 
         [0102]    In general, the air/oil separator apparatus  10  is ready for use as disposed in the orientation shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It can, however, also be disposed in other orientations. When further reference is made to “below,” “above,” or similar, this refers unless otherwise stated to the representation in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0103]    The housing  18  comprises a housing vessel  26 , the opening of which facing the connector head  14  is closed with a housing cover  28 . The housing vessel  26  and the housing cover  28  are made, for example, of metal. Alternatively, at least one of the two components can be made from another material, for example plastic, or at least have another material. 
         [0104]    The housing cover  28  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 3 to 8 . In an operation-ready assembly, the housing  18 , the filter element  20  and the connection nipple  16  are respectively coaxial with an imaginary assembly axis  30 . The air/oil separator element  12  can be screwed onto the connector head  14  and unscrewed therefrom about the assembly axis  30  by means of the connection nipple  16 . 
         [0105]    When further reference is made to “radial,” “axial,” “coaxial” or “circumferential” or the like, this refers unless otherwise stated to the assembly axis  30 . 
         [0106]    The lower end plate  24  facing the housing cover  28  is approximately annular. It has a coaxial pass-through opening  32  for the connection nipple  16 . Radially between the pass-through opening  32  and the filter medium of the filter element  20 , the lower end plate  24  is repeatedly bent, such that there is a circumferential annular trough, which opens toward the element interior  34  of the filter element  20 . 
         [0107]    The radially inner edge of the lower end plate  24  surrounds the pass-through opening  32 . It points toward the element interior  34 . An inner diameter of the pass-through opening  32  is larger than an outer diameter of the connection nipple  16  there. Between the radially outer peripheral wall of the connection nipple  16  and the radially inner edge of the pass-through opening  32 , an annular, coaxial passage gap  36  remains for the separated oil. 
         [0108]    The housing cover  28  is held on the housing vessel  26  by means of a retaining ring  76 , as will be explained in greater detail below. The retaining ring  76  is connected by means of a flared connection  38  with the edge of the housing vessel  26 . 
         [0109]    The axial outside of the lower end plate  24  bounded by the annular trough extends over the filter medium in the axial direction. A bottoming of the annular trough-forming section of the outside of the lower end plate  24  sits peripherally connected in the axial direction to a dampening ring  40 . The dampening ring  40  is supported on the axially opposite side on an inner side of the housing cover  28 . The damping ring  40  is coaxial with the assembly axis  30 . It serves inter alia to reduce noise as a so-called rattle guard. It restricts the axial movability of the filter element  20  in the housing  18  and thus prevents rattling noises. The dampening ring  40  can further serve as tolerance compensation and/or as dampening for operational vibrations or oscillations. 
         [0110]    The housing cover  28  is substantially circular. It is coaxial with the assembly axis  30 . In profile, the housing cover  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is seen from radially outside to radially inside as bent in an approximate S-shape. 
         [0111]    In its center, the housing cover  28  has a coaxial assembly opening  42  for the connection nipple  16 . A radially inner peripheral wall of the housing cover  28  surrounding the assembly opening  42  is equipped with an inner thread  44 . The inner thread  44  mates with a corresponding outer thread  46  on the radially outer peripheral side of the connection nipple  16 . 
         [0112]    Radially outside the assembly opening  42 , the housing cover  28  has two respective oil outlet holes  48  which pass through. The oil outlet holes  48  are disposed on radially opposite sides with respect to the assembly axis  30 . Their axes are parallel to the assembly axis  30 . The oil outlet holes  48  are materially technically separated from the assembly opening  42  by means of a circular cylindrical, coaxial web portion  50 . 
         [0113]    Along an imaginary coaxial circumference which encloses both oil outlet holes  48 , a plurality of air inlet holes  52  which pass through are disposed. The air inlet holes  42  are respectively flattened on their radially outer peripheral sides. Imaginary axes of the air inlet holes  52  extend parallel to the assembly axis  30 . 
         [0114]    On the exterior side facing away from the filter element  20 , a coaxial support ring  54  is fixed on the housing cover  28 . The support ring supports an oil outlet seal  56 . The support ring  54  is made of plastic. Instead of plastic, it can also be made of a different material, for instance metal, or at least have a different material. 
         [0115]    The support ring  54  has a coaxial hollow cylindrical section  58 . On its end face facing the housing cover  28 , the hollow cylindrical section  58  changes over as a single piece to a coaxial radial ring section  60 . The radial ring section  60  extends continuously circumferentially and somewhat radially outside the hollow cylindrical section  58 . The profile of the radial ring section  60  is fitted to the outer side of the housing cover  28 . 
         [0116]    In the region of its radially outer edge, a plurality of locking arms  62  are each integrally connected with the radial ring section  60 . The locking arms  62  extend approximately parallel to the assembly axis  30  away from the hollow cylindrical section  58  to the side opposite the hollow cylindrical section  58 . Each locking arm  62  has a radially inwardly oriented locking lug on its free end. The locking arms  62  extend respectively through one of the air inlet holes  52  through the housing cover  28 . They engage with their locking lugs on the radially inner side of the air inlet holes  52  on the inner side of the housing cover  28 . 
         [0117]    An inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical section  58  and the radial ring section  60  is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the assembly opening  42 , in particular the inner thread  44 . The oil outlet holes  48  project radially inward beyond the support ring  54  such that they are connected with an interior of the support ring  54  surrounded by the hollow cylindrical section  58 . 
         [0118]    In the assembled state shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the radially inner circumferential side of the hollow cylindrical section  58  of the support ring  54  is spaced apart from the radially outer circumferential side of the connection nipple  16  such that an annular gap  64  arises between the corresponding circumferential sides as a passage for the separated oil. 
         [0119]    In the region of the free edge of the hollow cylindrical section  58  which faces away from the housing cover  28 , two sealing lips  66  are disposed on the radially outer circumferential side of the hollow cylindrical section  58 . The sealing lips  66  are part of the oil outlet seal  56 . The sealing lips  66  each extend continuously circumferentially and away from the hollow cylindrical section  58  from radially inward to radially outward. The seal lips  66  extend parallel to each other. The axially inner sealing lips  66  facing the housing cover  28  extend radially outward over the other, axially outer sealing lips  66 . The sealing lips  66  are elastic. The sealing lips  66  can, for example, be realized with the support ring  54  as a two-component part. 
         [0120]    In the assembled air/oil separator element  12 , the sealing lips  66 , as are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , are located with their radially inner edges radially sealing against a radially inner circumferential side of a circumferential connection-side sealing surface  68 . The connection-side sealing surface  68  is in the form of a coaxial circular cylinder shell. The connection-side sealing surface  68  is realized on a coaxial hollow cylindrical wall section of a coaxial annular collar  70  of the connecting means  16 . 
         [0121]    The annular collar  70  is disposed circumferentially on the radially outer circumferential side of the connector nipple  16 . On the side axially facing the housing cover  28 , the ring collar  70  forms an in open, annular groove which is U-shaped in profile, for receiving the cylindrical section  58  with the sealing lips  66  of the support ring  54 . 
         [0122]    A connection-side oil passage opening  72  leads through an end wall of the annular collar  70  which forms the bottom of the “U.” In an assembled air/oil separator apparatus  10 , the connection-side oil passage opening  72  connects the annular gap  64  with an oil outlet channel of the connector head  14 , not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0123]    On the side of the ring collar  70  axially opposite to the outer thread  46 , the connection nipple  16  has a connecting outer thread  74  on its radially outer circumferential side, with which the connection nipple  16  is screwed into a corresponding connection-side inner thread of the connector head  14 , which is also not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0124]    The retaining ring  76  which is, for example, made of sheet metal and bent several times in the radial direction, is radially outwardly connected with the flared connection  38  to the housing vessel  26 . The retaining ring  76  holds the housing cover  28  on the outside thereof. On its radially inner edge, the retaining ring  76  has retaining tabs  78 , which extend respectively through one of the air inlet holes  52  of the housing cover  28 , and which are bent on the inner side thereof. The housing cover  28  is held on the retaining ring  76  with the retaining tabs  78 . 
         [0125]    Further, radially within the flared connection  38 , the retaining ring  76  comprises a coaxially annularly-shaped, circumferentially continuous sealing groove, in which is disposed a coaxial surrounding ring seal  80 . The surrounding ring seal  80  radially outwardly surrounds the air inlet holes  52 . In the assembled air/oil separator element  12 , the surrounding ring seal  80  is located axially sealingly on a corresponding terminal-side annularly-shaped coaxial surrounding sealing surface  81  of the connector head  14 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . The surrounding sealing surface  81  extends circumferentially and radially. It seals the air inlet holes  52 , i.e. the raw air side, toward the surrounding. 
         [0126]    The assembly opening  42  of the housing cover  28  further defines an air outlet opening  82 . The interior of the connection nipple  16  extends through the air outlet opening  82 , thus co-defining the course of the air outlet opening  82  in the assembled state. The interior of the connection nipple  16  forms or bounds in so many words the effective flow cross-section of the air outlet opening  82 . 
         [0127]    During operation of the air/oil separator apparatus  10 , air, which can be loaded with oil droplets, flows from an air inlet line of the connector head  14  through the air inlet holes  52 , indicated by an arrow  84  in  FIG. 1 , into an inlet chamber  86  of the housing  18 . the lower part of the inlet chamber  86  is located in the housing  18  between the lower end plate  24  and the housing cover  28 , and extends circumferentially radially outward about the filter element  20 . 
         [0128]    The air flows through the filter medium of the filter element  20  from radially outward to radially inward, indicated by arrow  88 . The oil droplets are deposited on the radially inner circumferential side of the filter element  20 , and flow downward following gravity, indicated in  FIG. 1  by dashed arrows  90 . 
         [0129]    The air, free of oil droplets, flows in the clean air side through the central air outlet opening  82  in the inner space of the connection nipple  16  out of the air/oil separator element  12 , and enters an air outlet channel of the connector head  14 , not shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0130]    The separated oil droplets pass through the passage gap  36  and the oil outlet holes  48  of the housing cover  28  into the annular gap  64 . From the annular gap  64 , the oil passes through the connection-side oil passage opening  72  into the oil outlet channel of the connector head  14 . 
         [0131]    The oil outlet seal  56  and the connection-side sealing surface  68  form an oil outlet sealing device  92 , which separates the oil outlet with the oil-bearing annular gap  64  and the oil outlet holes  48  from the raw air side, in particular the air inlet with the air inlet holes  52 . 
         [0132]    The assembly of the air/oil separator apparatus  10  can take place in different ways. 
         [0133]    According to a first exemplary method, the connection nipple  16  can then be screwed into the assembly opening  42  of the housing cover  28 . Here, the sealing lips  66  slide inwardly along the connection-side sealing surface  68  until they have reached their end position. No substantial axial forces act on the sealing lips  66 . In this way, the air/oil separator element  12  can be pre-assembled with the connection nipple  16 . Then, the air/oil separator element  12  can be screwed with the free end of the connection nipple  16  forward axially into the corresponding inner thread of the connector head  14 . The surrounding ring seal  80  is pressed axially between the housing cover  28  and the connection-side surrounding ring seal surface  81 . The surrounding ring seal  80  forms a surrounding seal device  94  with the surrounding ring seal surface  81 . 
         [0134]    According to a second exemplary method, the connection nipple  16  can then be screwed into the corresponding inner thread of the connector head  14 . Then, the air/oil separator element  12  can be screwed with the housing cover  28  forward coaxially to the assembly axis  30  onto the connection nipple  16 . The oil outlet sealing device  92  and the surrounding sealing device  94  are thereby respectively activated. 
         [0135]    For removal, the air/oil separator element  12  is either screwed off from the connection nipple  16  with respect to the assembly axis  30 , or the air/oil separator element  12  is screwed off together with the connector nipple  16  from the connector head  14 . 
         [0136]    In  FIGS. 9 to 13  is shown a second exemplary embodiment of an air/oil separator apparatus  10  in various representations. In the second exemplary embodiment, an axial extension of the connector nipple  16  in the element interior  34  is less than in the first exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 8 . Further, the connector head  14  is shown in more detail in the second exemplary embodiment. 
         [0137]    In  FIG. 14  is shown a third exemplary embodiment of an air/oil separator apparatus  10 . Unlike the first exemplary embodiment, the oil outlet seal  56  in the second exemplary embodiment has an O-ring seal  166  instead of the sealing lips. The O-ring seal  166  is disposed in a corresponding sealing groove on the radially outer circumferential side of the hollow cylindrical section  58  of the support ring  54 . The O-ring seal  166  seals analogously to the sealing lips  66  of the first two exemplary embodiments against the connection-side sealing surface  68  in the radial direction.