# US 5,348,570 A · Axle housing breather

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- Number: US 5,348,570 A
- Document ID: US5348570A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/042,934
- Filed: 1993-04-05
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-04-05
- Assignees: Rockwell International Corporation
- Inventors: Malcolm F. Ruppert, Jr.; Eric C. Liu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348570A

## CPC

- B01D 19/0031: {by filtration}
- F16H 57/027: characterised by means for venting gearboxes, e.g. air breathers
- F21V 31/03: with provision for venting {(for vehicle head lights F21S45/33; for vehicle rear lights F21S41/192)}
- A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
- A61M 2039/205: {comprising air venting means}
- 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)
- F16H: GEARING
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A venting mechanism which includes three members. A first member having threads defined thereon connected to a second offering a hexagonally shaped external surface. The third member features a bore which defines an annular surface at the intersection with a bore through the second member. A baffle is located within the bore of the second member by engagement with the annular surface defined between the second and third member. A Gortex film and a wire mesh placed within the bore of the third member are retained by a rolled lip thereof. In this manner, the baffle and the Gortex film act to maintain liquid on one side of the breather while allowing gases to freely pass therethrough.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A venting mechanism comprising:
an axially extending cylindrical member defining three axially displaced continuously connected portions:
a first portion having a thread defined on an outermost surface thereof and having a first bore defined therein;
a second portion having a hexagonally shaped structure defined on an outermost surface thereof and having a second bore defined therein;
said first bore and said second bore intersecting to define a first annular surface between said first and said second bores;
a third portion having a third bore defined therein which defines an annular surface between said second and said third bores;
said second portion defining a chamber including a baffle disposed therein;
said baffle having a first radially extending annular portion continuously connected with a first axially extending cylindrical portion continuously connected with a second radially extending portion defining at least one opening therein;
said second radially extending portion including an axially extending portion connected to a third radially extending portion which extends radially proximate said opening defined on said second radially extending portion;
said first radially extending annular portion of said baffle disposed in supporting relation with said annular surface between said second and said third bores of said third portion of said tubular member;
said third portion including an axially extending cylindrical portion defining said third bore including an O-ring disposed on an outermost surface of said first radially extending portion of said baffle;
a film which allows gases to pass therethrough while restricting flow of liquids extending continuously across said third bore and disposed in contact with said O-ring;
a wire mesh extending continuously across said third bore and disposed in contact with said film; and
said third portion having a radially inwardly turned lip which at least partially distorts said O-ring and provides retention for said film, mesh and O-ring in said third bore.