Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic air flow

• US 6,782,585 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2000
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polar Light Limited
• Original Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest, Conrad, Helmut Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/679,353
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 153/47, 153/50, 153/51, 153/52, 153/53, 553/37, 554/591, 553/43, 553/49, 553/46, 553/45, 55D/IG.3
• US Class Current: 15/353
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/165 Construction of inlets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1691 Mounting or coupling means for cyclonic chamber or dust 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 2009/002 with external filters
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/004 with internal filters, in the cyclone chamber or in the vortex finder
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/02 Construction of inlets by which the vortex flow is generated , e.g. tangential admission, the fluid flow being forced to follow a downward path by spirally wound bulkheads, or with slightly downwardly-directed tangential admissionfluid dynamics in general F15D
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/103 Bodies or members, e.g. bulkheads, guides, in the vortex chamber cores B04C5/107
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/26 for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/28 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 9/00 Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, expansion chambers, diffusors, water lockswith filters B01D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner has a first cyclonic cleaning stage and a second cyclonic stage positioned in series with the first cyclonic cleaning stage. The second cyclonic stage comprises a plurality of second stage cyclones. A passage connects the first cyclonic cleaning stage outlet and the second stage cyclones inlets. The passage does not increase in cross-sectional area in a downstream direction.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a nozzle and a source of suction to draw air containing particulate matter into the nozzle and produce an air stream in the vacuum cleaner;

(b) a first cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a cyclone having a first cyclonic cleaning stage inlet and a first cyclonic cleaning stage outlet;

(c) a second cyclonic cleaning stage positioned in series with the first cyclonic cleaning stage, the second cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a plurality of second stage cyclones, each of the second stage cyclones having a second stage cyclone inlet and a second stage cyclone outlet; and

,

(d) a passage connecting the first cyclonic cleaning stage outlet and the second stage cyclone inlets wherein the passage does not increase in cross-sectional area in a downstream direction.

2. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second stage cyclones at least partially surround the passage.

4. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage has a cross sectional area which is approximately the same as the cross sectional area of the first cyclonic cleaning stage outlet.

5. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage is substantially free of horizontal spaces that are transverse to the direction of fluid flow through the passage.

6. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage Is substantially free of any dead air spaces.

7. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage Is substantially free of regions that are adapted to separate particulate matter from the air stream.

8. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage is defined by a single conduit.

3. The vacuum cleaner as claimed in 1 wherein the passage is at least partially defined by the second stage cyclones.