[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1525376A1 - Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number
EP1525376A1
EP1525376A1 EP03766272A EP03766272A EP1525376A1 EP 1525376 A1 EP1525376 A1 EP 1525376A1 EP 03766272 A EP03766272 A EP 03766272A EP 03766272 A EP03766272 A EP 03766272A EP 1525376 A1 EP1525376 A1 EP 1525376A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oil
gas
coarse
cyclone
oil separator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03766272A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1525376B1 (en
Inventor
Sieghard Pietschner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ing Walter Hengst GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Ing Walter Hengst GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ing Walter Hengst GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Ing Walter Hengst GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP1525376A1 publication Critical patent/EP1525376A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1525376B1 publication Critical patent/EP1525376B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
    • F01M13/04—Crankcase ventilating or breathing having means for purifying air before leaving crankcase, e.g. removing oil
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
    • F01M2013/0038—Layout of crankcase breathing systems
    • F01M2013/005—Layout of crankcase breathing systems having one or more deoilers
    • F01M2013/0055—Layout of crankcase breathing systems having one or more deoilers with a by-pass
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M13/00—Crankcase ventilating or breathing
    • F01M2013/0038—Layout of crankcase breathing systems
    • F01M2013/005—Layout of crankcase breathing systems having one or more deoilers
    • F01M2013/0061—Layout of crankcase breathing systems having one or more deoilers having a plurality of deoilers
    • F01M2013/0066—Layout of crankcase breathing systems having one or more deoilers having a plurality of deoilers in parallel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S55/00—Gas separation
    • Y10S55/19—Crankcase ventilation

Definitions

  • Oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine
  • the ahead-invention relates to 'a oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, having a housing in which a Absche disposed deorgan, with an inlet for gas to be cleaned, with an outlet for purified gas and an outlet for separated oil.
  • Oil sealers for the stated purpose have been in use for a long time and are known in different versions, for example from DE-A 199 12 271 or from DE-U 200 09 605. Due to structural situations specified by the machine, it can. in some operating states, larger drops or splashes of liquid can get from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine into the oil separator. These coarse liquid constituents from the crankcase then pass in the known precipitators • gush, or continuously in the separation element and lead here to a high load and thereby reduce the efficiency of the Abscheideorgans. It is particularly disadvantageous that parts of the coarse liquid can even be entrained onto the clean side of the oil separator.
  • a known solution to remedy this problem is that oil is drained from a housing area of the oil separator in front of the separating member through a bore with a special oil drain valve in the form of a leaf valve.
  • this oil drain valve requires a high level of technical effort for its manufacture and for its installation.
  • an elaborate quality control is required, which increases the manufacturing costs significantly in the mass production of oil separators.
  • the leaf valve only opens when the associated internal combustion engine is at a standstill, so that the oil is only discharged from the housing intermittently. With longer, non-stop operating times, the problems described above can occur with oil tearing onto the clean side of the separating member.
  • an oil separator of the type mentioned at the outset which is characterized in that a crude gas region of the housing adjoining the inlet is formed with an oil sink in which coarse oil carried along with the inflowing gas stream settles that the oil separator is adjacent the separating element comprises a coarse-oil cyclone, the inflow opening of which lies at the level of the oil sink, and that the separating element has an inflow opening which is spatially above the inflow opening of the coarse-oil cyclone.
  • an e-crste separation stage is formed in the oil separator, which separates Grobol from the crankcase ventilation gas in the form of oil drops or splashes.
  • the coarse oil that collects in the oil sink in the oil separator is removed by the coarse oil cyclone, since its inflow opening lies at the level of the oil sink.
  • the oil is separated from the partial stream of crankcase ventilation gas that also enters the coarse-oil cyclone.
  • the remaining other partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas is fed to the separator and is separated therein, as is known per se, from entrained finer oil droplets and oil mist without this separation process being impeded by Grobol.
  • the coarse oil from the coarse oil cyclone and the oil from the separating element on the one hand and the cleaned partial flows of the crankcase ventilation gas freed from oil on the other hand can then be fed to the associated outlet of the oil separator. This reliably ensures that such an amount of coarse oil never accumulates in the housing of the oil separator may cause Grobol to pass over to the clean side of the oil separator.
  • the oil separator according to the invention avoids any bypass route through which unpurified crankcase ventilation gas could get from the raw side to the clean side of the oil separator. An undesired additional pressure drop does not occur due to the additionally provided coarse-oil cyclone, since this reduces the overall flow resistance of the oil separator rather than increases it.
  • the oil separator according to the invention thus achieves a very high overall efficiency, this efficiency being ensured both for the separation of fine oil droplets and oil mist in the separating member and for the separation of coarse oil in the large oil cyclone.
  • the oil separator according to the invention does not require movable individual parts, the manufacture and assembly of which are complex and whose function is sometimes not reliable, in particular a valve, for its function.
  • the coarse-oil cyclone and the separating element are designed such that a first partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flowing through the coarse-oil cyclone is smaller than the remaining second partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flowing through the separating element be designed so that it only has to pass through a relatively small crankcase ventilation gas partial flow and therefore manages with a small installation space.
  • the additional coarse oil cyclone, including the coarse oil sink, can therefore generally also be integrated into existing oil separators or their housings without the housing of the oil separator having to be enlarged and without the separating member having to be made smaller.
  • the raw gas region of the housing adjoining the inlet is provided with means for slowing down and / or redirecting the flow of the crankcase ventilation gas to be cleaned Is provided.
  • the means for slowing the flow can consist of an enlargement of the cross section of the flow path, which is easy to implement.
  • baffle plates or walls or lamellae which are arranged in the flow path, can serve as means for deflecting the flow. Both agents provide for an effective separation or collection of the coarse oil from the inflowing crankcase ventilation gas in the oil sink.
  • a further development of the oil separator according to the invention provides that the coarse-oil cyclone has a gas outflow opening which is formed by an immersion tube which projects into the coarse-oil cyclone from above and which is connected to the outlet for cleaned gas.
  • the gas is separated from the entrained oil in the coarse-oil cyclone due to the vortex flow that forms. The gas is then discharged upwards through the immersion tube and in this way reaches the "clean gas area of the oil separator and from there to its outlet for cleaned gas.
  • the oil separated in the coarse-oil cyclone flows downward, in particular under the effect of gravity, and passes through an at the foot of the coarse oil cyclone, as usual, provided oil outlet opening in the oil outlet area of the oil separator.
  • the vortex flow which forms in the coarse oil cyclone ensures that, as far as possible, only oil escapes from the coarse oil cyclone via the oil outlet opening, while that cleaned from the coarse oil Gas in the opposite direction upwards leaves the coarse-oil cyclone oil-free.
  • An undesirable bypass flow of unpurified raw gas through the coarse-oil cyclone from the raw gas side to the clean gas side of the oil separator is therefore prevented here.
  • An alternative embodiment of the oil separator according to the invention provides that the coarse-oil cyclone is closed on the upper side and that a lower-side oil outflow opening of the coarse-oil cyclone also forms its gas outflow opening, this outflow opening being connected both to the outlet for separated oil and to the outlet for cleaned gas is.
  • This version of the oil separator is particularly suitable for applications in which large amounts of coarse oil occur at the gas inlet of the oil separator. Since there is no gas discharge from the coarse-oil cyclone directly into the clean gas area here, there is also no risk that coarse-oil droplets will get into the clean-gas area from the coarse-oil cyclone.
  • the gas is discharged from the coarse-oil cyclone through its oil outlet opening together with the oil, but here, too, the desired separation of gas and oil is ensured.
  • the oil flows down over the inner surface of the Grobol cyclone and drips through the oil outlet opening into the oil outlet area of the oil separator.
  • the purified from Grobol gas flows through the same Auslenfin ⁇ f fnung from the Grobolzyklon and 'then from the oil drain area of the oil separator through a suitable flow Getting Connected to the gas outlet of the oil separator cleaned gas out. '
  • an already existing connection is used, namely an inner oil return line which has an outlet connects the soapy clean gas area of the housing to its oil outlet area.
  • a similar return line is known for example from DE-U 299 08 116.
  • the already existing oil return line through which oil can flow from the clean gas area to the oil outlet area, is used during operation of the internal combustion engine for venting clean gas from the oil outlet area to the clean gas area. Additional line connections therefore do not have to be provided for this version of the oil separator.
  • the separator of the oil separator can have different designs.
  • a first preferred embodiment provides that the separating member is formed by a single or several cyclones.
  • the separating member is formed by a single or several coalescing separators.
  • the separating member, together with the coarse-oil cyclone is designed as an insert z which can be inserted into the housing and removed from the housing. In this way, an efficient production and assembly of the oil separator is made possible.
  • one of different separating elements can optionally be used be used. This enables the oil separator to be flexibly adapted to different applications and requirements.
  • a pressure relief valve is integrated in the housing between its raw gas area and clean gas area. This pressure relief valve ensures that a maximum permissible pressure on the raw gas side and thus in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine cannot be exceeded.
  • the pressure relief valve is preferably designed as part of the insert.
  • a vacuum control valve is integrated in the housing in the clean gas area thereof. • This vacuum control valve ensures in a manner known per se that a lower pressure limit value in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine is not fallen below, even if there is a ' very low pressure, that is a strong negative pressure, in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine connected to the oil separator.
  • Figure 1 is a oil separator in a first embodiment in vertical section
  • Figure 2 shows the ' oil separator in a second embodiment, also in vertical section
  • Figure 3 shows the oil separator in a third embodiment, also in vertical section.
  • an oil separator 1 has a two-part housing 10 with a housing lower part 10 ′ and a housing upper part 10 ′′ connected to it in a sealing manner.
  • a gas inlet 11 usually with a line -from' occurs crankcase of an associated Brennkraftmaschi ne, is connected.
  • a gas outlet 12 On the right of the upper housing part 10 '' there is a gas outlet 12, which is usually connected via a line to the intake tract of the associated internal combustion engine.
  • an oil outlet 13 is provided, which is usually connected via a line to the oil pan "of the associated internal combustion engine.
  • a cyclone 20 is arranged in the interior of the oil separator housing 10 as a separating member.
  • This cyclone 20 serves to separate oil mist from the crankcase ventilation gas, which flows through the gas inlet 11 into a raw gas region 11 'of the oil separator 1.
  • 0 bil det detects at working internal combustion engine due to a pressure difference between gas inlet 11 and gas outlet 12 ei vortex flow, which ensures that the oil droplets forming oil droplets on the inner surface of the wall of the cyclone 20, while that of gas cleaned from the oil mist collects in the center of the cyclone 20.
  • the cleaned gas passes through a gas outflow opening 22 in the form of an immersion tube out of the cyclone 20 into the clean gas area 12 'in the upper part 10''of the housing 10. From there, the cleaned gas flows via a vacuum control valve 5 of known type provided in the upper housing part 10''to the gas outlet 12 and from there into the Intake tract of the associated internal combustion engine.
  • the separated oil ' flows downward, in particular under the action of gravity, and through an oil outlet opening into an oil outlet region 13' of the housing 10 upstream of the oil outlet 13. Through the oil outlet 13, the oil can flow into the oil pan of the internal combustion engine via a siphon (not shown) or a drain valve.
  • a lower part of the raw gas region 11 ′ located below the gas inlet 11 in the interior of the housing 10 of the oil separator 1 is designed here as an oil sink 14.
  • Grobol that is to say oil in particular, collects in this oil depression 14 and is transported in the form of larger drops and creeping oil from the crankcase ventilation gas to the gas inlet 11.
  • the housing 10 is formed after the inlet 11 with an abruptly enlarged flow cross-section, which ensures a significant flow slowdown. As a result, most of the coarse oil settles in the oil sink 14 before the crankcase ventilation gas reaches an inflow opening 21 of the cyclone 20 which forms the separating member.
  • this inflow opening 21 is offset upwards relative to the gas inlet 11.
  • the gas inflow opening 21 is therefore in the upper region of the raw gas region 11 ', where the oil mist together with the crankcase ventilation gas does not, but not the larger oil drops. Rather, the latter settle out as coarse l in the oil depression 14.
  • a coarse oil cyclone 30 is additionally provided. This coarse-oil cyclone 30 is offset relative to the separating member, here the cyclone 20, in the lower part of the lower housing part 10 '.
  • An inlet opening 31 of the coarse-oil cyclone. 30 lies at the level of the oil sink 14, so that the coarse oil which has settled in the oil sink 14 passes through this inflow opening 31 together with a smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas into the interior of the coarse cyclone 30.
  • the coarse-oil cyclone 30 separates oil and clean gas in a known manner.
  • the oil flows downward under the force of gravity along the inner surface of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 and passes through an oil outlet opening 33 into the oil drain region 13 'of the oil separator 1 which forms the lower part of the lower housing part 10'. From there the oil can pass through the oil outlet 13 to the oil pan of the associated one Drain the internal combustion engine.
  • the gas cleaned from the coarse oil collects in the center of the coarse oil cyclone 30 and flows from there through its gas outflow opening 32 upward into the clean gas region 12 '.
  • the gas outflow opening 32 is formed here by an immersion tube 32 ', which connects the interior of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 to the clean gas region 12'.
  • a pressure relief valve 4 and a vacuum control valve 5 are also arranged in the interior of the oil separator housing 10. These valves are of a type known per se and serve to keep the pressure in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine in a permissible pressure range between a lower and an upper pressure limit.
  • FIG. 1 further shows, the cyclone 20, the oil sink 14, the additional large oil cyclone 30 and the pressure relief valve 4 are combined to form an insert 2 which forms a prefabricated component. This insert. 2 can be inserted into the housing 10 and removed from the housing 10 when the upper housing part 10 ′′ is removed.
  • the housing 10 may be of the oil separator '1 are optionally provided with a plurality of differently shaped inserts.
  • a modified insert 2 can have, for example, a multi-cyclone with a plurality of smaller cyclones or a coalescence separator instead of the individual cyclone 20.
  • FIG. 1 also shows an inner oil return line 15, which connects the clean gas region 12 'to the oil outlet region 13'.
  • this inner oil return line 15 possibly occurring oil or condensate can flow down from the clean gas area 12 'into the oil drain area 13'.
  • oil that may have been entrained into the clean gas area 12 'and has precipitated there is also guided into the oil outlet area 13' during operation of the internal combustion engine before it passes through the gas outlet 12 into the suction area the associated internal combustion engine and can lead to malfunctions there.
  • the cyclone 20 and the coarse-oil cyclone 30 have approximately the same size.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 2 has a coarse-oil cyclone 30, the size of which compared to that of the actual separating member forming cyclone 20 a significantly smaller size. It is hereby achieved that only a relatively small partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flows through the coarse-oil cyclone 30. The vast majority of the crankcase ventilation gas flows through the cyclone 20 here and ensures an effective one. Separation of even the finest oil droplets, which form the oil mist that is carried in the crankcase ventilation gas. For the separation of the coarse oil, which has settled in the oil sink 14, a substantially smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas is sufficient, which has a positive effect on the separation efficiency of the oil separator overall.
  • the large-scale cyclone 30 requires only a small installation space, which can be easily found in the housing 10, without the housing 10 having to be enlarged or the actual separating element, here the cyclone 20, having to be reduced.
  • the arrangement of the oil sink 14, the cyclone 20 and the pressure relief valve 4 and the vacuum control valve 5 is unchanged in the embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 2 compared to FIG. 1.
  • the size of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 is much smaller here, particularly with regard to its diameter.
  • the inflow opening 31 is also unchanged at the level of the oil sink 14, so that the oil which has deposited in the area of the oil sink 14 reaches the coarse-oil cyclone 30 reliably and completely.
  • the coarse oil and gas are also separated in coarse cyclone 30 here.
  • the cleaned gas passes through the immersion tube 32 ', which forms the gas outflow opening 32, up into the clean gas region 12'.
  • the coarse oil separated from the partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas in the coarse oil cyclone 30 flows downward through the oil outlet opening 33 into the oil outlet region 13 ′ of the oil separator 1.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 3 has a coarse-oil cyclone 30 which, in contrast to the two previously described exemplary embodiments of the oil separator 1, is closed at the top.
  • the inflow opening 31 is also again at the level of the oil sink 14, which is also present here, so that the coarse oil deposited there, together with a smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas, reaches the inside of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 when the associated internal combustion engine is in operation and there is a pressure difference between raw gas area 11 'and clean gas area 12'.
  • the cleaned gas cannot leave the coarse-oil cyclone 30 upwards, since the upper end of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 is closed. Instead, the cleaned gas also exits the coarse-oil cyclone 30 through the oil outlet opening 33 below. The cleaned gas thus enters the oil outlet area 13 '. From there, the cleaned gas flows up through the inner oil return line 15 into the clean gas region 12 '.
  • the inner oil return line 15 advantageously has a double function and an additional line for guiding the cleaned gas from the oil outlet area 13 'into the clean gas area 12' is not required.
  • the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 3 corresponds to the previously explained examples according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lubrication Details And Ventilation Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing wherein a separating element is arranged, comprising an inlet for gas to be cleaned, an outlet for cleaned gas and an outlet for separated oil. The novel oil separator is characterized by a crude gas area of the housing adjacent to the inlet and provided with an oil sink wherein coarse oil carried by the incoming gas flow is deposited; also characterized in that the oil separator comprises, in addition to the separating element, a coarse oil cyclone whose inflow opening is located at the same level as the oil sink therein, and in that the separating element has an inflow opening which is spatially located above the inflow opening of the coarse oil cyclone.

Description

Beschreibung:Description:

Olabscheider zur Abscheidung von Öl aus dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas einer BrennkraftmaschineOil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine

Die vor-liegende Erfindung betrifft' einen Olabscheider zur Abscheidung von Öl aus dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas einer Brennkraftmaschine, mit einem Gehäuse, in dem ein Absche deorgan angeordnet ist, mit einem Einlaß für zu reinigendes Gas, mit einem Auslaß für gereinigtes Gas und mit einem Auslaß für abgeschiedenes Öl .The ahead-invention relates to 'a oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, having a housing in which a Absche disposed deorgan, with an inlet for gas to be cleaned, with an outlet for purified gas and an outlet for separated oil.

Ölabsclieider für den genannten Verwendungszweck stehen seit langem im Einsatz und sind in unterschiedlichen' Ausführungen bekannt, beispielsweise aus DE-A 199 12 271 oder aus DE-U 200 09 605. Aufgrund von maschinenseitig vorgegebenen baulichen Situationen kann es. in manchen Betriebszuständen dazu kommen, daß größere Flüssigkeitstropfen oder -Spritzer aus dem Kurbelgehäuse der Brennkraftmaschine bis in den Olabscheider -gelangen. Diese groben flüssigen Bestandteile aus dem Kurbelgehäuse gelangen dann bei den bekannten • Abscheidern schwallartig oder kontinuierlich in das Abscheideorgan und führen hier zu einer hohen Belastung und dadurch zu einer Verminderung des Wirkungsgrades des Abscheideorgans. Besonders nachteilig ist es dabei, daß Teile der Grobflüssigkeit sogar -auf die Reinseite des Ölabscheiders mitgerissen werden können. Es besteht somit die Gefahr, daß es durch die auf die Reingasseite mitgerissenen flüssigen Bestand- teile zu ' einer Verschlechterung der Funktion oder gar Schädigung der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine kommt, weil der ' Auslaß des Ölabscheiders üblicherweise mit dem Ansaugtrakt der Brennkraftmaschine verbunden ist.Oil sealers for the stated purpose have been in use for a long time and are known in different versions, for example from DE-A 199 12 271 or from DE-U 200 09 605. Due to structural situations specified by the machine, it can. in some operating states, larger drops or splashes of liquid can get from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine into the oil separator. These coarse liquid constituents from the crankcase then pass in the known precipitators • gush, or continuously in the separation element and lead here to a high load and thereby reduce the efficiency of the Abscheideorgans. It is particularly disadvantageous that parts of the coarse liquid can even be entrained onto the clean side of the oil separator. There is therefore a risk that the liquid components entrained on the clean gas side parts ' comes to a deterioration in the function or even damage to the associated internal combustion engine because the ' outlet of the oil separator is usually connected to the intake tract of the internal combustion engine.

Eine bekannte Lösung zur Behebung dieses Problems besteht, wie dies in DE-U 296 05 425 beschrieben ist, darin, daß Öl aus einem Gehäusebereich des Ölabscheiders vor dem Abscheideorgan durch eine Bohrung mit einem besonderen Olablaufventil in Form eines Blattventils abgeleitet wird. Dieses Olablaufventil erfordert jedoch einen hohen technischen Aufwand für seine Herstellung und für seinen Einbau. Darüber hinaus ist eine aufwendige Qualitätskontrolle erforderlich, die bei einer Massenproduktion von Ölabscheidern die Herstellungskosten insgesamt merklich erhöht. Weiterhin öffnet das Blattventil nur bei Stillstand der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine, sodaß das Öl aus dem Gehäuse nur diskontinuierlich abgeführt wird.. Bei längeren unterbrechurigsfreien Betriebszeiten kann es dann doch zu den oben beschriebenen Problemen mit einem Überreißen von Öl auf die Reinseite des Abscheideorgans kommen.A known solution to remedy this problem, as described in DE-U 296 05 425, is that oil is drained from a housing area of the oil separator in front of the separating member through a bore with a special oil drain valve in the form of a leaf valve. However, this oil drain valve requires a high level of technical effort for its manufacture and for its installation. In addition, an elaborate quality control is required, which increases the manufacturing costs significantly in the mass production of oil separators. Furthermore, the leaf valve only opens when the associated internal combustion engine is at a standstill, so that the oil is only discharged from the housing intermittently. With longer, non-stop operating times, the problems described above can occur with oil tearing onto the clean side of the separating member.

Für die vorliegende Erfindung stellt sich deshalb die Aufgabe, einen Olabscheider der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, der die dargelegten Nachteile vermeidet und bei dem gewährleistet ist, daß auch Grobδl zuverlässig abgeschieden wird, ohne daß es zu einem Übertritt von Grobol auf die Reinseite des Ölabscheiders kommt und ohne daß das Grobol zu einer Überlastung des Abscheideorgans führt. Zugleich soll gewährleistet werden, daß keine Umgehungswege für das Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas innerhalb des Ölabscheiders entstehen, durch die das Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas ungereinigt von der Rohseite zur Reinseite gelangen kann. Die Lösung dieser Aufgabe gelingt erfindungsgemäß mit einem Olabscheider der eingangs genannten Art, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, daß ein sich an den Einlaß anschließender Rohgasbereich des Gehäuses mit einer Olsenke ausgebildet ist, in der sich mit dem zuströmenden Gasstrom mitgeführtes Grobol absetzt, daß der Olabscheider neben dem Abscheideorgan einen Grobolzyklon umfaßt, dessen Einströmöffnung in Höhe der Olsenke in dieser liegt, und daß das Abscheideorgan eine Einströmöffnung aufweist, die räumlich oberhalb der Einstromoffnung des Grobolzyklons liegt.For the present invention, there is therefore the task of creating an oil separator of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages set out and in which it is ensured that coarse oil is also reliably separated off without Grobol being transferred to the clean side of the oil separator comes and without the Grobol leads to an overload of the separator. At the same time, it is to be ensured that there are no bypass routes for the crankcase ventilation gas within the oil separator, through which the crankcase ventilation gas can pass from the raw side to the clean side without being cleaned. This object is achieved according to the invention with an oil separator of the type mentioned at the outset, which is characterized in that a crude gas region of the housing adjoining the inlet is formed with an oil sink in which coarse oil carried along with the inflowing gas stream settles that the oil separator is adjacent the separating element comprises a coarse-oil cyclone, the inflow opening of which lies at the level of the oil sink, and that the separating element has an inflow opening which is spatially above the inflow opening of the coarse-oil cyclone.

Mit der erfindungsgemäß vorgesehenen Olsenke wird im Olabscheider eine e-crste Abscheidestufe gebildet, die Grobol in Form von Öltropfen oder -Spritzer aus dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas -abtrennt. Das Grobol, das sich in der Olsenke im Olabscheider sammelt, wird durch den Grobolzyklon abgeführt, da dessen Einströmöffnung in Höhe der Olsenke liegt. Im Grobolzyklon wird das Öl von dem ebenfalls in den Grobolzyklon eintretenden Teilstrom des Kur- belgehäuseentlüfti ngsgases getrennt . Der verbleibende andere Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases wird dem Abscheideorgan zugeführt und hierin, wie an sich bekannt, von mitgeführten feineren Öltröpfchen und Ölnebel getrennt, ohne daß dieser Trennvorgang von Grobol behindert wird. Das Grobol aus dem Grobolzyklon und das Öl aus dem Abscheideorgan einerseits und die von Öl befreiten gereinigten Teilströme des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases andererseits können dann jeweils dem zugehörigen Auslaß des Ölabscheiders zugeführt werden. Hierdurch wird zuverlässig dafür gesorgt , daß sich im Gehäuse des Ölabscheiders in keinem Fall eine solche Menge an Grobol ansammeln kann, daß es zu einem schädlichen Übertritt von Grobol auf die Reinseite des Ölabscheiders kommt. Gleichzeitig vermeidet der erfindungsgemäße Olabscheider jeglichen Umgehungsweg, durch den ungereinigtes Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas von der Rohseite zur Reinseite des Ölabscheiders gelangen könnte. Ein unerwünschter zusätzlicher Druckabfall tritt durch den zusätzlich vorgesehenen Grobolzyklon nicht ein, da dieser den Gesamtströmiαngswiderstand des Ölabscheiders eher verkleinert als vergrößert . Damit erreicht der erfindungsgemäße Olabscheider insgesamt einen sehr hohen Wirkungsgrad, wobei dieser Wirkungsgrad sowohl für die Abscheidung von feinen Öltröpfchen und Ölnebel im Abscheideorgan als auch für die Abscheidung von Grobol im Grobolzyklon gewährleistet ist. Bewegliche Einzelteile, deren Herstellung und Montage aufwendig sind und deren Funktion manchmal nicht zuverlässig ist , insbesondere ein Ventil, benötigt der erfindungsgemäße Olabscheider für seine Funktion nicht .With the oil sink provided according to the invention, an e-crste separation stage is formed in the oil separator, which separates Grobol from the crankcase ventilation gas in the form of oil drops or splashes. The coarse oil that collects in the oil sink in the oil separator is removed by the coarse oil cyclone, since its inflow opening lies at the level of the oil sink. In the coarse-oil cyclone, the oil is separated from the partial stream of crankcase ventilation gas that also enters the coarse-oil cyclone. The remaining other partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas is fed to the separator and is separated therein, as is known per se, from entrained finer oil droplets and oil mist without this separation process being impeded by Grobol. The coarse oil from the coarse oil cyclone and the oil from the separating element on the one hand and the cleaned partial flows of the crankcase ventilation gas freed from oil on the other hand can then be fed to the associated outlet of the oil separator. This reliably ensures that such an amount of coarse oil never accumulates in the housing of the oil separator may cause Grobol to pass over to the clean side of the oil separator. At the same time, the oil separator according to the invention avoids any bypass route through which unpurified crankcase ventilation gas could get from the raw side to the clean side of the oil separator. An undesired additional pressure drop does not occur due to the additionally provided coarse-oil cyclone, since this reduces the overall flow resistance of the oil separator rather than increases it. The oil separator according to the invention thus achieves a very high overall efficiency, this efficiency being ensured both for the separation of fine oil droplets and oil mist in the separating member and for the separation of coarse oil in the large oil cyclone. The oil separator according to the invention does not require movable individual parts, the manufacture and assembly of which are complex and whose function is sometimes not reliable, in particular a valve, for its function.

In weiterer Ausgestaltung ist vorgesehen, daß der Grobolzyklon und das Abscheideorgan so ausgelegt sind, daß ein den Grobolzyklon durchströmender erster Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases kleiner ist als der verbleibende, das Abscheideorgan durchströmende zweite Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases.- Dabei kann vorteilhaft der Grobolzyklon in seiner/ Auslegung so gestaltet sein, daß er nur einen relativ kleinen Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas-Teilstrom durchsetzen muß und deshalb mit einem kleinen Bauraum auskommt. Damit läßt sich der zusätzliche Grobolzyklon einschließlich der Grobölsenke in der Regel auch in bereits vorhandene Olabscheider bzw. deren Gehäuse integrieren, ohne daß das Gehäuse des Ölabscheiders vergrößert werden müßte und ohne daß das Abscheideorgan verkleinert werden müßte. Um in der Olsenke das Grobol aus dem in das Gehäuse, einströmenden Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas mit einem guten Wirkungsgrad abzutrennen, ist bevorzugt vorgesehen, daß der sich an den Einlaß anschließende Rohgasbereich des Gehäuses mit Mitteln zur Verlangsamung und/oder Umlenkung der Strömung des zu reinigenden Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungs- gases ausgestattet ist. Die Mittel zur Verlangsamung der Strömung können im einfachsten Fall aus einer Querschnittsvergrößerung des Strömungsweges bestehen, die einfach zu realisieren ist. Als Mittel zur Umlenkung der Strömung können beispielsweise Prallplatten oder -wände oder Lamellen dienen, die im Strömungsweg angeordnet sind. Beide Mittel sorgen für sich oder in Kombination miteinander für eine wirksame Abtrennung und Sammlung des Groböls aus dem zuströmenden Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas in der Olsenke.In a further embodiment it is provided that the coarse-oil cyclone and the separating element are designed such that a first partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flowing through the coarse-oil cyclone is smaller than the remaining second partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flowing through the separating element be designed so that it only has to pass through a relatively small crankcase ventilation gas partial flow and therefore manages with a small installation space. The additional coarse oil cyclone, including the coarse oil sink, can therefore generally also be integrated into existing oil separators or their housings without the housing of the oil separator having to be enlarged and without the separating member having to be made smaller. In order to separate the coarse oil from the crankcase ventilation gas flowing into the housing with a good efficiency in the oil sink, it is preferably provided that the raw gas region of the housing adjoining the inlet is provided with means for slowing down and / or redirecting the flow of the crankcase ventilation gas to be cleaned Is provided. In the simplest case, the means for slowing the flow can consist of an enlargement of the cross section of the flow path, which is easy to implement. For example, baffle plates or walls or lamellae, which are arranged in the flow path, can serve as means for deflecting the flow. Both agents provide for an effective separation or collection of the coarse oil from the inflowing crankcase ventilation gas in the oil sink.

Eine Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Ölabscheiders sieht vor, daß der Grobolzyklon eine Gasausströmöffnung aufweist, die durch ein von oben in den Grobolzyklon hineinragendes Tauchrohr gebildet ist, das mit dem Auslaß für gereinigtes Gas verbunden ist . Bei dieser Ausführung wird, wie in einem herkömmlichen Zyklon, durch die sich ausbildende WirbelStrömung auch im Grobolzyklon das Gas vom mitgeführten Öl getrennt. Das Gas wird dann durch das Tauchrohr nach oben abgeführt und gelangt auf diesem Weg in den "Reingasbereich des Ölabscheiders und von dort zu dessen Auslaß für gereinigtes Gas. Das im Grobolzyklon abgeschiedene Öl fließt insbesondere unter Schwerkraft- Wirkung nach unten und gelangt durch eine am Fuß des Grobolzyklons, wie üblich, vorgesehene Ölauslaßöffnung in den Ölauslaßbereich des Ölabscheiders. Die im Grobolzyklon sich ausbildende Wirbelströmung sorgt dafür, daß weitestgehend nur Öl über die Ölauslaßöffnung aus dem Grobolzyklon austritt, während das vom Grobol gereinigte Gas in entgegengesetzter Richtung nach oben hin den Grobolzyklon ölfrei verläßt . Eine unerwünschte Umgehungsströmung von ungereinigtem Rohgas durch den Grobolzyklon von der Rohgasseite zur Reingasseite des Ölabscheiders ist hier also unterbunden .A further development of the oil separator according to the invention provides that the coarse-oil cyclone has a gas outflow opening which is formed by an immersion tube which projects into the coarse-oil cyclone from above and which is connected to the outlet for cleaned gas. In this version, as in a conventional cyclone, the gas is separated from the entrained oil in the coarse-oil cyclone due to the vortex flow that forms. The gas is then discharged upwards through the immersion tube and in this way reaches the "clean gas area of the oil separator and from there to its outlet for cleaned gas. The oil separated in the coarse-oil cyclone flows downward, in particular under the effect of gravity, and passes through an at the foot of the coarse oil cyclone, as usual, provided oil outlet opening in the oil outlet area of the oil separator. The vortex flow which forms in the coarse oil cyclone ensures that, as far as possible, only oil escapes from the coarse oil cyclone via the oil outlet opening, while that cleaned from the coarse oil Gas in the opposite direction upwards leaves the coarse-oil cyclone oil-free. An undesirable bypass flow of unpurified raw gas through the coarse-oil cyclone from the raw gas side to the clean gas side of the oil separator is therefore prevented here.

Eine alternative Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Öl abscheiders sieht vor, daß der Grobolzyklon oberseitig geschlossen ist und daß eine unterseitige Ölausströmöf f - nung des Grobolzyklon zugleich dessen Gasausströmöffnung bildet , wobei diese Ausströmöffnung sowohl mit dem Auslaß für abgeschiedenes Öl als auch mit dem Auslaß für gereinigtes Gas verbunden ist . Diese Ausführung des Ölabscheiders ist insbesondere für Anwendungsfälle geeignet , bei denen große Grobölmengen am Gaseinlaß des Ölabscheiders anfallen . Da eine Gasabführung aus dem Grobolzyklon unmittelbar in den Reingasbereich hier nicht vorhanden ist , besteht auch keinerlei Gefahr, daß aus dem Grobolzyklon Grobol tropfen in den Reingasbereich gelangen . Statt dessen wird das Gas aus dem Grobolzyklon durch dessen Ölauslaßöf fnung zusammen mit dem Öl abgeführt , wobei aber auch hier die gewünschte Trennung von Gas und Öl gewährleistet ist . Das Öl fließt hier über die innere Oberfläche des Grobol zyklons nach unten und tropft durch die Ölauslaßöf fnung in den Ölauslaßbereich des Ölabscheiders . Das vom Grobol gereinigte Gas strömt durch dieselbe Auslaßδf fnung aus dem Grobolzyklon aus und ' wird anschließend aus dem Ölablaßbereich des Ölabscheiders durch eine geeignete Strömungs erbindung zum Gasauslaß des Ölabscheiders für gereinigtes Gas geführt . ' An alternative embodiment of the oil separator according to the invention provides that the coarse-oil cyclone is closed on the upper side and that a lower-side oil outflow opening of the coarse-oil cyclone also forms its gas outflow opening, this outflow opening being connected both to the outlet for separated oil and to the outlet for cleaned gas is. This version of the oil separator is particularly suitable for applications in which large amounts of coarse oil occur at the gas inlet of the oil separator. Since there is no gas discharge from the coarse-oil cyclone directly into the clean gas area here, there is also no risk that coarse-oil droplets will get into the clean-gas area from the coarse-oil cyclone. Instead, the gas is discharged from the coarse-oil cyclone through its oil outlet opening together with the oil, but here, too, the desired separation of gas and oil is ensured. Here, the oil flows down over the inner surface of the Grobol cyclone and drips through the oil outlet opening into the oil outlet area of the oil separator. The purified from Grobol gas flows through the same Auslaßδf fnung from the Grobolzyklon and 'then from the oil drain area of the oil separator through a suitable flow Getting Connected to the gas outlet of the oil separator cleaned gas out. '

Bevorzugt wird für die zuvor erwähnte Abführung des aus dem Grobolzyklon durch dessen Ölauslaßöf fnung austretenden Reingases eine ohnehin vorhandene Verbindung genutzt , nämlich eine innere Ölrückführleitung, die einen auslaß- seifigen Reingasbereich des Gehäuses mit dessen Olauslaßbereich verbindet . Eine ähnliche Rückführleitung ist beispielsweise aus DE-U 299 08 116 bekannt . Auf die se Weise wird die ohnehin vorhandene Ölrückführleitung, durch die Öl von dem Reingasbereich in den Olauslaßbereich fließen kann, im laufenden Betrieb der Brennkraftmaschine für eine Entlüftung von Reingas aus dem Olauslaßbereich in den Reingasbereich genutzt . Zusätzliche Leitungsverbindungen müssen deshalb bei dieser Ausführung des Ölabscheiders nicht vorgesehen werden .For the above-mentioned removal of the clean gas emerging from the coarse-oil cyclone through its oil outlet opening, an already existing connection is used, namely an inner oil return line which has an outlet connects the soapy clean gas area of the housing to its oil outlet area. A similar return line is known for example from DE-U 299 08 116. In this way, the already existing oil return line, through which oil can flow from the clean gas area to the oil outlet area, is used during operation of the internal combustion engine for venting clean gas from the oil outlet area to the clean gas area. Additional line connections therefore do not have to be provided for this version of the oil separator.

Das Abscheideorgan des Ölabscheiders kann unterschiedliche Ausführungen aufweisen. Eine erste bevorzugte Ausführung sieht vor, daß das Abscheideorgan durch einen einzelnen oder mehrere Zyklone gebildet ist .The separator of the oil separator can have different designs. A first preferred embodiment provides that the separating member is formed by a single or several cyclones.

Eine diesbezüglich alternative Ausgestaltung des Ölabscheiders schlägt vor, daß das Abscheideorgan durch einen einzelnen oder mehrere Koaleszenzabscheider gebildet ist .An alternative embodiment of the oil separator in this regard suggests that the separating member is formed by a single or several coalescing separators.

Mit beiden Ausführungen des Abscheideorgans wird ein hoher Wirkungsgrad der Abscheidung für den mit dem Rohgas zum Olabscheider gelangenden Ölnebel in Form von feinsten und feinen Öltröpf chen erreicht . Die Abscheidung des Groböls erfolgt unabhängig von der j eweiligen Ausführung des Abscheideorgans durch die Olsenke und den zusätzlich vorgesehenen Grobolzyklon .With both versions of the separator, a high degree of separation efficiency is achieved for the oil mist that reaches the oil separator in the form of the finest and fine oil droplets. The coarse oil is separated regardless of the design of the separator by the oil sink and the additional coarse oil cyclone provided.

Weiter ist bevorzugt vorgesehen, daß das Abscheideorgan zusammen mit dem Grobolzyklon als in das Gehäuse einsetzbarer und aus dem Gehäuse herausnehmbarer Einsat z ausgebildet ist . Auf diese Weise wird eine rationelle Fertigung und Montage des Ölabscheiders ermöglicht . Außerdem kann bei einem vorgegebenen Gehäuse des Ölabscheiders wahlweise eines von unterschiedlichen Abscheideorganen eingesetzt werden. Damit ist eine flexible Anpassung des Ölabscheiders an unterschiedliche Anwendungsfälle und Anforderungen möglich.It is further preferably provided that the separating member, together with the coarse-oil cyclone, is designed as an insert z which can be inserted into the housing and removed from the housing. In this way, an efficient production and assembly of the oil separator is made possible. In addition, with a given housing of the oil separator, one of different separating elements can optionally be used be used. This enables the oil separator to be flexibly adapted to different applications and requirements.

Um möglichst viele Funktionen innerhalb des Ölabscheiders zu konzentrieren, ist weiter vorgesehen, daß in das Gehäuse zwischen dessen Rohgasbereich und Reingasbereich ein Druckbegrenzungsventil integriert ist. Dieses Druckbegrenzungsventil sorgt dafür, daß ein maximal zulässiger Druck auf der Rohgasseite und damit im Kurbelgehäuse der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine nicht überschritten werden kann.In order to concentrate as many functions as possible within the oil separator, it is further provided that a pressure relief valve is integrated in the housing between its raw gas area and clean gas area. This pressure relief valve ensures that a maximum permissible pressure on the raw gas side and thus in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine cannot be exceeded.

Damit durch das vorgesehene Druckbegrenzungsventil nur ein möglichst geringer Montagemehraufwand entsteht, ist bevorzugt das Druckbegrenzungsventil als Teil des Einsatzes ausgebildet .So that the pressure relief valve provided results in as little additional assembly work as possible, the pressure relief valve is preferably designed as part of the insert.

Eine weitere Maßnahme zur Integration einer zusätzlichen Funktion in den Olabscheider besteht darin, daß in das Gehäuse in dessen Reingasbereich ein Unterdruckregelventil integriert ist. • Dieses Unterdruckregelventil sorgt auf an sich bekannte Weise dafür, daß ein unterer Druckgrenzwert im Kurbelgehäuse der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine nicht unterschritten wird, auch wenn in dem mit der Reingasseite des Ölabscheiders verbundenen Ansaugtrakt der Brennkraftmaschine ein' sehr niedriger Druck, also ein starker Unterdruck, herrscht.Another measure for integrating an additional function in the oil separator is that a vacuum control valve is integrated in the housing in the clean gas area thereof. • This vacuum control valve ensures in a manner known per se that a lower pressure limit value in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine is not fallen below, even if there is a ' very low pressure, that is a strong negative pressure, in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine connected to the oil separator.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden im folgenden anhand einer Zeichnung erläutert. Die Figuren der Zeichnung zeigen:Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to a drawing. The figures in the drawing show:

■ Figur 1 einen Olabscheider in einer ersten Ausführung im Vertikalschnitt, Figur 2 den ' Olabscheider in einer zweiten Ausführung, ebenfalls im Vertikalschnitt , und ■ Figure 1 is a oil separator in a first embodiment in vertical section, Figure 2 shows the ' oil separator in a second embodiment, also in vertical section, and

Figur- 3 den Olabscheider in einer dritten Ausführung, ebenfalls im Vertikalschnitt .Figure 3 shows the oil separator in a third embodiment, also in vertical section.

Wie die Figur 1 der Zeichnung zeigt , besitzt das dargestel lte Ausführungsbeispiel eines Ölabscheiders 1 ein zweiteiliges Gehäuse 10. mit einem Gehäuseuntertei l 10 ' und einem damit dichtend verbundenen Gehäuseoberteil 10 ' ' . Rechts - oben am Gehäuseunterteil 10 ' befindet sich ein Gaseinlaß 11 , der üblicherweise mit einer Leitung, die -vom ' Kurbelgehäuse einer zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschi ne kommt , verbunden ist . Rechts am Gehäuseoberteil 10 ' ' befindet sich ein Gasauslaß 12 , der üblicherweise über eine Leitung mit dem Ansaugtrakt der zugehörigen Brennkra tmaschine verbunden ist . Ganz unten am Gehäuseunterteil 10 ' ist ein Ölauslaß 13 vorgesehen, der üblicherwei se über eine Leitung mit der Ölwanne" der zugehörigen Brennkraf tmaschine verbunden ist .As FIG. 1 of the drawing shows, the illustrated embodiment of an oil separator 1 has a two-part housing 10 with a housing lower part 10 ′ and a housing upper part 10 ″ connected to it in a sealing manner. Right - top of the lower housing part 10 'is a gas inlet 11, usually with a line -from' occurs crankcase of an associated Brennkraftmaschi ne, is connected. On the right of the upper housing part 10 '' there is a gas outlet 12, which is usually connected via a line to the intake tract of the associated internal combustion engine. At the very bottom of the lower housing part 10 'an oil outlet 13 is provided, which is usually connected via a line to the oil pan "of the associated internal combustion engine.

Im Inneren des Ölabscheidergehäuses 10 ist als Abscheideorgan ein Zyklon 20 angeordnet . Dieser Zyklon 20 dient dazu , Ölnebel aus dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas , das durch den Gaseinlaß 11 in einen Rohgasbereich 11 ' des Öl abscheiders 1 einströmt , abzuscheiden . Im Zyklon 2 0 bil det sich bei arbeitender Brennkraftmaschine infolge einer Druckdifferenz zwischen Gaseinlaß 11 und Gasauslaß 12 ei ne Wirbel Strömung, die dafür sorgt , daß sich die den Öl nebel bildenden Oltröpfchen an der inneren Oberfläche der Wandung des Zyklons 20 niederschlagen, während das von dem Ölnebel gereinigte Gas sich im Zentrum des Zyklons 20 sammelt . Von dort gelangt das gereinigte Gas durch eine Gasausströmöffnung 22 in Form eines Tauchrohrs nach oben aus dem Zyklon 20 heraus in den Reingasbereich 12' im oberen Teil 10'' des Gehäuses 10. Von dort strömt das gereinigte Gas über ein im oberen Gehäuseteil 10'' vorgesehenes Unterdruckregelventil 5 von an sich bekannter Bauart zum Gasauslaß 12 und von dort in den Ansaugtrakt der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine. Das abgeschiedene Öl fließt ' insbesondere unter Schwerkraftwirkung nach unten und durch eine Ölauslaßöffnung in einen dem Ölauslaß 13 vorgeschalteten Olauslaßbereich 13' des Gehäuses 10. Durch den Ölauslaß 13 kann das Öl über einen nicht dargestellten Siphon oder ein Ablaufventil in die Ölwanne der Brennkraftmaschine fließen.A cyclone 20 is arranged in the interior of the oil separator housing 10 as a separating member. This cyclone 20 serves to separate oil mist from the crankcase ventilation gas, which flows through the gas inlet 11 into a raw gas region 11 'of the oil separator 1. In the cyclone 2 0 bil det detects at working internal combustion engine due to a pressure difference between gas inlet 11 and gas outlet 12 ei vortex flow, which ensures that the oil droplets forming oil droplets on the inner surface of the wall of the cyclone 20, while that of gas cleaned from the oil mist collects in the center of the cyclone 20. From there, the cleaned gas passes through a gas outflow opening 22 in the form of an immersion tube out of the cyclone 20 into the clean gas area 12 'in the upper part 10''of the housing 10. From there, the cleaned gas flows via a vacuum control valve 5 of known type provided in the upper housing part 10''to the gas outlet 12 and from there into the Intake tract of the associated internal combustion engine. The separated oil ' flows downward, in particular under the action of gravity, and through an oil outlet opening into an oil outlet region 13' of the housing 10 upstream of the oil outlet 13. Through the oil outlet 13, the oil can flow into the oil pan of the internal combustion engine via a siphon (not shown) or a drain valve.

Ein unterer, unterhalb des Gaseinlasses 11 liegender Teil des Rohgasbereichs 11' im Inneren des Gehäuses 10 des Ölabscheiders 1 ist hier als Olsenke 14 ausgebildet. In dieser Olsenke 14 sammelt sich Grobol, also , insbesondere Öl, das in Form von größeren Tropfen und Kriechöl vom Kurbelgehäuseentlüfturigsgas zum Gaseinlaß 11 transportiert wird. Um das Abtrennen und Absetzen des Groböls zu fördern, ist das Gehäuse 10 im Anschluß an seinen Einlaß 11 mit einem sprunghaft vergrößerten Strömungsquerschnitt ausgebildet, der für eine deutliche Strömungsverlangsa- mung sorgt. Dadurch setzt sich das Grobδl größtenteils in der Olsenke 14 ab, bevor das Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas in eine Einströmöffnung 21 des das Abscheideorgan bildenden Zyklons 20 gelangt. Zusätzlich wird das Abtrennen des Groböls dadurch gefördert, daß diese Einströmöffnung 21 gegenüber dem Gaseinlaß 11 nach oben versetzt ist. Die Gaseinströmöffnung 21 liegt also im oberen Bereich des Rohgasbereichs 11' , wohin zwar der Ölnebel zusammen mit dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas gelangt, nicht aber die größeren Öltropfen. Letztere setzen sich vielmehr als Grob l in der Olsenke 14 ab. LTm das Grobol aus der Olsenke 14 abzuführen und um dabei gleichzeitig einen unerwünschten Strömungsweg für ungereinigtes Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas vom Rohgasbereich zum Reingasbereich des Ölabscheiders 1 zu vermeiden, ist zusätzlich ein Grobolzyklon 30 vorgesehen. Dieser Grobolzyklon 30 liegt relativ zum Abscheideorgan, hier dem Zyklon 20, nach unten versetzt im unteren Teil des Gehäuse- nterteils 10' . Eine Einströmöffnung 31 des Grobolzyklons. 30 liegt in Höhe der Olsenke 14, so daß das Grobol, das sich in der Olsenke 14 abgesetzt hat, durch diese Einströmöffnung 31 zusammen mit einem kleineren Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases in das Innere des Groblzyklons 30 gelangt. Im Grobolzyklon 30 erfolgt in bekannter Weise eine Trennung in Öl und Reingas. Das Öl strömt unter Schwerkraftwirkung entlang der inneren Oberfläche des Grobolzyklons 30 nach unten und gelangt durch eine Ölauslaßöffnung 33 in den den unteren Teil des Gehäuseunterteils 10' bildenden Ölablaßbereich 13' des Ölabscheiders 1. Von dort kann das Öl durch den Ölauslaß 13 zur Ölwanne der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine abfließen. Das vom Grobol gereinigte Gas sammelt sich im Zentrum des Grobolzyklons 30 und strömt von dort durch dessen Gasaus- strömδffnung 32 nach oben in den Reingasbereich 12'. Die Gasausstrδmöffnung 32 wird hier durch ein Tauchrohr 32' gebildet, das das Innere des Grobolzyklons 30 mit dem Reingasbereich 12' verbindet.A lower part of the raw gas region 11 ′ located below the gas inlet 11 in the interior of the housing 10 of the oil separator 1 is designed here as an oil sink 14. Grobol, that is to say oil in particular, collects in this oil depression 14 and is transported in the form of larger drops and creeping oil from the crankcase ventilation gas to the gas inlet 11. In order to promote the separation and sedimentation of the coarse oil, the housing 10 is formed after the inlet 11 with an abruptly enlarged flow cross-section, which ensures a significant flow slowdown. As a result, most of the coarse oil settles in the oil sink 14 before the crankcase ventilation gas reaches an inflow opening 21 of the cyclone 20 which forms the separating member. In addition, the separation of the coarse oil is promoted in that this inflow opening 21 is offset upwards relative to the gas inlet 11. The gas inflow opening 21 is therefore in the upper region of the raw gas region 11 ', where the oil mist together with the crankcase ventilation gas does not, but not the larger oil drops. Rather, the latter settle out as coarse l in the oil depression 14. LTm to remove the coarse oil from the oil sink 14 and at the same time to avoid an undesired flow path for unpurified crankcase ventilation gas from the raw gas area to the clean gas area of the oil separator 1, a coarse oil cyclone 30 is additionally provided. This coarse-oil cyclone 30 is offset relative to the separating member, here the cyclone 20, in the lower part of the lower housing part 10 '. An inlet opening 31 of the coarse-oil cyclone. 30 lies at the level of the oil sink 14, so that the coarse oil which has settled in the oil sink 14 passes through this inflow opening 31 together with a smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas into the interior of the coarse cyclone 30. The coarse-oil cyclone 30 separates oil and clean gas in a known manner. The oil flows downward under the force of gravity along the inner surface of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 and passes through an oil outlet opening 33 into the oil drain region 13 'of the oil separator 1 which forms the lower part of the lower housing part 10'. From there the oil can pass through the oil outlet 13 to the oil pan of the associated one Drain the internal combustion engine. The gas cleaned from the coarse oil collects in the center of the coarse oil cyclone 30 and flows from there through its gas outflow opening 32 upward into the clean gas region 12 '. The gas outflow opening 32 is formed here by an immersion tube 32 ', which connects the interior of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 to the clean gas region 12'.

Neben dem Zyklon 20 und dem Grobolzyklon 30 sind im Innerren des Ölabscheidergehäuses 10 weiterhin je ein Druckbegrenzungsventil 4 und Unterdruckregelventil 5 angeordnet. Diese Ventile sind von an sich bekannter Bauart und dienen dazu, den Druck im Kurbelgehäuse der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine in einem zulässigen Druckbereich zwischen einem unteren und einem oberen Druckgrenzwert zu halten. Wie die Figur 1 weiter zeigt, sind der Zyklon 20, die Olsenke 14, der zusätzliche Grohölzyklon 30 und das Druckbegrenzungsventil 4 zu einem ein vorgefertigtes Bauteil bildenden Einsatz 2 zusammengefaßt. Dieser Einsatz.2 kann bei abgenommenem Gehäuseoberteil 10'' in das Gehäuse 10 eingesetzt und aus dem Gehäuse 10 herausgenommen werden. Auf diese Weise kann das Gehäuse 10 des Ölabscheiders' 1 wahlweise mit einem von mehreren unterschiedlich gestalteten Einsätzen versehen werden. Ein geänderter Einsatz 2 kann beispielsweise anstelle des einzelnen Zyklons 20 einen Multizyklon mit mehreren kleineren Zyklonen oder einen Koaleszensabscheider aufweisen.In addition to the cyclone 20 and the coarse-oil cyclone 30, a pressure relief valve 4 and a vacuum control valve 5 are also arranged in the interior of the oil separator housing 10. These valves are of a type known per se and serve to keep the pressure in the crankcase of the associated internal combustion engine in a permissible pressure range between a lower and an upper pressure limit. As FIG. 1 further shows, the cyclone 20, the oil sink 14, the additional large oil cyclone 30 and the pressure relief valve 4 are combined to form an insert 2 which forms a prefabricated component. This insert. 2 can be inserted into the housing 10 and removed from the housing 10 when the upper housing part 10 ″ is removed. In this way, the housing 10 may be of the oil separator '1 are optionally provided with a plurality of differently shaped inserts. A modified insert 2 can have, for example, a multi-cyclone with a plurality of smaller cyclones or a coalescence separator instead of the individual cyclone 20.

Schließlich zeigt die Figur 1 noch eine innere Ölrück- führleitung 15, die den Reingasbereich 12' mit dem Olauslaßbereich 13' verbindet. Durch diese innere Ölrückführ- leitung 15 kann gegebenenfalls anfallendes Öl oder Kondensat aus dem Reingasbereich 12' nach unten in den Ölab- laßbereich 13' fließen. Auf diesem Wege wird Öl, das eventuell doch in den Reingasbereich 12' mitgerissen wurde und sich dort niedergeschlagen hat, durch entsprechende Auslegung der Ölrückführleitung 15 auch während des Betriebes der Brennkraftmaschine in den Olauslaßbereich 13' geführt, bevor es über den Gasauslaß 12 in den Ansaugbereich der zugehörigen Brennkraftmaschine gelangen und dort zu Funktionsstörungen führen kann.Finally, FIG. 1 also shows an inner oil return line 15, which connects the clean gas region 12 'to the oil outlet region 13'. Through this inner oil return line 15, possibly occurring oil or condensate can flow down from the clean gas area 12 'into the oil drain area 13'. In this way, oil that may have been entrained into the clean gas area 12 'and has precipitated there, by appropriate design of the oil return line 15, is also guided into the oil outlet area 13' during operation of the internal combustion engine before it passes through the gas outlet 12 into the suction area the associated internal combustion engine and can lead to malfunctions there.

Bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel des Ölabscheiders 1 gemäß Figur 1 haben der Zyklon 20 und der Grobolzyklon 30 eine in etwa gleiche Baugröße.In the exemplary embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 1, the cyclone 20 and the coarse-oil cyclone 30 have approximately the same size.

Im Unterschied dazu hat das Ausführungsbeispiel des Ölabscheiders 1 gemäß Figur 2 einen Grobolzyklon 30, dessen Baugröße gegenüber dem das eigentliche Abscheideorgan bildenden Zyklon 20 eine erheblich kleinere Baugröße. Hierdurch wird erreicht, daß nur ein relativ geringer Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases durch den Grobolzyklon 30 strömt. Der weitaus größte Teil des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases strömt hier durch den Zyklon 20 und sorgt dort für eine wirksame. Abscheidung auch feinster Oltröpfchen, die den Ölnebel, der im Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas mitgeführt wird, bilden. Für die Abscheidung des Groböls, das sich in der Olsenke 14 abgesetzt hat, genügt ein wesentlich kleinerer Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases, was den Abscheidewirkungsgrad des Ölabscheiders insgesamt positiv beeinflußt. Außerdem benötigt so der Grobolzyklon 30 nur einen geringen Einbauraum, der problemlos im Gehäuse 10 gefunden werden kann, ohne daß deshalb das Gehäuse 10 vergrößert oder das eigentliche Abscheideorgan, hier der Zyklon 20, verkleinert werden müßte .In contrast to this, the exemplary embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 2 has a coarse-oil cyclone 30, the size of which compared to that of the actual separating member forming cyclone 20 a significantly smaller size. It is hereby achieved that only a relatively small partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flows through the coarse-oil cyclone 30. The vast majority of the crankcase ventilation gas flows through the cyclone 20 here and ensures an effective one. Separation of even the finest oil droplets, which form the oil mist that is carried in the crankcase ventilation gas. For the separation of the coarse oil, which has settled in the oil sink 14, a substantially smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas is sufficient, which has a positive effect on the separation efficiency of the oil separator overall. In addition, the large-scale cyclone 30 requires only a small installation space, which can be easily found in the housing 10, without the housing 10 having to be enlarged or the actual separating element, here the cyclone 20, having to be reduced.

Die Anordnung der Olsenke 14, des Zyklons 20 sowie des Druckbegrenzungsventils 4 und des Unterdruckregelventils 5 ist bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel des Ölabscheiders 1 gemäß Figur 2 gegenüber der Figur 1 unverändert . Die Baugröße des Grobolzyklons 30 ist, insbesondere was seinen Durchmesser betrifft, hier wesentlich kleiner. Unverändert ist aber auch hier die Einströmöffnung 31 in Höhe der Olsenke 14 angeordnet, so daß das Öl, das sich im Bereich der der Olsenke 14 abgelagert hat, zuverlässig und vollständig in den Grobolzyklon 30 gelangt. In Grobolzyklon 30 erfolgt auch hier die Trennung von Grobol und Gas. Das gereinigte Gas gelangt durch das Tauchrohr 32', das die Gasausströmöffnung 32 bildet, nach oben in den Reingasbereich 12'. Das im Grobolzyklon 30 von dem Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases getrennte Grobol strömt unter Schwerkraftwirkung nach unten durch die Öl- auslaßöffnung 33 in den Olauslaßbereich 13' des Ölabscheiders 1.The arrangement of the oil sink 14, the cyclone 20 and the pressure relief valve 4 and the vacuum control valve 5 is unchanged in the embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 2 compared to FIG. 1. The size of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 is much smaller here, particularly with regard to its diameter. However, the inflow opening 31 is also unchanged at the level of the oil sink 14, so that the oil which has deposited in the area of the oil sink 14 reaches the coarse-oil cyclone 30 reliably and completely. The coarse oil and gas are also separated in coarse cyclone 30 here. The cleaned gas passes through the immersion tube 32 ', which forms the gas outflow opening 32, up into the clean gas region 12'. The coarse oil separated from the partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas in the coarse oil cyclone 30 flows downward through the oil outlet opening 33 into the oil outlet region 13 ′ of the oil separator 1.

Das Ausführungsbeispiel des Ölabscheiders 1 gemäß Figur 3 schließlich besitzt einen Grobolzyklon 30, der im Unterschied zu den beiden vorhergehend beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispielen des Ölabscheiders 1 oberseitig verschlossen ist. Bei diesem Grobolzyklon 30 liegt die Einströmöffnung 31 ebenfalls wieder in Höhe der auch hier vorhandenen Olsenke 14, so daß das dort abgesetzte Grobol zusammen mit einem kleineren Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuse- entlüftungsgases in das Innere des Grobolzyklons 30 gelangt, wenn die zugehörige Brennkraftmaschine in Betrieb ist und eine Druckdifferenz zwischen Rohgasbereich 11' und Reingasbereich 12' vorliegt. Im Inneren des Grobolzyklons 30 bildet sich auch hier eine Zyklonwirbelströmung aus, die die Öltropfen auf der inneren Oberfläche des Grobolzyklons 30 niederschlägt. Das niedergeschlagene Grobol fließt von dort unter Schwerkraftwirkung ' nach unten durch die Ölauslaßöffnung 33 ab und gelangt in den Olauslaßbereich 13' des Ölabscheiders 1.Finally, the exemplary embodiment of the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 3 has a coarse-oil cyclone 30 which, in contrast to the two previously described exemplary embodiments of the oil separator 1, is closed at the top. In this coarse-oil cyclone 30, the inflow opening 31 is also again at the level of the oil sink 14, which is also present here, so that the coarse oil deposited there, together with a smaller partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas, reaches the inside of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 when the associated internal combustion engine is in operation and there is a pressure difference between raw gas area 11 'and clean gas area 12'. Here, too, a cyclone vortex flow forms inside the coarse-oil cyclone 30, which deposits the oil drops on the inner surface of the coarse-oil cyclone 30. The precipitated Grobol from there flows under gravity 'downward through the oil discharge port 33, and enters the Olauslaßbereich 13' of the oil separator. 1

Das gereinigte Gas kann bei dieser Ausführung des Ölab-- scheiders 1 den Grobolzyklon 30 nicht nach oben hin verlassen, da das obere Ende des Grobolzyklons 30 verschlossen ist. Statt dessen tritt das gereinigte Gas ebenfalls durch die unten liegende Ölauslaßöffnung 33 aus dem Grobolzyklon 30 aus. Das gereinigte Gas tritt also hier in den Olauslaßbereich 13' ein. Von dort strömt das gereinigte Gas durch die innere Ölrückführleitung 15 nach oben in den Reingasbereich 12 ' . Damit hat die innere Ölrückführleitung 15 hier vorteilhaft eine doppelte Funktion und eine zusätzliche Leitung für die Führung des gereinigten Gases aus dem Olauslaßbereich 13' in den Reingasbereich 12' ist nicht erforderlich. Der besondere Vorteil dieser Ausführung des Ölabscheiders 1 mit oberseitig verschlossenem Grobolzyklon 30 besteht darin, daß auch bei einem sehr großen Grobölanfall im zuströmenden Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas ein Überreißen oder Übertreten von Grobol aus dem Grobolzyklon 3θ unmittelbar nach oben in den Reingasbereich 12' ausgeschlossen ist. Gleichzeitig wird aber auch hier das Grobol von dem dieses durch den. Grobolzyklon 30 befördernden Teilström des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases getrennt, so daß auch hier nur gereinigtes Gas in den Reingasbereich 12' gelangt. Das abgeschiedene Öl wird im Olauslaßbereich 13' gesammelt und von dort durch den Ölauslaß 13 zur Ölwanne der Brennkraftmaschine zurückgeführt .In this version of the oil separator 1, the cleaned gas cannot leave the coarse-oil cyclone 30 upwards, since the upper end of the coarse-oil cyclone 30 is closed. Instead, the cleaned gas also exits the coarse-oil cyclone 30 through the oil outlet opening 33 below. The cleaned gas thus enters the oil outlet area 13 '. From there, the cleaned gas flows up through the inner oil return line 15 into the clean gas region 12 '. Thus, the inner oil return line 15 advantageously has a double function and an additional line for guiding the cleaned gas from the oil outlet area 13 'into the clean gas area 12' is not required. The particular advantage of this design of the oil separator 1 with the coarse-oil cyclone 30 closed at the top is that, even in the event of a very large amount of coarse oil in the inflowing crankcase ventilation gas, it is impossible for the coarse-oil cyclone 3θ to overrun or pass over directly into the clean gas region 12 '. At the same time, however, here too the gross of which this is caused by the. Partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas conveying the coarse-oil cyclone 30 is separated, so that here, too, only cleaned gas reaches the clean gas region 12 '. The separated oil is collected in the oil outlet region 13 'and from there is returned through the oil outlet 13 to the oil pan of the internal combustion engine.

In seinen übrigen Teilen entspricht der Olabscheider 1 gemäß Figur 3 den zuvor erläuterten Beispielen gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2. In its remaining parts, the oil separator 1 according to FIG. 3 corresponds to the previously explained examples according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Claims

Patentansprüche :Claims: Olabscheider (1) zur Abscheidung von Öl aus dem Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgas einer Brennkraftmaschine, mit einem Gehäuse (10) , in dem ein Abscheideorgan (20) angeordnet ist, mit einem Einlaß (11) für zu reinigendes Gas, mit einem Auslaß (12) für gereinigtes Gas und mit einem Auslaß (13) für abgeschiedenesOil separator (1) for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine, with a housing (10) in which a separating member (20) is arranged, with an inlet (11) for gas to be cleaned, with an outlet (12) for cleaned Gas and with an outlet (13) for separated Öl, d a d u r ch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t ,Oil, d a d u r ch g e k n n z e i c h n e t, - daß ein sich an den Einlaß (11) anschließender Rohgasbereich (11') des Gehäuses (10) mit einer Olsenke (14) ausgebildet ist, in der sich mit dem zuströmenden Gasstrom mitgeführtes Grobol absetzt,- That a raw gas region (11 ') of the housing (10) adjoining the inlet (11) is formed with an oil sink (14) in which coarse oil carried along with the inflowing gas stream settles, - daß der Olabscheider (1) neben dem Abscheideorgan- That the oil separator (1) next to the separator (20) einen Grobolzyklon (30) umfaßt, dessen Einströmöffnung (31) in Höhe der Olsenke (14) in dieser liegt, und(20) comprises a coarse-oil cyclone (30), the inflow opening (31) of which lies at the level of the oil sink (14), and - daß das Abscheideorgan (20) eine Einströmöffnung- That the separating member (20) has an inflow opening (21) aufweist, die räumlich oberhalb der Einströmöffnung (31) des Grobolzyklons (30) liegt.(21), which is spatially above the inflow opening (31) of the coarse-oil cyclone (30). Olabscheider nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Grobolzyklon (30) und das Abscheideorgan (20) so ausgelegt sind, daß ein den Grobolzyklon (30) durchströmender erster Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases kleiner ist als der verbleibende, das Abscheideorgan (20) durchströmende zweite Teilstrom des Kurbelgehäuseentlüftungsgases. Oil separator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the coarse-oil cyclone (30) and the separating member (20) are designed such that a first partial flow of the crankcase ventilation gas flowing through the coarse-oil cyclone (30) is smaller than the remaining second partial flow which flows through the separating member (20) of the crankcase ventilation gas. 3. Olabscheider nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der sich an den Einlaß (11) anschließende Rohgasbereich (11') des Gehäuses (10) mit Mitteln zur Verlangsamung und/oder Umlenkung der Strömung des zu reinigenden Gases ausgestattet ist.3. Oil separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the raw gas area (11 ') of the housing (10) adjoining the inlet (11) is equipped with means for slowing down and / or redirecting the flow of the gas to be cleaned. 4. Olabscheider nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Grobolzyklon (30) eine Gasausströmöffnung (32) aufweist, die durch ein von oben in den Grobolzyklon (30) hineinragendes Tauchrohr (32') gebildet ist, das mit dem Auslaß (12) für gereinigtes Gas verbunden ist.4. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coarse-oil cyclone (30) has a gas outflow opening (32) which is formed by a dip tube (32 ') projecting into the coarse-oil cyclone (30) from above, which is connected to the outlet ( 12) is connected for purified gas. 5. Olabscheider nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Grobolzyklon (30) oberseitig geschlossen ist und daß eine unterseitige Öl- ausströmöffnung (33) des Grobolzyklon (30) zugleich dessen Gasausströmöffnung (32) bildet, wobei diese Ausströmöffnung (32, 33) sowohl mit dem Auslaß (13) für abgeschiedenes Öl als auch mit dem Auslaß (12) für gereinigtes Gas verbunden ist.5. Oil separator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coarse-oil cyclone (30) is closed on the upper side and that an underside oil outflow opening (33) of the coarse-oil cyclone (30) also forms its gas outflow opening (32), this outflow opening ( 32, 33) is connected both to the outlet (13) for separated oil and to the outlet (12) for cleaned gas. 6 . Olabscheider nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verbindung zwischen der kombinierten Öl- und Gasausströmöffnung (32, 33) einerseits und dem Auslaß6. Oil separator according to claim 5, characterized in that the connection between the combined oil and gas outflow opening (32, 33) on the one hand and the outlet (12) für gereinigtes Gas andererseits durch eine innere Olrückfuhrleitung (15) gebildet ist, die einen auslaßseitigen Reingasbereich (12') des Gehäuses (10) mit dessen Olauslaßbereich (13') verbindet.(12) for purified gas, on the other hand, is formed by an inner oil return line (15) which connects an outlet-side clean gas region (12 ') of the housing (10) to its oil outlet region (13'). 1 . Olabscheider nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abscheideorgan (20) durch einen einzelnen- oder mehrere Zyklone gebildet ist . 1 . Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating member (20) is formed by a single or a plurality of cyclones. 8. Olabscheider nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abscheideorgan (20) durch einen einzelnen oder mehrere Koaleszenzabschei- der gebildet ist.8. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating member (20) is formed by a single or more coalescing separators. 9. Olabscheider nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abscheideorgan (20) zusammen mit dem Grobolzyklon (30) als in das Gehäuse (10) einsetzbarer und aus dem Gehäuse (10) herausnehmbarer Einsatz (2) ausgebildet ist.9. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating member (20) together with the coarse-oil cyclone (30) is designed as an insert (2) which can be inserted into the housing (10) and is removable from the housing (10). 10. Olabscheider nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in das Gehäuse (10) zwischen dessen Rohgasbereich (11') und Reingasbereich10. Oil separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the housing (10) between its raw gas area (11 ') and clean gas area (12') ein Druckbegrenzungsventil (4) integriert ist.(12 ') a pressure relief valve (4) is integrated. 11. Olabscheider nach Anspruch 9 und 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Druckbegrenzungsventil (4) als Teil des Einsatzes (2) ausgebildet ist.11. Oil separator according to claim 9 and 10, characterized in that the pressure relief valve (4) is designed as part of the insert (2). 12. Olabscheider' nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in das Gehäuse (10) in dessen Reingasbereich (12 ' ) ein Unterdruckregelventil12. Oil separator ' according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vacuum control valve in the housing (10) in the clean gas region (12') (5) integriert ist. (5) is integrated.
EP03766272A 2002-07-26 2003-07-24 Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine Expired - Lifetime EP1525376B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE20211329U 2002-07-26
DE20211329U DE20211329U1 (en) 2002-07-26 2002-07-26 Oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine
PCT/EP2003/008106 WO2004013468A1 (en) 2002-07-26 2003-07-24 Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1525376A1 true EP1525376A1 (en) 2005-04-27
EP1525376B1 EP1525376B1 (en) 2009-01-21

Family

ID=29723992

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03766272A Expired - Lifetime EP1525376B1 (en) 2002-07-26 2003-07-24 Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US7422612B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1525376B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4319982B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100743856B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE421634T1 (en)
BR (1) BR0305674B1 (en)
DE (2) DE20211329U1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004013468A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10815849B2 (en) 2012-05-10 2020-10-27 Nabtesco Automotive Corporation Oil separator

Families Citing this family (48)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004006834A1 (en) * 2004-02-12 2005-08-25 Mann + Hummel Gmbh separating
US7950621B2 (en) * 2004-03-12 2011-05-31 Hengst Gmbh & Co. Kg Pneumatic pressure regulation valve
DE202004010550U1 (en) 2004-07-06 2005-11-17 Hengst Gmbh & Co.Kg Device for regulating the pressure in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine and for the oil mist separation from the crankcase ventilation gas
JP2006083809A (en) * 2004-09-17 2006-03-30 Yamaha Motor Co Ltd Engine-driven vehicle oil tank
DE202005013112U1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-12-28 Hengst Gmbh & Co.Kg Oil separator for separating oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine
DE102005042286A1 (en) * 2005-09-06 2007-04-12 Mahle International Gmbh Device for separating a gas-liquid mixture
ATE434208T1 (en) 2006-04-08 2009-07-15 Polytec Automotive Gmbh & Co Kg PRESSURE LIMITING VALVE, PREFERABLY FOR REGULATING THE PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE OF AN INCOMMODATION ENGINE
DE102006024820A1 (en) * 2006-05-29 2007-12-13 Mahle International Gmbh Device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, in particular in the venting of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine
DE102006024816A1 (en) * 2006-05-29 2007-12-06 Mahle International Gmbh Device for venting a crankcase
US20070294858A1 (en) * 2006-06-23 2007-12-27 Murphy Jerry A Portable Vacuum Canister and Method of Waste Disposal Therefrom
DE202006011992U1 (en) * 2006-08-03 2007-12-20 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Housing for a crankcase ventilation device
KR100847861B1 (en) * 2007-03-09 2008-07-23 쌍용자동차 주식회사 Automotive Oil Separator
BE1017715A3 (en) * 2007-08-29 2009-04-07 Atlas Copco Airpower Nv LIQUID ASPECTOR.
DE102008017919A1 (en) * 2008-04-08 2009-10-15 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Separator for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine
CN101387212B (en) * 2008-10-29 2011-08-17 北京航空航天大学 Gas storage supercharging device applying to small-sized piston engine
DE102008058962A1 (en) * 2008-11-25 2010-05-27 Hengst Gmbh & Co.Kg Crankcase ventilation device of an internal combustion engine
US7866304B2 (en) * 2009-04-29 2011-01-11 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Engine fuel boil off management system
CN102741520B (en) * 2010-01-11 2016-01-20 康明斯过滤Ip公司 For the discharge pipe of gas-liquid separation system
DE102010002243B4 (en) * 2010-02-23 2017-06-22 Haldex Brake Products Aktiebolag Impurity separation device
DE102010009722A1 (en) * 2010-03-01 2011-09-01 Hengst Gmbh & Co. Kg Oil mist separator with at least one cyclone
US9429243B2 (en) 2011-12-14 2016-08-30 Numatics, Incorporated Adjustable pressure controlled valve
US9194254B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2015-11-24 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Reduced velocity valve
US9284866B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2016-03-15 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Valve bypass
JP5676529B2 (en) 2012-07-04 2015-02-25 アイシン精機株式会社 Oil separator
US20140033922A1 (en) * 2012-07-31 2014-02-06 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Methods and Assemblies for Separating Liquid from a Gas-Liquid Stream
US9670806B2 (en) * 2012-09-07 2017-06-06 Miniature Precision Components, Inc. Turbo PCV valve
US9976457B2 (en) 2012-09-07 2018-05-22 Miniature Precision Components, Inc. Turbo PCV valve
US9593605B2 (en) * 2012-09-17 2017-03-14 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Crankcase ventilation via crankcase pulsation
WO2015073946A2 (en) * 2013-11-18 2015-05-21 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Crankcase ventilation system having an oil jet pump with an integrated check valve
US9528407B2 (en) 2013-12-12 2016-12-27 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. High efficiency cyclone oil separator device
EP3097333B1 (en) 2014-01-21 2019-05-01 Asco, L.P. Pressure controlled and pressure control valve for an inflatable object
KR20160057114A (en) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-23 현대자동차주식회사 Oil separator
DE102015005692A1 (en) * 2015-05-06 2016-11-10 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Pressure control valve
US10661210B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2020-05-26 Miniature Precision Components, Inc. Oil separator including spiral members defining helical flow paths
US10286347B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2019-05-14 Miniature Precision Components, Inc. Oil separator including spiral members defining helical flow paths
US10352209B2 (en) 2015-11-25 2019-07-16 Solberg Mfg., Inc. Pressure regulator assemblies
ES2733448T3 (en) * 2016-01-04 2019-11-29 Danfoss As Capsule for a valve and valve
DE102017010071A1 (en) 2016-11-02 2018-05-03 Mann+Hummel Gmbh Unit for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure
DE102016013008A1 (en) * 2016-11-02 2018-05-03 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Unit for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure
DE102016013009A1 (en) * 2016-11-02 2018-05-03 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Unit for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure
DE102017010020A1 (en) * 2016-11-02 2018-05-03 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Unit for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure
DE102017010019A1 (en) * 2016-11-02 2018-05-03 Mann + Hummel Gmbh Unit for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure
DE102017120139A1 (en) * 2017-09-01 2019-03-07 Hengst Se Oil mist separator with pressure relief valves
WO2019112755A1 (en) * 2017-12-06 2019-06-13 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Crankcase ventilation systems having a swirl breaker to reduce pressure drop in tangentially exiting fluids
CN109469531B (en) * 2018-10-29 2020-04-24 台州滨海吉利发动机有限公司 Crankcase ventilation system oil and gas separator assembly and vehicle
KR102310702B1 (en) 2019-12-05 2021-10-08 (주)부마씨이 Separator for oil vapour
CN114622996B (en) * 2020-12-10 2025-03-04 通用电气阿维奥有限责任公司 Air/oil separator apparatus and method
WO2023212086A1 (en) 2022-04-26 2023-11-02 Solberg Mfg., Inc. Crankcase pressure regulator having umbrella style valve

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2701056A (en) 1951-09-01 1955-02-01 Thomas R Morton Method and apparatus for classifying and concentrating materials
DE3634122A1 (en) 1986-10-07 1988-04-21 Brombach Hansjoerg SWIVEL SEPARATOR
US5239972A (en) * 1992-03-24 1993-08-31 Nippon Soken, Inc. Gas/liquid separation device
US5450835A (en) * 1994-11-15 1995-09-19 Cummins Engine Company, Inc. Oil separator for reducing oil losses from crankcase ventilation
DE59600159D1 (en) * 1995-03-01 1998-05-28 Knecht Filterwerke Gmbh Cyclone separator for the crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine with a ventilation valve
JP3049269B2 (en) * 1995-05-26 2000-06-05 小島プレス工業株式会社 Oil trapper for internal combustion engine
DE19912271A1 (en) 1999-03-18 2000-09-28 Hengst Walter Gmbh & Co Kg Oil separator for de-oiling crankcase ventilation gases of an internal combustion engine
DE19918311A1 (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-11-02 Hengst Walter Gmbh & Co Kg Process for de-oiling crankcase ventilation gases and devices for carrying out the process
DE29908116U1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2000-09-28 Hengst Walter Gmbh & Co Kg Oil separator for de-oiling crankcase ventilation gases of an internal combustion engine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004013468A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10815849B2 (en) 2012-05-10 2020-10-27 Nabtesco Automotive Corporation Oil separator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4319982B2 (en) 2009-08-26
EP1525376B1 (en) 2009-01-21
US7422612B2 (en) 2008-09-09
DE50311125D1 (en) 2009-03-12
US20060090737A1 (en) 2006-05-04
DE20211329U1 (en) 2003-12-04
BR0305674B1 (en) 2013-03-05
ATE421634T1 (en) 2009-02-15
KR20050023230A (en) 2005-03-09
KR100743856B1 (en) 2007-08-01
JP2005533965A (en) 2005-11-10
WO2004013468A1 (en) 2004-02-12
BR0305674A (en) 2004-10-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1525376B1 (en) Oil separator for the separation of oil from the crankcase ventilation gas of an internal combustion engine
EP1095209B1 (en) Oil separator for deoiling crankcase ventilation gases of an internal combustion engine
EP1090210B2 (en) Method for removing oil from crankcase ventilation gases and devices for implementing said method
DE4427753C2 (en) Oil separator
DE4344506C2 (en) Cyclone for separating oil
EP2052136B1 (en) Device for seperating liquids from gases
EP1568861B1 (en) Blow-by-gas oil separator for combustion engine
DE3918343C2 (en)
EP1444423A1 (en) Device for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine
EP2021593A2 (en) Device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, in particular during ventilation of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine
DE102008017919A1 (en) Separator for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine
DE102008038160A1 (en) filtering device
DE102005059014A1 (en) Oil separator for an internal combustion engine, in particular diesel engine
DE3538843A1 (en) DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATING LIQUID MIXTURES
DE202020005600U1 (en) cyclone separator
DE2850768C2 (en) Air purifier as a pre-cleaner for combustion engines
EP1094204B1 (en) Device for crankcase ventilation with oil separator for a combustion engine
WO1998032955A1 (en) Internal combustion engine with a valve chamber cap
DE102004041110B4 (en) Internal combustion engine and associated cylinder head cover
EP1337308A1 (en) Module of units for an internal combustion engine
DE1476118B1 (en) A separator connected to the lubricating oil circuit of an internal combustion engine for impurities contained in the lubricating oil
WO2007071373A2 (en) Method and device for separating oil from crankcase breather gases from an internal combustion engine
AT525580B1 (en) INTERNAL ENGINE WITH AT LEAST ONE CYLINDER HEAD AND AT LEAST ONE CRANKCASE
EP4401857B1 (en) Liquid separation device for a compressor system, coarse separator for such a liquid separation device, and liquid separation system
DE102014220236B4 (en) Oil separator for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20040515

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090312

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090502

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090622

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090421

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20091022

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090421

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: HENGST G.M.B.H. & CO. KG

Effective date: 20090731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090724

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20100331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090731

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090724

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090422

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090724

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090724

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090722

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090121

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN - FACHANWALTSKANZLEI FUER GEWERBL, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN & PARTNER GBR, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: HENGST SE, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: HENGST GMBH & CO. KG, 48147 MUENSTER, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN & PARTNER GBR PATENT- UND RECHTSA, DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN - FACHANWALTSKANZLEI FUER GEWERBL, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R081

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Owner name: HENGST SE, DE

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: HENGST SE & CO. KG, 48147 MUENSTER, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN & PARTNER GBR, DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R082

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE

Representative=s name: SCHULZE HORN & PARTNER GBR PATENT- UND RECHTSA, DE

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20220913

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 50311125

Country of ref document: DE