Gas/liquid separator and components; liquid drain flow assemblies; systems of use ; and, features; and, components

Abstract

According to the present disclosure gas/liquid separator assemblies, such as crankcase ventilation filter assemblies, and components are described. Also described are liquid flow control arrangements for facilitating liquid flow from a region of first effective pressure to a region of second higher effective pressure are described. In examples, the flow control arrangements are configured so they can be used in association with a gas/liquid separator, managing separation of liquids from crankcase ventilation gases, for example for internal combustion engines. Example arrangements are described, used with crankcase ventilation gas filter assemblies. Combinations of equipment, and various components usable in those combinations, are described.

1 . A filter cartridge for use in a crankcase gas ventilation filter assembly;
 the filter cartridge comprising:   (a) filter media positioned in extension between upper and lower end pieces;
 (i) the filter media surrounding a cartridge open central interior; and, 
   (b) a gas aperture arrangement through one of the upper and lower end pieces at a location in overlap with the filter media.   
     
     
         2 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the gas aperture arrangement is through the upper end piece. 
 
     
     
         3 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the cartridge includes a cartridge gas flow conduit secured to the first end cap in gas flow communication with the gas aperture arrangement. 
 
     
     
         4 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein:
 (a) the cartridge gas flow conduit extends through the cartridge open central interior. 
 
     
     
         5 . A filter cartridge according to any  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the upper and lower end pieces each have a central aperture therethrough, in communication with the cartridge open central interior. 
 
     
     
         6 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the gas aperture arrangement is positioned in the upper end piece at a location in overlap with the filter media and at a location spaced from the central aperture in the upper end piece. 
 
     
     
         7 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the cartridge includes a cartridge gas flow conduit secured to the first end cap in gas flow communication with the gas aperture arrangement that is spaced from the central aperture in the upper end piece. 
 
     
     
         8 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 7  wherein:
 (a) the gas flow conduit extends through the central aperture in the upper end piece and then through the central cartridge open interior. 
 
     
     
         9 . A filter cartridge according to  claim 8  wherein:
 (a) the gas flow conduit extends through the central aperture in the lower end piece. 
 
     
     
         10 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A gas/liquid separator assembly comprising:
 (a) a housing defining a housing interior and having a gas flow inlet; a gas flow outlet; and, a liquid drain outlet; and,   (b) a filter cartridge according to  claim 1  operably positioned in the housing.   
     
     
         13 . A gas/liquid separator assembly according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the filter cartridge is in accord with  claim 7 ; and, 
 (b) the housing includes a gas flow tap separate from the gas flow inlet, the gas flow outlet and the liquid drain outlet; and, 
 (c) the cartridge gas flow conduit is in gas flow communication with the gas flow tap. 
 
     
     
         14 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A gas/liquid separator assembly according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) the gas flow tap is a tap that provides for gas flow entry to a liquid flow control arrangement for use in facilitating liquid flow from a region of first effective pressure to a region of second, higher, effective pressure. 
 
     
     
         18 . A gas/liquid separator assembly according to  claim 17  wherein:
 (a) the liquid flow control arrangement comprises:
 (i) a housing defining a transition chamber having a transition chamber interior and comprising a sidewall and transition chamber bottom;
 (A) the transition chamber including a transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement configured for drainage of liquid from the interior of the transition chamber; 
 
 (ii) a transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement positioned to control liquid drain through the transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement and from the transition chamber; 
 (iii) a first gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber; the first gas flow conduit defining a valve seat; 
 (iv) a second gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber; 
 (v) a liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber; 
 (vi) a transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement positioned to control liquid flow through the liquid flow inlet and into the transition chamber; 
 (vii) a transition chamber valve arrangement including a valve arrangement positioned in the transition chamber interior and moveable upon: entrance of sufficient liquid through the liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber; and, sufficient liquid drain flow from the transition chamber, between:
 (A) a first position in which both of the first gas flow conduit and the second gas flow conduit are open; and, 
 (B) a second position in which the valve seat of the first gas flow conduit is inhibited from gas flow therethrough while the second gas flow conduit remains open; and, 
 
 (viii) the transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement and the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement being configured such that:
 (A) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the first position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber; and, 
 (B) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the second position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber. 
 
 
 
     
     
         19 . A liquid flow control arrangement for use in facilitating liquid flow from a region of first effective pressure to a region of second, higher, effective pressure; the flow control arrangement comprising:
 (a) a housing defining a transition chamber having a transition chamber interior and comprising a sidewall and transition chamber bottom;
 (i) the transition chamber including a transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement configured for drainage of liquid from the interior of the transition chamber; 
   (b) a transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement positioned to control liquid drain through the transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement and from the transition chamber;   (c) a first gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber; the first gas flow conduit defining a valve seat;   (d) a second gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber;   (e) a liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber;   (f) a transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement positioned to control liquid flow through the liquid flow inlet and into the transition chamber;   (g) a transition chamber valve arrangement including a valve arrangement positioned in the transition chamber interior and moveable upon: entrance of sufficient liquid through the liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber; and, sufficient liquid drain flow from the transition chamber, between:
 (i) a first position in which both of the first gas flow conduit and the second gas flow conduit are open; and, 
 (ii) a second position in which the valve seat of the first gas flow conduit is inhibited from gas flow therethrough while the second gas flow conduit remains open; and, 
   (h) the transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement and the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement being configured such that:
 (i) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the first position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber; and, 
 (ii) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the second position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber. 
   
     
     
         20 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the housing further defines a housing bottom region having a housing liquid drain outlet therein; and, 
 (b) the transition chamber is configured with the transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement configured for liquid flow from the transition chamber to the housing bottom region. 
 
     
     
         21 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 20  wherein:
 (a) the housing further includes a high pressure chamber separated from the transition chamber and including:
 (i) an upper interior volume portion in gas flow communication with the second gas flow conduit; and, 
 (ii) a lower interior portion in liquid and gas flow communication with the housing bottom region and housing liquid drain outlet. 
 
 
     
     
         22 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the transition chamber valve arrangement comprises a float valve member. 
 
     
     
         23 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the housing defines a liquid flow inlet chamber; and,
 (i) the liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber comprises an aperture arrangement in flow communication between the liquid flow inlet chamber and the transition chamber. 
 
 
     
     
         24 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 23  wherein:
 (a) the aperture arrangement in flow communication between the liquid flow inlet chamber and the transition chamber is positioned in extension through a sidewall of the transition chamber. 
 
     
     
         25 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 23  wherein:
 (a) the aperture arrangement in flow communication between the liquid flow inlet chamber and the transition chamber is positioned in extension through a transition chamber bottom. 
 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the transition chamber includes a plurality of float valve guiding ribs along an inside surface of the transition chamber sidewall. 
 
     
     
         28 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 27  wherein:
 (a) the second gas flow conduit is in flow communication with an interior of the transition chamber by a port arrangement through a sidewall of the transition chamber at a location above a maximum extension of the float valve guiding ribs. 
 
     
     
         29 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the second gas flow conduit is a restricted flow port arrangement. 
 
     
     
         30 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 29  wherein:
 (a) restriction to gas flow through the restricted flow port arrangement is at least in part provided by a filter media arrangement positioned over the second gas flow conduit. 
 
     
     
         31 . A liquid flow control arrangement according to  claim 29  wherein:
 (a) restriction to gas flow through the restricted flow port arrangement is at least in part provided by limiting a cross-sectional size of the restricted flow port arrangement. 
 
     
     
         32 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A liquid filter control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the first gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber defines a valve seat at a location above a highest likely normal level of liquid in the transition chamber. 
 
     
     
         36 . A liquid filter control arrangement according to  claim 19  wherein:
 (a) the second gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber is positioned to communicate with the interior of the transition chamber at a location above a highest likely normal level of liquid in the transition chamber. 
 
     
     
         37 . A combination including a gas/liquid separator assembly and a liquid flow control arrangement to facilitate liquid flow from the gas/liquid separator assembly to an engine crankcase; the combination comprising:
 (a) a gas/liquid separator assembly comprising: a gas/liquid separator assembly housing defining a gas flow inlet, a gas flow outlet, and gas/liquid separator liquid drain outlet; and,   (b) a liquid flow control arrangement comprising:
 (i) a housing defining a transition chamber having a transition chamber interior and comprising a sidewall and transition chamber bottom;
 (A) the transition chamber including a transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement configured for drainage of liquid from the interior of the transition chamber; 
 
 (ii) a transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement positioned to control liquid drain through the transition chamber liquid drain outlet aperture arrangement from the transition chamber; 
 (iii) a first gas flow conduit in flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber; the first gas flow conduit defining a valve seat; 
 (iv) a second gas flow conduit in gas flow communication with the interior of the transition chamber; 
 (v) a liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber; 
 (vi) a transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement positioned to control liquid flow through the liquid flow inlet and into the transition chamber; 
 (vii) a transition chamber valve arrangement including a valve arrangement positioned in the transition chamber interior and moveable upon: entrance of sufficient liquid through the liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber; and, sufficient liquid drain flow from the transition chamber between:
 (A) a first position in which both of the first gas flow conduit and the second gas flow conduit are open; and, 
 (B) a second position in which the valve seat of the first gas flow conduit is inhibited from gas flow therethrough while the second gas flow conduit remains open; and, 
 
 (viii) the transition chamber one-way flood valve arrangement and the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement being configured such that:
 (A) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the first position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber; and, 
 (B) when the transition chamber valve arrangement is in the second position: the one-way flood valve arrangement is configured to inhibit liquid flow into the transition chamber through the liquid flow inlet; and, the transition chamber one-way drainage valve arrangement is configured to facilitate liquid drainage flow from the transition chamber; 
 
   (c) the combination being configured for direction of liquid from the gas/liquid separator assembly through the gas/liquid separator assembly liquid drain outlet and to the liquid flow inlet to the transition chamber of the liquid flow control arrangement.   
     
     
         38 .- 52 . (canceled)