Pcv adapter for catch can

Abstract

An adapter and method are described for an internal combustion engine to direct blow-by gasses from a crank case to a catch can where air is cleaned, and then to provide such filtered air back to the motor via a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing filtered air to a manifold in an internal combustion engine;
 said method comprising providing a catch can adapter interposed between a manifold of the engine and a catch can system;   providing fluid communication between a crankcase and the catch can system through the adapter to communicate blow-by gasses to the catch can system;   receiving filtered air at the adapter from the catch can system; and   providing independent fluid communication between the catch can system and a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve such that only filtered air reaches the PCV valve through the adapter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said providing a catch can adapter comprises utilizing a threaded section and a torque nut to secure the adapter to a portion of a crankcase ventilation system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said providing a catch can adapter comprises utilizing a sealing structure to prevent blow-by gasses from leaking past the adapter into the PCV valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the sealing structure is an O-ring. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said providing fluid communication between the crankcase and the catch can system comprises utilizing a main branch of the adapter to communicate blow-by gasses from the crankcase to the catch can system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said providing independent fluid communication between the catch can system and a PCV valve comprises utilizing a secondary branch of the adapter to communicate filtered air from the catch can system to the PCV valve. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said utilizing a secondary branch of the adapter maintains filtered air from the catch can system isolated from blow-by gasses from the crankcase. 
     
     
         8 . An adapter to be interposed between a manifold of an internal combustion engine and a catch can system; said adapter comprising:
 a main branch to communicate blow-by gasses from a crankcase to the catch can system; and   a secondary branch to communicate filtered air from the catch can system to a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve;   wherein said main branch is coupled to the crankcase such that blow-by gasses are prevented from leaking past the main branch into the PCV valve and wherein said secondary branch is coupled to the PCV valve such that only filtered air is allowed to enter the PCV valve.   
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said main branch comprises a first end fluidly coupled to the crankcase and a second end fluidly coupled to the catch can system, and wherein said first end comprises a threaded section and a torque nut to secure said adapter to a portion of a crankcase ventilation system. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said main branch comprises a first end fluidly coupled to the crankcase and a second end fluidly coupled to the catch can system, and
 wherein said first end comprises a sealing structure to seal said first end against a portion of a crankcase ventilation system. 
 
     
     
         11 . The adapter of  claim 10  wherein said sealing structure is an O-ring. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said secondary branch is disposed relative to said main branch at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said main branch and said secondary branch are formed as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said main branch and said secondary branch are formed of black glass reinforced nylon. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said main branch and said secondary branch are formed of aluminum. 
     
     
         15 . An adapter interposed between a manifold of an internal combustion engine manifold and a catch can; said adapter comprising:
 a main branch to communicate blow-by gasses from a crankcase to the catch can through the adapter, said main branch having a first end fluidly coupled to the crankcase such that blow-by gasses are prevented from leaking past said main branch into a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve and a second end fluidly coupled to the catch can; and   a secondary branch to communicate filtered air from the catch can to the PCV valve through the adapter, said secondary branch having a second end fluidly coupled to the catch can and a first end fluidly coupled to the PCV valve such that only filtered air is allowed to enter the PCV valve.   
     
     
         16 . The adapter of  claim 15  wherein said first end of said main branch comprises a sealing structure to seal said first end against a portion of a crankcase ventilation system. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter of  claim 16  wherein said sealing structure is an O-ring. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter of  claim 15  wherein said secondary branch is disposed relative to said main branch at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The adapter of  claim 10  wherein the portion of the crankcase ventilation system is a valve cover. 
     
     
         20 . The adapter of  claim 16  wherein the portion of the crankcase ventilation system is a valve cover.