Cyclonic separating apparatus

• US 7,291,190 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Gomiciaga-Pereda, Ricardo, Harris, David Stuart, Dummelow, Anthony Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US10/504,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,736 Days
• Field of Search: 553/43, 553/46, 553/49, 554/28, 554/29, 554/591, 55D/IG.3
• US Class Current: 55/349
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1658 Construction of outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/08 Vortex chamber constructions
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/185 Dust collectors
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/28 for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/03 Vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cyclonic separating apparatus includes at least one cyclone having a first end, a second end a longitudinal axis. An inlet is located at the first end for introducing a fluid flow into the cyclone, and a cone opening is located at the second end. At least part of the cone opening lies in a plane inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A cyclonic separating apparatus comprising a plurality of cyclones provided in parallel, the cyclones each having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, an inlet being located at the first end for introducing a fluid flow into each cyclone, a cone opening being located at the second end,

wherein at least part of the cone opening lies in a plane inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

2. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plane is inclined at an angle of between 40°

and 80°

to the longitudinal axis.

3. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plane is inclined at an angle of substantially 60°

to the longitudinal axis.

4. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the whole of the cone opening lies in the said plane.

5. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cyclones each have a tapered portion.

6. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tapered portion is frusto-conical.

7. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inlets communicate tangentially with the cyclones.

8. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising an outlet located at the first end.

9. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cone opening communicates with a closed collector having a longitudinal axis and a wall.

10. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cyclones project into the collector.

11. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the collector has a portion having a circular cross section, the diameter of the said portion being at least three times the diameter of the cone opening.

12. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the said portion lies in a plane which intersects the cone opening.

13. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the cyclones communicates with the collector.

14. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least some of the cyclones are arranged in a ring about the longitudinal axis of the collector.

15. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein all of the cyclones are arranged in one or two rings.

16. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cyclones are equi-angularly spaced about each ring.

17. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one cone opening has a lowermost portion which extends furthest from the first end of the respective cyclone and the said lowermost portion faces the wall of the collector.

18. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein all of the cone openings have a lowermost portion and at least some of the lowermost portions face the wall of the collector.

19. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein all of the lowermost portions face the wall of the collector.

20. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein some of the lowermost portions face the longitudinal axis of the collector.

21. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one cone opening has a lowermost portion which extends furthest from the first end of the respective cyclone and the lowermost portion faces the longitudinal axis of the collector.

22. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lowermost portions in an adjacent ring face the wall of the collector.

23. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein alternate lowermost portions face the longitudinal axis of the collector.

24. A vacuum cleaner comprising the cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3.

25. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cyclones each have a tapered portion.

26. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the collector has a portion having a circular cross section, the diameter of the said portion being at least three times the diameter of the cone opening.

27. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the said portion lies in a plane which intersects the cone opening.

28. The cyclonic separating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cyclones are equi-angularly spaced about each ring.