Importance

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Abstract

An oil mist collection system for a plurality of machine tools each having a coolant system directing coolant at the cutting tools and collecting coolant and returning the same to a filtration system includes an oil mist collector at each station collecting oil from mist present at each station and draining the oil back to the associated machine tool coolant return, and return air ducts from each of the oil mist collectors extending to a central air filtration apparatus. Each oil mist collector preferably includes a vertical spiral coil wall defining a spiral flow path into which the mist is directed, the oil droplets collecting onto the spiral coil wall and draining into a collection chamber below the spiral coil wall for return to the associated machine tool via a drain line. Each mist collector is comprised of an inlet housing, a spiral coil housing and a collection housing forming a unitary housing assembly. A drain valve prevents drawing air back through the drain line by only opening periodically just sufficiently to partially discharge accumulated oil and any solid debris with only minimal return air entering through the drain. A cyclonic air flow is induced in the collection chamber to prevent setting and accumulation of solids and drains out through a tangentially facing drain fitting in the bottom outer region of the collection chamber.

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First Claim