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What is a
SPINTRIC®?
“A totally full time functioning device, becoming part of
the dry sump system.” This is not an
engine breather/vent can
The "Spintric®" air/oil separator is an in-line air
separator for dry sump oiling systems, as typically used on
racing engines. This device follows an invention by Gary
Armstrong Patented in 1983, where the air and oil is
separated mechanically, being part of the dry sump pump, and
incorporated within the pump, driven by the same shaft
(patent # 4,414,006) 1983. The Spintric® air/oil
separator is a very simple looking, yet highly sophisticated
device, utilizing several complex channels allowing what I
call "centripetal air separation" to work. The same laws of
physics working in the previous patent, and other similar
devices relying on the dry sump pump are at work. However,
separators in the pump make a longer, larger diameter, more
difficult to mount dry Sump pump. The Spintric® mounts
separate from the dry sump pump, in-line from scavenge out
to scavenge in on the dry sump tank. We also make a special
dry sump tank with the Spintric® mounted to the tank,
(optional).
The Spintric® has NO MOVING PARTS. The oil
traveling back to the tank is the only "moving part". The
internal centripetal (centrifugal) force is generated
by the internal channels shape, cavities, port and undulated
manifold, and relief ports, forces the air out of the oil
prior to entering the tank. The device can be mounted
virtually anywhere in the scavenge oil return line. In-line
meaning that it is connected in between the scavenge outlet
fitting on the pump and the return fitting on the inlet to
the dry sump oil tank. There is another fitting where the
extracted air that is separated from the oil scavenged out
of the pan, returns to the tank. This fitting on the tank
should be in a higher location, such as a vent fitting. This
is important as the air extraction line is not totally
without oil. The percentage of air varies with pump RPM (oil
flow speed), oil temperature and flow volumes. However, the
amounts generally are between 30-70% air. Keep in mind this
is the same percentage of air that is NOT IN the oil as it
flows into the tank. This allows the oil to be much less
aerated as it makes its way to the bottom, and consequently
to the pressure stage feeding the engine it's "life blood".
This affords less oil pressure drop, better more efficiently
cooled oil, and more lubrication to the engine. Air
obviously, is not a good lubricant! I recommend the air
extraction feed into the tank have a deflector, or a tube
close to the internal tank wall.
Installation:
The size of fittings on the Spintric® should be the same
as the line size. The air outlet line should be at least a,
-10 (-12 preferably). We make the units with -10, -12 or
-16 in/out fittings Installed.
As mentioned, we make special dry sump tank tops to mount
your Spintric® to the dry sump tank. These will interchange
with all ARE 6" or 9" dry sump tanks, or, the units may be
mounted anywhere the scavenge return line goes back to the
tank, preferably, closest to the tank.
Mounting:
All units come with an aircraft type stainless steel T-bolt
clamp and built in bracket. This allows the unit to be
securely mounted. Also, the lines to and from should be tie
wrapped in position, as in standard race car plumbing
procedure.
Cleaning:
The Spintric® fittings and inlet and outlet
manifolds are removable if necessary. However, the unit
itself is permanently assembled and cannot and need not be
disassembled. Units can be cleaned by running solvent, hot
soapy water etc. through the entire unit, in both
directions. This back flushing procedure will clean the
internal passages completely.
Example of the SPINTRIC® Air Oil
Separator Flow
Example of the SPINTRIC® Air Oil
Separator Mounting Sample
The SPINTRIC® |
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-12 Air relief deflector Simplifies air return to virtually any tank. |
SPINTRIC® Plumbing Schematic - Incorporating the Spintric®
Applies to ALL Dry Sump Systems
See Notes A through G (below)
A - DrySump Pump scavenge outlet - Return to Tank - Applies to All Pumps
B - Inlet to Spintric® - Keep Line size the same (A) through (G)
C - Outlet from Spintric® - (De-aerated oil back to tank)
D - Install Oil Cooler Here (Optional)
E - Oil Inlet to Tank - Same as before, from Pump (A)
F - Air Relief from Spintrif to Tank Top
G - Air Relief recommend through deflector fitting PN 6312
The Fluid Dynamics of the SPINTRIC®
There are literally hundreds of air/oil sparators made, a quick Google search shows that, however, 95% of them are "vented air devices" made for keeping the oil out of atmospheric or engine PCV systems. Wet sump engines need to be vented, and these devices are fine, if not a good idea.
However, the SPINTRIC® is NOT in this category. The SPINTRIC® is designed to help eliminate the air from the scavenge return to the oil tank. The nature of the drysump system is to "over scavenge" the engine, sending oil and air back to the oil tank or reservoir. The SPINTRIC's® job is to send de-aerated oil back to be used again, sometimes within seconds! The air then is sent back to the top of the tank where it can be vented back to the atmosphere.
This is important to understand, as both devices separate air from oil, but in totally different dynamics, function, and end results!
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