Apparatus and method separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow including an apertured particle separation member within a cyclonic flow region

• US 6,440,197 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GBD Corporation (G.B.D.)
• Original Assignee: GBD Corporation (G.B.D.)
• Inventors: Petersen, Dave Andrew, Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US09/482,649
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 554/24, 554/20, 554/18, 554/26, 554/591, 554/65, 55D/IG.3, 952/71
• US Class Current: 95/271
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/165 Construction of inlets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/16 generated by the winding course of the gas stream , the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 11/00 Accessories, e.g. safety or control devices, not otherwise provided for , e.g. regulators, valves in inlet or overflow ductingwith electrostatic precipitating arrangements B03C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/181 Bulkheads or central bodies in the discharge opening
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/187 forming an integral part of the vortex chamber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow incorporates a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region; a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region; a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber; a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures; and a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures. In operation, a fluid is introduced to flow cyclonically in a chamber having a cyclonic flow region and a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber to define a particle receiving chamber. The back pressure in the chamber is adjusted to promote the formation of a laminar boundary layer adjacent the particle separation member. Particles from the fluid flow in the cyclone chamber are then removed via passages provided in the particle separation member, and the fluid flow is removed from the chamber.

Claims

1. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and 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 separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures; and

,

(e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures wherein the number of apertures in the particle separation member is calculated by the formula;

$\mathrm{number}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\mathrm{of}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\mathrm{apertures}=\frac{H\times <br><br>4}{D}\pm <br><br>20<br><br>\%$

where H=the vertical height of the cyclonic flow region

D=the diameter of the cyclone chamber.

2. The separator of claim 1 further comprising a fluid pump for causing the fluid to flow through the separator wherein the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber is pulsed.

3. The separator of claim 1 further comprising a moveable closure member on one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for causing a pulsed fluid flow through the cyclone chamber.

4. The separator of claim 1 wherein the particle separation member has from 5 to 35 apertures.

5. The separator of claim 1 wherein the cyclone chamber has a diameter and each aperture has a longitudinally extending upstream edge and a longitudinally extending downstream edges, relative to the fluid flow, and transverse sides extending between the edges, the edges have a length which is less than 10% of the diameter of the cyclone chamber and the sides have a length which is 25-35% of the length of the edges.

6. The separator of claim 5 wherein the edges are substantially radially aligned with the cyclone chamber.

7. The separator of claim 1 wherein each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the fluid flow, and the upstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the upstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

.

8. The separator of claim 1 wherein each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the fluid flow, and the downstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the downstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

.

9. The separator of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow changes direction and travels to the fluid outlet at a position as it travels over the particle separation member and the separator further comprising a baffle positioned beneath the particle separation member at a position 10 to 20°

downstream of the position at which the fluid flow changes direction.

10. The separator of claim 9 wherein the particle receiving chamber has a bottom to comprise a sealed chamber except for the apertures and the baffle extends between the particle separation member and the bottom of the particle receiving chamber.

11. The separator of claim 1 wherein the particle receiving chamber is in communication with a conduit for transporting separated particles downstream from the particle receiving chamber.

12. The separator of claim 1 further comprising:

(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.

13. The separator of claim 1 wherein the particle separation member extends under all of the cyclonic flow region to define bottom surface of the cyclonic flow region.

14. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber for containing a cyclonic flow in a cyclonic flow region;

(b) fluid entry means for introducing a fluid flow to the cyclone flow region for cyclonic rotation therein;

(c) fluid exit means for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber;

(d) fluid pump means for causing fluid flow through the cyclone chamber;

(e) particle receiving means disposed beneath the cyclone flow region for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow;

(f) separation means for dividing the particle receiving means from the cyclone chamber;

(g) 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, a boundary layer flow of fluid develops over the separation means and the particles disentrained from the fluid flow pass through the transporting means to the particle receiving means; and

,

(h) means for pulsing the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber.

15. The separator of claim 14 wherein the means for pulsing the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber comprises means for pulsing an electrical signal to the fluid pump means.

16. The separator of claim 14 wherein the means for pulsing the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber comprises means for cyclically opening and closing one of the fluid entry means and the fluid exit means.

17. The separator of claim 14 wherein the means for pulsing the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber comprises constructing and positioning the transporting means to reduce turbulent fluid flow over the separation means.

18. The separator of claim 14 wherein the means for pulsing the fluid flow through the cyclone chamber comprises constructing and positioning flow disruption means beneath the separating means for disrupting cyclonic fluid flow in the particle receiving means.

19. The separator of claim 14 wherein the particle receiving means comprises a sealed chamber except for the transporting means and the separator further comprises emptying means for emptying the particle receiving means.

20. The separator of claim 14 wherein the transporting means are aerodynamically shaped to directing particles from the cyclonic flow region into the particle receiving means.

21. A method for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing a fluid to flow cyclonically in a chamber having a cyclonic flow region and a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber to define a particle receiving chamber;

(b) adjusting the back pressure in the chamber to promote the formation of a laminar boundary layer adjacent the particle separation member;

(c) removing particles from the fluid flow in the cyclone chamber via passages provided in the particle separation member; and

,

(d) removing the fluid flow from the chamber.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of storing the particles removed from the fluid flow and inverting the chamber to remove the separated particles.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the separator comprises a dirt separation mechanism for a vacuum cleaner and the method further comprises passing a cleaning head over a surface to clean the surface.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the particle separation member is constructed and positioned to reduce turbulent fluid flow over the particle separation member in the vicinity of the passages and the method further comprises passing the fluid flow over the particle separation;

member during operation of the chamber.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the chamber further comprises flow disruption means which is constructed and positioned beneath the separating means for disrupting cyclonic fluid flow in the particle receiving chamber to reduce turbulent fluid flow over the particle separation member in the vicinity of the passages and the method further comprises passing the fluid flow over the particle separation member during operation of the chamber.

26. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

(b) a air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

(c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface, the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

(d) a air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

(e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures;

(f) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures; and

,

(g) a motor for causing the air to flow through the vacuum cleaner wherein the motor receives an electrical signal and the electrical signal is pulsed whereby the air flow through the cyclone chamber is pulsed.

27. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

b) an air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface, the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

d) an air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures

f) wherein the number of apertures in the particle separation member is calculated by the formula;

$\mathrm{number}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\mathrm{of}<br><br>\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}<br><br>\mathrm{apertures}=\frac{H}{D}\times <br><br>4\pm <br><br>20<br><br>\%$

where H=the vertical height of the cyclonic flow region

D=the diameter of the cyclone chamber;

g) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member; and

h) a motor.

28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 27 wherein the particle separation member has from 5 to 35 apertures.

29. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

b) an air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface, the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

d) an air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures, wherein the cyclone chamber has a diameter and each aperture has a longitudinally extending upstream edge and a longitudinally extending downstream edge, relative to the air flow, and transverse sides extending between the edges, the edges have a length which is less than 10% of the diameter of the cyclone chamber and the sides have a length which is 25-35% of the length of the edges;

f) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member; and

,

g) a motor.

30. The vacuum cleaner of claim 29 wherein the edges are substantially radially aligned with the cyclone chamber.

31. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

b) an air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface, the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

d) an air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the air flow, and the upstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the upstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

;

f) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member; and

g) a motor.

32. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

b) an air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface;

the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

d) an air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the air flow, and the upstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the downstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

;

f) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member; and

g) a motor.

33. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region;

b) an air inlet for introducing a cyclonic air flow to the cyclonic flow region;

c) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a surface and having a air nozzle positionable adjacent the surface, the nozzle in air flow communication via a passageway with the air inlet;

d) an air outlet for removing the air flow from the cyclone chamber;

e) a particle separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures;

f) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member; and

g) a motor, wherein the air flow changes direction and travels to the air outlet at a position as it travels over the particle separation member and the vacuum cleaner further comprising a baffle positioned beneath the particle separation member at a position 10 to 20°

downstream of the position at which the air flow changes direction.

34. The vacuum cleaner of claim 33 wherein the particle receiving chamber has a bottom to comprise a sealed chamber except for the apertures and the baffle extends between the particle separation member and the bottom of the particle receiving chamber.

35. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and 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 separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures; and

,

(e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures, the cyclone chamber has a diameter and each aperture has a longitudinally extending upstream edge and a longitudinally extending downstream edges, relative to the fluid flow, and transverse sides extending between the edges, the edges have a length which is less than 10% of the diameter of the cyclone chamber and the sides have a length which is 25-35% of the length of the edges.

36. The separator of claim 35 wherein the edges are substantially radially aligned with the cyclone chamber.

37. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and 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 separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures; and

,

(e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures, each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the fluid flow, and the upstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the upstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

.

38. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and 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 separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures; and

,

(e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures, each aperture has an upstream edge and a downstream edge, relative to the fluid flow, and the downstream edge is angled towards the particle receiving chamber, the included angle between the downstream edge and the upper surface of the particle separation member is from 15 to 90°

.

39. A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising:

(a) a cyclone chamber having an outer wall and 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 separation member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separation member having an upper surface and plurality of apertures;

(e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separation member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures; and

,

(f) a baffle positioned beneath the particle separation member, the fluid flow changes direction and travels to the fluid outlet at a position as it travels over the particle separation member and the baffle is positioned at a position 10 to 20°

downstream of the position at which the fluid flow changes direction.