The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 16, 1998
Randy E Dewhirst, Onalaska, WI (US);
Matthew Cambio, Black River Falls, WI (US);
Wayne G Gorski, Bangor, WI (US);
American Standard Inc., Piscataway, NJ (US);
Abstract
A refrigeration apparatus contains an oil sump having an interior portion. A housing is located, at least in part, within the oil sump interior. The housing has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The inlet allows a vent gas stream to enter the housing and the outlet allows a vent gas stream to exit the housing. The inlet may be an aperture extending circumferentially around the housing about one-third to one-half of the housing's circumference. Additionally, the inlet should be above the surface level of any oil pool in the sump. A coalescing demister filter is located within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The housing may include a wall for sheltering the filter from agitated areas of the gearbox. The filter is configured to remove substantially all of the oil from the vent gas stream. The filter may also have an outlet end which is sealed from the oil sump. The filter may also be pleated and enhances oil coalescence. The filter may be substantially hollow, having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface may be in communication with the housing outlet and the outer surface may be in communication with the housing inlet. The apparatus may also contain a compressor which has a low pressure area, or suction cover. The outlet communicates with the suction cover interior and the low pressure area. The compressor low pressure area may be downstream of the compressor guide vanes and upstream of the compressor impeller.