Blowdown valve with air-oil separation

An aircraft engine lubrication system comprising:

• a first chamber containing a first lubrication load and receiving oil and pressurized air;
• a second chamber containing a second lubrication load and receiving a mixture of the oil and the pressurized air from the first chamber;
• and
• a check valve, the mixture of the oil and the pressurized air from the first chamber being delivered to the second chamber via the check valve, the check valve including:
• a valve body defining:
• a valve chamber;
• an inlet for receiving the mixture into the valve chamber;
• a first outlet for releasing a first portion of the mixture out of the valve chamber;
• and
• a second outlet for releasing a second portion of the mixture out of the valve chamber, the second outlet being disposed downstream of the first outlet relative to the inlet;
• and
• a valve member disposed inside the valve chamber of the valve body, the valve member being translatable along an axis between:
• a valve-closed position where the valve member hinders fluid flow through the inlet;
• and
• a valve-open position corresponding to a downstream translation limit of the valve member where:
• a first fluid passage is defined from the inlet to the first outlet and through the first outlet;
• and
• a second fluid passage is defined from the inlet to the second outlet and through the second outlet, the second fluid passage extending radially outwardly around and past the valve member.

A method for separating oil and air in a lubrication system of an aircraft engine, the method comprising:

• receiving a mixture of air and oil at a blowdown valve including a valve member movable along an axis between a valve-closed position where a flow of the mixture through the blowdown valve is hindered, and a valve-open position corresponding to a downstream translation limit of the valve member where a flow of the mixture through the blowdown valve is permitted;
• with the valve member in the valve-open position:
• impinging the mixture against the valve member;
• releasing a first portion of the mixture from the blowdown valve upstream of the valve member, the first portion of the mixture having a first fraction of oil;
• guiding a second portion of the mixture radially outwardly around and past the valve member, the second portion of the mixture having a second fraction of oil greater than the first fraction of oil;
• and
• releasing the second portion of the mixture from the blowdown valve downstream of the valve member.