Multi-stage blow-by gas filtering for internal combustion engine

Abstract

Apparatuses including coalescing filters are discussed and shown. In one example, an engine system is shown and described including: a housing defining a crankcase configured to have a blow-by gas passing therethrough, a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus. The fist oil separating apparatus can be remote from the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas. The first oil separating apparatus is configured to separate oil from the blow-by gas with a first filter. The second oil separating apparatus is configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas from the first oil separating apparatus and is configured to further separate oil from the blow-by gas with a second filter. The first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus share a same configuration but a construction of the first filter differs from the construction of the second filter.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] MULTI-STAGE BLOW-BY GAS FILTERING FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to crankcase ventilation systems for internal combustion engines such as those for vehicles or stationary power generation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to oil separating devices for crankcase ventilation systems.

[0005]

[0006] Machinery, for example, agricultural, industrial, construction or other heavy machinery can be propelled by an internal combustion engine(s). Internal combustion engines can be used for other purposes such as for power generation. Internal combustion engines combust a mixture of air and fuel in cylinders and thereby produce drive torque and power. A portion of the combustion gases (termed “blow-by” gas) may escape the combustion chamber past the piston and enter undesirable areas of the engine such as the crankcase. Blow-by gas can contain un-combusted fuel, oil and explosive gases. In rare cases, un-combusted fuel and / or explosive gases can build within the engine such as within the crankcase. The un-combusted fuel and / or explosive gases can result in an explosion if not properly mitigated such as by a relief valve. Crankcase ventilation systems are known in combustion engines to vent, capture or dilute blow-by gases of the crankcase. Such ventilation systems can include oil separating apparatuses as part of such systems. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.

[0007] 2007247448A1 and United States Patent Nos. 10,543,442B2, 5,277, 154A2, and 2,642, 052A disclose examples of an oil separating apparatus that, is part of crankcase ventilation system. However, this patent application and patents do not recognize various features and components of the present application. Summary

[0008] In an example according to this disclosure, an engine system optionally including: a housing defining a crankcase configured to have a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a first oil separating apparatus remote from the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas, wherein the first oil separating apparatus is configured to separate oil from the blow-by gas with a first filter; and a second oil separating apparatus configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas from the first oil separating apparatus and configured to further separate oil from the blow-by gas with a second filter, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus share a same configuration but a construction of the first, filter differs from the construction of the second filter.

[0009] In another example according to this disclosure, a method of filtering oil from a blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine, the method optionally including: passing the blow-by gas from a crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an assembly that includes a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus; separating an initial amount of oil from the blowby gas with a first coalescing filter within the first oil separating apparatus; passing the blow-by gas from an outlet of the first oil separating apparatus directly to an inlet of a second oil separating apparatus, separating a second amount of oil from the blow-by gas with a second coalescing filter within the second oil separating apparatus; and passing the blow-by gas from the second oil separating apparatus back to the crankcase.

[0010] In yet another example according to this disclosure, an assembly for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine optionally including: a first oil separating apparatus including: an outer housing; a first coalescing filter configured to separate an initi l amount of the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the outer housing; a first cover connected to at least the outer housing at a first end portion thereof, wherein the first cover has one or more inlet ports in fluid communication with a first cavity, wherein the first cavity is in fluid communication with the first coalescing filter, and a second cover connected to at least the outer housing at a second end portion thereof, wherein the second cover has one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is in fluid communication with the first coalescing filter; a second oil separating apparatus including: a second outer housing; a second coalescing filter configured to separate a second amount of the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the second outer housing; a third cover connected to the second outer housing at a first end portion thereof, wherein the third cover is in fluid communication with the second coalescing filter via a third cavity, and wherein the third cover is positioned adjacent but is separated from being in fluid communication with the first cover; and a fourth cover connected to the second outer housing at a second end portion thereof, wherein the fourth cover has one or more inlet ports in fluid communication with the one or more outlet ports of the second cover, and wherein the fourth cover has a fourth cavity in fluid communication with at least both the second cavity and the second coalescing filter.

[0011] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

[0013] FIG. 1 is schematic illustration depicting an example internal combustion engine with a system including a blow-by gas with the oil separating apparatuses arranged to remove oil in stages in accordance with an example of the present application.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the oil separating apparatus for initial or subsequent separation of oil from the blow-by gas according to one example of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of components of the oil separating apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of some components of the oil separating apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 including seals, a coalescing filter, an outlet manifold and an inner housing according to an example of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the oil separating apparatus of FIGS. 2-4.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembly of a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus and schematically illustrates flow of the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus to remove oil from the blow-by gas in two stages in accordance with an example of the present application.

[0018] FIGS. 6 A and 6B are different cross-sectional views of the assembly of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus of FIG. 6.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second assembly of a first oil separating apparatus, a second oil separating apparatus and a third oil separating apparatus and schematically illustrates flow of the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus, the second oil separating apparatus and the third oil separating apparatus to remove oil from the blow-by gas in tw'o stages in accordance with an example of the present application.

[0020] FIGS. 7 A and 7B are different cross-sectional views of the second assembly of the first oil separating apparatus, the second oil separating apparatu and the third oil separating apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view' of a third assembly having an L-shaped array configuration, the third assembly having a first oil separating apparatus, a second oil separating apparatus and a third oil separating apparatus and schematically illustrates flow' of the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus, the second oil separating apparatus and the third oil separating apparatus to remove oil from the blow-by gas in two stages in accordance with an example of the present application. FIG. 9 illustrate a method of filtering oil from blow-by gas using a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus according to an example of the present application.

[0022] Detailed Description

[0023] Examples according to this disclosure are directed to an oil separating apparatus(s) for multi-stage separation of oil aerosol from blow-by gas of internal combustion engines, and to systems and methods for filtering oil to separate oil and other forms of particulate matter from the blow-by gas. Examples of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or use. Examples described set forth specific components, devices, and methods, to provide an understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed and that examples may be embodied in many different forms. Thus, the examples provided should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims.

[0024] FIG. I depicts an example schematic illustration of an engine 100 in accordance with this disclosure. The engine 100 can be used for power generation such as for the propulsion of vehicles or other machinery. The engine 100 can include various powder generation platforms, including, for example, an internal combustion engine, whether gasoline, natural gas, dynamic gas blending, or diesel. It is understood that the present disclosure can apply to any number of piston-cylinder arrangements and a variety of engine configurations including, but not limited to, V -engines, inline engines, and horizontally opposed engines, as well as overhead cam and cam-in-block configurations.

[0025] In some applications, the internal combustion engines disclosed here are contemplated for use in gas compression. Thus, the internal combustion engines can be used in stationary applications in some examples. In other applications the internal combustion engines disclosed can be used with vehicles and machinery that include those related to various industries, including, as examples, oil exploration, construction, agriculture, forestry, transportation, material handling, waste management, etc.

[0026] The engine 100 can include a system 102 with at least one oil separating apparatus 104 and at least one oil separating apparatus 118 (or an array of a plurality of oil separating apparatuses as shown). The system 102 can include auxili ry components 106 to the engine 100 such as a regul tor 108, jet pump 110 and a check valve 112. The check valve 112 can be placed, for example, at the bottom of the oil drain sub-system to prevent unfiltered blow-by gas from bypassing a coalescing filter of the oil separating apparatus 104 and passing directly to a compressor 114. Thus, the check valve 112 can regulate the flow of oil.

[0027] In the example of FIG. 1, the system 102 can be part of the original manufacture of the engine 100 or can be a retrofitted system that is added to the engine 100 during maintenance, upgrade or the like. As will be discussed in further detail subsequently, the system 102 can use the oil separating apparatus(s) 104 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 118 to filter oil from the blow-by gas to reduce volatile content in the blow-by gas.

[0028] The system 102 can be part of a purge or ventilation system, winch can be in fluid communication with a crankcase 101 of the engine 100 such as via an inlet passageway. The system 102 can be configured to supply air to the crankcase and through the engine block or through other components (not shown) to a cylinder head of the engine 100. The air the system 102 supplies can act to ventilate the crankcase 101 and other components of the engine 100 such as the cylinder head, the rocker box, etc. The system 102 can use one or more initial oil separators (e.g., the oil separating apparatus 118) and one or more of the oil separating apparatuses 104 to filter oil from the blow-by gas to reduce volatile content in the blow-by gas. Accordingly, the system 102 has an initial oil separation stage and at least, a secondary oil separation stage. This ventilation arrangement, including the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 to separate oil aerosol from the blow-by gas, can remove the oil and dilute un-combusted fuel, explosive gases and / or volatiles below a lower explosive limit so as to prevent or reduce the likelihood of an explosion within the engine 100.

[0029] The system 102 can include connected passages (some specifically illustrated by arrows and numbered in FIG. 1) that are in fluid communication with various components of the ventilation system 102. Some components of the engine 100 such as the engine block, the crankcase 101, the cylinder head, the rocker box, the valve cover and / or the breather can be in fluid communication. The terms “passage,” “passages,” “passageway,” “passageways”, “line” or “lines” as used herein should be interpreted broadly. These terms can be features defined by the various components of the engine illustrated in the FIGURES or can be formed by additional components (e.g., a hose, tube, pipe, etc.) as known in the art. These additional components can be external to the engine 100 in some examples. Passageways can also connect the regulator 108, the jet pump 110 and the check valve 112 with selected parts of the oil separating apparatus 104 as further described herein. It should be noted that although passages 103 A and 103C are shown, this arrangement to include such intermediate components is purely optional. Embodiments disclosed herein contemplate that the oil separating apparatus 118 can mount directly with the oil separating apparatus 104 such that an outlet of the oil separating apparatus 118 for the blow-by gas communicates directly with an inlet of the oil separating apparatus 104 for the blow-by gas with no intermediate component therebetween facilitating such direct communication. Indeed, embodiments discussed herein contemplate that the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 share a similar or same construction save that the construction of the filters used therein can differ as further discussed. Due to this similar or identical construction, a heating or cooling fluid can be passed directly between the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104 such as via a jumper tube of in some embodiments discussed herein. This heating or cooling fluid can thermally protect the filters of the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104.

[0030] The system 102 can include passages and other components such as those shown in FIG. I. Dirty blow-by gas containing oil and volatiles of the system 102 can pass along a passage 103 A from the engine 100 and can pass to the oil separating apparatus(s) 104 and 118 for filtering of oil to reduce volatile content of the blow-by gas. Both the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 are configured for filtering of oil to reduce volatile content of the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus 118 can be configured to filter the oil before it is passed to a single or a plurality of the oil separating apparatuses 104. The blow-by gas, after filtering of the oil, can pass from the oil separating apparatus 104 along passage 103B to the regulator 108 (e.g., a vacuum control valve, mechanical valve or similar regulating device) located between the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 and the jet pump 110. The blow-by gas can pass from the regulator 108 to the suction of the jet pump 110. The regulator 108 (e.g., the vacuum control valve) can be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas. The regulator 108 can be configured to regulate a flow of the blow-by gas to control a vacuum of the jet pump 110.

[0031] The system 102 can utilize a. fluid such as engine coolant, jacket water, engine lube oil, boost air or an off engine fluid. This fluid can be circulated by a pump 105 from a source 107 to a jacket of the oil separating apparatus 118 and to a jacket of the oil separating apparatus 104. Use of the fluid can maintain the filter of each of the oil separating apparatus 118 and the filter of each oil separating apparatus 104 at between about 40 degrees Celsius and 80 degrees Celsius, for example. The fluid can have a temperature range above the dew point temperature of the blow-by gas and below a temperature at w'hich one or more components of the oil separating apparatus 104 and / or the oil separating apparatus 118 become inoperable (fail due to melting or another modality). As an example, in tandem with the blow-by gas, the system 102 can utilize boost air from the compressor 114 (or other component such as a turbocharger) and / or air from an aftercooler 116. This boost air is shown flowing along passage 103C, for example. Thus, one or more of these components (the compressor 114 and / or the aftercooler 116) can be the source 107. A mass flow rate of the boost air can be between 0.5% and 2.5% of a mass flow rate of the air received by the compressor 114. This boost air can be mixed in a desired ratio and passed through one or more jackets of the oil separating apparatus 118 and can be passed to one or more jackets of the oil separating apparatus 104.

[0032] With the boost air example, after leaving the jacket(s), the boost air, now at a reduced pressure and temperature from a pressure and temperature leaving the engine 100, can pass along passage 103D to an input of the jet pump 110. The jet pump 110 can use the boost air as motive air for drawing the blow-by gas through the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 and 118. The blow-by gas after leaving the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 can be routed to a suction port of the jet pump 110. The boost air can be routed to an inlet port of the jet pump 110. The blow-by gas and the boost air can be combined in the jet pump 110. In particular, jet pump 110 can be configured to pass the blow-by gas and the boost air through a venturi of the jet pump 110. Some or all of the combined motive air and blow-by gas can pass along passage 103E to be returned to the engine 100, for example, as an inlet to the compressor 114. Some or all of the combined motive air and blow-by gas can also be routed to ambient. The air can pass to the compressor 114, which can be configured to receive and compress the air. The compressed air can pass from the compressor 114 to the aftercooler 116. Thus, the aftercooler 116 can be in fluid communication with the compressor 114. The aftercooler 116 can be configured to receive and cool at least a portion of the compressed air.

[0033] To briefly summarize, the crankcase 101 can have a blow-by gas passing therethrough. The oil separating apparatus(es) 118 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 can be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas and are configured to separate oil from the blow-by gas in two or more stages. The fluid can be selectively passed through the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas to maintain a temperature of the blow-by gas within the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 at a desired temperature range. In one example, the system 102 can include the jet pump 110, which can be in fluid communication with both the blow-by gas after leaving the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 and boost air after leaving the oil separating apparatus(es) 104. The jet pump can be configured to combine the blow-by gas and the boost air. In particular, passage of the air through the jet pump 110 can create a vacuum that can be modulated by the regulator 108 (e.g., vacuum control valve or a mechanical valve). The regulator 108 can modulate the vacuum at the outlet of the system 102 and can regulate crankcase pressure (via flow of blow-by gas to the suction of the jet pump 110). After leaving the jet pump, the combined blow-by gas and the boost air can be routed to at least one of the compressor 114 or ambient.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an example of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 that can be used with the system 102 described previously. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of components of the oil separating apparatus 104 or oil separating apparatus 118. As shown in FIG. 3, the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 can include an first cover 202, an outer housing 204, an inner housing 206, a coalescing filter 207, an second cover 208 and a cover 209.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, the first cover 202 can include a main body 210 and one or more ports 212. As shown in FIG. 2, the second cover 208 can include a main body 214 and one or more ports 216. Selective of the one or more ports 212 and / or one or more ports 216 can be blocked from receiving or outleting blow-by gas with a cover, plug, plate or other feature to close the respective port according to some examples.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the first cover 202 can be connected to a first end portion of the outer housing 204 by fastener, weld, solder, threading or other mechanical connection as known in the art. Similarly, the second cover 208 can be connected to a second end portion of the outer housing 204 in a similar manner to the first, cover 202, The second end portion can generally oppose the first, end portion.

[0037] The first cover 202 and / or the second cover 208 can be part of the outer housing 204 according to further examples rather than being a separate component. For example, the outer housing 204, the first cover 202 and / or the second cover 208 could comprise an integral single piece assembly according to some examples. The present application can refer to the first cover 202 and the second cover 208, the cover and other components as a “housing” for simplicity herein with the understanding that the term housing as used herein broadly refers to not just the inner housing 206 and outer housing 204 but also the first cover 202, the second cover 208, the cover 209 and / or other components that are not the coalescing filter 207. Similarly, terms like “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom” are relative terms not absolute terms. The orientation of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 can vary from the exemplary orientation illustrated.

[0038] The first cover 202 and the second cover 208 can have a square, rectangular, circular, pentagon, quadrilateral, hexagon, octagon, or other shape in cross-section as desired and can be constructed of any suitable material(s). The main body 210 can form exterior walls, faces, one or more manifolds and other features of the first cover 202. In brief, the main body 210 can be configured to form the one or more ports 212 for communication of blow-by gas into or out of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118. Although not specifically shown, an insulative material can abut or be in close proximity to and extend over one or more sides of the main body 210 such as at an end thereof. The insulative material can be held in place with mechanical fasteners, a plate and / or other feature or components. According to one example, the insulative material can be a fiberglass insulation encapsulated within a stainless steel foil, or a steel outer shell with an integral foam insulative underlayer. The first cover 202 and the second cover 208 each form a cavity therein as further discussed and illustrated.

[0039] The outer housing 204 can have a hollow tubular shape, for example. This shape can form an inner cavity configured to receive the inner housing 206. Thus, the inner housing 206 can be positioned within the outer housing 204. The inner housing 206 and the outer housing 204 can be constructed of suitable material(s). Although the outer housing 204 and the inner housing 206 are illustrated as separate components in the FIGURES, it is contemplated in some examples that these could be integrally formed as a single piece such as by casting or another forming technique. Referring to FIG. 2, the outer housing 204 can form a wall 218 with ports 220 passing through the wall 218. These ports 220 can provide inlet(s) or outlet(s) as desired and can be in fluid communication with a jacket 222 (discussed and illustrated further in FIG. 5). The ports 220 can be located at specifically configured flanges 223 or other features of the outer housing 204. The flanges 223 can form different faces of the outer housing 204. These faces of the outer housing 204 can correspond with faces of the first cover 202 and / or the second cover 208, for example. The housing 204 can have a hollow tubular shape, for example.

[0040] The main body 214 can form exterior walls, faces, one or more cavities and other features of the second cover 208. The main body 214 can be configured to form the one or more ports 216 for communication of blow-by gas into or out of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118. The cover 209 can be configured to couple with the main body 214 and can be selectively removable therefrom. The cover 209 can allow access to an inner cavity (formed by the inner housing 206) and the coalescing filter 207. The coalescing filter 207 can be removed and changed for a new filter with selective removal of the cover 209 from the main body 214. An insulative material can abut or be in close proximity to and extend over one or more sides of the main body 214 and the cover 209. The insulative material can be held in place with mechanical fasteners, a plate and / or other features or components in a manner similar to that if the insulative material of the first cover 202. The cover 209 can be constructed of suitable material(s) such as metal or metal alloy(s) similar to those of the main body 214 (FIG. 2). The cover 209 can be connected to the main body 214 (FIG.

[0041] 2) by suitable mechanical attachment such as fasteners.

[0042] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of further components of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 including the inner housing 206, the coalescing filter 207, the second cover 208 and a seal 238. The coalescing filter 207 can include a coupling assembly 282.

[0043] The coupling assembly 282 can include a grommet and a plurality of arms as discussed in United States Application Serial No. 18 / 519,582, Entitled “CRANKCASE OIL SEPARATING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE”, filed November 27, 2023, and United States Application Serial No. 18 / 092,525, entitled “MODULAR ASSEMBLIES FOR CRANKCASE OIL SEPARATORS”, filed January’ 3, 2023, the entire specifications of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The coupling assembly 282 can be attached to and can extend outward from an upper end cap of the coalescing filter 207. The coupling assembly 282 can be configured to couple with the cover 209 such as in a telescopic receiving manner and is configured to position the coalescing filter 207 within the housing (e.g., relative to the outer housing 204, the inner housing 206, the second cover 208, and / or the cover 209 of FIG. 3, etc.). Such positioning of the coalescing filter 207 can be relative to a centerline axis of the housing. Thus, according to one example a centerline axis of the coalescing filter 207 can be substantially aligned with the centerline axis of the housing by the coupling assembly 282. The grommet can have a thru-hole configured to receive a lower portion of the cover 209. The plurality of arms can be coupled to the grommet and can be coupled to the upper end cap. The plurality of arms can be in a spaced relationship relative to one another (e.g., at 45, 90, 135 or 180 degree increments). The plurality of arms can extend outward and downward from the grommet to the upper end cap such that the grommet is spaced from the upper end cap. The shape and arrangement of the plurality of arms can allow for an open frame construct for the coupling assembly 282 allowing for relatively uninhibited flow of the blow-by gas within a cavity 242 of the second cover 208. In particular, the plurality of arms can be spaced around the centerline axis of the coalescing filter 207 to provide for multiple flow paths of filtered blowby gas through the second cover 208 of the housing. The arms can also be configured to serve as a handle for the coalescing filter 207 for facilitating insertion and in removal of the coalescing filter 207 from the housing.

[0044] The second cover 208 can couple to the outer housing 204 (FIGS. 2 and 3) so as to be in close proximity to but spaced from the coalescing filter 207. The inner housing 206 can be positioned within the outer housing 204 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and can be sealed thereto. The inner housing 206 can comprise a sleeve having a hollow construction forming an inner cavity 240 for receiving the coalescing filter 207. As shown in FIG. 4, the second cover 208, specifically the main body 214, can form the cavity (manifold) 242 internally. The cavity 242 can be in fluid communication with the one or more ports 216 for outflow of blow-by gas after being filtered by the coalescing filter 207. The second cover 208, in particular the main body 214, can include a central port that is part of the cavity 242 that allows for passage of the coalescing filter 207 into the inner cavity 240 of the inner housing 206. The cover 209 (FIG. 3) can be configured to couple with the main body 214 and can be sealed thereto with the seal 238 as further illustrated and discussed subsequently.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 including the first cover 202, the outer housing 204, the inner housing 206, the coalescing filter 207, the second cover 208, the filter access end cover 209, the jacket 222 and an upper filter support assembly-224.

[0046] The first cover 202 can include the main body 210 as discussed previously. The first cover 202 can additionally include a lower cavity 246 and a lower filter support 248. The lower filter support 248 can include a filter interface 250 with a port 252. The lower cavity 246 can be defined by the main body 210 and can have the one or more ports 212 (FIG. 2) as inlets (or outlets) and the port 252 as an inlet or outlet thereto. The main body 210 can form an upper wall of the first cover 202 and the lower filter support 248 can be positioned along a top of the first cover 202. The filter interface 250 can be a centralized projection extending above the upper wall of the main body 210. The filter interface 250 can form the port.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows the lower portion of the coalescing filter 207 including a lower end cap 266. The first cover 202 is configured to allow for fluid communication between the lower cavity 246 and a central cavity 268 of the coalescing filter 207. The central cavity 268 can be circular or non-circular in cross-section. The central cavity 268 can be defined by the core 274. The coalescing filter 207 can have a generally cylindrical shape about the central cavity 268 and the core 274. The core 274 can be positioned within the filter media 276. The core 274 can comprise a thin formed cylindrical sheet having a plurality of apertures therein. These apertures communicate with the filter media 276. The coalescing filter 207 is configured to separate a portion of the oil contained in the blow-by gas. The coalescing filter 207 can be constructed using a single or multilayer synthetic micro-glass fiber, synthetic fiber, or other coalescing filter media types known in the industry with the filter media 276 formed into a tube shape, wound around the core 274, or pleated and located around the core 274. The filter media 276 can be configured for coalescing of oil from oil mist of the blow-by gas. In addition to the filter media 276, the coalescing filter 207 can also include end caps such as the lower end cap 266 and an upper end cap 278. The end caps 266, 278 can be constructed of a thin sheet of rigid material that is bonded or otherwise coupled to the core 274 and / or the filter media 276. The material can be metal, metal alloy(s), suitable rigid and stable polymer or composites thereof. Although described in reference to the example of the coalescing filter 207, the present application contemplates alternative filters can be utilized in some examples particularly as part of the oil separating apparatus 118 for first stage oil aerosol removal. Thus, for example, the filter media 276 can be a single layer or multiple layers of felt or other suitable oil capturing material. A thickness of the filter media 276 can be between 3 mm and 12 mm, for example. The filter media 276 can be shaped to extend around the core 274 or other passage, for example.

[0048] The coalescing filter 207 can be sealed to the overall housing with suitable associated seals. However, in some examples, the seal(s) are not provided pre-coupled to the coalescing filter 207 but are rather separate components insertable in the housing or are components of the housing. The core 274 and the filter media 276 can have an inner and outer perforated tube structure to provide the axial, torsional, and bending stiffness required for the application. Such stiffness can be reinforced by the end caps.

[0049] The jacket 222 can comprise a sealed (from the inner cavity, the blow-by gas, oil and from the coalescing filter 207) cavity formed between an interior side of a wall of the outer housing 204 and an outer surface of the inner housing 206. Thus, the jacket 222 can be formed between the inner housing 206 and the outer housing 204. The jacket 222 can be cylindrically shaped having only the ports 220 for fluid communication. The jacket 222 can be configured to receive one or more of an electrical heater coil, an insulative material, a sealed air gap, or a positive mass flow of pressurized engine boost air, engine coolant, engine lube oil, etc. More particularly, electrically resistive heating coils can be placed in the jacket 222 so as to provide heating to the inner housing 206 and the coalescing filter 207. This can be useful if the oil separating apparatus 104 or the oil separating apparatus 118 is being operated in a cold environment. Alternatively or additionally, insulative material such as foam or the like can be placed in the jacket 222 to provide for insulation of the coalescing filter 207 (and blow-by gas) from a harsh environment. The jacket 222 can also receive in addition or alternative to the heating coil and / or insulation, a fluid that can be used for heating or cooling the coalescing filter 207 (and the blow-by gas). Such fluid can be a heating fluid or a cooling fluid, for example. The fluid can be anyone or combination of a sealed air gap, or a positive mass flow of pressurized engine boost air, engine coolant, engine lube oil, or other examples as discussed previously in regard to FIG. 1. However, the fluid is not limited to these examples. The fluid can be communicated to or from the jacket 222 via the plurality of ports 220.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows an example of an assembly 300 that includes the oil separating apparatus 118 that can be directly mounted to one oil separating apparatus 104. The assembly 300 can be used with the system 102 (FIG. 1) described previously. In particular, the oil separating apparatus 118 can be directly mounted with the oil separating apparatus 104 and can serve as the initial stage of oil removal prior to blow-by passing to the oil separating apparatus 104. As illustrated and further discussed the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 can share a similar or same configuration but a construction of a filter of the oil separating apparatus 118 differs from a construction of the filter of the oil separating apparatus 104.

[0051] The assembly 300 is configured as an array 302. The array 302 can include any number of oil separating apparatuses 104, 118 communicating via inlet and / or outlet covers. The array 302 can have various configurations (single row, multi-row parallel arrangement, multi-row series arrangement, U-shaped arrangement, L-shape arrangement, T-shaped arrangement, H-shaped arrangement, etc.)

[0052] FIG. 6 schematically shows a flow direction for the blow-by gas through the assembly 300 from an inlet passageway 304 to an outlet passageway 306. The flow direction is shown with arrows BG in FIG. 6 and further explained in FIGS. 6A and 6B subsequently. The blow-by gas as shown with arrows BG initially passes from the inlet passageway 304 into the oil separating apparatus 118 for initial oil removal and then passes from the oil separating apparatus 118 to the oil separating apparatuses 104 for further oil removal from the blow-by gas before exiting the assembly 300 via the outlet passageway 306. As illustrated in FIG. 6 and in subsequently FIGURES, the blow-by gas passes through the oil separating apparatus 118 in a first direction when passing through a first filter and the blowby gas passes through the oil separating apparatus 104 in a second direction when passing through a second filter. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second direction generally opposes the first direction (e.g., arrows BG can pass in generally opposing directions for at least a portion of the flow of the blow-by gas) when passing through the filters of the respective devices.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6 and in subsequent FIGURES, the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 can be configured to be coupled directly together (e.g., contacting one another with no intermediate components) such that an outlet of the oil separating apparatus 118 communicates directly with an inlet of the oil separating apparatus 104 with no intermediate component therebetween facilitating communication. However, other examples contemplate that the oil separating apparatus 118 can be remote from the oil separating apparatus 104 and blow-by gas can be communicated between the devices using passageways such as ducting, tubing, etc.

[0054] FIGS. 6 A and 6B are two different cross-sectional views of the assembly 300. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the direction of flow of the blow-by gas is indicated with arrows. As shown in FIG. 6A, a cover 208' of the oil separating apparatus 118 is separated from communication with the cover 208 of the oil separating apparatuses 104 by a cup plug 312 or other flow blocking component such as a plate, etc. Thus, the cavity of the cover 208' does not communicate directly with the cavity of the cover 208. As shown in FIGS. 6 A and 6B, the blow-by gas enters the oil separating apparatus 118 via the inlet passageway 304 and passes through the cover 208' (which serves as an inlet cover) to an outer cavity 280' surrounding the outer circumference of the first, filter 207'. The direction of this flow through the outer cavity 280' is indicated with arrows Al. The outer cavity 280' can be generally cylindrical in shape and can communicate with the cover 208' around substantially all (100% or 360 degrees), most (60%-99%), a majority (50%-59%), some (25%-49% or part (5%-24%) of the outer circumference of the first filter 207'. As illustrated, the oil separating apparatus 118 is configured to separate a first amount oil from the blow-by gas with the first filter 207' (e.g., a coalescing filter such as coalescing filter 207 discussed previously in FIG. 5) by passing the blow-by gas inward from an exterior of the first filter (from the outer cavity 280') through the filter media 276' to the central cavity 268' of the core 274'. This direction of flow is indicated by arrows A2. The blow-by can then pass through the central cavity 268' as indicated by arrow A3 and enter the cover 202' (acting as an outlet cover). The blow-by can then pass from the one or more ports 212' (acting as outlet ports shown in FIG. 6A) to the one or more ports 212" (acting as inlet ports shown in FIG. 6 A) of the cover 202 of the oil separating apparatuses 104 as indicated by arrow A4. A relatively short jumper tube 310 (FIG. 6A) can be used to ensure sealing between the ports 212', 212" of the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104, which are in direct, communication with one another.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 6 A and 6B, the blow-by can pass from a cavity of the cover 202 (via a port as shown in FIG. 6B and discussed previously in FIG.

[0056] 5) as indicated by arrow A5. The blow-by, as indicated by arrow A5, can travel up the core 274" through the central cavity 268”. As indicated by arrows A6, the blow-by containing oil can pass radially outward through a filter media 276" of the second filter 207" (e.g., the coalescing filter 207 discussed previously in FIG. 5) to an outer circumference of the second filter 207". The blow-by gas can enter an outer cavity 280" and can then pass along the outer cavity 280" to the cover 208 as indicated by arrows A7. The blow-by gas and can exit the cover 208 via the outlet passageway 306. Put another way, the oil separating apparatus 104 is configured to further separate oil from the blow-by gas with the second filter 207" by passing the blow-by gas outward from the central cavity 268" of the core 274"' of the second filter 207” through the filter media 276" of the second filter 207" to an exterior of the filter media 276" of the second filter 207" (e.g., to the outer cavity 280"). Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B a flow direction of the blow-by gas through the filter media 276' of the first filter 207' differs from a flow direction of the blow-by gas through the filter media 276" of the second filter 207".

[0057] During passage of the blow-by through the filter media 276' and 276”, if the first filter 207' or the second filter 207" has the configuration of the coalescing filter 207 this can cause coalescing of the oil from the blow-by gas. Such coalescing can result in separation of the oil from the blow-by gas. One or more passages 286' (FIG. 6B) can drain oil from the outer cavity 280' into the first cover 202'. The one or more passages 286' (FIG. 6B) can be at least partially formed by the main body of the first cover 202, The one or more passages 286' can collectively form an initial oil sump that collects the initial amount of oil captured by action of the first filter 207’. These one or more passages 286' can have an outlet port(s). Thi s outlet port(s) can be located on one or more of the faces of the cover 202' including a bottom face. The one or more passages 286' can be configured to receive the oil captured (separated by action of) by the first filter 207' and can pass the oil as a drainage out of the oil separating apparatus 118 at the outlet port(s). Similarly, the oil separating apparatus 104 can have one or more passages 286" that can drain a second amount of oil from the outer cavity 280" into the first cover 202'. The one or more passages 286" (FIG. 6B) can be at least partially formed by the main body of the first cover 202. The one or more passages 286" can collectively form a second or final oil sump that collects the second amount of oil captured by action of the second filter 207". These one or more passages 286” can have an outlet port(s). This outlet port(s) can be located on one or more of the faces of the cover 202 including a bottom face. The one or more -2u~

[0058] passages 286" can be configured to receive the oil captured (separated by action of) by the second filter 207” and can pass the oil as a drainage out of the oil separating apparatus 104 at the outlet port(s). It should be noted that the one or more passages 286' can be separated from the one or more passages 286” by a cup plug 308 (FIG. 6B) or other flow blocking component such as a plate, etc. Thus, the initial amount of oil from the first oil sump (first stage oil) can be separated from the second amount of oil from the second (final) oil sump. These amounts can be routed separately back to the engine (not shown) or can be combined as desired. Put another way, oil captured by the first filter 207' of the oil separating apparatus 118 is passed to an initial oil sump located adjacent the first filter 207' and oil captured by the second filter 207” is passed to in a final oil sump of the oil separating apparatus 104 that is separated from the initial oil sump.

[0059] It should be noted that the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104 can be constructed in a similar or entirely identical manner save for the construction of the first filter 207' and the second filter 207”. Thus, the covers 202, 202', the outer cavities 280', 280”, passages 286', 286”, covers 208, 208', ports 212, 212', outer housing etc. can be entirely identical according to some examples with no difference in size or shape. However, differences (major or minor in nature) in size, shape or other construction detail between the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104 are contemplated according to further examples.

[0060] According to the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, both the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104 can include the jacket 222 as discussed previously in regards to FIG. 5. Thus, separate from the blow-by gas, the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 are configured to be in fluid communication with an engine fluid (examples of which are discussed in FIGS. 1 and 5) that warms both the first filter 207' and the second filter 207". The jackets 222 can be in fluid communication via one or more jumper tubes 288 (FIG. 6).

[0061] As discussed previously, the first filter 207' can differ in construction from the second filter 207". As an example, the first filter 207' may not comprise a coalescing filter according to some examples but can utilize felt or other material to capture oil. In contrast, the second filter 207" can be a coalescing filter such as the coalescing filter 207 (FIG. 5) discussed previously. According to further examples, the first filter 207' can be a coalescing filter such as the coalescing filter 207 (FIG. 5) discussed previously. However, if both the first filter 207' and the second filter 207" are coalescing filters, the construction of these coalescing filters can differ. For example, an efficiency rating of the first filter 207' can be between about 50% and about 80%. In contrast, an efficiency rating of the second filter 207" can be between about 90% and about 99.99%.

[0062] It should be noted that although FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate one possible path of flow for the blow-by gas (i.e., with the blow-by gas entering the cover 208' and passing through the first filter 207' to the cover 202' before entering the cover 202 of the oil separating apparatus 104), according to other examples, the blow-by gas can enter the cover 202' of the oil separating apparatus 118 and pass through the first filter 207' in an outward direction from the core to outer cavity 280' and can pass then to the cover 208'. From the cover 208' the blow-by gas can then pass into the cover 208 of the oil separating apparatus 104 and then through the second filter 207" in an inward direction from the outer cavity 280" to the core and can then pass to the cover 202 before exiting the assembly 300. Thus, the flow directions shown in FIGS. 6-6B could be reversed according to other examples.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows an assembly 400 configured as an array 402. The array 402 is a single row with one oil separating apparatus 118 and two oil separating apparatuses 104 communicating via inlet and / or outlet covers. As shown in FIG.

[0064] 7, the example of the oil separating apparatus 118 can be directly mounted to one oil separating apparatuses 104. The assembly 400 can be part of the system 102 (FIG. 1) described previously. The oil separating apparatus 118 can serve as the initial stage of oil removal prior to blow-by passing to both of the oil separating apparatuses 104 in a parallel flow arrangement for further parallel removal of additional amounts of oil aerosol from the blow-by gas. Referring to FIGS. 7-7B collectively, these FIGURES schematically show a flow direction for the blow-by gas through the assembly 400 from an inlet passageway 404 to an outlet passageway 406. The flow direction is shown with arrows BG in FIG, 7. The blow-by gas initially passes from the inlet passageway 404 into the oil separating apparatus 118 for initial oil removal and then passes from the oil separating apparatus 118 to both of the oil separating apparatuses 104 in parallel for further oil removal from the blow-by gas in parallel before exiting the assembly 400 via the outlet passageway 406. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-7B, the blow-by gas passes through the oil separating apparatus 118 in a first direction when passing through a first filter thereof and the blow-by gas passes through the two oil separating apparatuses 104 in a second direction when passing through the filters thereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-7B, the second direction generally opposes the first direction (e.g., arrows BG can pass in generally opposing directions for at least a portion of the flow of the blow-by gas) when passing through the filters of the respective devices.

[0065] As previously discussed, the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatuses 104 can share a same or similar configuration but a construction of a filter of the oil separating apparatus 118 can differ from a construction of the filters of the two oil separating apparatuses 104.

[0066] FIG. 8 show's an assembly 500 configured as an array 502. The array 502 is an L-shape with one oil separating apparatus 118 and two oil separating apparatuses 104 communicating via inlet and / or outlet covers. As shown in FIG.

[0067] 8, the example of the oil separating apparatus 118 that can be directly mounted to one oil separating apparatuses 104. The assembly 500 can be part of the system 102 (FIG. 1) described previously. The oil separating apparatus 118 can serve as the initial stage of oil removal prior to blow-by passing to the oil separating apparatuses 104 in a parallel flow arrangement for further removal of additional amounts of oil aerosol from the blow-by gas.

[0068] FIG. 8 schematically shows a flow direction for the blow-by gas through the assembly 500 from an inlet passageway 504 to an outlet passageway 506. The flow direction is shown with arrows BG. The blow-by gas as shown with the arrows BG initially passes from the inlet passageway 504 into the oil separating apparatus 118 for initial oil removal and then passes from the oil separating apparatus 118 to both of the oil separating apparatuses 104 for further oil removal from the blow-by gas in parallel flow before exiting the assembly 500 via the outlet passageway 506. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the blow-by gas passes through the oil separating apparatus 118 in a first direction when passing through a filter thereof and the blow-by gas passes through the two oil separating apparatuses 104 in a second direction when passing through the filters of the respective apparatuses. As illustrated in FIGS. 8, the second direction generally opposes the first direction (e.g., arrows BG can pass in generally opposing directions for at least a portion of the flow of the blow-by gas) when passing through the filters of the respective devices.

[0069] It is recognized that although only a single initial oil separating apparatus 118 is shown in FIGS. 6-8, other examples contemplate the use of multiple initial oil separating apparatuses in series or parallel that can separate oil from blow-by gas and then pass the blow-by gas to a single or multiple of the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 for additional oil separation.

[0070] It should be noted that further examples contemplate a third stage or additional subsequent stages of oil separation from blow-by gas using further oil separating apparatuses in keeping with the principles of the present application.

[0071] Industrial Applicability

[0072] In operation, the engine 100 can be configured to combust fuel to generate power. While typically efficient, a small portion of the combustion gases may escape the combustion chamber past the piston as blow-by and enter undesirable areas of the engine 100 such as the crankcase. The present disclosure contemplates a system 102 including one or more oil separating apparatuses 104 and one or more oil separating apparatuses 118 to filter oil to remove the oil from the blow-by gas. The present disclosure contemplates the system 102 including the one or more of the oil separating apparatuses 118 and the one or more oil separating apparatuses 104 to filter oil in stages to remove the oil from the blowby gas.

[0073] Breathers and other oil separating apparatuses containing filters such as coalescing filters are known, however, these have disadvantages. Regarding breathers, these are typically located on the crankcase such as mounted to valve covers, a rear housing, etc. However, space around the crankcase has become increasingly limited with modern engine design such that locating breathers in these and other locations has become increasingly difficult. In some cases, if breathers are shrunk to meet size constraints their flow capacity and operational effectiveness to capture oil can become limited.

[0074] The present application recognizes a construction for the oil separating apparatus 118 that can be substituted for a traditional breather and has a very high flow capacity, a low restriction, and can be spaced remote from the crankcase in a location with greater flexibility in terms of a size and shape for the oil separating apparatus 118.

[0075] Additionally, both traditional breathers and oil separating apparatuses using coalescing filters typically lack cold climate capability. The present application recognizes the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 can have a heating capability. This is because the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 can each have the jacket 222 as discussed. The jacket 222 can allow supplemental energy fluid to cool, insulate, and / or warm the filter of the oil separating apparatus 104 and the filter of the oil separating apparatus 118 to a desired temperature range. This improves operation of the filters in cold climate or high heat environments. Thus, the present oil separating apparatus(es) 118 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 can be configured to reduce or prevent heat loss, water condensate, oil / water emulsion, and / or freezing that can negatively impact engine performance.

[0076] Breathers and oil separating apparatuses known in the art. are often purpose-built solutions. As such, these devices do not offer the configurability, commonality, seal ability and modularity needed to address a wide range of multi -displacement and different power density engine platforms. The present oil separating apparatus(es) 118 and oil separating apparatus(es) 104 can be configurable as assemblies such as arrays. This modularity (a desired number of initial stage oil removing apparatuses and a desired number of second, third, fourth, etc. oil separating apparatuses can be easily selected and implemented together as an assembly) can provide for the configurability, commonality, scalability and modularity needed to address various engine platforms. The assemblies described can be easily constructed to handle various volumes of blow-by gas and other fluids as desired for various engine and / or auxi li ary component needs.

[0077] The present application recognizes the oil separating apparatus(es) 118 and the oil separating apparatus(es) 104 can be modularly packaged together. This can better allow these devices to be accommodated into engines having tight spacing requirements. The present oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104 assemblies can mount the oil separating apparatus 118 directly to the oil separating apparatus 104. This arrangement allows for an outlet of the oil separating apparatus 118 to communicate directly with an inlet of the oil separating apparatus 104 with no intermediate component therebetween facilitating communication. This can better protect the blow-by gas from the environment and can reduced the size of the assembly of the oil separating apparatus 118 and the oil separating apparatus 104. Additionally, this assembly arrangement can allow for the supplemental energy fluid to be supplied between the oil separating apparatus 104 and the oil separating apparatus 118 in various directions as desired such as via the jumper tubes 288 (FIGS. 6 and 7 and also illustrated but not numbered in FIG. 8).

[0078] Additionally, the oil separating apparatus 104 and the oil separating apparatus 118 can have configurations that allow blow-by gas into and from the assembly in any desired direction (housing design for cover 202, 202' and the cover 208, 208' allows for up to 360 degrees routing of the blow-by gas). As such, the configuration of oil separating apparatus 104 and the oil separating apparatus 118 offers a configurability, commonality, scalability and modularity not found with typical oil separating apparatus. This configurability, commonality, scalability and modularity can address a wide range of multi-displacement and different power density engine platforms. For example, the present the oil separating apparatus 104 and the oil separating apparatus 118 can be configurable directly together as assemblies such as in multi-row parallel arrays, multi-row series arrays, U-shaped arrays, L-shape arrays, T-shaped arrays, H-shaped arrays, single row arrays, etc. This modularity (the desired number of oil separating apparatuses can be easily selected and implemented together as an array) can provide for the configurability, commonality, seal ability and modularity needed to address various engine platforms. The assemblies described can be easily constructed to handle various volumes of blow-by gas and other fluids as desired for various engine and / or auxiliary' component needs. The cover 202, 202' and the cover 208, 208' can both include a plurality of ports. These ports can be located along multiple sides / faces (e.g., corresponding to the four faces of the inlet and / or outlet manifolds, for example). This can allow for various routing directions of blow-by gas. Additionally, this configuration can allow the oil separating apparatus to be placed in close proximity (e.g., abutting or spaced a small distance) communicating with one another as desired.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the present application contemplates a method 600 of filtering oil from a blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine. The method optionally including: passing 602 the blow-by gas from a crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an assembly that includes a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus; separating 604 an initial amount of oil from the blow-by gas with a first filter (e.g., a coalescing filter) within the first oil separating apparatus; passing 606 the blow-by gas from an outlet of the first, oil separating apparatus directly to an inlet of a second oil separating apparatus; separating 608 a second amount of oil from the blow-by gas with a second filter (e.g., a coalescing filter) within the second oil separating apparatus; and passing 610 the blow-by gas from the second oil separating apparatus back to the crankcase. The method 600 can optionally include passing the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus in a first direction and passing the blowby gas through the second oil separating apparatus in a second direction. The first direction generally opposes the second direction when passing through the first -,! -filter relative to the second filter. Optionally, the method 600 can include separating the initial amount of the oil from the blow-by gas by passing the blowby gas from an exterior of the first coalescing filter inward through a filter media to a central cavity of a core thereof, and separating the second amount of the oil from the blow-by gas by passing the blow-by gas from a central cavity of a core of the second coalescing filter outward through a filter media to an exterior of the filter media of the second coalescing filter. Optionally, the method 600 can include warming the blow-by gas with a separate fluid passed in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas through passages of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus. Warming the blow-by gas includes passing the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus and directly into an inlet of the second oil separating apparatus without intermediate component therebetween facilitating communication. According to the method 600, the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus share a same configuration except that a construction of the first coalescing filter differs from the construction of the second coalescing filter. An efficiency rating of the first coalescing filter is between about 50% and about 80%, and wherein an efficiency rating of the second coalescing filter is between about 90% and about 99.99%.

[0080] The above detailed description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with references to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

Claims1. An engine system comprising:a housing defining a crankcase configured to have a blow-by gas passing therethrough;a first oil separating apparatus remote from the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas, wherein the first oil separating apparatus is configured to separate oil from the blow-by gas with a first filter; anda second oil separating apparatus configured to be in fluid communication with the blow-by gas from the first oil separating apparatus and configured to further separate oil from the blow-by gas with a second filter,wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus share a same configuration but a construction of the first filter differs from the construction of the second filter.

2. The engine system of claim 1, wherein the first oil separating apparatus is configured to separate oil from the blow-by gas with the first filter by passing the blow-by gas inward from an exterior of the first filter through a filter media to a central cavity of a core thereof, and wherein the second oil separating apparatus is configured to further separate oil from the blow-by gas with the second filter by passing the blow-by gas outward from a central cavity of a core of the second filter through a filter media of the second filter to an exterior of the filter media of the second filter.

3. The engine system of any one of claims 1-2, wherein a flow direction of the blow-by gas through a filter media of the first filter differs from a flow direction of the blow-by gas through a filter media of the second filter.

4. The engine system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are configured to be coupled directly together such that an outlet of the first oil separating apparatus communicates directly with an inlet of the second oil separating apparatus with no intermediate component therebetween facilitating communication.

5. The engine system of claim 4, wherein the blow-by gas passes through the first oil separating apparatus in a first direction, wherein the blow-by gas passes through the second oil separating apparatus in a second direction, and wherein the second direction generally opposes the first direction.

6. The engine system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein separate from the blow-by gas, the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are configured to be in fluid communication with an engine fluid that warms both the first filter and the second filter.

7. The engine system any one of claims 1-6, wherein oil captured by the first, filter of the first oil separating apparatus is passed to an initial oil sump of the first oil separating apparatus and oil captured by the second filter is passed to a final oil sump of the second oil separating apparatus, and wherein the final oil sump is separated from the initial oil sump.

8. The engine system any one of claims 1-7, wherein the first filter is a coalescing filter and the second filter is a coalescing filter, and wherein an efficiency rating of the first filter is between about 50% and about 80%, and wherein an efficiency rating of the second filter is between about 90% and about 99.99%.

9. A method of filtering oil from a blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:passing the blow-by gas from a crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an assembly that includes a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus;separating an initial amount of oil from the blow-by gas with a first coalescing filter within the first oil separating apparatus;passing the blow-by gas from an outlet of the first oil separating apparatus directly to an inlet of a second oil separating apparatus;separating a second amount of oil from the blow-by gas with a second coalescing filter within the second oil separating apparatus; and passing the blow-by gas from the second oil separating apparatus back to the crankcase.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising passing the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus in a first direction and passing the blow'-by gas through the second oil separating apparatus in a second direction, wherein the first direction generally opposes the second direction.

11. The method of any one of claims 9 or 10, further comprising warming the blow-by gas with a separate fluid passed in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas through passages of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus, wherein warming the blow-by gas includes passing the blow-by gas through the first oil separating apparatus and directly into an inlet of the second oil separating apparatus without intermediate component therebetween facilitating communication.

Images