CA1046957A

CA1046957A - Integral oil supply and filter

Info

Publication number: CA1046957A
Application number: CA252,307A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter G. Pelton; Alan A. Grubman; Gary K. Hasegawa
Original assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Current assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
Priority date: 1975-09-02
Filing date: 1976-05-11
Publication date: 1979-01-23
Also published as: US4075099A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a novel container assembly wherein oil required for the changing of oil of a unit, such as an internal combustion engine, may be pack-aged in a readily disposable container and wherein the con-tainer has built thereinto the usual filter so that in a simple operation both the filter and old oil may be removed as a unit.

Description

This invention relates in general to new and use-ful improvements in containers, and more partic~llarly to a container for a s~pply of oil wherein tlle container is of a disposable construction and has incorporpated therein a fil-ter for automatically cleansing the oil as it is recirculated.
The container is provided with means for coupling tll~ same -to existing units requiring lubrication.
In the customary internal combustion engine, the lower portion oi the block is enclosed within an oil pan in which the oil for the lubrication of the engine is stored and int~ which the ci,rculated oil drains. 310unted in the lower part of the engine and having a pick up within a sump portion of the oil pan is the usual oil pump. The oil pump pumys the necessary oil into the engine block, through a ~lll flow filter, and then back into the engine block for circulation through the engine.
The above system has several disædvantages. The primary dlsadvantage is the inclusion of air in the oil being circulated. Oil has a grleat affinity for ail and as a result, a can of oil received from a consumer has on the average o~ approximately 18% air. When that same oil i5 circulated through an internal combustion engine, it is sprayed and otherwise mixed with air with the result that a very large àmount of air i5 absorbed in the oil returninV
to the oil pan. Further, inasmuch as the oil supplied to the oil pump ls drawn thereinto, which results in the incor- -~poration of furtle1 air into the oil, oil circulated through ` ~ an int~rnal combustioll engine has an undesirable percentage `~ of air which greatly reduces the lubrication and beari.ng supporting properties of the oil.
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~ ' : ' . ' `' :.: . ' ,, ,',, ; ' ', " ,`' , ,, " ,,, , ' ', ~ " ' ~6~Si7 For the abovc reason, certain internal com~ustion engines are provided with a dry sump system wherein the oil collected in the oil pan is ~umped there~rom to a .suitable collector wherein air may be removed from the oil and from which oil is supplied under gravity pressure to the pressure pump of the engine. In other en~ines, an adequate supply of oil cannot be maintained interna]ly in a conventional oil pan or other portion of the crankcase. This is particularly true with respect to radial or inverted aircraft engines.
In these various engine arrangements, the oil supply is re-tained externally~
It is also pointed out here that with the usual oil pan construction, it is necessary to pro~ide a relatively ~ -deep sump so as to assure that oil will be available at all . lS t;mes for lubrication purposes even though the quantity of oil available is diminished. ~he sump of the average oil pan depends on the order of 4 inches below the portion of the vil pan which is utillzed only as a cover. As a result, the internal com~ustion engine must be mounted 4 inches ~- , higher than is normally required in order to provide clear-ance -~or the sump portion o~ the oil pan~
A further dlsadvantage~o~ present automotive con~
structions is that the usual screw-on oil filter is so posi-ti~ned that it is extremely difficult to remove. There wàs a time when thè average service station would replace an ~il ; ~ilter, as part of the oil change, only -Eor the price oE
the oil ~ilter. Today an extra charge is made for changin~
the oil filter.
In accordance with the Eoregoing, it is proposed ;
that int.ernal combustion systems~and other units requiring

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~ ' , , ' . ~ ~, , , 6~57 lubrication be constructed with a dry sump, but in lieu of the presently expensive external tank construction, as ~ell as the present difficult to remove oil filter, there be pro-vided a simple container construction which has mounted therein as an integral part thereof an oil filter. The con-tainer would be of a construction which would facilitate the utilization thereof as a carrier and storage area ~or the oil prior to incorporation thereof as part of a lubri~
cation system and would be of a conventlonal container con-struction so that the cost thereof would be such that it could be disposed o~. Thus, when one is ready to make the -customary oil change on the internal combustion engine or . ~ -otller machinery, one would merely disconnect the container with the used oil therein and replace the container with a new container full o~ clean oil. Inasmuch as the container would be mounted in the upper part of the engine compartment - o~ a vehicle, and in the case of other type of machinery in a readily accessible position, the necessary change over , . . : .
~ . could be readily accomplished.
20 -. With the above and other objects in view that ~ill hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more ~`clearly understood by reference to th0 following detailed -description, the appended claims and the several views :
illustrated in the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an oil su~ply unit formed in accordance with this invention with portions thereof broken away.
- Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the oi.1 supply : unit o~ Figure 1 in its position of use and shows the sa~.e coupl~d to internal combustioD engine components, portions ~: ~ 3 , i~; .
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being broken a~ay and sho~n in section.
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary v~rl-ical sectional view taken through the lo~er portion of the supply unit of Figure 2 and shows more specifically the details of construction thereof.
Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and shows further the constructional details of the unit.
Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of a fitting incorporated in ~he container of the oil supply unit.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational vie~
of the fitting and shows further the constructional details thereoP.
Referring no~Y to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to Figure 1 wherein there is il]ustrated an .
oil supply unit formed in accordance with this invention, $he supply unit being generally designated by the numeral 10.
The oil supply unit 10 includes a conventional container, ~ genèrally iden~ified by the numeral 11 which ~ould have the shape of a normal rectangular or round can ~or liquids, such as the one gallon or two gallon size customarily fouDd in the marketplace. The container 11 includes a ^ontainer body 12 which has secured to the opposite ends thereof end closures 13`and 14 by means o~ conventional double sea~s 15.
The end closure 13 is provided with a fitting, -~ generally identified by the numeral 16, which is particularly ~ adapted for the circulation therethrough of oil in a n~anner .~ to be described hereinafter. Carried by the fittin~ 16 and ~`
- projecting into the interior of the container 11 is a filter, ~ener~ identiicd by the numeral 17. Further, the end :

fi~57 closure 14 is provided with a vent fitting 18 to be described hereinafter.
It is to be understood that v~hen the container 11 is initially being utilized as a carrier and stora~e place for oil, it will normally be stored in the upright pOSitiOII
illustrated in Figure 1. The vent fltting 18 will be pro-vided with a tamper-proof seal suitable closure 18, which may be of the snap-on type integrally connected to the fitting lB.
As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the fitting 16 is provided with a central operling 20 and outer openings 21. These openings may be sealed by means of a disposable closure cap (not shown) or by means of re-~ovable sealing strips 23 and 24 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. If desired, a single sealing ~ember may be used and secured to the hereinafter to be described ring 47.
Reference is now made to Figure 2 wherein the oil supply Ullit 10 i5 illustrated in an oil system of an internal combustion engine. The container 11 has been inverted from its position o~ Figure 1 and will be seated in a suitable - support carried by the associate vehicle in much the same manner as ~ battery is mounted in such vehicle or perhaps even more simpler in the manner in which the conventional windshield ~iper bottle is mounted. The details of such a support are not part of this invention, and therefore, are no* specifically described here.
In order to`facilitate the utilization of oil stored within th~ container 11, as ~ell as the recirculation o oil therethro~lgh, it is necessary that the internal com-S ~ ~:
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bustion engino or other unit the lubrication system o~ which the oil supply unit 10 forms a part, be provided Wit~l an adapter, generally identified by the numeral 25, which is releaseably secured to the fitting 16. The adapter 25, among other features, includes an inlet tube 26 and an outlet tube 27 which are connected by means of hoses 28 and 30, respec-tively, to a scavenger pump 31 and a pressure pump 32. The pumps 31 and 32 are illustrated as being parts of a single double unit pump, generally identified by the numeral 33 and having a single drive shaft 34. The scavenger pump 31 has associated ther~with a conventional oil pick up 35 and the pressure pu~p 32 is adapted to discharge into the engine block as indicated by the arrow 36.
When the oil supply unlt 10 is part of a internal -15 combustion engine, the vent fitting 18 will be coupled by ` -~ means of a line 37 to some portion o:E the internal combustion engine in which the air vapors may be dissipated without the loss of:~il, such as a valve cover 38.
It is to bè understood that when the oil o~ the oil system requires changing, the line 37 is disconnected a~d the vent fitting 18 is closed. The contailler 11 is then lifted from its support and is then inverted to the posi~ion sh~wn in Figure 1, after which the adapter 25 may be removed .ixom the fitting lG. I~ a closure cap is supplied, the -~
closure cap may be reapplied and now the dirty oil is in a -self-contailled package ~YhiCh may be disposed of in any con~
: ~enient manner, including the pouring o-~ the oil from the ~:
container 11 tbrough the vent fitting 18.
: Inasmuch as the oil suppl~ 1nit 10 will be moun~ed within a convellient position within the vehicle or adjacent ~ -.:
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'' . ~ ~ ' . ' ~09~ 7 the machinery of which the lubrication system is a part, it will be readily apparent that the oil of the lubrication system may be quickly and readily changed by an unskilled person ~vith no or a minimal loss of oil.
S Reference is now made to Figures 2, 3, ~ and 6 wherein the specific details of the fitting 16 and the re-; lationship thereo~ to the container 11 and the adapter 25 is illustrated. The fitting 16 is preferably formed of a firm, but resilient plastic material and is inserted into an opening 40 formed in the end closure 15 as a plug. Pref-erably the inner portion of the fitting 16 is tapered as at 41 with the tapered portion having an annular groove 42 formed therein. The opening 40 in the closure is formed as a curl 43 of a dlameter corresponding to the diameter of the -groove 42 so that there may be a snap, sealed interlock between the end closure 13 and the fitting 16.
As previously described, the fitting 16 is provided with a central opening which defines an inlet passage for the - container 11. The opening 20 opens through an end wall 44 o~ the fitting 16 which faces away from the container 11.
The end wall 44 has integrally formed thereon an annulàr sealing xing 45 which projects from the end wall 44 in surrounding relation with respect to the opening 20. The sealing l'ing ~5 iS of a bapered construction and ~hen axially - compresses, deflects so as to form a secure seal ~;itll the ~ - .
opposing surface. - ~ ~
As is also previously described, the fitting 16 is -;
provided ~Yith a plurality of openings 21 therethrough ~hich define outlet passages. The openings 21 are formed in the ~; fit~ing 16 out~vardly of the sealing ring ~5 and radiall~-~ 7 , ~ . .
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outwardly of the openings 21 is a second sealing ring 46 which is~of the same construction as the sealing ring 45, but which is particularly adapted so.as to deflect radially outwardly as opposed to the radially inward deflection of the sealing ring 45. It will be apparent from Figure 3 that the openings 21, which form the outlet passages, open through the end 44 of the fitting 16 between the sealing rings 45 and 46.
The end wall 44 of the fitting 16 is provided with 10 a third and outer sealing ring 47 which is relatively stiff with respect to flexure and movement thereof is primarily . restricted to axial compresslon.
As previously described, the adapter 25 is provided :
~ith tubes or projections 26 and 27. It is to be noted that :
these are particularly constructed for the reception of hoses : capable o~ withstanding pressure. The hose fittings 26, 27 .
project from an end wall 48 of a cup shaped ~ody- of thc it-- ting 25 which also includes a s~irt portion 50. The skirt portion 50 is o~ a size to telescope over .the fitting 16 - ~ . .
an~ is p-rovided wit~ a plurality of circumferentially spaced :lugs 51. The lugs 51 cooperate with similar circum-~erentially - :.
spaced projections 52 ormed on the periphery of the ~itting . 16, which projections 52 sach includes a camming sur~ace 53 terminating in a locking recess 54, æs best shown in Figure 6. ~ ;
It is to be understood that the adapter 25 is telescoped over ~ ;~
- the ~itting~16 with the lugs Sl passing between the project~
: ~ons 52. The fitting lG and the adapter 25 are turned re-lative to each other with the Iugs 51 passing under the pro-jections 52 in engagement with the cam surfaces 53 until they drop into the slots 54. At this time tlle adapter 25 - ~ is tightly locked ~Yith the fitting 16. -~

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d ~0~ 57 As is clearly sllowll in Figure 3, when the adapter 25 is properly engaged with the fitting 16, the sealing rin~
45 is deflected in tight enga~ement with the wall ~8 of the adapter to form a seal so as to prevent the escape of oil passing into tlle fitting 26 of the adapter 25 and the inlet passage 20 In a like manner, the sealing ring 46 is in tight sealing engagement with the inner ~ace of the wall 48 so as to make certain that all fluid passing out through the outlet passages 21 will pass through the fitting 27 o~
the adapter 25 without the loss of oil. Finally, the sealing ring 47 is seated ill an annular groove 55 in the wall ~8 and forms a ~inal seal against the escape of oil under pressure from between the fitting 16 and the adapter 25. ~
` Reerence is now made to the specific consl;ruction and mounting o~ the filter 17. In accordance with this inven- :
- tion, it is preferred that the construction of the filter 17 incorporate the details of can body construction so that the ..
- filter may be made at a minimum cost. Accordingly, the fil- :
. ter 17 includes a body member 56 which is in the form of a . ~.
conven~ional can body. One end of the can body 56, the lower ~ end ln Figure 2, is closed by a conventional conical end unit 57 generally of the soft drinking beverage type including a neck 58 having an enlargement 60 on the terminal end portion .thereon for receiving a closure cap.
A conventional filter element 61 is exposed within the can body 56, the filter element being of the type wherein ~:
the material to be.filtered ~lows therethrough in a radial dir~ction from the exterior thereof into the interior ~ith the interior being defined by a hollow tube 62.
The upper end of the can body 56, as shown in ; ~-- 9 - ~ :

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Figure 2, is closed by a furtller end unit 63. Ihe end units 57 and 63 are secured to the can body 56 by conventiona~
double seaming. It is to be noted that the end uni t 63 pro-jects into the interior of the can body 56 and telminates in a tubular portion 64 which is telescoped within the tube portion 62 and is sealed relative thereto so as to prevellt the escape o~ ~luid around the filter element 61.
It is to be understood that the filter 17 is to be carried by the ~itting 16. In order to facilitate the æsse~-bly of the filter 17 with the fitting 16, the fitting 16 is provided with a contoured bore 65 which forms a continuation : of the lnl.et passage 20. The bore 65 is so contoured that the neck 58 and the enlargement 60 of the end unit 57 will snap into the fitting 16 in positive interlocking relation.
Further with reference to Figure 3, it ~-ill be seen that the end unit 57 projects into the can body 56 and is reversely folded therein as at. 66 so as to define a .
shoulder on which the filter element 61 rests. Thus, the ~ilter element 61 may be firmly clamped between the t~o end closures S7 and 63.
It is also pointed out here that normally the lovl~r end of the tube 62 ~Yill be closed. However, inasmuch as all o~ th~ oil of the system must flow through the filter 17, in the event the filter element 61 should become clogged or for - :
some other reason unable to pass the full flo~ of the oil from the scavenger pump 31, it is desirable that there be ~ :
a pressure bypassimeans to compensate for this condit.ion.
The pressure bypass means is generally identified by t~.e numeral 67 and is mounted in the lower end of the tube b2, - .:
, as illustrated In Figure 3. The pressure bypass means 67 .

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includes a sleeve portion 68 o-~ an end wall 70 of the fil-ter element 61 which projects into the tube G2 in sealed re-lation and which has an end wall 71 ~vithin the tube 62, the end wall 71, in turn, having an oil passage 72 therethrough.
The lower end of the sleeve 58 is closed by a hat shaped member 73 having an oil passage 74 therethrough. A
check valve 75 is normally held against the hat shaped mem-ber 73 by a spring 76 enclosqd as the oil passage 74.
Although a specifia valve assembly has bee~ speci-fically illustrated and described herein, it is understood that any t~pe of check valve assembly may be provided and that the check ~alve assembly could be mounted a-t various locations such as on the seavenge pump inlet or on the end .
closure 57 as opposed to being carried by the filter element ~ :
61. . . .
: Assumin~ that it is necessary to change the oil of ~ :
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~ the lubrication system of which the oil unit is a part, the~
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- . vent line 37 is removed and the vent fitting 18 is closed `~
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by the appli~ation of the closure element. Then the old oil ~ UDit 10 is lifted out of its support (not shown) and inverted, ~.
a~ter which the adapter Z5 is remo~ed there~rom and a suitable closure member (not shown) to be supplied with a new oil Ull1t, ~ ~-will ~ventually be applied to the fitting 16 so as to seal the passages therein. The,old oll unlt is now ready ~or dis~
~5 posal although it is pre~erred that the oil contained therein .
~ be drained at a convenient poin* ~or the purpose o~ salvaging .:
the oil. The new oil unit 10, a~ter the seals for ~he inlet .
p~ssnge 20 and the outlet passages 21 have been removed, has ~ ~

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oil unit was removed. The vent fitting lS is no~ open and - the vent line 37 attached thereto.
It will be readily apparent that once the container 11 has been vented, the oil therein is free to run through the outlet passages 21 down to the pressure pump 32 so that the same is immediately primed. The unit, such as an in-ternal combustion engine J iS then started with the pressure pump 32 supplyin~ the oil under pressure and the scavenger pump 31 serving to pick up the returning oil and returning the same to the oil unit 10 with all of the oil pas~ing ~irst through the filter 17 and thçn into the interior proper o~ the container 11 for return to the pump 32 . It is to be noted that the utilization of the oil unit 10 has advantagRs other than the replace~ent of the oil ~
- 15 of the unit which is being lubricated. First of all, all ... :. :: oil that passes to the pressure pump 32 is clean oil and do~s not contain metal fragments, etc~ which could damage - the pressure pump. Therefore, the pressure pump uill have .
a long life and will continue to maintan the necessary pres- ~.
~20 sure ~or the unit which is being lubricated. It is ac~no~-ledged that the scavenger pump 31 will have directed there- ~
. - . ' -into the dirty oil including metal and other foreign particles, -~ut the scavenger pump does not have to opexate at a high ~
pressure, and therefore, minor damages thereto may be sus-. . 25 tained without suf~iciently deterioratin~ from its function. :, A further advantage of a use of a scavenger pump and the exteriox oil supply is that when the oil passes ~ . -- - th~ough the ~ilter 17 and expands within the container 11, .. .. .
as it r~erses its flow in the top portlon of the container, large qUalltitieS of undesirable air entrailled thereln will .', -, . ' ' ,:

be released and this air will be drawn out of the system through the vent line 37. As a result, the ~luantity of air in the oil being circulated through the lubrjcation passages of the unit being lubricated will be greatly re-duced. Further, since the pressure pump 32 is ~ravity pressure fed as opposed to suction fed, there will be a less tendency of air being drawn into the pressure pump.
This also reduces the quantity of entrained air being pumped through the system. Inasmuch as the air has no lubrication valve and greatly detracts from the lubrication properties of oil under pressure in a friction type bearing assembly, the removal of the air can be a major ~actor.
At this time it is pointed out that in the event the supply o~ oil has to be added and before the normal oil chan~e is required? oil may be added in the normal manner, su_h ~s th~ou~h a ~ittin~ ~ on the valve cover 38. In order to determine whether oil should be added, the container :Ll may be provided with suitable sight openings 81 and 8~ as is deemed advisable It is to be understood that the container body 1~
~ay be provided with suitable lithography. ~his may include instructions as to how to install and utiIize the oil unit ' ' 10. ~ -"~" ,, Although only a preferred embodiment of the lubri-25 cation system and oil unit has been specifically illustrated :
a~d desclibed herein, it is to be understood that minor vari-ations may be made therein without departing rom the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
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Claims

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

1. A disposable oil unit for a dry sump lubricating system, said oil unit comprising a disposable container of a construction suitable for transporting oil, said container being of a size to be the primary oil storage area for an intended machine, a fitting carried by said container, said fitting defining an inlet passage for directing oil into said container, a filter, said filter being small in size as com-pared to said container, coupling means coupling said filter to said fitting for receiving oil through said inlet passage, said filter having a discharge opening into said container, and means for delivering oil from said container for passage through a unit to be lubricated.

2. The oil unit of claim 1 wherein said means for delivering oil from said unit includes said fitting defining an outlet passage.

3. The oil unit of claim 2 wherein said fitting has means thereon for securing thereto in sealed relation an adapter having supply and return lines with the supply and return lines in communication with said inlet and outlet passages.

4. The oil unit of claim 2 wherein said fitting has an end face remote from said container, said inlet passage being generally centrally located and said end face having projecting therefrom a first sealing ring, said end face having a second sealing ring projecting therefrom surrounding said first sealing ring, and said outlet passage being disposed between said sealing rings.

5. The oil unit of claim 4 wherein said end face has projecting therefrom a third and outermost sealing ring said first and second sealing rings being sidewise deflectable and said third sealing ring being endwise deformable.

6. The oil unit of claim 5 wherein said fitting has associated therewith a removable adapter having inlet and outlet oil line fittings, and connecting means releasably securing said adapter to said fitting in sealing ring compress-ing relation whereby effective seals are formed between said fitting and said adapter.

7. The oil unit of claim 4 wherein a first sealing element is removably secured to said fitting within said first sealing ring and closes said inlet passage, and a second sealing element is removably secured to said fitting between said sealing rings and closes said outlet passage.

8. The oil unit of claim 1 wherein said container has vent means above the level of oil within said container and remote from oil circulating through said container for venting air which escapes from oil circulating through said container.

9. The oil unit of claim 1 wherein said filter includes an imperforate housing, filter means within said housing, end closures on said housing, and said coupling means including cooperating means on one of said end closures and said fitting.

10. The oil unit of claim 9 wherein said housing is a conventional can body and said end closures are end units seamed to end portions of said can body.

11. The oil unit of claim 9 wherein said one end closure is a conventional conical end unit of the beer and beverage type, and said cooperating means includes the customary closure cap projection on said one end closure.

12. The oil unit of claim 9 wherein said filter includes a pressure bypass relief means for effecting the bypassing of said filter element in the case of excess oil pressure.

13. The oil unit of claim 1 wherein said container is of a conventional can construction and includes a body having ends seamed thereon.

14. A lubrication system comprising a scavenger pump, a pressure pump and an external oil unit, said oil unit including a container intended to be disposable and of a construction suitable for the customary transporting and storage of oil prior to use of the oil, said container being of a size to be the primary oil storage area for an intended machine, a fitting carried by said container and defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage, an adapter unit releasably connected to said fitting and connecting said inlet passage to said scavenger pump for receiving circulated oil therefrom and said outlet passage to said pressure pump for delivering oil thereto, and a filter in said container and coupled to said fitting for receiving oil through said inlet passage and filtering the same prior to flow thereof into said container, said filter being small in size as com-pared to said container, said filter having a discharge open-ing into said container.

15. The lubrication system of claim 14 wherein said container in use includes an upper portion, and vent means are carried by said upper portion for removing air liberated from oil flowing into said container.

16. The oil unit of claim 1 wherein said filter in-cludes a pressure bypass relief means for effecting the bypass-ing of said filter element in the case of excess oil pressure.