Dust separation system
First Claim
1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet;
a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle;
a suction motor, mounted in the nozzle or the handle, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet;
a separation system comprising;
an outer wall;
a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube;
a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber;
a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet;
a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; and
a vortex controller located at and closing an end of the closed tube immediately adjacent the hollow tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle, and a suction motor that has an inlet, and is adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle. The vacuum includes a separation system having an outer wall and a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the wall, and forming a separation chamber between the wall and the closed tube. The separation chamber has an inlet, in communication with the nozzle, that is adapted to impart a tangential component to the air flow as it flows through the separation chamber. A hollow tube is generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube and has a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube. The tube outlet is in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet.
172 Citations
46 Claims
-
1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle; a suction motor, mounted in the nozzle or the handle, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; and a vortex controller located at and closing an end of the closed tube immediately adjacent the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a main vacuum housing attached to the nozzle by way of a flexible hose; a suction motor, mounted in the main vacuum housing, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the dosed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the dosed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; and a vortex controller located at and closing an end of the closed tube immediately adjacent the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a suction motor, mounted to the vacuum cleaner, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system;
located, in a fluid flow sense, between the nozzle outlet and the suction motor inlet, and comprising a first separator and a second separator, each of the first separator and the second separator being adapted to remove dirt from the working air flow;and at least one collection chamber adapted to receive dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the first separator comprises at least one co-linear tube separator comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the dosed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor; and a vortex controller located at and closing an end of the closed tube immediately adjacent the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle in let; a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle; a suction motor, mounted in the nozzle or the handle, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a dosed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the separation system further comprises a vortex controller located at an end of the closed tube adjacent the hollow tube, and at least a portion of the vortex controller has a curved profile.
-
-
34. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to he cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle; a suction motor, mounted in the nozzle or the handle, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a dosed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flaw as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the separation system further comprises a vortex controller located at an end of the closed tube adjacent the hollow tube, and the vortex controller extends into the tube inlet.
-
-
35. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle; a suction motor, mounted in the nozzle or the handle, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned wit the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow, the collection chamber being offset from the center axes of the closed tube and the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
-
-
38. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a main vacuum housing attached to the nozzle by way of a flexible hose; a suction motor, mounted in the main vacuum housing, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the dosed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the separation system further comprises a vortex controller located at an end of the closed tube adjacent the hollow tube, and at least a portion of the vortex controller has a curved profile.
-
-
39. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a main vacuum housing attached to the nozzle by way of a flexible hose; a suction motor, mounted in the main vacuum housing, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the separation system further comprises a vortex controller located at an end of the closed tube adjacent the hollow tube, and the vortex controller extends into the tube inlet.
-
-
40. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a main vacuum housing attached to the nozzle by way of a flexible hose; a suction motor, mounted in the main vacuum housing, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the dosed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and a collection chamber for receiving dirt separated from the working air flow, the collection chamber being offset from the center axes of the closed tube and the hollow tube. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
-
-
43. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a suction motor, mounted to the vacuum cleaner, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system;
located, in a fluid flow sense, between the nozzle outlet and the suction motor inlet, and comprising a first separator and a second separator, each of the first separator and the second separator being adapted to remove dirt from the working air flow;and at least one collection chamber adapted to receive dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the first separator comprises at least one co-linear tube separator comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wail and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; wherein the second separator comprises a conventional cyclone separator comprising; a cyclone chamber; a cyclone inlet in fluid communication with the working air flow and adapted to introduce a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows within the cyclone chamber; and a cyclone outlet located in the bottom of the cyclone chamber. - View Dependent Claims (44)
-
-
45. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a suction motor, mounted to the vacuum cleaner, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system;
located, in a fluid flow sense, between the nozzle outlet and the suction motor inlet, and comprising a first separator and a second separator, each of the first separator and the second separator being adapted to remove dirt from the working air flow;and at least one collection chamber adapted to receive dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the first separator comprises a plurality of co-linear tube separators, each of the co-linear tube separators comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer wall and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows trough the separation chamber; and a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet.
-
-
46. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
-
a nozzle adapted to be traversed on a surface to be cleaned, the nozzle having an internal passage defined by a nozzle inlet positioned to be substantially adjacent the surface to be cleaned and a nozzle outlet remote from the nozzle inlet; a suction motor, mounted to the vacuum cleaner, and having a suction motor inlet, the suction motor being adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle and into the suction motor inlet; a separation system;
located, in a fluid flow sense, between the nozzle outlet and the suction motor inlet and comprising a first separator and a second separator, each of the first separator and the second separator being adapted to remove dirt from the working air flow;and at least one collection chamber adapted to receive dirt separated from the working air flow; wherein the first separator comprises at least one co-linear tube separator comprising; an outer wall; a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the outer wall and forming a separation chamber between the outer waif and the closed tube; a separation chamber inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet and adapted to impart a tangential component to the working air flow as it flows through the separation chamber; a hollow tube, generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube, having a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube, the tube outlet being in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet; and wherein the working air flow is divided into a first portion that passes through the first separator, and a second portion that passes through the second separator.
-
Specification