FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure deals with advancement in stabilizing air-pressure in a mechanically enclosed environment such as a gear box / differential/ transmission etc. More particularly the present invention relates to a vacuum relief valve and / or air breather valve in a mechanically closed environment with single / twin ball valve with one vent. The present invention is therefore designed in particular to substitute the complex vent hose assembly and breather vent and thereby which controls and dynamically regulates the pressure or vacuum of the area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Breather Vents permit free exchange of filtered air for gear cases, crank cases vented to atmosphere. Rugged and corrosion resistant, some breather vent models can be adapted to incorporate oil separators for special applications. The basic model of breather vent passes air through a filter media stopping solid particles. A micro metal filter (100 micrometers or finer) is an option for use in areas where high temperature, corrosive vapors or fine filtration issues exist.

[0003] In most internal combustion engines, it is desirable to maintain the pressure within the crankcase at a level equal to or slightly less than atmospheric pressure to reduce leaks through gaskets and seals from the crankcase to the atmosphere. As is well known, in an internal combustion engine, so-called blow- by gases are emitted in the crankcase as a result of leaks of the air-fuel intake mixture and combustion gases through the clearances around piston rings during the compression, combustion and/or exhaust cycles. Because of these blow-by gases, the internal crankcase pressure will inherently rise promoting oil leakage from the crankcase to the surrounding environment.

[0004] Many heavy duty and high horsepower engines use a turbocharger or supercharger to increase the power output of the engine. In such an engine, the fresh air intake is pressurized before entering the combustion chamber, thereby allowing the combustion of more fuel and producing more power for a given engine volume. This design creates difficulties for CCV systems as the lower pressure blow-by gases cannot be introduced directly into the higher pressure intake air line.

[0005] Since the gear boxes are often subjected to extreme temperature variations, it is desirable for a transmission fluid to function somewhat consistently over the vehicle operating range. In addition to variations in ambient operating temperatures, a transmission fluid is also subjected to heat generated by friction produced by the numerous rotating components. This temperature fluctuation is manifested as a change in viscosity of the transmission fluid. The change in viscosity may pose a number of challenges in designing a mechanical transmission for consistent performance over a typical operating range.

[0006] Ambient and operating temperature variations also result in expansion and contraction of transmission fluid, which results in fluctuations in the transmission fluid volume. This results in a pressure differential between the interior of the transmission and the exterior, which is subjected to atmospheric pressure. Such pressure differences could cause failure of the transmission seals. For this reason the air breather is used for a mechanically enclosed environment Thus, it is desirable to control the pressure differential using vents between the interior and exterior of a transmission. [0007] Thus, a number of transmission manufacturers have added a vent or breather to their transmissions to equalize interior and exterior pressures. For many applications, a small vent tube, which is strategically positioned, provides this function. However, many of the prior art devices allow bridging of the transmission fluid which results in unnecessary fluid expulsion. Bridging occurs when the transmission fluid spans the opening of the vent or breather due to the cohesion tension of a viscous fluid. As the transmission warms up, the pressure increases within the transmission creating bubbles within the tube or breather which forces the fluid to be expelled unnecessarily from the transmission.

[0008] A Japanese application JP10002223A2 made by ISUZU MOTORS LTD discloses air vent valve for engine. The application provides a solution with an air vent valve with a structure and work simplified and facilitated, to prevent molding sand and foreign matter from accumulating in a valve case, accordingly prevent a ball valve unit from sticking, and smoothly surely move to a valve seat of the ball unit by cooling water after venting air. In an air vent valve provided in a cooling system upper part of an engine to have a ball valve unit, a lower part of a valve case receiving the ball valve unit is widely opened with a support part left of a ball valve unit, also in a side wall above the ball valve unit in the valve case an air bleed hole is formed, molding sand and foreign matter in the engine, even when infiltrating in the valve case, can be released to the outside from a lower end opening part of the valve case, sticking of the ball valve unit is prevented, the valve unit can be always normally operated. Further, when the engine is started, by a cooling air flow from the lower end opening part of the valve case, the ball valve unit is smoothly surely moved upward, to be made seatable in a valve seat, the engine after starting can be quickly warmed up, also even a structure and work are simplified and facilitated.

[0009] Also an US application No. US5653258 made by Behr-Thomson GmbH & Co. discloses a vent valve. The vent valve for a thermostatic valve of a coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine has a ball with a radius and a diameter and serving as a sealing element, and a one-piece metal cage for the ball. The cage has a pot-shaped part with an inside diameter larger than the diameter of the ball, and a bottom having a valve opening surrounded by an outwardly projecting neck. The cage is shaped in one piece from an originally flat metal sheet by stamping, deep-drawing, and pressing, and the pot-shaped part has a height approximately the radius of the ball, and an edge abutted by a plurality of uniformly distributed tabs located on an axial extension of the pot-shaped part, the tabs having inwardly bent ends to retain the ball in the cage with play, the length of the tabs being greater than or equal to the height of the pot-shaped part.

[0010] Thus, it is desirable to provide a transmission breather, which provides pressure equalization while reducing or eliminating unnecessary transmission fluid expulsion from the breather during normal operation of the transmission without allowing easy entry of external contaminants into the transmission. It is also desirable to provide a breather, which reduces or eliminates fluid escape in the form of vapor. It is also desirable to provide a breather, which comprises only a few parts, which can be easily manufactured and which can be easily installed in the transmission with a top-drivable tool, such as a socket wrench or a screwdriver. It is also desirable to provide a breather, which is designed to withstand the types of impacts which could occur over the lifetime of the breather and which is corrosion resistant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Therefore such as herein described the present invention discloses vacuum relief valve and / or air breather valve for a mechanically closed environment. The present invention is therefore designed in particular to substitute the vent hose assembly and breather vent and any other existing devices which controls and dynamically regulates the pressure or vacuum of a mechanically enclosed environment by a air breather vent assembly with single vent and single / twin ball valve. The vent is designed with single / twin ball valve since it allows free passage of air in and out of the chamber while prevents water ingestion and spillage of lubricant into and out of an enclosure in adverse circumstances.

[0012] The air breather vent assembly with single vent and single / twin ball valve operable for a mechanically enclosed environment as herein disclosed, comprising of a body with a circular centrally oriented exhaust and intake chamber two ball valves and a cap to cover the said body it house air filter fiber for intake of fresh air and oil filter for exhaust air impregnated with oil vapour.

[0013] Therefore it is a prime objective of the present invention is to device a vent system, which can be installed easily either manually or by robot as needed in the present day assembly lines of manufacturing industry.

[0014] As per another object of the present invention is to introduce vacuum limiting assembly, which controls and dynamically adjusts the amount of vacuum of an internal combustion engine / gear box /transmission /differential etc.

[0015] As per another object of the present invention there is provided a unit assembly which is a compact engineered product designed to stabilize air- pressure in a mechanically enclosed environment such as a gear box, transmission, differential etc.

[0016] As per another object of the present invention there is provided a unit assembly which meets all the requirements of the assemblies (gear box etc), so effectively, besides bestowing tremendous cost reduction benefit that the manufactures / user would appreciate, world-wide. [0017] As per an exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided a unit assembly, which is, threaded for an easy installation over the gear box, differential, transmission assemblies, etc.

[0018] As per an exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided an air breather vent assembly with single vent and single / twin ball valve_operable for a mechanically enclosed environment, comprising of a body with a circular centrally oriented exhaust and intake chamber single / twin ball valves in separate housings; a cap to cover the said body and house air filter fibers for intake of fresh air and oil filter for exhaust air impregnated with air vapour.

[0019] As per another object of the present invention there is provided an unit assembly which does not allows any spillage of lubricant from gearbox /differential chamber etc., in case the automobile rolls and settles as an add angle, thereby ensuring no possible fire hazard (possible, for example, if the leaking lubricant comes in contact with silencer of the vehicle, which due to use of catalysts assume high temperature).

[0020] Beside, the present invention results in benefit like:

• No spilled lubricant, no slippery road besides no fire hazard.

• Manpower saving in manufactures assembly lines.

• Increased productivity for the manufactures.

• Reduced inventory for the manufactures.

[0021] As per another exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is provided a unit assembly, which functions as air lock and arrests water from entering into the enclosure. [0022] As per another object of the present invention there is a provided air filter elements in the unit assembly which ensures intake of only clean air inside the chamber as well as allows escape of only clean air into the atmosphere.

[0023] As per another object of the present invention there is provided a voluminous cap unit assembly wherein the increased height ensures accumulation of water (if submerged in water) ,the single / twin ball ensures no water ingestion, what so ever.

[0024] another object of the present invention is to provide a vent assembly that is easy to construct, easy to install, inexpensive and versatile.

[0025] Yet still another object of the instant invention is to provide a vent assembly, which inhibits contaminants from entering the space of the container.

[0026] Still a further object of the immediate invention is the provision of inhibiting personal injury with a vent when the liquid carried within the container is toxic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0027] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] Fig 1 (A) is the plan view of the cap of the air breather valve assembly in accordance with the present invention; [0029] Fig 1(B) is the cross sectional view of the cap of the air breather valve assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0030] Fig 2(A) illustrates the machined or molded body cross sectional view of the body in accordance with the present invention;

[0031] Fig 2(B) illustrates the spring in accordance with the present invention;

[0032] Fig 3 illustrates the view of the spherical steel ball in accordance with the present invention;

[0033] Fig 4(A) illustrates the cross sectional view with diamond polished seat contained in the housing;

[0034] Fig 4(B) illustrates the plan view of the housing in accordance with the present invention;

[0035] Fig 5(A) illustrates the cross sectional view of the spacer in accordance with the present invention;

[0036] Fig 5(B) illustrates the plan view of the spacer in accordance with the present invention;

[0037] Fig 6 illustrates the cross sectional view of the complete assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0038] Fig 7 illustrates the cross-section of an embodiment of the present invention with reduced size body with single valve assembly designed to suite specific applications in accordance with the present invention; [0039] Fig 8 illustrates the front view of the assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] For the purposes of promoting understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

[0041] These days the pollution control laws have mandated the engine emissions be reduced, and prevented from venting to the atmosphere. Engine exhaust must be cleaned and rendered environmentally safe. As a result, such advances as unleaded fuels and catalytic converters have been developed. Blow by devices such as pollution control valves (PCV) have become required standard equipment for all automobiles. These devices capture emissions from the crankcase and communicate them in a closed system to the air intake system for the automobile. Also there is a need for air vent designed specially for engines of different standards and power. Therefore, the present product has been designed to stabilize air-pressure in a mechanically enclosed environment such as a gear box, transmission, differential etc. Besides, it prevents oil vapor to exhaust into the atmosphere. Further, it is designed to substitute vent hose assembly and breather vent most commonly used, presently, in such assemblies, world over.

[0042] The disclosed vent has single / twin ball valves resting over the seats. The valve makes an air tight seal and thus does not permit air or water to enter the chamber. Thus the vent assembly deals with the help of single /twin ball valve the problem of exhaust and suction at the same time and does not allow water ingestion in case of submerged condition of the vehicle and also no oil spill in case the vehicle rests at an steep inclination or turns upside down due to accident.

[0043] The top of the body is covered with a cap as shown in Fig 1(A) and 1(B). This cap functions as air lock and arrests water from entering into the gear box by forming an air lock. The cap is crimped over the body after completing the assembly of the sub components over and inside the body and is spring loaded.

[0044] The figures 2(A) to 5(B) shows the different components of the air breather valve assembly. Fig 2(A) shows the body with a centrally spaced chamber for holding one or two ball valve assembly. The body holds all the other sub component parts and has male thread, which fits in, the female thread of a receptor housing. The body further comprises of a circular chamber, which further contains valve allowing air passage to the gear box chamber, for the purposes of exhaust and the air intake / suction respectively. The outer shape of the body is configured further to hold a cap. The cap holds onto the body. The cap is crimped after the valves and other parts are in position and unit it tested. Further Fig 2(A) illustrates that the threads and / or the dimensions of the threads can be changed as per need of the recapture/ chamber are provided with holes at the bottom for the air intake and exhaust. The body also comprise of side chamber for housing the air and oil filter. As per an embodiment of the present invention the body is modified so that a pair of valves can be accommodated in the central chamber of the air breather assembly.

[0045] Now referring to Fig 6, which illustrates the assembly with all the functional parts. The cross section shows all the parts used in the fitting and explains the functioning of the product. When the pressure rises hot air and / or gases from chamber / box adopt the route shown in the figure. Moreover, when the suction pressure is created due to the cooling off, air finds way into the chamber adopting the route is also shown in the figure, i.e. through central chamber below the valve assembly. Both the valve operates at a very nominal pressure / suction. In case the gearbox / differential is submerged in water and develop suction pressure.

[0046] The design is basically single / twin ball valve in housing in central single shaft. The earlier versions were having the shaft (chamber) side by side. The new version is simple and cheaper. The earlier version used forces of springs to make the valve functional. In the present version the single chamber is used for intake and the exhaust. Further it has single / double valve, each with two seats. When the fitting is in upright position the lower seat and the ball makes a leak proof valve and release exhaust pressure by lifting the valve. The size of the valve may vary with the increase and decrease of the exhaust pressure. But when the fitting is inverted, he ball rests on the upper seat and prevents any oil spillage. The gravitational force, instead of the spring power has been utilized in the present case.

[0047] It is keeping insight the application / instillation constraints. The single ball has a smaller height. It protrudes only around 12-15mm above the receptacles. This is conducive were height limitations or chances of mechanical damage to the fitting are apprehended. Where height and damage issue is not involved the double ball fitting which protruded around 20-25mm can be used. The first one suits tractors, heavy earthmovers etc, whereas the second is used for cars, buses, trucks etc.

[0048] Though single ball with two diamond polish seats (in affect functioning as two valves) meets the requirements of a vent. i.e. allows exhaust, allows intake, ensures no oil spillage, and no water ingesting etc but the double valve has been introduced to function as an air lock.

All the parts can be made of any metal like steel, aluminum, brass copper etc or any polymer like nylon, polycarbonate, etc. [0049] Exhaust air ( shown by arrow) from the chamber goes up the assembly , when pressure inside the chamber increases and lifts the two balls , one after another from the airtight seats of the housing No.4 and No. 2.

[0050] Intake air (shown by arrow) goes inside the chamber, when suction is created inside the chamber due to cooling through the space between the cap and the slant of the body, when there is slight vibration in the vehicles , the freely resting light weight balls rattles on its seat, immediately neutralizing the suction.

[0051 ] In effect , the assembly allows free flow of air in and out of the chamber as the very movement of vehicle allows rattling of the ball incessantly .

[0052] When the vehicles turns upside down for whatever reason the two valves rests on the seats of housing No. 1 and No. 3, Thus preventing any spillage of lubricant from inside the chamber. Water ingestion is prevented first by the airlock of the cap and then by the two ball valves, which firmly seats on the airtight seats of the housing No. 2 and No. 4.

[0053] In effect, the double ball and double seats ensures double protection against water ingestion and oil spillage ensuring complete immunity from any failure of the assembly.

[0054] Referring to fig 7 the assembly has same function and has been designed for installation on the gear boxes etc, where height of theTittings need to be kept low for reasons of space or such other considerations like protection against possible mechanical damage to the assembly while in use by the customer.

[0055] Reference: to fig 2(B) the spring allows the cap to rattle so that any mud , dirt does not stick to the body thus ensuring free intake and exhaust of air in and out of the receptacle. [0056] The presently disclosed air breather assembly has single valve chamber. The vent has single / twin steel valve which permits free passage of air inside the chamber and out of chamber. The breather assembly is configured to protect contamination of lube oil in the chamber due to water ingestion in case of suction pressure due to cooling the space between the body and the cap holds the water that may be sucked in under the submerged condition of the vehicle. Further it is also configured to protect the spillage of lube oil from the chamber in case the vehicle rests at a steep gradient or turns upside down due to accident.

[0057] Oil and the air filter are placed underneath the cap along the side chamber of the body. The oil filter and the air filter so provided also ensures clean air intake inside the chamber, enhancing the life of the lube oil and also clean air exhaust into the atmosphere to save environment. The intake and the exhaust passage is through the central lube the cap is spring loaded.

[0058] Inside of cap is filled with air filter for exhaust air to trap oil vapours discharging into the atmosphere.

Some of the advantages of the air breather valve assembly are as under:

1. Only pure air (without SPM - Suspended Particulate Matter) intake.

2. Lubricant not gets contaminated due to SPM.

3. Life of the lubricating oil increases. Result: longer servicing interval, less discarded lubricant, less traffic on already over flowing roads.

4. Life of the messing pinion increases. Result: less iron ore mining less deforestation.

5. Life of the oil seals increases.

6. Efficiency of the engine.

7. Smooth power transmission has positive impact on the fuel consumption and speed.

8. Overall cost saving in running / maintaining the vehicle.

9. Pollution (air and noise) gets reduced. 10. Creates a satisfied customer / user.

[0059] Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.