Patent · US Expired

Engine breather assembly with oil drain back

US4886019A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1988
Grant dateDec 12, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S55/19
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A breather assembly for a combustion engine which conserves oil by condensing oil vapors from the engine and returning the oil to the crankcase. The breather assembly is mounted to the crankcase cover and includes a drain tube extending into a low pressure area of the crankcase. The breather includes a baffled interior chamber with an inlet opening at its lower end having a valving mechanism biased towards the closed position. Vapor travels through the valve into the chamber and over a baffle wall into an outer annulus. Breather holes at the bottom of the annulus allow gases to escape. Oil is condensed as the vapor travels up the inner chamber. A vacuum created by the crankcase through the drain back tube causes the condensed oil to flow back into the crankcase. In a preferred embodiment, the breather assembly is molded using a polyurethane material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.