Cyclone such as for use in a surface cleaning apparatus

• US 9,238,235 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Dung H
• Application Number:
  US13/780,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20140237965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 553/37, 554/47, 554/591, 55D/IG.3, 554/67, 153/47, 153/53
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/26 with driven dust-loosening tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0095 Suction cleaners or attachments adapted to collect dust or waste from power tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/244 for telescopic or extensible hoses or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/32 Handles
• 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 2009/004 with internal filters, in the cyclone chamber or in the vortex finder
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 3/00 Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex flow following a screw-thread type line remains unchanged ; Devices in which one of the two discharge ducts returns centrally through the vortex chamber, a reverse-flow vortex being prevented by bulkheads in the central discharge duct combined with other devices B04C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 3/06 Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/13 formed as a vortex finder and extending into the vortex chamber exits with bulkheads preventing reverse flow vortex B04C3/00; Discharge from vortex finder otherwise than at the top of the cyclone; Devices for controlling the overflow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/14 Construction of the underflow ducting; Apex constructions; Discharge arrangements ; discharge through sidewall provided with a few slits or perforations provided with a great number of slits or perforations B04C5/10

Abstract

A cyclone comprises a cyclone chamber having a first end having a first end wall, a second end having a second end wall, a sidewall, an air inlet at the first end, an air outlet and a first central insert member extending away from a center of the second end wall into the cyclone chamber wherein the first central insert member comprises a central member wall extending away from the second end wall and the central member wall and the second end wall meet at a first juncture that extends at an angle to both the central member wall and the second end wall.

Claims

1. A cyclone comprising a cyclone chamber having a first end having a first end wall, a second end having a second end wall, a sidewall, an air inlet at the first end, a vortex finder at the first end and a first central insert member extending from a center of the second end wall into the cyclone chamber wherein the vortex finder extends away from a center of the first end wall into the cyclone chamber and is aligned with the first central insert member, the first central insert member has an inner end that is closed and a screen extends from the inner end to the vortex finder, the first central insert member comprises a central member wall extending away from the second end wall and the central member wall and the second end wall meet at a first juncture surface that extends at an angle to both the central member wall that abuts and extends away from the first juncture surface and the second end wall.

2. The cyclone of claim 1 further comprising a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and a dirt outlet in communication with the dirt collection chamber is provided at the second end.

3. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the first juncture surface extends at an angle to both the central member wall and the second end wall.

4. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the first juncture surface is rounded.

5. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the vortex finder comprises a vortex finder wall extending away from the first end wall and the vortex finder wall and the first end wall meet at a second juncture surface that extends at an angle to both the vortex finder wall and the first end wall.

6. The cyclone of claim 5 wherein the second juncture surface is rounded.

7. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the air inlet is spaced from vortex finder.

8. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the screen has an inner end, the inner end has a cross sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction of airflow through the vortex finder and a cross sectional area of the inner end is less than a cross sectional area of an outlet of the air inlet.

9. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the air inlet has an inlet end having a shape, and the air inlet is provided at a second juncture surface of the sidewall and the first end wall, wherein the second juncture surface downstream of the air inlet approximates the shape of a portion of the air inlet that is adjacent the second juncture surface.

10. The cyclone of claim 9 wherein the second juncture surface is rounded.

11. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the air inlet has an inlet end having a shape, and the air inlet is provided at a third juncture surface of the sidewall and the first end wall, wherein the third juncture surface downstream of the air inlet approximates the shape of a portion of the air inlet that is adjacent the third juncture surface.

12. The cyclone of claim 11 wherein the first, second and third juncture surfaces are rounded.

13. The cyclone of claim 1 wherein the first central insert member is opposed to and faces the vortex finder.

14. A cyclone comprising a cyclone chamber having a first end having a first end wall, a second end having a second end wall, a sidewall, an air inlet at the first end, an air outlet and a first central insert member extending from a center of the first end wall into the cyclone chamber wherein the first central insert member comprises a first central member wall extending away from the first end wall and defining the air outlet and the first central member wall and the first end wall meet at a first juncture surface that extends at an angle to both the first central member wall and the first end wall and the cyclone further comprises a second central insert member extending away from a center of the second end wall into the cyclone chamber and aligned with the first central insert member, the second central insert member defining a closed volume that extends into the cyclone chamber, wherein the second central insert member comprises a second central member wall extending away from the second end wall and the second central member wall and the second end wall meet at a second juncture surface that extends at an angle to both the second central member wall and the second end wall.

15. A cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber and in communication with the cyclone chamber by a dirt outlet, the cyclone chamber having a first end having a first end wall, a second end having a second end wall, a sidewall, an air inlet at the first end, an air outlet and a central insert member extending from a center of the second end wall into the cyclone chamber wherein the central insert member comprises a closed volume that extends into the cyclone chamber and has a central member wall extending away from the second end wall, and the central member wall and the second end wall meet at a first juncture surface that extends at an angle to both the central member wall and the second end wall wherein the dirt outlet comprises an opening in the sidewall that is located at a position facing the first juncture surface.