Vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator, comprising:
- an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height;
a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber;
a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber, with the lead-in track tapering from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber, wherein the air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track;
an impeller air inlet tube extending down through the separator chamber, with the impeller air inlet tube including an air only inlet; and
a separator impeller chamber adapted to house an impeller for generating the air/liquid airflow, with the separator impeller chamber communicating with an air outlet located on an exterior of the air/liquid separator and with the impeller air inlet tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator is provided according to the invention. The separator includes an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height. The separator further includes a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber. The separator further includes a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber. The lead-in track tapers from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber. The air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator, comprising:
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an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height; a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber; a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber, with the lead-in track tapering from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber, wherein the air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track; an impeller air inlet tube extending down through the separator chamber, with the impeller air inlet tube including an air only inlet; and a separator impeller chamber adapted to house an impeller for generating the air/liquid airflow, with the separator impeller chamber communicating with an air outlet located on an exterior of the air/liquid separator and with the impeller air inlet tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing a vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator, the method comprising:
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providing an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height; providing a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber; providing a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber, with the lead-in track tapering from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber, wherein the air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track; providing an impeller air inlet tube extending down through the separator chamber, with the impeller air inlet tube including an air only inlet; and providing a separator impeller chamber adapted to house an impeller for generating the air/liquid airflow, with the separator impeller chamber communicating with an air outlet located on an exterior of the air/liquid separator and with the impeller air inlet tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification