Filter Element, Oil Separator, and Method for Controlling Prevailing Pressure in Crankcase Ventilation System

A method for limiting the crankcase vacuum of a crankcase ventilation system to a predetermined value, comprising:

• providing at least one filter element configured to separate oil from fluid, including:
• at least one filter medium that is configured to separate oil from aerosol, the at least one filter medium having a covering surface extending parallel to a direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the filter medium;
• and
• at least one cover element configured to cover the covering surface of the filter medium;
• wherein the cover element comprises
• at least one clean fluid discharge element that extends away from the filter element and is configured to remove cleaned fluid;
• wherein an end surface of the clean fluid discharge element that faces away from the filter element or filter medium is configured as a sealing surface for a pressure control valve of the crankcase ventilation system;
• and
• providing at least one pressure control valve configured to limit the negative pressure applied in the crankcase ventilation system, including:
• at least one valve closing body that operates in conjunction with at least one valve seat;
• wherein the sealing surface of the filter element forms the valve seat for the valve closing body;
• arranging the at least one filter element replaceably in the oil separator;
• arranging the valve closing body of a pressure control valve on a housing side in the oil separator;
• operating the pressure control valve responsive to prevailing pressure in the crankcase ventilation system to limit the crankcase vacuum such that the valve closing body is moved relative to the filter element and sealing surface arranged on the filter element to control crankcase vacuum.