Abstract: A centrifugal separator for removing particulate contaminants from liquid such as engine lubricants consists of a housing for securing to the engine having a funnel-shaped floor from which oil can drain centrally at a drainage duct. The housing is secured to a legged spider or cage carrying a hollow axle by which the apparatus is secured to the engine and oil delivered to a separation rotor canister. Liquid ejected tangentially from rotor nozzles to cause it to rotate tends to flow around the inside of the housing as a vortex and to prevent rotation of the canister being interfered with by climbing of the vortex or splashing of the liquid from such vortex, one or more vortex disruption vanes are formed with the legs of the cage to deflect liquid.

Abstract: A self-powered centrifugal separator, for separating particulate contaminants from a liquid lubricant of an automobile engine, includes a rotor container rotatable about an axle to which it is journalled by bushes. When the engine is running, a film of pressurized liquid between the bushes and axle lubricates them and provides radial stiffness, but when the engine stops and liquid supply ceases, radial stiffness is reduced and the partially emptying container may vibrate and create wind-down noise. At least one bush, which normally provides a horizontal thrust bearing to support the weight of the container at low speed, has, with the axle portion it surrounds, a region tapering in diameter to center the container with respect to the axle and provide both radial and axial support.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator (FIG. 1) has a base adapted to be mounted to a surface of a machine, such as an engine, with internally communicating high pressure liquid lubricant supply and low pressure drain passages. The base includes a control valve to inhibit supply to the rotor via spindle so that the cover and rotor can be removed whilst the base is still connected to the source of high liquid pressure. The valve takes the form of an aperture containing a valve body rotatable by handle to close the supply passage or (FIG. 2) create a diversion passage directly to the drain passage. An interlock device may be provided to impede cover removal with the valve open and/or impede accidental closure of the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning liquid such as lubricating oil of an engine in respect of cleaning it and regulating its temperature has, integrated into a single housing which is coupled to the engine block with aligned passages, a full flow cleaning element, a bypass centrifugal cleaning element and a heat exchanger element, the latter being formed as part of single closure element for the housing and removable for access to the cleaning elements. The heat exchange element may be disposed elsewhere in the housing and share a chamber with the full flow heating element, possibly one surrounding the other. The heat exchange element may be part of heat exchange apparatus which responds to the temperature of the liquid to effect heating or cooling to maintain a demanded temperature.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning system, which includes a barrier type filter having a back-flush arrangement for recovering filter contaminants from the back-flushed liquid which is available only at a low, not necessarily consistent, rate, includes a fluid-powered centrifugal cleaner which, in addition to the normal shaft-mounted rotor through which liquid is passed to separate contaminants centrifugally due to rotor speed, includes fluid drive means in the form of fluid reaction drive nozzles supplied with pumped liquid from the system as a drive fluid to rotate the rotor at a speed above the minimum to effect centrifugal separation of the contaminants from the back-flushed liquid in the rotor and accumulation of the outlet of the rotor. The spent drive fluid mixes with the cleaned back-flushed liquid in a discharge region and both may be re-used in the system.

Abstract: Centrifugal oil filters are described comprising a rotatable centrifugal cleaning cartridge, a shaft for rotation thereon, a co-operating member for connecting the filter assembly to a source of fluid to be cleaned, an outer casing member, a closure member for sealing one end of the casing member and a fluid drain conduit and wherein the centrifugal cleaning cartridge may be removed without removal of the outer casing member or disconnection of the fluid drain conduit.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter is described with a disassemblable cleaning rotor having a fluid flow directing member comprising an annular member which is removably located by its outer periphery by a sealing member and a base member.

Abstract: Disposable cartridges are described which are formed from thin sheet metal pressings and wherein the base member has integrally-formed nozzles to produce less turbulent flow in the oil jets issuing from the nozzles than in known cartridges. Less turbulent oil flow allows greater oil flow rate for a given nozzle diameter than in known constructions where oil flow is more turbulent. The decreased turbulence promotes greater rotational velocity at a given oil pressure and enhances the efficiency of separation of contaminants from the oil.

Abstract: A self-powered centrifugal separator, for separating particulate contaminants from a liquid lubricant of an automobile engine, includes a rotor container rotatable about an axle to which it is journalled by bushes. When the engine is running, a film of pressurized liquid between the bushes and axle lubricates them and provides radial stiffness, but when the engine stops and liquid supply ceases, radial stiffness is reduced and the partially emptying container may vibrate and create wind-down noise. At least one bush, which normally provides a horizontal thrust bearing to support the weight of the container at low speed, has, with the axle portion it surrounds, a region tapering in diameter to center the container with respect to the axle and provide both radial and axial support.