DK181866B1

DK181866B1 - A system for servicing an oil filter

Info

Publication number: DK181866B1
Application number: DKPA202270490A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Skovlund Andersen Lars
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
Priority date: 2022-10-10
Filing date: 2022-10-10
Publication date: 2025-02-26
Also published as: DK202270490A1; EP4602311A1; WO2024081241A1

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a system (100) for servicing an oil filter (110, 120, 130, 140, 150). The system (100) comprises an oil filter (110) having a first inlet for receiving oil, a first outlet valve (230) for delivering filtered oil, a second inlet valve (290) for receiving a pressurized gas, and a second outlet valve (340) for draining oil. The system is characterized by the system comprising two or more oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) each having a first inlet valve (170, 180, 190, 200, 210) for receiving oil, a first outlet valve (230, 240, 250, 260, 270) for delivering filtered oil, a second inlet valve (290, 300, 310, 320, 330) for receiving a pressurized gas, and a second outlet valve (340) for draining oil; wherein the system (100) is configured to be in operation when the first inlet valve (170) and the first outlet valve (230) of an oil filter (110) to be serviced are closed to drain oil within the oil filter (110) to be serviced through the second outlet valve (340) by introducing pressurized gas through the second inlet valve (290).

Description

A SYSTEM FOR SERVICING AN OIL FILTER

19001] The present disclosure relates generally to oil filter units. 10002] A typical HVAC (heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning) system includes an oil filter to filter oil required for lubrication of a compressor of the HVAC

S system. The oil filter receives oil from an oil cooler, filters received oil, and delivers filtered oil to the compressor. The oil filter needs to be serviced periodically. Servicing may include cleaning clogged filter media or changing filter media with a new filter media. Typically, servicing of the oil filter is carried out by shutting-off the otl filter.

If the HVAC system has single oil filter, operation of compressor is ceased due to shutting-off the oil filter. Multiple oil filters arranged in parallel also imply a similar situation as pressure drop of individual oil filters becomes unacceptable and poses a risk of filter media rupture. 10093] Additionally, during servicing, oil remaining in oil filter body is drained.

Drained otl is either wasted or may be pumped back to an oil reservoir after filtering.

IS However, filtering of drained oil pose a risk of contamination. Loss of oil entails topping up oil reservoir with fresh oil. 10004] From US patent application US 2021/0332878 Al a filter system and a method for changing an oil filter is known in which pressurized gas is used for discharging oil from the oil filter. However, system requires that the system is stopped during the changing of the oil filter. 10005] Therefore, there is felt a need for an oil filter unit that filters oil uninterruptediy and minimizes wastage of oil during servicing.

SUMMARY

10006] The present disclosure discloses a system for servicing an oil filter. The system comprises an oil filter having a first inlet for receiving oil, a first outlet valve for delivering filtered oil, a second inlet valve for receiving a pressurized gas, and a second outlet valve for draining oil. The system is characterized by the system comprising two or more oil filters each having a first inlet valve for receiving oil, a first outlet valve for delivering filtered cil, a second inlet valve for receiving a

S pressurized gas, and a second outlet valve for draining oil; wherein the system is configured to be in operation when the first inlet valve and the first outlet valve of an oil filter to be serviced are closed to drain oil within the oil filter to be serviced through the second outlet valve by introducing pressurized gas through the second inlet valve. 10007] In some embodiments, in operation, the oil filters include one or more idle oil filters, the idle oil filters are inoperative during normal operation of the oil filters and is utilized when one of the oil filters is being serviced. 10008] In some embodiments, the oil filters each include a filter media defining an unfiltered oil section and a filtered oil section within the oil filter. The second outlet valve is connected to the filtered oil section of the oil filter. In some embodiments, the oil filters include a third outlet valve connected to the unfiltered oil section for draining unfiltered oil from the oil filter. 10099] In some embodiments, pressurized gas is a refrigerant discharged by a

COMpPressor. 10010] In some embodiments, the second outlet valves of the oil filters are in fluid communication with an outlet header having a sight window for inspecting fluid flow through the outlet header.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

19011] Varnous objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 10012] Figure | is a schematic view depicting an oil filter unit, according to some embodiments,

[6013] Figure 21s another schematic view depicting the oil filter unit.

[0014] Figures 3-11 depict various positions of valves in the oil filter during draining of oil from oil filters, according to some embodiments. 10015) Figure 12 is a schematic view of an oil filter unit, according to some other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

10016] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business- related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. {8017} When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as

DK 181866 B1 4 excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

AN OIL FILTER UNIT

[0018] The present disclosure envisages an oil filter unit that facilitates an — uninterrupted oil supply and minimizes wastage of oil during servicing of the unit. 190191 The oil filter unit, of the present disclosure, includes two or more oil filters,

Each filter is provided with a filter media to filter oil. In some embodiments, the unit may include one or more idle filters. The idle filter is not in operation during normal operation of the filter unit, and is operated when one of the filters are serviced. Number — ofidle filters may depend upon number of oil filters undergoing servicing collectively.

For example, the unit may include a single idle filter when a single filter is serviced at a time. The unit may include two idle filters when two filters are serviced at a time. 100201 The oil filter may have a first inlet port and a first outlet port. The first inlet port of each oil filter is in fluid communication with a first inlet header via a first inlet 18 walve. The oil filter receives oil from the first inlet header. Preferably, the first inlet header receives oil from an oil cooler. The first outlet port of each oil filter is in fluid communication with a first outlet header via a first outlet valve. The first outlet header may be in fluid communication with a compressor manifold to deliver filtered oil. A filter media is provided in the oil filter between the first inlet and the first outlet. The filter media filters oil received from the oil cooler. Filtered oil is conveyed to the compressor manifold via the outlet header. 19021] Each oil filter unit may include a second inlet port and a second outlet port.

The second inlet port is in communication with a second inlet header which receives a pressurized gas. The unit may include a second inlet valve provided between the — second inlet header and each second inlet port to control flow of gas into the oil filter.

Similarly, the second outlet port 18 in fuld communication with a second outlet header via a second outlet valve.

DK 181866 B1 10022] Requirement of servicing an oil filter may be determined on the basis of pressure drop in the oil filters. For example, when pressure drop over the oil filters have reached a threshold value, the oil filters are subjected to servicing. During servicing, a filter media in the oil filters is either cleaned or changed with a new filter 5 media. When a filter media in a particular oil filter is to be replaced or cleaned, a first inlet valve is closed. Further, first outlet valve is closed and simultaneously, the second outlet valve is opened to remove oil from the oil filter. Further, the second inlet valve is opened to allow pressurized gas to enter the oil filter. Once residual oil in the oil filter is removed, the second inlet valve 1s closed. Pressure in the oil filter is released.

Filter media in the oil filter is changed or cleaned. Further, the oil filter is pressurized by opening the first inlet valve. Before pressurizing the oil filter, the second outlet valve is closed. Once the oil filter is pressurized, the first outlet valve is opened and oil flow is established in the oil filter by opening the first outlet valve. 100231 The oil filter unit is now described in more details with reference to 18 accompanying figures 1-12. 10024] Referning to FIGs. 1-2, an oil filter unit 100 is shown to include a plurality of oil filters 110, 120, 130, 140, 150. Although the accompanying figures depict the unit 100 with five filters, the unit 100 is not limited to five filters and can include any number of filters as per application requirement. — 10025] Each oil filter 110-150 has inlet ports and outlet ports. First inlet ports receive oil from an oil cooler (not shown in figures) via a first inlet header 160. A first inlet valve 170-210 is provided between the first inlet header 160 and respective first inlet ports. The first inlet valve 170-210 is provided to control flow of oil entering in the oil filters 110-150 through the first inlet header 160. First outlet ports are in fluid communication with a compressor manifold (not shown in figures) via a first outlet header 220. A first outlet valve 230-270 is provided between the first outlet header 220 and respective first outlet ports to control oil flow from the first outlet ports to the first outlet header 220.

DK 181866 B1 6 10026] Each of the oil filters 110-150 has a second inlet port in fluid communication with a second inlet header 280. A second inlet valve 290-330 is provided between the second inlet port and the second inlet header 280. The second inlet header 280 receives a pressurized gas. In some embodiments, the second header 280 may receive

S pressurized vapor refrigerant from a compressor. the second inlet valves 290-330 are provided to control flow of pressurized gas from the second inlet header 280 into the oil filters 110-150 via the second inlet ports. 10027) Further, each of the oil filters 110-150 has a second outlet port for draining oil from the oil filter. The second outlet port can be in fluid communication with a second outlet header via second outlet valves. For sake of clarity, only one second outlet valve 340 of the oil filter 110 is shown in accompanying figures. A vertical header 350 may be connected to the second outlet header for allowing flow of fluid therethrough. The fluid can be oil, refrigerant gas, mixture of oil and gas, etc. A sight glass window 360 may be provided on the vertical header 350 to inspect flow of fluid 18 through the vertical header 350.

[0028] A method of servicing an oil filter in the unit 100 is now described in detail.

The oil filters 110-150 include an idle filter 150 which is non-operative during normal operation of the unit 100. Referring to FIG. 1, when the unit 100 is operating in a normal mode, the first inlet valve 210 of the idle filter 150 is closed. Referring to FIG. 2, when one of the oil filters 110-150 is to be serviced, the first inlet valve 210 of the idle filter 150 1s opened to allow oil flow therethrough

[0029] The first inlet valve of the oil filter to be serviced is closed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first inlet valve 170 of a first oil filter 110 is closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first outlet valve 230 is closed and simultaneously, the second outlet valve 340 is opened. This allows pressure in the oil filter 110 to drop to suction pressure. Once flow of foaming oil through the second outlet header is stopped, pressurized gas can be injected through the second inlet port 290. Flow of oil through the second outlet header can be inspected through the sight glass window 360.

DK 181866 B1 10030] Referring to FIG. 5, pressurized gas is injected into the first oil filter 110 by opening the second inlet valve 290. The gas pushes oil in the oil filter 110 to pass through the second outlet valve 340 and subsequently through the second outlet header, thereby removing cil from the oil filter 110. When the flow of fluid seen

S through the sight glass window 360 changes from foamy oil to gas signifying that all the oil in the oil filter 110 is removed, the second inlet valve 290 is closed as shown in

FIG. 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second outlet valve 340 is closed and pressure in the oil filter 110 is adjusted to atmospheric pressure by opening a valve 370 on a cover 380 of the oil filter 110. Left-over oil can be drained through a cover plug. j0831}] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the cover 380 is removed to access filter media in the oil filter 110. The filter media is either cleaned or replaced with new filter media. Once the oil filter 110 is serviced, the cover 380 is attached to the ail filter 110 (shown in FIG. 9) and cavity within the oil filter 110 is vacuumized. Further, the oil filter 110 is pressurized by opening the first inlet valve 170 as shown in FIG. 10 and 18 subsequently opening the first outlet valve 230 as shown in FIG. 11. 10032] In similar way, other oil filters can be serviced. Once the oil filters are serviced, an inlet valve of the idle filter can be closed. In some embodiments, a different filter can be selected as an idle filter. For example, instead of a fifth oil filter 150, a fourth oil filter 140 can be selected as idle filter and a first inlet valve of the fourth filter can be closed to maintain the fourth filter 140 as idle filter. 100331 A filter media typically divides the oil filter into two sections, viz, filtered oil section and unfiltered oil section. Oil, before passing through the filter media, 18 present in the unfiltered oil section, whereas oil, after passing through the filter media, is present in the filtered oil section. In some embodiments, the second outlet valve 340 is connected to the filtered oil section of the oil filter 110. 10034] Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of the present invention is shown,

The unit 100 includes a third outlet valve 390-430 connected to an unfiltered section of each oil filter 110-150. The third outlet valves 390-430 are in fluid communication

DK 181866 B1 g with a header arrangement 440. The header arrangement 440 may include a sight glass window 450 for visually inspecting fluid flow through the header arrangement 440.

The third outlet valves 390-430 operates in a way similar to that of the second outlet valves. When pressurized gas enters the oil filter 110, it pushes oil present in the

S unfiltered section through the third outlet valve 390 and the header arrangement 440.

Ås the pressurized gas and the oil upstream oil cooler is having equal pressure in the oil separator and sump, and the main flow to the compressor imply a pressure drop in the otl cooler significantly higher than the gas flow path exhibits, the left-over unpurified oil in the filter to be serviced can be pushed to the header arrangement 440 ensuring an effective emptying. 10035) Oi extracted through the third outlet valves 390-430 is unfiltered oil. Thus, the header arrangement 440 may be connected to suitable filtering arrangement. In some embodiments, the header arrangement 440 may supply unfiltered oil back to the oil filter inlet line, for example, the first inlet header 160, for filtering. Typically, the

IS header arrangement 440 can supply unfiltered oil to an oil filter which 1s in operation.

For example, in the unit 100, if the first filter 110 is being serviced, the third outlet valve 390 of the first filter 110 is opened and remaining third outlet valves 400-430 are kept close. Thus, unfiltered oil from the oil filter 110 enters the header arrangement 440. Now, the header arrangement 440 may supply unfiltered oil received from the first oil filter 110 to a second oil filter 120 as shown in FIG. 12. For this, the header arrangement 440 may be connected to an inlet oil line of the second oil filter 120. 10036] The oil filter unit 100 provides uninterrupted oil supply during servicing of oil filters. Further, the unit 100 facilitates oil spill-proof servicing, thereby reducing oil wastage and requirement of oil top-up.

CONFIGURATION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

18037} The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are

DK 181866 B1 9 possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc ). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be

S altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 10038] Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within

IS the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other togic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.

Claims

DK 181866 B1 PATENT CLAIM

+. System (100) for servicing an oil filter (110, 120, 130, 140, 150), the system (100) comprising: an oil filter (110) having a first inlet for receiving oil, a first outlet valve (230) for discharging filtered oil, a second inlet valve (290) for receiving a refrigerant gas, and a second outlet valve (340) for draining oil; characterized in that the system comprises two or more oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150), each having a first inlet valve (170, 180, 190, 200, 210) for receiving oil, a first outlet valve (230, 240, 250, 260, 270) for discharging filtered oil, a second inlet valve (290, 300, 310, 320, 330) for receiving a pressurized gas and a second outlet valve (340) for draining oil; wherein the system (100) is configured to operate when the first inlet valve (170) and the first outlet valve (230) of an oil filter (110) to be serviced are closed to drain oil within the oil filter (110) to be serviced through the second outlet valve (340) by introducing pressurized gas through the second inlet valve (290).

2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150), in operation, include one or more inactive oil filters (150), wherein the inactive oil filters (150) are non-operative during normal operation of the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) and are used when one of the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140) is being serviced.

The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) each include a filter medium defining an unfiltered oil section and a filtered oil section, and the second outlet valve (340) is connected to the filtered oil section of the oil filter (110, 120, 130, 140, 150). 4. The system (100) of claim 3, wherein the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) include a third outlet valve (390, 400, 410, 420, 430) connected to the unfiltered oil section for draining unfiltered oil from the oil filter (110, 120, 130, 140, 150).

DK 181866 B1 11

The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas is refrigerant discharged by a compressor.

8. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the second outlet valve (340) in the oil filters (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) is in fluid communication with an outlet head (350) having a sight glass window (360) for inspecting fluid flow through the outlet head (350).