Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow
First Claim
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1. A cyclone separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:
- a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region;
b) a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region;
c) a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber;
d) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow; and
e) a particle separation member positioned between the cyclonic flow region and the particle receiving chamber, the particle separation member having first and second members, the first member is mounted for movement in a plane generally parallel to the second member between an open position, in which the particle separation member is configured to provide at least one opening for emptying the particle receiving chamber, and a closed position in which the at least one opening is closed.
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Abstract
A particle separation member is provided for use with a cyclone separator. The particle separation member divides the separator into a cyclone chamber and a particle receiving chamber. The cyclone chamber and the particle receiving chamber communicate via a plurality of apertures in the particle separation member. The separation member comprises two cooperating members movable between an open position and a closed position to provide access to the particle receiving chamber to empty the collected contents therefrom.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cyclone separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:
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a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region;
b) a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region;
c) a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber;
d) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow; and
e) a particle separation member positioned between the cyclonic flow region and the particle receiving chamber, the particle separation member having first and second members, the first member is mounted for movement in a plane generally parallel to the second member between an open position, in which the particle separation member is configured to provide at least one opening for emptying the particle receiving chamber, and a closed position in which the at least one opening is closed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
(a) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a floor and having a fluid nozzle positionable adjacent the floor, the nozzle in fluid flow communication via a passageway with the separator fluid inlet;
(b) a handle for moving the cleaner head over the floor; and
,(c) a casing for housing the cyclone chamber.
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11. The separator of claim 10 wherein the casing is pivotally mounted to the cleaner head about a casing rotation axis which is generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the cleaner head.
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12. The separator of claim 11 wherein the first and second members move to the closed position when the cyclone chamber is reinstalled in the main casing.
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13. The separator of claim 10 wherein the first and second members move to the open position upon removal of the cyclone chamber from the main casing.
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14. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:
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(a) a cyclone chamber for containing a cyclonic flow in a cyclonic flow region;
(b) means for introducing a fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region for cyclonic rotation therein;
(c) means for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber;
(d) particle receiving means disposed beneath the cyclone chamber for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow;
(e) separation means for dividing the particle receiving means from the cyclone chamber;
(f) transporting means associated with the separation means for connecting the particle receiving means in flow communication with the cyclonic flow region such that, in operation, particles pass through the transporting means to the particle receiving means; and
,(g) emptying means mounted for rotational movement substantially parallel to the separation means for selectively providing access to the particle receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for emptying particles from a cyclone separator, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) introducing a fluid to flow cyclonically in a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region;
b) removing particles from the fluid flow in the cyclone chamber to a particle receiving chamber which is in fluid flow communication with the cyclonic flow region, the particle receiving chamber separated from the cyclonic flow region by a particle separation member having an access member movably mounted thereto;
c) removing the fluid from the cyclone chamber;
d) storing the particles removed from the fluid flow;
e) terminating the fluid flow into the cyclonic flow region; and
,f) rotating a member associated with the particle separation member relative to the particle separation member to provide an opening in the particle separation member for removal of the particles removed from the fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification