Various arrangements of a turbine for a rotating coalescer element of a crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine are described. In some arrangements, the turbine is an impulse turbine, which is also known as a pelton turbine or a turgo turbine. The turbine is used to convert hydraulic power from a stream of pressurized fluid to mechanical power that is used to drive the rotating element. The turbine includes a non-wetting surface (e.g., an oleophobic or hydrophobic surface) that repels the pressurized fluid. The non-wetting surface may be achieved through plasma coating, fluoropolymer coating, micro-topography features, and the like. The non-wetting surface increases the power transmission efficiency from the stream of pressurized fluid to the turbine, thereby increasing the rotational speed of the rotating element compared to wettable surfaced turbines, which in turn increases the efficiency of the rotating element.

Various arrangements of a turbine for a rotating coalescer element of a crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine are described. In some arrangements, the turbine is an impulse turbine, which is also known as a pelton turbine or a turgo turbine. The turbine is used to convert hydraulic power from a stream of pressurized fluid to mechanical power that is used to drive the rotating element. The turbine includes a non-wetting surface (e.g., an oleophobic or hydrophobic surface) that repels the pressurized fluid. The non-wetting surface may be achieved through plasma coating, fluoropolymer coating, micro-topography features, and the like. The non-wetting surface increases the power transmission efficiency from the stream of pressurized fluid to the turbine, thereby increasing the rotational speed of the rotating element compared to wettable surfaced turbines, which in turn increases the efficiency of the rotating element.

An apparatus for removing impurities from a fluid stream includes a support structure, a separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure, and a motor and/or an array of vanes for rotating the separator unit on the support structure. The separator unit has a longitudinal axis of rotation extending through a longitudinal tube disposed centrally within the separator unit. The longitudinal tube is connected or connectable to a pressurized source of fluid requiring separation, the longitudinal tube having one or more openings for receiving fluid under pressure from the said source and one or more lateral openings for introducing the fluid into the separator unit.

An apparatus for removing impurities from a fluid stream includes a support structure, a separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure, and a motor and/or an array of vanes for rotating the separator unit on the support structure. The separator unit has a longitudinal axis of rotation extending through a longitudinal tube disposed centrally within the separator unit. The longitudinal tube is connected or connectable to a pressurized source of fluid requiring separation, the longitudinal tube having one or more openings for receiving fluid under pressure from the said source and one or more lateral openings for introducing the fluid into the separator unit.

A centrifugal separator for cleaning gas containing contaminants includes a stationary casing module including a surrounding side wall enclosing a separation space through which a gas flow is permitted, a gas outlet for cleaned gas, and at least one drainage opening for draining separated liquid contaminants from a lower portion of the stationary casing module; a rotating module including a plurality of separation members arranged in said separation space and being arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation; a drive member arranged for rotating the rotating module around the axis of rotation; and an inlet module arranged axially above the stationary casing module, including an inlet pipe for supply of the gas to be cleaned to the inlet module. The inlet module is in fluid contact with the separation space and a liquid outlet module arranged axially below the stationary casing module and configured to permit discharge of liquid contaminants drained from the stationary casing module. The liquid outlet module includes a lower base portion and at least one upwardly extending portion from the lower base portion. The at least one upwardly extending portion extends axially along the surrounding side wall of the stationary casing module such that the liquid outlet module forms an open container into which the stationary casing module is arranged. The liquid outlet module is attached to the stationary casing module via the at least one upwardly extending portion.

A centrifugal separator for cleaning gas containing contaminants includes a stationary casing module including a surrounding side wall enclosing a separation space through which a gas flow is permitted, a gas outlet for cleaned gas, and at least one drainage opening for draining separated liquid contaminants from a lower portion of the stationary casing module; a rotating module including a plurality of separation members arranged in said separation space and being arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation; a drive member arranged for rotating the rotating module around the axis of rotation; and an inlet module arranged axially above the stationary casing module, including an inlet pipe for supply of the gas to be cleaned to the inlet module. The inlet module is in fluid contact with the separation space and a liquid outlet module arranged axially below the stationary casing module and configured to permit discharge of liquid contaminants drained from the stationary casing module. The liquid outlet module includes a lower base portion and at least one upwardly extending portion from the lower base portion. The at least one upwardly extending portion extends axially along the surrounding side wall of the stationary casing module such that the liquid outlet module forms an open container into which the stationary casing module is arranged. The liquid outlet module is attached to the stationary casing module via the at least one upwardly extending portion.

A turbine having a turbine wheel, as used for example as a drive for active oil separators, and to a liquid separator having such a turbine is described.

A centrifugal separator for separation of liquid particles from a gas stream, includes a stationary frame, a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The frame comprises a tubular element defining a rotor space inside itself and a liquid transportation space outside the tubular element. A centrifugal rotor is arranged in the rotor space and rotatably supported in the frame around a rotational axis. At least one opening is provided in the tubular element, between the rotor space and the liquid transportation space, for conducting liquid separated from the gas stream from the rotor space to the liquid transportation space.

A centrifugal separator for separation of liquid particles from a gas stream, includes a stationary frame, a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The frame comprises a tubular element defining a rotor space inside itself and a liquid transportation space outside the tubular element. A centrifugal rotor is arranged in the rotor space and rotatably supported in the frame around a rotational axis. At least one opening is provided in the tubular element, between the rotor space and the liquid transportation space, for conducting liquid separated from the gas stream from the rotor space to the liquid transportation space.

A rotor is mounted in a stationary casing of a centrifugal separator. An electrical rotation sensor with a first electric coil mounted on the rotor and a second electric coil, connectable to a power source and mounted on the casing, is provided. A processor associated with the second coil detects voltage oscillation induced in the second coil when the rotor rotates to calculate and display rotor speed. The first coil is connected in a circuit including electrodes exposed to the interior of the rotor at a predetermined position. The voltage across the second coil changes when the electrodes are contacted by accumulated material in the interior of the rotor. This change is detected to provide an indication that cleaning of the rotor is required. A permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor and causes automatic charging of the battery via the stator coil when the rotor rotates.