Patent ID: 7727295

Claim:
An oil mist collection system for collecting air containing oil droplet adjacent a plurality of machining stations where oil containing coolant is directed at cutting tools and parts and collected by a coolant return and returned to a filtration apparatus comprising: an oil mist collector at each machine tool station receiving mist and condensing out the oil droplets dispersed therein; a drain opening allowing collected oil to pass into a collection chamber immediately below said oil mist collector; a drain connection from each collection chamber returning collected oil to a respective machine tool coolant return for return to said filtration system coolant return including a normally closed valve partially opened to allow draining of collected oil while preventing drawing air into said drain through said valve; and, return ducting directing air from each mist collector after collection of oil therefrom to a central air filter apparatus drawing air through said air return ducting which filters out contaminants therefrom and discharging the filtered air to the atmosphere.