Spin-on filtering oil removal cartridge

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to oil removal devices used in combination with compressed air, heavy vehicle braking systems. More particularly, this invention is directed to a spin-on filtering oil removal cartridge disposed downstream from an air brake compressor that is easy to assemble and install, and which is easily serviced.

#2. Discussion of the Art

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a compressed air system for a vehicle brake system in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a spin-on filtering oil removal cartridge in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an air dryer shown in partial cross-section.

#In FIG. 1, a compressed air system 10 for an air brake assembly is shown in accordance with the present invention. The compressed air system includes a compressor 12 having a crank case 14 which houses portions of the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air in a conventional manner, for example, by using a piston (not shown) slidable within a bore (not shown) of the crank case. Dynamic components of the compressor, such as a crank shaft and piston and bore, are lubricated with oil delivered from a vehicle engine or other means (not shown). Oil migrates into the pressurized air stream which exits the compressor through a port 16 of the compressor. Due to the relatively high operating temperature of the compressor, oil exiting the port is generally in the form of aerosols.

#With reference also to FIG. 2, an oil removal cartridge 20 is disposed near the port of the compressor for removing oil from the compressed air stream. The oil removal cartridge includes an outer housing 22, preferably made from a metal material, having a first upper closed end 24 and a second lower open end 26.

#Disposed within the housing is a filtering element 30 configured to agglomerate oil passing therethrough. The filtering element is annular in shape having a first or inner wall 32 and a second or outer wall 34 which together define a chamber containing a filtering media 36. Inner and outer walls are preferably made from a perforated material, and the filtering media is preferably a fiber material capable of filtering out small particles. In one embodiment, the filter material is made from a wound fibrous material. In one embodiment the filter material is made from wound micro glass filaments; however other embodiments incorporate other wound synthetic materials. The filtering element includes a first or upper axial end 38 and a second or lower axial end 40. First and second end caps 42, 44 are attached to the first and second axial ends, respectively, of the filtering element. The end caps are preferably adhesively secured to the filtering element, but may be secured in any other suitable manner without departing from the present invention.