Liquid separation device for suction nozzles
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for drawing liquid from a floor or other surface utilizing a flow of air provided by a suction source, said apparatus comprising:
- a liquid collection tank;
an intake opening in fluid communication with said collection tank, said intake opening being positionable proximate said floor or other surface;
means for establishing fluid communication between said collection tank and said suction source so that said flow of air is drawn in said intake opening and through said collection tank;
a plurality of liquid separation passages that restrict and divide said flow of air between said intake opening and said collection tank, so that said liquid is separated from said flow of air and collected in said tank prior to said flow of air reaching said suction source, said plurality of liquid separation passages comprising;
a plurality of elongate passages arranged in a bundle, said bundle having an intake end at which said flow of air and liquid enters said passages and a discharge end at which said flow of air exits said passages with said liquid having been separated therefrom; and
means for introducing said flow of air at an indirect angle to openings of said liquid separation passages at said intake end of said bundle.
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Abstract
A liquid separation nozzle utilized with a suction source, such as a vacuum cleaner. Liquid and air are drawn through an intake by the suction, and pass through a plurality of liquid separation passages. The liquid separation passages divide the flow and separate the liquid from the air. The liquid drops out from the separation passages and accumulates in the bottom of the collection tank, while the air is drawn out through the upper part of the tank. A float valve prevents liquid from being drawn out with the air as the tank becomes full.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for drawing liquid from a floor or other surface utilizing a flow of air provided by a suction source, said apparatus comprising:
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a liquid collection tank; an intake opening in fluid communication with said collection tank, said intake opening being positionable proximate said floor or other surface; means for establishing fluid communication between said collection tank and said suction source so that said flow of air is drawn in said intake opening and through said collection tank; a plurality of liquid separation passages that restrict and divide said flow of air between said intake opening and said collection tank, so that said liquid is separated from said flow of air and collected in said tank prior to said flow of air reaching said suction source, said plurality of liquid separation passages comprising; a plurality of elongate passages arranged in a bundle, said bundle having an intake end at which said flow of air and liquid enters said passages and a discharge end at which said flow of air exits said passages with said liquid having been separated therefrom; and means for introducing said flow of air at an indirect angle to openings of said liquid separation passages at said intake end of said bundle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for drawing liquid from a floor or other surface utilizing a flow of air provided by a suction source, said apparatus comprising:
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a liquid collection tank having upper and lower portions at forward and rearward ends; a lift nozzle mounted at said forward end of said liquid collection tank, said lift nozzle comprising; a slot-shaped intake opening that extends transversely of said collection tank at a lower end of said lifting nozzle; a generally upwardly-extending flow passage in fluid communication with said intake opening; and a generally rearwardly-extending flow passage in fluid communication with said upwardly-extending flow passage at an upper end of said lifting nozzle; a plenum chamber mounted in said upper portion of said collection tank proximate said forward end thereof, said plenum chamber comprising; a generally cylindrical wall defining upper and lower openings; a removable cap mounted over said upper opening; and an inlet opening in fluid communication with said rearwardly-extending flow passage of said lift nozzle, said inlet opening being aligned in a generally tangential direction at said cylindrical wall of said plenum chamber; a liquid separation body mounted under said lower opening of said plenum chamber, said liquid separation body comprising; a generally downwardly concave upper end that forms a bottom to said plenum chamber; a lower end that is located in an interior volume of said collection tank proximate said lower portion thereof; and a plurality of elongate liquid separation passages having entry openings at said upper end of said liquid separation body and discharge ends at said lower end of said body; a suction opening in said upper portion of said liquid collection tank; and a valve assembly that selectively establishes fluid communication between said suction opening in said upper portion of said tank. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification