DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“OIL FILL CAP ASSEMBLY FOR AN ENGINE”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,
MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,
Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to oil fill cap in internal combustion engines and more particularly but not exclusively to oil fill cap for separating oil from blow-by gas.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, during the operation of an internal combustion engine blow-by gases get accumulated inside the crankcase of the engine. The blow-by gases are generally composed of fuel, air and other combustion by-products. The blow-by gases must be vented/expelled out in order to reduce the pressure inside the crankcase of the engine. However, the blow-by gases mix with oil in the crankcase and the oil must be separated from the blow-by gases before venting the blow-by gases from the engine. Conventionally oil is separated from the blow-by gases using an oil fill cap that also facilitates the filling of oil in the engine.
[003] The existing oil fill cap does not separate oil from the blow-by gases efficiently. Further, the conventional oil fill cap includes a breather hose for receiving the filtered/separated blow-by gases that are either vented to the atmosphere or re-circulated to the intake manifold of the engine. During oil filling in the engine, the breather hose has to be removed every time from the oil fill cap for filling the oil. The frequent removal and assembly may damage breather hose and further if the hose gets kink, it may lead to increase in crankcase pressure which is harmful for the engine.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for an oil fill cap assembly for an internal combustion engine that can effectively separate oil from the blow-by gases. Furthermore, there exists a need for an oil fill cap assembly that eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[001] The principle object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an oil fill cap assembly for an internal combustion engine that can effectively separate oil from the blow-by gases.
[002] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an oil fill cap assembly for an internal combustion engine that can be easily operated during filling of oil in the engine.
[003] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an oil fill cap assembly for an internal combustion engine that eliminates the need for removal of breather hose during oil filling in the engine.
[004] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[005] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[006] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[007] FIG. 2 depicts a exploded view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[008] FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the oil fill cap assembly showing the separation of oil from the blow-by gases in the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the oil fill cap assembly showing the flow of blow-by gases in the separation chamber of oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the oil fill cap according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0013] The embodiments herein achieve an oil fill cap assembly for an internal combustion engine that can effectively separate oil from the blow-by gases. Further, embodiments herein achieve an oil fill cap assembly that eliminates the need for removal of breather hose during oil filling in the engine. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the oil fill cap assembly 100 includes an oil fill cap 102 and a duct 104.
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the oil fill cap according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 includes a filter element 102a, at least one stopper pin 102b, a first o-ring 102c, a second o-ring 102d, a plurality of first openings 102e, a plurality of second openings 102f, a first groove 102g, a second groove 102h, a lid portion 102i and a neck portion 102j. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 is used for separating oil from the blow-by gases.
[0016] In an embodiment the filter element 102a is used for separating oil from the blow-by gases. The filter element 102a acts as a porous medium for separating oil from the blow-by gases. The filter element 102a is provided inside the neck portion 102j. In an embodiment the filter element 102a is a wire mesh. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of filter element 102a without otherwise deterring the intended function of the filter element 102a as can be deduced from the description. In an embodiment the filter element 102a is parallel to the lid portion 102i.
[0017] In an embodiment the stopper pin 102b is used for securing/holding the filter element 102a in the neck portion 102j. The stopper pin 102b is provided inside the neck portion 102j below the filter element 102a. The stopper pin 102b is parallel to the filter element 102a. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 includes one stopper pin 102b. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any number of stopper pin 102b without otherwise deterring the intended function of the oil fill cap 102 as can be deduced from the description.
[0018] In an embodiment the first o-ring 102c is used to provide a radial seal between the oil fill cap 102 and the duct 104 to prevent the flow of blow-by gases from the duct 104 into a separation chamber 106. The separation chamber 106 is the volume between the outer surface of oil fill cap 102 and the inner surface of the duct 104 between the first o-ring 102c and the second o-ring 102d. The separation chamber 106 is used for further separation of oil from blow-by gases that are filtered by filter element 102a. The first o-ring 102c is provided in the first groove 102g.
[0019] In an embodiment the second o-ring 102d is used to provide an axial seal between the oil fill cap 102 and the duct 104 to prevent the entry of foreign particles like dust and water into the separation chamber 106. The second o-ring 102d is provided in the second groove 102h.
[0020] In an embodiment the plurality of first opening 102e is used to facilitate the entry of blow-by gases into the separation chamber 106 from the neck portion 102j. The plurality of first opening 102e is provided in the neck portion 102j. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 includes four first opening 102e. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any number of first opening 102e without otherwise deterring the intended function of the oil fill cap 102 as can be deduced from the description.
[0021] In an embodiment the plurality of second opening 102f is used to drain the oil separated from the blow-by gases in the separation chamber 106 into the duct 104. The plurality of second opening 102f is provided in the neck portion 102j. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 includes two second opening 102f. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any number of second opening 102f without otherwise deterring the intended function of the oil fill cap 102 as can be deduced from the description.
[0022] In an embodiment the first groove 102g is used for holding the first o-ring 102c. The first groove 102g is annularly provided outside the neck portion 102j.
[0023] In an embodiment the second groove 102h is used for holding the second o-ring 102d. The second groove 102h is provided at the bottom of the lid portion 102i.
[0024] In an embodiment the lid portion 102i is used as a handle for the user for facilitating the opening/closing of oil fill cap 102 with respect to the duct 104. In an embodiment the neck portion 102j is used for receiving the blow-by gases from the duct 104. The lid portion 102i is connected to the top end of the neck portion 102j. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 is provided with external threads to fasten the oil fill cap 102 with the duct 104. In an embodiment the oil fill cap 102 is used in conjunction with the duct 104. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the oil fill cap 102 without the duct 104 i.e the oil fill cap 102 can be used as a replacement for the existing oil fill cap (not shown).
[0025] In an embodiment the duct 104 includes a first end 104a, a second end 104b, an opening (not shown), at least one baffle plate (not shown) and an outlet duct 104c. The duct 104 is used for transferring the blow-by gases from the engine (not shown) to the oil fill cap 102.
[0026] In an embodiment the first end 104a is provided in fluid communication with the opening/outlet (not shown) of the engine (not shown) venting the blow-by gases. In an embodiment the first end 104a is provided with a flange 104d for mounting the first end 104a of the duct 104 with the engine (not shown). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the first end 104a without flange 104d.
[0027] In an embodiment the second end 104b of the duct 104 is provided in fluid communication with the neck portion 102j of the oil fill cap 102 and is adapted for receiving the oil fill cap 102. The second end 104b of the duct 104 is provided with internal threads (not shown) for mounting/locking the oil fill cap 102. The internal threads of the duct 104 are mated with the external threads (not shown) of the oil fill cap 102 when the oil fill cap 102 is mounted in the second end 104b of the duct 104.
[0028] In an embodiment the opening (not shown) is used for venting the filtered blow-by gases or the blow-by gases that are separated from the oil from the separation chamber 106 to the outlet duct 104c. In an embodiment the outlet duct 104c is used for transferring the blow-by gases that are separated from oil/filtered blow-by gases from the separation chamber 106 to a breather hose (not shown). The outlet duct 104c is provided in fluid communication with the opening (not shown) for receiving the filtered blow-by gases. In an embodiment the outlet duct 104c is transverse to the second end 104b of the duct 104. In an embodiment the baffle plate (not shown) is used for separating the oil from the blow-by gases.
[0029] FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the oil fill cap assembly showing the separation of oil from the blow-by gases in the oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the oil fill cap assembly showing the flow of blow-by gases in the separation chamber of oil fill cap assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
[0030] The working of the oil fill cap assembly 100 is explained as follows. The blow-by gases are mixed with oil in the engine and the blow-by gases mixed with oil enter the duct 104 through the first end 104a. The blow-by gases makes contact with the baffle plate (not shown) and separates most of the oil vapours/droplets from the blow-by gases. Thereafter, the blow-by gases with remaining oil vapours enter the neck portion 102j of the oil fill cap 102 where the remaining oil vapours/droplets are separated by the filter element 102a inside the neck portion 102j. The oil separated by the filter element 102a drains into the duct 104. Thereafter, the blow-by gases filtered by the filter element 102a enter the separation chamber 106 through the first openings 102e. The blow-by gases exiting from the first openings 102e of the oil fill cap 102 swirl inside the separation chamber 106 and the remaining minute oil vapours/droplets are separated due to the centrifugal force and the filtered blow-by gases from the separation chamber 106 enter the outlet duct 104c through the opening (not shown) of the duct 104. The oil separated from the blow-by gases in the separation chamber 106 drains into the duct 104 through the second openings 102f.
[0031] Thus an oil fill cap 102 that can effectively separate oil from the blow-by gases is provided. Further as the breather hose (not shown) is connected to the outlet duct 104c of the duct 104, the breather hose doesn’t have to be removed during oil filling in the engine (not shown).
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An oil fill cap assembly for an engine, said oil fill cap assembly comprising:
an oil fill cap adapted to separate oil from a blow-by gases from the engine, said oil fill cap comprising a lid portion; a neck portion connected to said lid portion; a filter element provided inside said neck portion; a plurality of first openings; a plurality of second openings; a first o-ring; and a second o-ring; and
a duct adapted for transferring the blow-by gases from the engine to said oil fill cap, said duct comprising a first end provided in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine venting the blow-by gases; a second end adapted for receiving said oil fill cap, said second end provided in fluid communication with said neck portion of said oil fill cap; an outlet duct adapted for transferring the blow-by gases that are separated from oil, from a separation chamber to a breather hose; and an opening adapted for venting the blow-by gases that are separated from oil, from said separation chamber to said outlet duct, said opening is provided in fluid communication with said outlet duct,
wherein
said neck portion is adapted for receiving blow-by gases from said duct;
said filter element is adapted for separating oil from the blow-by gases;
said plurality of first openings are adapted for facilitating the entry of blow-by gases into said separation chamber from said neck portion;
said plurality of second openings are adapted for draining the oil separated from the blow-by gases in said separation chamber into said duct;
said first o-ring is adapted to provide a radial seal between said oil fill cap and said duct to prevent the flow of blow-by gases from said duct into said separation chamber;
said second o-ring is adapted to provide an axial seal between said oil fill cap and said duct to prevent the entry of a foreign particle into said separation chamber;
said separation chamber is defined as the volume between an outer surface of said oil fill cap and an inner surface of said duct between said first o-ring and said second o-ring and said separation chamber is adapted for separating oil from blow-by gases that are filtered by said filter element.
2. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a stopper pin adapted to hold said filter element.
3. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a first groove adapted to hold said first o-ring.
4. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a second groove adapted to hold said second o-ring.
5. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct further comprises at least one baffle plate adapted to separate oil from the blow-by gases.
6. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outlet duct is transverse to said second end of said duct.
7. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct further comprises a flange adapted to mount the first end of the duct with the engine.

Dated this 29th October 2015
Signatures:

Name of the Signatory: Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
Oil fill cap assembly for an engine includes an oil fill cap and a duct. The oil fill cap is used for separating oil from the blow-by gases from the engine. The duct is used for transferring the blow-by gases from the engine to the oil fill cap. The oil fill cap assembly effectively separates oil from the blow-by gases and eliminates the need for removal of breather hose during oil filling in the engine.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An oil fill cap assembly for an engine, said oil fill cap assembly comprising:
an oil fill cap adapted to separate oil from a blow-by gases from the engine, said oil fill cap comprising a lid portion; a neck portion connected to said lid portion; a filter element provided inside said neck portion; a plurality of first openings; a plurality of second openings; a first o-ring; and a second o-ring; and
a duct adapted for transferring the blow-by gases from the engine to said oil fill cap, said duct comprising a first end provided in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine venting the blow-by gases; a second end adapted for receiving said oil fill cap, said second end provided in fluid communication with said neck portion of said oil fill cap; an outlet duct adapted for transferring the blow-by gases that are separated from oil, from a separation chamber to a breather hose; and an opening adapted for venting the blow-by gases that are separated from oil, from said separation chamber to said outlet duct, said opening is provided in fluid communication with said outlet duct,
wherein
said neck portion is adapted for receiving blow-by gases from said duct;
said filter element is adapted for separating oil from the blow-by gases;
said plurality of first openings are adapted for facilitating the entry of blow-by gases into said separation chamber from said neck portion;
said plurality of second openings are adapted for draining the oil separated from the blow-by gases in said separation chamber into said duct;
said first o-ring is adapted to provide a radial seal between said oil fill cap and said duct to prevent the flow of blow-by gases from said duct into said separation chamber;
said second o-ring is adapted to provide an axial seal between said oil fill cap and said duct to prevent the entry of a foreign particle into said separation chamber;
said separation chamber is defined as the volume between an outer surface of said oil fill cap and an inner surface of said duct between said first o-ring and said second o-ring and said separation chamber is adapted for separating oil from blow-by gases that are filtered by said filter element.
2. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a stopper pin adapted to hold said filter element.
3. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a first groove adapted to hold said first o-ring.
4. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oil fill cap further comprises a second groove adapted to hold said second o-ring.
5. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct further comprises at least one baffle plate adapted to separate oil from the blow-by gases.
6. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outlet duct is transverse to said second end of said duct.
7. The oil fill cap assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said duct further comprises a flange adapted to mount the first end of the duct with the engine.

Dated this 29th October 2015
Signatures:

Name of the Signatory: Kalyan Chakravarthy