Positive pressure air cleaning apparatus for a crankcase ventilation system

A method of servicing an air filter for supplying air to a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• providing a housing forming a cavity and having an inlet and an outlet therein;
• positioning the air filter within the cavity and at least partially retained by the housing, wherein positioning the air filter within the cavity includes positioning the air filter such that an outer circumference of the air filter is oriented at an angle that is substantially tangent to a centerline axis of the inlet;
• providing a lid sealed to the housing at least two locations;
• and
• removing the lid from the housing to access the air filter within the cavity.

A ventilation system for a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a low pressure, high mass flow air delivery system;
• an apparatus configured to receive air from the blower, wherein the apparatus includes:
• a housing forming a cavity and having an inlet for receiving the air and an outlet therein,
• an air filter received by the cavity;
• and
• a lid attachable to and removable from the housing for selectively accessing the air filter;
• a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the cavity;
• and
• a heat exchanger configured to receive air from the outlet of the housing and heat or cool the air prior to passing the air to the crankcase;
• wherein the inlet communicates with the cavity and is offset from a centerline axis of the housing, wherein an outer circumference of the air filter is oriented at an angle that is substantially tangent to a centerline axis of the inlet, and wherein the housing is spaced from the outer circumference of the air filter to allow for circulation of air from the inlet around at least a portion of the outer circumference prior to the air passing through the air filter to the outlet.