< ra a & a + S a = a 9 S (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER TH (19) World Intellectual Property ANOKA EA 2 “ (43) International Publication Date “osMarch 2013 08482018) WIPO|PCT Re eee E PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) ($1) International Patent Classification ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NO, NI C106 706(200601) BOTD 3/28 (200501) NO.NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH PL, PE. QA, RO, RS, RU, ; ‘ RW, SC, SD, SF, SG, SK. SL, Sh, St, SV, SY, TH, TE, 21) Interaationsl Application Number: TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, pctuuszoiessi21 TM TN ay (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every ‘September 2012 (19.09.2012) ind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, 25) Fiing Language: English GM, KF, LR. LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ. TZ UG, 2M 2W), Fimsian AN, AZ, BY, KG_RZ, RU, TI, (26) Publication Language: English TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, (00) Priory Data HE, ES, FL FR- GD, GR, HRCHU, FS, TT LT, LU, LV. Free kang Sepember201109092011) -Us.——MEMK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SISK: SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BI, CF. CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GQ. GW. (72) Inventors and ML. MR, NE, SN, 7D, TG) (7D, Applicant DAVENPORT, Dennis Larry (US/US); Vo sco, Inc., 10 East 200 South, American Fork, UT 84003 Declarations under Rule 4.17: ws) esto the entity ofthe inventor (Rule 4.1769) (9) Agent: FOX, Angus; Law Omices of Angus Fox, 4093 N. — as to appican’senitlement apply fr and be grated imperial Way, Provo, UT 84604-3386 (US). patent Rule 4.1708) (61) Designated States (ules omerwiseindtcted, for every — _€8 10 the applicants entilement to claim the prioiy ofthe Jind of rational protection available AE, NG, AL, AM, eater application (Rule 4.176) AO, AT. AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BIL BN. BR: BW. BY. oyimemonship ltd 4.170) BZ, CA’ CH, CL, CN. CO, CR: CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, FH, 6, ES, 11, GD, GD. GE, Gil, GM, GT, Published HN, HR, HU, ID, IL INI, 3 KE, KG, KM. KN, KP) ternational search report (rt. 21(3) KR, KZ, LA, LC, Lk, LR, 1S, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, (64 Title; APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VOLATILE CONTAMINANTS FROM OIL (57) Abstract: An ol purification device removes volatile contaminants ftom a pressurized flow of many types of oll utilizing a dis tillation process preferably sustsined by heat om the oil, sel. The device comprises a generally enclosed distillation chamber haw ing a series of descending steps with sharp edges. The device operates in a bypss mode, with contaminated engine lubricating oil being diverted trom a pressurized oil galley within the engine to the distillation chamber. The steam of hot oil entering the chamber through a low-restrictive ortie is dispersed into a thin film on the uppermost step by ether reflecting it off of a wall at the side of the uppermost step oF by directing it at a dispersal post, having a curved front surface. Purified oil netums to the engine sump through a drain port below the lowennost step. Volatile contaminants are allowed to escape at the top ofthe distillation chamberWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING VOLATILE CONTAMINANTS FROM OIL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates, generally, to apparatuses for removing contaminants, such as water and gasoline, from oil, and, more particularly, to apparatuses which remove liquids having low vapor pressures from oil utilizing the process of distillation. More specifically, the invention relates to single-chamber, single-channel distillation apparatuses. ption of the Prior Art There presently exist a number of distillation-type liquid separations and reclamation devises for evaporation/separation and removal of volatile contaminants from contaminated liquid. Most of these units are promoted for the purpose of purifying lubricating oil in combustion engines, and utilize what is call the thin-film distillation process, wherein the oil is passed over a heated flat horizontal surface (distillation plate). The theory is that as oil flows over a flat, heated, nearly-horizontal surface, it spreads out as a “thin film,” thereby enabling more volatile contaminants, such as water or gasoline molecules, to escape from the film, Removal of the volatile contaminants is followed by a subsequent collection of the “purified” oil. Most of these thin-film distillation-type distillation units incorporate an electric heating element that maintains the distillation plate at a desired temperature. Typical types of these units are shown in the U.S, patent Nos. 1,718,800, 2,472,717, and 4,006,084. Similar distillation units incorporate vertical fins into the heated distillation plate in order to provide more heated surface area for the oil to adhere to and to cause the oil to reach its “thin film state” more readily as it flows down the vertical sides of the fins. It is assumed that this technique inereases the speed and efficiency of the distillation. Oil {illation/separation units of this type are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,839,196; 3,756,412; 4,115,201; 4,189,351; 4,146,475; 4,289,583; 4,443,334; 4,349,438; 4,354,946; 4,369,110; 4,717,474; 4,943,352; 4,830,745; 5,242,034, 5,322,596; 5,630,956; and 5,630,912. A serious problem associated with the distillation units which incorporate an electric heating element is that a potentially explosive environment is created in the distillation chamber. Another problem associated with most of the prior-art distillation units is that calibration of the oil flow through the distillation unit is a complicated and time consuming process. Another problem with the prior art units is that the entrance into the distillationWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 chamber is prone to clogging. In the entrance become partially or completely clogged, oil flow through the device will be reduced. Reduced oil flow will result in increased chamber temperatures, which may cause oil within the distillation chamber to overheat, carbonize, or even burn, Generally speaking, there is no easy way to determine whether a prior-art distillation unit is clogged and, therefore, non-functional. Patents Nos, 5,824211 and 5,776,315 disclose evaporative distillation units that do not require separate heating elements in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid at the contaminant vaporization temperature, Rather, vaporization heat is provided by the liquid itself, Most internal combustion engines have a thermostat-controlled operating temperature of about 115°C. The most common fuels utilized in internal combustion engines are compressed natural gas (i.e., methane), liquid propane, gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel. Diesel aircraft engines are typically designed to run on kerosene, which is also known as jet fuel. Methane boils at -161.5°C, and propane boils at 42.1°C. Kerosene is obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum between 150°C and 275°C, while diesel fuel is produced from the fractional distillation of petroleum between 200°C and 350°C. Though the molecular makeup of gasoline is quite variable, the bulk of typical gasoline consists of hydrocarbons with between 4 and 12 carbon atoms per molecule (generally known as C4 - C12 molecules) having fractional boiling points between 40°C and 200°C. Without the use of an auxiliary heating clement, an evaporative distillation unit is limited to removing liquids having boiling points less than about 110°C. That includes methane, propane, water, and the molecules comprising gasoline which have boiling points between 40°C and about 110°C, Though nearly every internal combustion engine is equipped at the factory with a sophisticated filtration system that removes particle contaminates from the lubricating oil, there is typically no system installed which removes water from the oil. Water is a far more insidious contaminant than solid particles, and is often overlooked as the primary cause of component failure. Water can exist in oil in three states. The first state is an oil-water solution, which is characterized by individual water molecules dispersed throughout the oil. Oil can contain a significant concentration of dissolved water with no visible indication of its presence. Most industrial oils such as hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, etc., can hold as much as 200 to 600 ppm of water (0.02 to 0.06 percent) in the dissolved state depending on the temperature and age of the oil. Aged oils can hold three to four times more water in the dissolved state than new oil. The second state is an oil-water emulsion, In this state, the amount of water in the oil has exceeded the maximum solubility level for the particular oil.WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 After execeding the saturation level, the excess water is suspended in the oil in microscopic droplets. This is similar to the formation of fog when the ambient temperature drops below the dew point. Just as fog obscures visibility, the suspension of water droplets in oil gives the oil a cloudy or hazy appearance, The third state is the presence of free water. As additional water is added to an oil-water emulsion, at some point a separation of the two phases will result in a layer of free water, as well as a layer of free and/or emulsified oil. For mineral oils and polyolefin synthetics whose specific gravity is less than 1.0, this free water layer is found on the bottom of tanks and sumps. Ina lubricating system, the two most harmful phases are free and emulsified water. In journal bearings for example, the incompressibility of water relative to oil can result ina loss of the hydrodynamic oil film, which, in turn, leads to excessive wear. As little as one percent water in oil can reduce the life expectancy of a journal bearing by as much as 90 percent, Roller and ball bearing assemblies fare even worse, Not only will water destroy the oil film strength, but both free and emulsified water under the extreme temperatures and pressures generated in the load zone of a rolling element bearing can result in instantaneous flash-vaporization causing erosive wear to occur. Under certain conditions, water molecules can disassociate into their constituent oxygen and hydrogen atoms as a result of the high pressures generated in the load zone of a rolling element bearing, Due to their relatively small size, the hydrogen ions produced by this process can absorb onto the surface of the bearing raceway, causing a change in subsurface bearing metallurgy. The result of this metallurgical change is a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement, which causes the bearing raceway material to become weak or brittle and prone to cracking beneath the surface, When these subsurface cracks spread to the surface, the result can lead to pitt ng and spalling, Because the effects of free and emulsified water are more harmful than those associated with dissolved water, it is important to ensure that moisture levels remain well below the saturation point, For most in-service oils this means 100 to 300 ppm or less depending on the oil type and temperature, However, even at these non-saturated levels, a significant amount of damage can still occur. Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a safe amount of water in lubricating oils. Not only does water have a direct harmful affect on machine components, but it also plays a direct role in the aging rate of lubricating oils. ‘The presence of water in a lubricating oil can cause the progress of oxidation to increase tenfold, resulting in premature aging of theWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 oil, particularly in the presence of catalytic metals such as copper, lead and tin. In addition, certain types of synthetic oils such as phosphate esters and dibasic esters are known to react with water, resulting in the destruction of the base stock and the formation of acids. It is not just the base oil that can be affected by moisture contamination, Certain additives such as sulfurous AW and EP type additives and phenolic antioxidants are readily hydrolyzed by water, resulting in both additive mortality and the formation of acidic by-products. These acidic by-products can then cause corrosive wear, particularly in components containing soft metals such as babbitt used with journal bearings and bronze and brass components. Other additives such as demulsifying agents, dispersants, detergents and rust inhibitors can be washed away by excessive moisture. This results in sludge and sediment buildup, filter plugging and lessened resistance to emulsification. The most precise method for determining the amount of free, emulsified and dissolved water in a lubricating oil is the Karl Fischer moisture test. When used correctly, the Karl Fischer test is capable of quantifying water levels as low as 10 ppm or 0.001 percent and should be the method of choice when highly-accurate water concentrations need to be ascertained. It is axiomatic that water contamination is a major cause of lubricant failure, component failure and poor machine reliability. The corollary to this maxim is that by minimizing water contamination in lubricating oil, the lives of both the lubricant and the machinery can be dramatically increased. If possible, water levels in all equipment should be kept below the saturation limit, with every effort made to keep moisture levels as low as possible, OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a goal of the present invention to provide a device for removing volatile contaminants from an oil, which utilizes heat from the oil, itself, rather than from a separate heating element, to effect vaporization of the contaminants, Although the primary contaminant intended for removal is water, in the form of vapor, other volatile components that have a boiling point less than the temperature of the incoming oil can also be removed. It is further goal of the present invention to provide a simplified, single-chamber contaminant distillation device that is smaller, more compact, far easier to maintain, and less expensive to manufacture than existing unitsWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 Itis also a goal of the present invention to provide such a device that incorporates a series of descending steps having sharp edges, which the oil to be purified flows down in a thin film, As the oil passes over the sharp edges of the steps, film thickness is reduced even further, thereby enhancing evaporation of contaminant molecules that are embedded within the film, It is a further goal of the present invention to provide a bypass distillation device having an oil inlet with an orifice that restricts oil inflow to a level that not only ensures that a thin film is formed on the series of descending steps, but also minimizes the impact on total oil pressure of the system. The oil inlet is easily removable from the distillation device for cleaning and/or unclogging. The bypass nature of the device protects the engine or machine from damage in the unlikely event that the device becomes clogged. It is yet another goal of the present invention to disperse the oil entering the chamber so that it spreads out into a thin film on the uppermost step within the chamber, Itis also a goal of the present invention to provide a distillation device that can be tilted in any direction within a range of about 30 degrees without any significant loss of efficiency. An additional goal of the present invention is to provide a contaminant distillation device that is highly resistant to through-flow clogging It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a contaminant distillation device for which a determination can be quickly and simply made that the device has become clogged and nonfunctional SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In fulfillment of the aforestated goals and objectives, a purification device is provided that removes volatile contaminants from a pressurized flow of oil utilizing a distillation process preferably sustained by heat from the oil, itself. Though operation of the device will be described in the context of internal combustion engine lubricating oil purification (the application most likely to find widespread use), the device may also be used successfully to purify contaminated trar mission fluid, liquid-hydraulic fluid, machining oil, cooking oil, heating/cooling fluid, and many other types of oils. Heating of the fluid is necessary only if the impurities to be removed boil at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the fluid when the purification process occurs. The fluid may be pumped directly into the distillation chamber for distillation, separation, and removal of volatile contaminantsWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 therefrom, after which the processed fluid is returned to the sump or other container fiom which itis used. The purification device comprises a generally enclosed distillation chamber having a series of descending steps therein. The device operates in a bypass mode, with contaminated engine lubricating oil being diverted from an engine oil galley, where oil is under pressure from pumping action of the engine oil pump, to the distillation chamber. Oil enters the chamber through an orifice that is sized to minimize the oil pressure drop of the system. For diesel engines having a displacement of about 7 liters, the optimum orifice size is deemed to be a cylindrical aperture about 0.031 inch, of 0.89 mm. The total amount of oil pumped through such an engine in an hour is about 11,356 liters (roughly 3,000 gallons). Ten gallons per hour are diverted as bypass to the distillation chamber. ‘Thus, only about 0.33 percent of the total oil flow is diverted. The impact on lubrication of the engine, as the result of oil flow diversion to the distillation chamber is, by any standard, insignificant. On smaller engines, the percentage of oil diverted is slightly greater—but still insignificant—at about 0.42 percent, The stream of hot oil entering the chamber through the orifice is dispersed into a thin film on the uppermost step by either reflecting it off of a wall at the side of the uppermost step or by directing it at a dispersal post, having a curved front surface, that is positioned near the front edge of the upper step. ‘The oil flows as a thin film over each of the downwardly-sloped steps, until it reaches a collection port below the bottom step. The thin film of oil on each step and the churning, tumbling and kneading of the oil as it descends the front of each step enhances the likelihood that low-boiling molecules trapped in the oil will escape the film, In addition, as the film traverses the sharp edge of each step, thickness of the oil film is reduced still further, thereby providing maximum opportunity for low-boiling molecules to escape the thin film. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, no filters or heating clements are required, Heat content of the incoming oil, which is regulated by the thermostat of the engine, provides sufficient heat within the chamber for molecules having a boiling point below the temperature of the incoming oil to escape as long as normal flow rates are maintained through the volume-regulating orifice. As engine thermostats are typically designed to maintain operating temperature around 240°F, the operating temperature within the distillation chamber is maintained at around 230°F (some cooling of the oil inevitable as it is fed from the en; 1¢ to the chamber. In addition, there is some heat loss through the walls of the chamber. Nevertheless, water molecules and most gasoline molecules (those having fractional distillation temperatures less than temperature within theWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 chamber) can be removed without further heating of the incoming oil. Diesel fuel molecules as diesel fiuel has fractional distillation generally cannot be removed using this proces temperatures greater than 200°C However, the inability to remove diesel fuel from lubricating oil is not particularly significant, as diesel fuel is not present in the cylinder during the compression stroke. Diesel fuel auto-ignites as it is injected near top dead center at the beginning of the power stroke, Very little, if any, diesel fuel has an opportunity to contaminate engine lubricating oil. Gasoline engines, on the other hand compress the air-fuel charge during each compression stroke. Fuel charge blow-by through the piston rings can severely contaminate engine oil-particularly when the engine is subjected to high-load conditions. Within the distillation chamber, volatile contaminants escape the oil film as the oil makes its way down the steps and over the sharp edges of the steps. Vaporized contaminants escape the distillation chamber through a one-way balll valve and are directed to the intake of the engine, Purified oil within the distillation chamber flows into a drain and is returned to the oil sump of the engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view, taken from the oil-return and vapor escape end, of a first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view, taken from the oil-injection end, of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 3 is top plan view of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 4 is an elevational view, taken from the mounting side, of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 5 is an clevational view, taken from the optional oil injection port side, of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 6 is an elevational view, taken from the primary oil injection port end thereof, of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 7 is an clevational view, taken from the oil-return and vapor escape end, of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil;WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 9 is cross-sectional view of the main body of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil, taken through section line 9 — 9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a top or bottom plan view of the lid of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 11 is an elevational end view of the lid of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 12 is an elevational side view of the lid of the first embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 13 is an exploded view of the one-way ball valve; Figure 14 is an elevational side view of the upper portion of the one-way ball valve body; Figure 15 is a top plan view of the upper portion of the one-way ball valve body; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the one-way ball valve body, taken through section line 16 ~16 of Figure 15, and showing a hollow aluminum ball therein; Figure 17 is an elevational side view of the lower portion of the one-way ball valve body; Figure 18 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the one-way ball valve body; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the one-way ball valve body, taken through section line 19-19 of Figure 18, and showing a hollow aluminum ball therein; Figure 20 is an elevational side view of the oil flow restriction fitting; Figure 21 is a top plan view of the oil flow restriction fitting: Figure 22 is a bottom plan view of the oil flow restriction fitting; Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the oil flow restriction fitting, taken through section line 23 ~23 of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a top plan view of the main body of a second embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the second embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil, taken through section line 25 of Figure 24;WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 Figure 26 is a top plan view of the lid of the second second embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil; and Figure 27 is an isometric view of the lid of the second second embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The various embodiments of the apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil will now be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawing figures. It should be understood that the drawings may not be drawn to seale, and that they are intended to be merely illustrative of the inv ntion. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment apparatus 100 for removing volatile contaminants from oil is shown in an exploded view. The apparatus includes a main body 101 and a lid 102, which is securable to the main body 101 with six allen-head screws 103. The main body 101 has a recess 104 that is equipped with multiple descending steps 105A, 105B, and 105C. Each of the steps 105A, 105B and 105C is generally level, and has a sharp outer edge 106A, 106B and 106C, respectively. An uppermost portion of each step is generally rectangular in shape, and the steps are configured as a straight stairway. When the lid 102 is secured to the main body 101, the recess 104 becomes a generally enclosed distillation chamber. Hot oil enters the chamber through either a center port 107 or a corner port 108. The unused port is plugged. The inflow of oil is limited by an oil flow restriction fitting 1900 (see Figure 19), that screws into either the center port 107 or the corner 108. Oil enters the center port 107 through the oil flow restriction fitting under pressure and the incoming stream is directed at an oil dispersion post 109, which has a curved front surface, After hitting the oil dispersion post 109, it splatters onto the uppermost step 106A, forming a film, The film slowly flows over the sharp outer edge 106A and onto the middle step 106B. The oil then subsequently flows over the sharp outer edge 106B and onto the lower step 106C. Finally, the oil flows over the final sharp outer edge 106C and flows onto the collection floor 110, which is the lowest of the recess 104. Oil pooling on the collection floor 110 exits the chamber through a drain aperture 111, A barbed hose fitting (not shown) is screwed into the drain aperture, which is equipped with internal pipe threads. As most engine thermostats are designed to maintain an en; operating temperature of about 115°C, the oil entering the distillation chamber will be at a slightly lower temperature, As there are some thermal losses during the transport of oil to the distillation chamber and from theWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/ 121 distillation chamber itself, it can be assumed that the operating temperature of the distillation chamber is somewhat greater than 110°C, but less than 115°C. For oil circulating in a diesel engine, the primary contaminant removed will be water. For oil circulating in a gasoline engine, not only will water be removed from the oil, but gasoline molecules that boil below the operating temperature of the distillation chamber, as well. These volatile contaminants escape the distillation chamber through a threaded vapor escape aperture 112 in the lid 102. A one-way ball valve 2000 (see Figure 20), which screws into the vapor escape aperture 112, prevents oil from escaping along with the volatile contaminants, As a general rule, the only time that oil will attempt to escape through the escape aperture 112 is when the oil is very cold. Though this occurs relatively infrequently in all but the most severely cold climates, once the engine heats up a bit, the problem disappears. If routing oil to the center port 107 is awkward or impossible because of space considerations, the device may be plumbed so that oil enters the corner port 108. Instead of being directed at the oil dispersion post 109, the incoming stream of oil bounces off the side wall 113 and then onto the uppermost step 105A. In any case, the unused port, whether central port 107 or corner port 108, is plugged. The method of oil purification is the same, regardless of whether the oil enters through central port 107 or comer port 108. Referring now to Figures 3 through 9, the main body 101 is shown in various elevational, plan, and cross-sectional views. The item numbers which refer to features of the main body 101 in the isometric views of Figures 1 and 2 are also applied to the same features in these drawings. Referring now, specifically to Figure 4, a pair of internally-threaded mounting holes 401A and 401B are shown. Referring now to Figures 10 through 12, the lid 102 is shown in various plan and elevational view, The item numbers which refer to features of the lid 102 in the isometric views of Figures 1 and 2 are also applied to the same features in these drawings. Referring now to Figures 13 through 19, the one-way ball valve 1300, through which vaporized contaminants exit the distillation chamber has a lower body component 1301 having a hollow, externally-threaded bottom pipe nipple 1302, a cylindrical inner chamber 1801 in which the ball 1303 moves, and an internally-threaded upper socket 1901. The exploded view of Figure 13 also shows a circular shaft seal 1304, which, in combination with, the ball 1303, seals the exit through the one-way ball valve 1300, The one-way ball valve 1300 also has an upper body component 1305 with an externally-threaded bottom extension 1306 and an internally-threaded top socket 1601. The externally-threaded bottom extension -10-WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 1306 screws into the internally-threaded upper socket 1901 of the lower body component, thereby securing the circular shaft seal 1304 between an upper shelf 1902 at the top of the cylindrical inner chamber 1801 and a downwardly-projecting cylindrical extension 1602 on the externally-threaded bottom extension 1306. Referring now to Figures 20 through 23, the oil flow restriction fitting 2000 has an externally-threaded front pipe nipple 2001 and an internally-threaded rear pipe-thread socket 2301. Flow through the oil flow restriction fitting 2000 is limited by a small cylindrical aperture 2101 in the pipe nipple 2001, For large diesel engines having a displace of about 7 liters, the optimum orifice size is deemed to be a cylindrical aperture about 0.031 inch, or 0.89 mm, Referring now to Figures 24 through 27, a second embodiment of the apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil has a cylindrical main body 2400 having a stepped cylindrical internal recess 2401. The operation of the second embodiment apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment apparatus. There are three descending steps 2402A, 2402B and 2402C, with step 2402A being the uppermost and step 2402C being the lowermost. The steps are configured as a circular staircase, There is an oil collection floor 2403 having an drain aperture 2404, Each of the steps 2402A, 2402B and 2402C have sharp outer edges 2405, 2404B and 2405C, respectively, which minimize oil film thickness as the oil flows over them, thereby providing maximum opportunity for volatile contaminants within the oil to vaporize and escape through the vapor escape aperture 2601 in the lid 2600. The lid 2600 is secured to the cylindrical main body 2400 with four allen-head screws 103 (see Figures | and 2). For this embodiment of the invention, the oil flow restriction fitting 2000 is screwed into a threaded aperture 2406 in the cylindrical main body wall 2407 about midway between the upper rim 2408 and the uppermost step 2402, Oil entering the distillation chamber (the recess 2401 is covered with the circular lid 2600) through the oil flow restriction fitting 2000 squirts against the generally cylindrical post 2409 and is dispersed, as a film, on the uppermost step 2402. The oil flows down the steps 2402A, 2402B, 2402C and over the sharp outer edge of each until reaching the oil collection floor 2403. There is barrier 2410 between the uppermost step 2402A and the oil collection floor 2403. The main body and lid of both embodiments of the apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil can be made of a structural metal, such as aluminum, steel, east iron, magnesium, or brass, To date, several prototypes of the rectangular version have been either -14-WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 machined from solid aluminum using computer numerically controlled machining processes or cast from molten aluminum that is optionally given a final machining to ensure a high degree of planarity of mating surfaces between the main body and the lid. It should be noted that even with metal casting casting processes, a certain amount of machining is essential in order to tap screw anchoring fitting anchoring holes. Alternatively, they may be made from structural polymer thermoplastic resins which are able to withstand the expected maximum operating temperature of 115°C without deformation. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI) are just two of a half dozen or so high-temperature organic polymer thermoplastics used in engineering applications. Both compounds are injection moldable, Of the two, PEEK is the most expensive, most temperature resistant, and most impact resistant, PEEK has a glass transition temperature at around 143°C (289°F) and melts around 343°C (662°F). PEI has a glass transition temperature at around 216°C (421°F) and melts around 338°C (640°F). The main body and lid of both embodiments may also be manufactured from composites, which include high-temperature, thermoplastic engineering resins combined with a structural fiber reinforcement such as fiberglass and graphite, For products made of polymer resins, the presently preferred method of manufacture is by injection molding. There is an important caveat concerning the use of structural polymer thermoplastic resins and of thermoplastic resin/structural fiber composites. In climates where temperatures drop below freezing, at least the lid must be made of metal. Given that thermoplastic resins and composite materials have poor thermal conductivity, the vapor escape aperture 2601 in either the first or second embodiment apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from oil must be located in a metal panel so that sufficient heat from the injected oil will transfer to the vapor escape aperture 2601 and thereby prevent condensation and freezing of escaping, water vapor. The freezing of water vapor within the vapor escape aperture is sufficiently problematic that the main body and the lid of all preferred embodiments of the invention should be made ofa metal, such as aluminum, that is highly thermally conduetive. Although only two embodiments of the invention are shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter ned, -12-WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. An oil purification device for removing volatile contaminants from a incoming heated oil stream via distillation sustained by heat from the oil, itself, said device comprising: a generally enclosed distillation chamber having therein a series of descending steps; a fitting coupled to a pressurized oil line, said fitting having a flow-restricting orifice through which heated, pressurized oil enters the distillation chamber as a stream; means for dispersing incoming oil as a film on a topmost of said descending steps; a drain port, positioned below a lowermost of said descending steps, through which purified oil leaves the distillation chamber; vapor eseape aperture, positioned in an upper portion of said distillation chamber, through which volatile compounds released from oil filn |, as it descends the steps, are vented to the atmosphere. 2. The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein each of the steps has sharp edges, which cause a reduction in oil film thickness as the oil traverses those sharp edges, thereby providing maximum opportunity for low-boiling molecules to escape the thin film, 3. The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein said means for dispersing comprises a post positioned a distance from the flow-restricting orifice and against which the oil stream impacts 4, The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein said means for dispersing comprises a wall positioned a distance from the flow-restricting orifice and against which the oil stream impacts 5. The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein said distillation chamber comprises a main body portion and a lid. 6. The oil purification device of claim 5, wherein said descending steps, said drain port and said means for dispersing are incorporated in the main body, and said a fitting coupled to a -13-WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 pressurized oil line is threadably secured to said main body. 7. The oil purification device of claim 5, wherein said a vapor escape aperture is located in the lid. 8. The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein an exterior of said distillation chamber is generally cylindrical in shape, and said inner steps are configured as a circular staircase. 9, The oil purification device of claim 8, wherein said means for dispersing is a generally cylindrical post centered within the cylindrical distillation chamber. 10. The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein said vapor escape aperture incorporates a one-way valve that prevents oil from escaping with volatile contaminants when the incoming oil is insufficiently heated. 11, The oil purification device of claim 1, wherein an exterior of said distillation chamber is generally in the shape of a rectangular solid, and said inner steps are configured as a straight staircase, with each step having generally rectangular upper portion. 12. An oil purification device for removing volatile contaminants from a incoming, heated, bypass oil stream diverted from oil pump output of an internal combustion engine via distillation sustained by heat from the oil, itself, said device comprising: a generally enclosed distillation chamber having therein a series of descending steps; a fitting coupled to a pressurized oil line, said fitting having a flow-restricting orifice through which heated, pressurized oil enters the distillation chamber as a stream; means for dispersing incoming oil as a film on a topmost of said descending steps; a drain port, positioned below a lowermost of said descending steps, through which purified oil leaves the distillation chamber and returns to an oil sump of the internal combustion engine; a vapor escape aperture, positioned in an upper portion of said distillation chamber, through which volatile compounds released from oil film, as it descends the steps, are vented to the atmosphere. -14-WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 13, The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein each of the steps has sharp edges, which cause a reduction in oil film thickness as the oil traverses those sharp edges, thereby providing maximum opportunity for low-boiling molecules to escape the thin film. 14, The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein said means for dispersing comprises a post positioned a distance from the flow-restricting orifice and against which the oil stream impacts, 15. The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein said means for dispersing comprises a wall positioned a distance from the flow-restricting orifice and against which the oil stream impacts. 16. The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein said distillation chamber comprises a main body portion and a lid, 17. The oil purification device of claim 16, wherein: said descending steps, said drain port and said means for dispersing are incorporated in the main body, and said a fitting coupled to a pressurized oil line is threadably secured to said main body; and said a vapor escape aperture is located in the lid 18. The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein an exterior of said distillation chamber is generally cylindrical in shape, said inner steps are configured as a circular staircase, and said means for dispersing is a generally cylindrical post centered within the cylindrical distillation chamber. 19, The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein said vapor escape aperture incorporates a one-way valve that prevents oil from escaping with volatile contaminants when the incoming oil is insufficiently heated. 20. The oil purification device of claim 12, wherein an exterior of said distillation chamber is generally in the shape of a rectangular solid, and said inner steps are configured as a straight staircase, with each step having generally rectangular upper portion, -15-PCT/US2012/056121 WO 2013/043728 1/10PCT/US2012/056121 WO 2013/043728 2/10WO 2013/043728 101 3/10 101 401A 401B PCT/US2012/056121 ;——106C —111 FIG. 3 }—110 FIG. 4 FIG. 5WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 4/10 101 107 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 101 411 : ., FIG. 8WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 5/10 wt FIG. 9 1 - O y 108: 107:WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 6/10 | 2 0 O oO N O oO] = = 9 o (Wes Wwe “lo O 3WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 70WO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 8/10 2001 2000 = : & © 2000: : nen FIG. 21 FIG. 2PCT/US2012/056121 WO 2013/043728 9/10 Sé ‘Sls S— o0rz ove cove W202 a 8z0b2 Oz0vzWO 2013/043728 PCT/US2012/056121 10/10 FIG. 27INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Thternational aplication No PCTIUS 20121056121 A CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER According to Intemational Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and 1PC ‘C106 7706 (2006.01) BOLD 3/28 (2006.01) 3 FIELDS SEARCHED ‘Minmom documen BOLD 35/00-35/18, 3/00-3/28, 19/00, C10 7/00-7/06 | Documentation searched oer than minimum documentation to ion seared (eassfcation sytem Tolowed by cTassiication symbol) sient hal Such documents are Included in the Tields searched Elesvonie data base consuied daring the iniemaional serch (name of data Base and; where practicable search terns wa) PatSearch (RUPTO internal), Esp@cenet, PAJ, USPTO E__ DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT ‘Cavegory* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, ofthe relevant passages Relevant to claim No, Y US 4261838 A (LEE HALLERON) 14.04.1981, fig. 1, 2, col. 6, lines 27-30, 65-70, 120 col. 3, lines 43-45, col. 7, lines 9-16, co. 8 lines 13-16 y US 4443334 A (RECON LTD.) 17.04.1984, fig 1, col. 3, lines 17-20, 25-26, col, 2, 120 lines 43, 48, 60-70 y SU 160187 A (S. A. MOKRUSHIN) 16.01.1964, claims 11,20 y RU 2166528 C2 (KALININGRADSKY GOSUDARSTVENNY TEKHNICHESKY 3,4, 14, 15 UNIVERSITET) 10.05.2001, claim 1, fig. 1 A US 2086763 A (KRAMLICH-BRADFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY) 1.20 13.07.1937 A CA 575123 A (SCHWALGE WILLIAM C,) 05.05.1959 1-20 Further document relisted in he cominution of Box C See patent family anne. * Special categories of cited documents T*—later doeument published afer the interational filing dite or priority] "AY document defining the genera state of thea which wot consdared to be of patiularolvance “Bearer docurentbut published on orate the iatemationa fling de “L" document whieh may throw doubtson pry clams) or whichis ted to esablish the publication date oF another cation rote special reason(s specified) (O° document refering oa ora iscosur, use, exhibition or oter oeument polished prior tthe iecernatins ing date bat ae han Ihe prosiy de tained sae a not incon! wih the application but ted wo andertand the principe or theory undeing the invention document of particular relevance; te claimed invention cannot be considered novel or srmatbe considered to involve an ventive step when he document iste alone "Y" document of particular selevance; he lime iverion canna be ‘considered a ivolve an aentve sep wen i document combined wih one of more other such documents, sich combsnation being obvious to person killed the at "8° document member ofthe sme patent fanity Da af the acual completion of We Tavematonal earch 10 December 2012 (10.12.2012) Date of alling ofthe iverationl Search report 11 January 2013 (11.01.2013) ‘Wane and nailing rows oF We SAT FIPS Russia, 123995, Moscow, G-59, GSP-S, Berezhhovskaya nab, 301 Facsimile No. +7 (199) 28333-37 “Ruthoraed oiser V. Podshibikhin Telephone No. (499)240-25-91 Forma PCTIISATBIO (second shee) (uly 2009)