Blow-by filter for internal combustion engines

Abstract

An open-ended canister includes a blow-by intake port for receiving contaminated blow-by gases and a fuel vapor exhaust port for venting purified blow-by gases. The open end of the canister is fitted with a removable cover that can be clamped in place. The removable cover includes an oil drainage port for draining cleansed engine oil back to the crankcase of the engine. The canister contains a filtering assembly made of multiple layers of metal mesh of differing gauges. The metal mesh may include one type of metal or several types of metal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blow-by filter for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a canister having a closed top portion and an open bottom portion;   a blow-by intake port and a fuel vapor exhaust port extending through the closed top portion of the canister;   a removable cover attached to the open bottom portion of the canister;   an oil drainage port extending through the removable cover; and   a filtering assembly disposed within the canister, the filtering assembly comprising multiple layers of metal mesh having differing gauges.   
     
     
         2 . The blow-by filter of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple layers of metal mesh comprise steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, or bronze. 
     
     
         3 . The blow-by filter of  claim 2 , wherein the multiple layers of metal mesh having differing gauges comprise one type of metal. 
     
     
         4 . The blow-by filter of any of  claims 1 - 3 , further comprising a gasket between the removable cover and the open bottom portion of the canister for sealing the open bottom portion of the canister. 
     
     
         5 . The blow-by filter of  claim 4 , wherein the gasket comprises a compressible material that is heat resistant and impermeable to both air and liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The blow-by filter of any of  claims 1 - 3 , further comprising clamps between the open bottom portion of the canister and the removable cover. 
     
     
         7 . A blow-by filter for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a canister having a closed top portion and an open bottom portion;   a blow-by intake port and a fuel vapor exhaust port extending through the closed top portion of the canister;   a removable cover attached to the open bottom portion and configured to cover and seal the open bottom portion;   a gasket between the removable cover and the open bottom portion of the canister configured to seal the open bottom portion of the canister;   clamps between the open bottom portion of the canister and the removable cover;   an oil drainage port extending through the removable cover; and   a filtering assembly disposed within the canister, the filtering assembly comprising multiple layers of a combination of types of metal mesh having differing gauges.   
     
     
         8 . The blow-by filter of  claim 7 , wherein the canister is offset from the internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         9 . The blow-by filter of  claim 7 , wherein the multiple layers of a combination of types of metal mesh comprise steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, or bronze. 
     
     
         10 . The blow-by filter of any of  claims 7 - 9 , wherein the multiple layers of a combination of types of metal mesh having differing gauges comprise a combination of types of metal. 
     
     
         11 . The blow-by filter of  claim 10 , wherein the gasket comprises a compressible material that is heat resistant and impermeable to both air and liquid.