Breather canister for crankcase

Abstract

A breather canister for a crankcase of an engine is provided. The breather canister may comprise: an outer housing and a diffuser. The outer housing may comprise a wall and a floor that cooperate to define an interior chamber, the outer housing comprising an inlet coupled to the floor and defining a first passageway. The diffuser may comprise a stem defining a second passageway, the stem being coupled with the inlet such that the passageway of the inlet and the passageway of the stem are in fluid communication with each other. The wall of the outer housing may define a vent aperture that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The diffuser may define an upper aperture and a lower aperture that are each in fluid communication with the passageway of the stem and the interior chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breather canister comprising:
 an outer housing comprising a wall and a floor that cooperate to define an interior chamber, the outer housing comprising an inlet coupled to the floor and defining a passageway; and   a diffuser comprising a stem defining a passageway, the stem being coupled with the inlet such that the passageway of the inlet and the passageway of the stem are in fluid communication with each other, wherein:
 the wall of the outer housing defines a vent aperture that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber; 
 the diffuser defines an upper aperture and a lower aperture that are each in fluid communication with the passageway of the stem and the interior chamber; 
 the lower aperture is more proximate the inlet than the upper aperture; 
 the vent aperture defines a first centerline; 
 the upper aperture defines a second centerline; and 
 the vent aperture and the upper aperture are offset from each other such that the first centerline and the second centerline are not coaxial. 
   
     
     
         2 . The breather canister of  claim 1 , wherein the stem defines a third centerline and each of the first centerline and the second centerline intersect the third centerline. 
     
     
         3 . The breather canister of  claim 1 , wherein the wall is annular shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The breather canister of  claim 3 , wherein the stem defines a third centerline and the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other relative to the third centerline. 
     
     
         5 . The breather canister of  claim 4 , wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other by between about 75 degrees and about 115 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The breather canister of  claim 5 , wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other by about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The breather canister of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser further comprises a cap that is coupled with the wall of the outer housing opposite the floor, and the stem extends between the cap and the floor. 
     
     
         8 . The breather canister of  claim 1 , wherein the lower aperture is adjacent the floor. 
     
     
         9 . A breather canister comprising:
 an outer housing comprising a wall and a floor that cooperate to define an interior chamber, the outer housing comprising an inlet coupled to the floor and defining a first passageway; and   a diffuser comprising a stem defining a second passageway, the stem being coupled with the inlet such that the first passageway of the inlet and the second passageway of the stem are in fluid communication with each other, the diffuser further comprising a cap that is coupled with the wall of the outer housing opposite the floor, and the stem extends between the cap and the floor, wherein:
 the wall of the outer housing defines a vent aperture that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber; 
 the diffuser defines an upper aperture and a lower aperture that are each in fluid communication with the second passageway of the stem and the interior chamber; 
 the lower aperture is more proximate the inlet than the upper aperture; 
 the vent aperture defines a first centerline; 
 the upper aperture defines a second centerline; 
 the vent aperture and the upper aperture are offset from each other such that the first centerline and the second centerline are not coaxial; and 
 the stem defines a third centerline and each of the first centerline and the second centerline intersect the third centerline. 
   
     
     
         10 . The breather canister of  claim 9 , wherein the wall is annular shaped and the stem defines a third centerline and the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other relative to the third centerline. 
     
     
         11 . The breather canister of  claim 10 , wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other by between about 75 degrees and about 115 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The breather canister of  claim 9 , wherein the lower aperture is adjacent the floor. 
     
     
         13 . A compressor comprising:
 a piston and a crankshaft that cooperate to generate pressurized air;   a crankcase that houses the piston and the crankshaft; and   a breather canister coupled to an exhaust port of the crankshaft, the breather canister comprising:
 an outer housing comprising a wall and a floor that cooperate to define an interior chamber, the outer housing comprising an inlet coupled to the floor and defining a first passageway; and 
 a diffuser comprising a stem defining a second passageway, the stem being coupled with the inlet such that the first passageway of the inlet and the second passageway of the stem are in fluid communication with each other, wherein:
 the wall of the outer housing defines a vent aperture that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber; 
 the diffuser defines an upper aperture and a lower aperture that are each in fluid communication with the second passageway of the stem and the interior chamber; 
 the lower aperture is more proximate the inlet than the upper aperture; 
 the vent aperture defines a first centerline; 
 the upper aperture defines a second centerline; and 
 the vent aperture and the upper aperture are offset from each other such that the first centerline and the second centerline are not coaxial. 
 
   
     
     
         14 . The compressor of  claim 13 , wherein the stem defines a third centerline and each of the first centerline and the second centerline intersect the third centerline. 
     
     
         15 . The breather canister of  claim 13 , wherein the wall is annular shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The breather canister of  claim 15 , wherein the stem defines a third centerline and the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other relative to the third centerline. 
     
     
         17 . The breather canister of  claim 16 , wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other by between about 75 degrees and about 115 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The breather canister of  claim 17 , wherein the first centerline and the second centerline are radially offset from each other by about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The breather canister of  claim 13 , wherein the diffuser further comprises a cap that is coupled with the wall of the outer housing opposite the floor, and the stem extends between the cap and the floor. 
     
     
         20 . The breather canister of  claim 13 , wherein the lower aperture is adjacent the floor.