Abstract: Referring to the figures generally, a rotating filter cartridge includes a first endcap, a second endcap, and a filter media. The filter media is positioned between the first endcap and the second endcap. The filter media creates a mechanical seal between at least one of the first endcap or the second endcap during rotation of the rotating filter cartridge without the use of a potting material. In at least one embodiment, the rotating filter cartridge further includes a body secured to the first endcap and the second endcap. At least one of the first endcap or the second endcap, and the body, may form a pocket that radially pinches the filter media to form the mechanical seal.

Abstract: Provided is a removable cover (10) for the trailer hitch area of a vehicle such as an SUV, pickup truck or other vehicle (11). A fascia (12) having an opening (14) for allowing access for a trailer hitch area of a vehicle is provided. A cover member (16) for removably covering the opening (14) is operative for being secured in the opening (14). The cover member includes a lock mechanism for being received in the fascia, said lock mechanism including a depressible button release mechanism (18).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a missing coalescing element in a CV system are described. In some arrangements, the described systems and methods prevent the assembly and/or re-assembly of the CV system without an appropriate coalescing element positioned within the CV system housing (e.g., during a coalescing element service operation). In some arrangements, the coalescing element depresses a spring-loaded component of a shaft that provides flow of bypass gases to the CV system. If the spring-loaded component is not depressed, significant restriction is introduced to the CV system, and an on-board-diagnostic system may detect high-crankcase pressure through existing crankcase pressure sensors and de-rate the internal combustion engine. In other arrangements, a spring-loaded mechanism within the shaft prevents a housing cover (e.g., a lid to the housing of the CV system) from being repositioned when a coalescing element is not installed within the housing.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud tier an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.

Abstract: Assembly to be used to filter a fluid, containing a housing (29) which comprises a housing base (50) and a housing upper part (30) connected removably to the housing base (50). An axial shaft (34, 35) extends at least partially through the filter element (32, 33) when the filter element (32, 33) is contained inside the housing (29). A lower bearing (44) is arranged between the axial shaft (34, 35) and the housing base (50) and underneath the filter element (32, 33) when a filter element (32, 33) is contained inside the housing (29). The housing (29) is able to contain a filter element (32, 33) within it and the filter element (32, 33) fits onto the axial shaft (34, 35) in such a way that the axial shaft (34, 35) is rotationally coupled to the filter element (32, 33). The filter assembly (20, 120) has no bearing above the filter element (32, 33).

Abstract: Rotating coalescer crankcase ventilation (CV) systems are described. The described CV systems utilize a contact seal to seal a gap between a static side of a housing and a rotating coalescer inlet. The rotating coalescer may be driven mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, or the like. The contact seal can be formed via a soft solid or a liquid film created by oil. Accordingly, the contact seal is a hydrodynamic soft seal. The contact seal prevents the blowby gases from bypassing the filter element of the rotating coalescer. At the same time, the contact seal may be broken during positive blowby gas recirculation circumstances because the contact seal is a hydrodynamic soft seal.

Abstract: Referring to the figures generally, rotating filter cartridges (e.g., a rotating coalescers) for a rotating filtration system (e.g., rotating coalescer crankcase ventilation systems) are described. The described filter cartridges use mechanically created seals to seal the filter media to the endcaps of the filter cartridges. Accordingly, the described filter cartridges eliminate the need to use a potting or embedding material during manufacturing of the filter cartridge, thereby eliminating the costs and potential manufacturing defects associated with the potting or embedding material and process.

Abstract: Assembly to be used to filter a fluid, containing a housing (29) which comprises a housing base (50) and a housing upper part (30) connected removably to the housing base (50). An axial shaft (34, 35) extends at least partially through the filter element (32, 33) when the filter element (32, 33) is contained inside the housing (29). A lower bearing (44) is arranged between the axial shaft (34, 35) and the housing base (50) and underneath the filter element (32, 33) when a filter element (32, 33) is contained inside the housing (29). The housing (29) is able to contain a filter element (32, 33) within it and the filter element (32, 33) fits onto the axial shaft (34, 35) in such a way that the axial shaft (34, 35) is rotationally coupled to the filter element (32, 33). The filter assembly (20, 120) has no bearing above the filter element (32, 33).

Abstract: Rotating coalescer crankcase ventilation (CV) systems are described. The described CV systems utilize a contact seal to seal a gap between a static side of a housing and a rotating coalescer inlet. The rotating coalescer may be driven mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, or the like. The contact seal can be formed via a soft solid or a liquid film created by oil. Accordingly, the contact seal is a hydrodynamic soft seal. The contact seal prevents the blowby gases from bypassing the filter element of the rotating coalescer. At the same time, the contact seal may be broken during positive blowby gas recirculation circumstances because the contact seal is a hydrodynamic soft seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a missing coalescing element in a CV system are described. In some arrangements, the described systems and methods prevent the assembly and/or re-assembly of the CV system without an appropriate coalescing element positioned within the CV system housing (e.g., during a coalescing element service operation). In some arrangements, the coalescing element depresses a spring-loaded component of a shaft that provides flow of bypass gases to the CV system. If the spring-loaded component is not depressed, significant restriction is introduced to the CV system, and an on-board-diagnostic system may detect high-crankcase pressure through existing crankcase pressure sensors and de-rate the internal combustion engine. In other arrangements, a spring-loaded mechanism within the shaft prevents a housing cover (e.g., a lid to the housing of the CV system) from being repositioned when a coalescing element is not installed within the housing.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud tier an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud for an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system having a heat transfer conduit included therein. The system includes a housing and a crankcase ventilation filter element within the housing, the crankcase ventilation filter element configured to separate oil and oil aerosol from blow-by gases from a crankcase. An oil inlet is configured to receive pressurized oil from a component of an internal combustion engine. The conduit is positioned within the housing. The conduit is positioned along a length of the housing and is configured to carry the pressurized oil from the oil inlet to a component of the crankcase ventilation system. The conduit is configured to transfer thermal energy from the pressurized oil to the housing. An oil outlet is configured to return the pressurized oil to the crankcase.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system having a heat transfer conduit included therein. The system includes a housing and a crankcase ventilation filter element within the housing, the crankcase ventilation filter element configured to separate oil and oil aerosol from blow-by gases from a crankcase. An oil inlet is configured to receive pressurized oil from a component of an internal combustion engine. The conduit is positioned within the housing. The conduit is positioned along a length of the housing and is configured to carry the pressurized oil from the oil inlet to a component of the crankcase ventilation system. The conduit is configured to transfer thermal energy from the pressurized oil to the housing. An oil outlet is configured to return the pressurized oil to the crankcase.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator has a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. A nozzle structure in the housing has a plurality of nozzles that receive the gas-liquid stream and accelerate the gas-liquid stream therethrough to create a plurality of gas-liquid jets. An inertial collector in the housing causes a sharp directional change of the gas-liquid jets, causing separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream to produce the gas stream. The inertial collector has a porous collection substrate. According to the present disclosure, at least one of the following three conditions is met: (a) the porous collection substrate comprises fibers of small diameter and has low packing density; (b) the porous collection substrate comprises oleophobic fibers; and (c) the nozzle structure and the inertial collector are configured to allow for full expansion of the plurality of gas-liquid jets.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator has a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. A nozzle structure in the housing has a plurality of nozzles that receive the gas-liquid stream and accelerate the gas-liquid stream therethrough to create a plurality of gas-liquid jets. An inertial collector in the housing causes a sharp directional change of the gas-liquid jets, causing separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream to produce the gas stream. The inertial collector has a porous collection substrate. According to the present disclosure, at least one of the following three conditions is met: (a) the porous collection substrate comprises fibers of small diameter and has low packing density: (b) the porous collection substrate comprises oleophobic fibers; and (c) the nozzle structure and the inertial collector are configured to allow for full expansion of the plurality of gas-liquid jets.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud for an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A two stage gas-liquid separator assembly includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. A first plenum chamber includes a pre-separator that causes liquid to separate from the gas-liquid stream and to drain to a lower portion of the first plenum chamber. A second plenum chamber includes a main separator downstream of the pre-separator that further causes liquid to separate from the gas-liquid stream and to drain to a lower portion of the second plenum chamber. A first drain port drains liquid from the lower portion of the first plenum chamber and a second drain port drains liquid from the lower portion of the second plenum chamber. Liquid drains from the first and second plenum chambers regardless of a pressure difference between a pressure in the first plenum chamber and a pressure in the second plenum chamber.