# US 2014/0151386 A1 · Tank breather assembly and mounting configuration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151386 A1 - Document ID: US20140151386A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/691,606 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Vincent Alioto; Shaun Currier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151386A1 ## CPC - F15B 1/26: Supply reservoir or sump assemblies - B01D 2279/35: for venting arrangements - F15B 21/044: Removal or measurement of undissolved gas, e.g. de-aeration, venting or bleeding - Y10T 137/598: With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A breather assembly is disclosed for use with a fluid tank. The breather assembly may include a mounting collar having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the mounting collar may be connected to a distal end of a fluid tank spout. The breather assembly may also include a breather insert connected to the mounting collar. The breather insert may have a perforated screen extending a distance past a base end of the fluid tank spout. The breather assembly may further include a breather cap having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the breather cap may be connected to the breather insert. The breather cap may also have a passage in common with a hollow center of the mounting collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A breather assembly, comprising: a mounting collar having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the mounting collar being connected to a distal end of a fluid tank spout; a breather insert connected to the second end of the mounting collar and having a perforated screen extending a distance past a base end of the fluid tank spout; and a breather cap having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the breather cap being connected to the breather insert and having a passage in communication with a hollow center of the mounting collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the distance past the base end of the fluid tank spout is about 5-25% of an axial length of the perforated screen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the breather insert projects downward from the first end of the breather cap toward the mounting collar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the breather insert further includes: a coupling having an annular groove configured to receive a first end of the perforated screen; a filter media encircled by the perforated screen; and an obstructing rim located at a second end of the perforated screen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The breather assembly of claim 4, wherein the perforated screen includes apertures arranged in axially spaced rows, the apertures each having a diameter of about 2-4 millimeters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The breather assembly of claim 5, wherein the apertures of the perforated screen are arranged in only a lower half of the perforated screen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The breather assembly of claim 6, wherein the lower half of the perforated screen is in general alignment with the first end of the mounting collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The breather assembly of claim 7, wherein the filter media is fabricated from a wire mesh. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The breather assembly of claim 8, wherein the apertures are located radially outward of the wire mesh of the breather insert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein: the filter media is a first filter media; the breather cap further includes a second filter media; and the second filter media is fabricated from a phenolic resin-impregnated paper. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein: the mounting collar is connectable to the fluid tank spout by way of a first threaded interface; the mounting collar is connectable to the breather insert by way of a second threaded interface; and the breather cap is connectable to the breather insert by way of a third threaded interface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the breather cap includes overlapping annular walls. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the mounting collar are circular openings. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting collar is fabricated from a metallic material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting collar includes an internal surface positioned at about a 40-50 degree angle to the perforated screen. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The breather assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting collar has a height of about 70-84 millimeters and a diameter of about 113-127 millimeters. ### Claim 17 A mounting collar, comprising: a generally cylindrical body having a first end and an opposing second end, the generally cylindrical body having a height of about 70-84 millimeters and a diameter of about 113-127 millimeters; a central bore passing from the first end to the second end through the generally cylindrical body; and an internal surface located at the second end and angled at about a 40-50 degree angle to an axis of the central bore. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The mounting collar of claim 17, wherein: the mounting collar further includes an external threaded interface at the first end and the second end; the external threaded interface at the first end has an axial length of about 23-27 millimeters; and the external threaded interface at the second end has an axial length of about 25-29 millimeters. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The mounting collar of claim 17, wherein the mounting collar is fabricated from a metallic material. ### Claim 20 A fluid tank, comprising: a plurality of walls connected to each other to substantially enclose a volume, the plurality of walls including a top wall; and an opening in the top wall configured to receive a first end of a breather assembly, Wherein the breather assembly includes: a mounting collar having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the mounting collar being connected to a distal end of a fluid tank spout; a breather insert connected to the mounting collar, the breather insert having a perforated screen extending about 5-25% of an axial length of the perforated screen past a base end of the fluid tank spout; a breather cap having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the breather cap being connected to the breather insert and having a passage in communication with a hollow center of the mounting collar; and a splashguard located within the fluid tank in general alignment with the opening in the top wall.