Turbulent venturi crankcase vacuum generator

Abstract

The turbulent crankcase vacuum generator is a multi stage venturi that generates sufficient vacuum at low engine speeds to improve ring seal and reduce parasitic losses in the crankcase. The turbulent venturi vacuum pressure reduction varies in a near linear relationship as engine speed is increased, providing a conveniently proportional pressure reduction with great reliability. The venturi is place inside the exhaust stream and is connected to an air oil separator with a one way valve in between. The air oil separator contains multiple ports, one of which contains an adjustable vacuum relief valve that is employed to regulate the internal vacuum within the air oil separator, then the air oil separator is then plumbed into the valve cover to allow for the crankcase to be evacuated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved crankcase vacuum generator, for use with a crankcase having at least one crankcase vacuum line and an engine having at least one exhaust line, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a venturi having the exhaust line as a first inlet and the vacuum line as a second inlet, and having the exhaust line as an outlet, the venturi having a throat disposed in fluid communication with the first inlet and the second inlet, and having a diffuser disposed in fluid communication with the throat and the outlet, the venturi dimensioned and configured to generate a flow of exhaust gases through itself, the venturi throat dimensioned and configured to generate a negative pressure in the second inlet;   whereby the venturi generates reduced pressure in the vacuum line;   whereby the vacuum line generates reduced pressure in the crankcase.   
     
     
         2 . A crankcase vacuum generator, for use with a vehicle engine having an exhaust line for engine exhaust gases and a crankcase, the crankcase having a vacuum line, the crankcase vacuum generator comprising:
 a venturi having an exhaust gases inlet nozzle allowing the exhaust gases to function as a motive fluid, a vacuum line inlet nozzle, a diffuser throat and a diffuser outlet nozzle;   an operative connection of the vacuum line to the vacuum line inlet nozzle of the venturi;   an operative connection of the exhaust line to the exhaust gases inlet nozzle of the venturi;   an operative connection of the diffuser outlet nozzle to the exhaust line;   the diffuser throat dimensioned and configured to generate flow of the exhaust gases therethrough;   whereby the venturi generates reduced pressure in the vacuum line;   whereby the vacuum line generates reduced pressure in the crankcase.   
     
     
         3 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an exterior surface, the exterior surface having an alignment and securing device, the alignment and securing device dimensioned and configured to mechanically engage to a part of the vehicle engine;   whereby the venturi is maintained coaxial with the flow of exhaust gases.   
     
     
         4 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an interior surface, the interior surface providing a passageway through the vacuum generator, and thus an operative connection of the exhaust gases inlet nozzle, vacuum line inlet nozzle, diffuser throat and the diffuser outlet nozzle.   
     
     
         5 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 an internal geometry dimensioned and configured to accelerate exhaust gases passing through the vacuum generator to a first velocity.   
     
     
         6 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 5 , wherein the first velocity is greater than a speed of sound. 
     
     
         7 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 4 , wherein the vacuum generator is secured within such exhaust line. 
     
     
         8 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 4 , wherein the vacuum generator passageway functions as a section of such exhaust line. 
     
     
         9 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 7 , wherein the interior surface is dimensioned and configured to produce a turbulent flow of exhaust gases, whereby the venturi generates further reduced pressure within the vacuum line. 
     
     
         10 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises: a helical coil disposed within the passageway on the interior surface. 
     
     
         11 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises:
 helical ridges protruding from the interior surface.   
     
     
         12 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises:
 at least one constriction of the passageway protruding from the interior surface.   
     
     
         13 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises:
 the converging inlet gradually narrowing as it approaches the diffuser throat and the diffuser outlet gradually widening as it leaves the diffuser throat.   
     
     
         14 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises:
 dual counter-rotating rifling of the interior surface.   
     
     
         15 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow further comprises:
 a plurality of pins protruding from the interior surface into the passageway.   
     
     
         16 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow generates vacuum regardless of a direction of flow through venturi. 
     
     
         17 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow generates vacuum regardless of backpressure within the exhaust line. 
     
     
         18 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 9 , wherein the interior surface dimension and configuration producing the turbulent flow generates vacuum in an exhaust line in which pulsed pressure waves are present. 
     
     
         19 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a body having first, second and third parts, the first, second and third parts being hollow;   the first body part having the exhaust gases inlet nozzle and the operative connection to the exhaust line, and further having a first threading;   the second body having a first open end having a second threading, the second threading dimensioned and configured to mechanically engage to the first threading, whereby when the first and second threadings are screwed together the exhaust gases inlet nozzle of the first part is disposed within the second body part;   the third body part having the diffuser throat and the diffuser outlet nozzle and the operative connection to the exhaust line, and further having a third threading;   the second body part further having a second open end having a fourth threading, the fourth threading dimensioned and configured to mechanically engage to the third threading, whereby when the third and fourth threadings are screwed together the diffuser throat of the third body part is disposed within the second body part.   
     
     
         20 . The crankcase vacuum generator of  claim 4 , wherein the body comprises:
 a high temperature alloy.