IP Library Granted Patent US 7,914,674
Granted Patent B2
US 7,914,674 · App. 11/402,612 · Granted Mar 29, 2011

Device for removing contamination from a vehicle oil stream

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,914,674
App. No.
11/402,612
Granted
Mar 29, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for removing ferrous particulates from an oil stream within a motor vehicle includes a passage through which the oil stream flows and a magnet disposed within the passage. The passage defines a cavity in which the magnet is housed. The passage defines a substantially ninety-degree bend, such that particles suspended within the oil stream are propelled into the magnet before continuing along the passage. Preferably the device is disposed upstream of vehicle control valves, such that debris is removed from the oil stream prior to travel through the valves. Preferably, the cavity defines an overhang, which may be magnetic, with the overhang securing the magnet within the cavity and preventing particulates from re-entering the oil stream. An opening within the passage preferably defines the ninety-degree bend. The opening may be at least partially defined by the cavity. The magnet is preferably configured to be replaceable, removable, or both.

Claims (32)

1. A device for removing ferrous particulates from an oil stream within a motor vehicle comprising:

a passage structure defining a cavity, said oil stream flowing through said passage structure; and

a magnet housed within said cavity;

wherein said passage structure defines a substantially ninety-degree bend, such that ferrous particulates suspended within the oil stream flowing through said passage structure are propelled into said magnet before flowing through said bend, thereby allowing said magnet to remove the ferrous particulates from said oil stream; and

wherein said passage structure defines an overhang;

wherein said overhang is configured to protrude into said oil stream in a direction opposing the direction of oil flow into said magnet

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said overhang at said bend is configured to secure said magnet within said cavity and to prevent ferrous particulates attracted to said magnet from re-entering said oil stream.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said overhang is magnetic.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein an opening within said passage structure defines said ninety-degree bend.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said opening is at least partially defined by passage structure defining said cavity.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is replaceable.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic is removable.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is disposed upstream of vehicle control valves.

9. A device for removing ferrous particulates from an oil stream within a motor vehicle comprising:

a passage structure through which said oil stream flows; and

a magnet configured to remove ferrous particulates from said oil stream;

wherein said passage structure defines an opening configured to define a substantially ninety-degree bend within said passage structure, and wherein said magnet is disposed at said ninety-degree bend, such that ferrous particulates suspended within said oil stream are propelled into said magnet before said oil stream flows through said bend and removed from said oil stream; and

wherein said passage structure defines an overhang configured to protrude into said oil stream in a direction opposing the direction of oil flow into said magnet,said overhang at least partially defining said opening such that said overhang prevents ferrous particulates from re-entering said oil stream following removal by said magnet.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein said passage structure defines a cavity for housing said magnet.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein said passage structure defining said cavity also defines an overhang, said overhang securing said magnet within said cavity and preventing ferrous particulates attracted to said magnet from re-entering said oil stream.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein said passage structure defining said cavity at least partially defines said opening.

13. The device of claim 9 , wherein said magnet is replaceable.

14. The device of claim 9 , wherein said magnet is removable.

15. The device of claim 9 , wherein said magnet is disposed upstream of vehicle control valves.

16. A device for removing ferrous particulates from an oil stream within a motor vehicle downstream of a vehicle filter, said device disposed downstream of debris-generating vehicle components and upstream of vehicle control valves and comprising:

a passage structure defining a cavity through which said oil stream flows and an opening within said passage structure before said cavity, said opening configured to define a substantially 90-degree bend through which said oil stream must flow to reach said downstream control valves;

a magnet disposed within said cavity such that ferrous particulates suspended within said oil stream are propelled into said magnet before flowing through said 90-degree bend, such that said magnet removes said ferrous particulates from said oil stream, thereby preventing contamination of said control valves by said ferrous particulates; and

wherein said passage structure defining said cavity includes a removable portion such that said magnet can be accessed through said removable protion of said passage structure defining said cavity.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein said passage structure defines an overhang, said overhang securing said magnet within said cavity and preventing ferrous particulates attracted to said magnet from re-entering said oil stream.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein said overhang is magnetic.

19. The device of claim 17 , wherein said overhang at least partially defines said opening.

20. The device of claim 16 , wherein said removable portion and said magnet are configured such that said magnet is removable from said passage structure.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034184/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0041 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0402 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0519 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0493 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0047 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2006
From: LONG, CHARLES F.; KLEMEN, KATHERINE M.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017634/0793 →
Continuity (1)
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