US6228151B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow
Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-18
•
Granted: 2001-05-08
•
Expires: 2019-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An anti-reentrainment device is provided for use with a cyclone separator. The anti-reentrainment device has a plurality of vane upwardly extending members positioned in the bottom of a cyclone chamber and extending radially inwardly across the bottom. The vanes separate the bottom of the cyclone from the cyclonic fluid flow portion, thereby creating a reduced flow region above deposited particles settling on the bottom of the cyclone. The device impedes the cyclonic flow from reentraining the deposited particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne Ernest Conrad
- 👤 Dave Petersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/10; A47L9/16; A47L9/1683; B; B01; B01D; B01D45/00; B01D45/12; B01D45/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region and a closed bottom, the cyclonic flow region having a center, a longitudinal axis, an outer peripheral portion, an inner portion and a radial width; b) a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region; c) a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone flow region; d) a plurality of vanes positioned adjacent the bottom and extending inwardly towards the center, the vanes having an inner portion and an outer portion and creating a dead space immediately above the bottom; and, e) a cover member spaced from the bottom and positioned above the vanes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region and a closed bottom, the cyclonic flow region having a center, a longitudinal axis, an outer peripheral portion, an inner portion and a radial width; b) a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region; c) a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone flow region; d) a plurality of vanes positioned adjacent the bottom and extending inwardly towards the center, the vanes having an inner portion and an outer portion and creating a dead space immediately above the bottom; and, e) a cover member spaced from the bottom and positioned above the vanes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the cover member is positioned over the inner portion of the vanes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the cover member has a radial width that is from 25-75% of the radial length of the vanes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the cover member has a radial width that is from 25-35% of the radial length of the vanes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The separator of claim 3 wherein the vanes extend downwardly from the cover member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The separator of claim 5 wherein the vanes have a height of at least three-quarters the distance between the bottom and the cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein all of the vanes are of substantially the same height.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes extend upwardly at an angle of up to 45° to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes are equidistantly spaced around the bottom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes extend to the center and the cover member has a radial width that is from 25-35% of the radial width of the cyclonic flow region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes curve in the downstream direction as they extend inwardly from the outer periphery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The separator of claim 1 wherein the vanes extend radially inwardly from the outer periphery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The separator of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a cleaner head adapted for movement over a floor and having a fluid nozzle positionable adjacent the floor, the nozzle in fluid flow communication via a passageway with the separator fluid inlet; (b) a handle for moving the cleaner head over the floor; and, (c) a casing for housing the cyclone chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The separator of claim 14 further comprising a center feed pipe, the vanes extend to the center feed pipe and the cover member extends outwardly from the center feed pipe, the cover member having a radial width that is from 25-75% of the radial length of the vanes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region, the cyclonic flow region having a center, a longitudinal axis, an outer peripheral portion, an inner portion and a radial width; b) means for introducing a fluid flow to the cyclone flow region for cyclonic rotation therein; c) means for removing the fluid flow from the cyclonic flow region; d) particles receiving means disposed beneath the cyclonic flow region for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow and having a sealed bottom; e) separation means for creating non-rotational flow regions positioned beneath the cyclonic flow region and which are open to communication with the cyclonic flow region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: a) a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic flow region, the cyclonic flow region having a center, a longitudinal axis, an outer peripheral portion, an inner portion and a radial width; b) means for introducing a fluid flow to the cyclone flow region for cyclonic rotation therein; c) means for removing the fluid flow from the cyclonic flow region; d) particles receiving means disposed beneath the cyclonic flow region for receiving particles separated from the fluid flow and having a sealed bottom; e) separation means for creating non-rotational flow regions positioned beneath the cyclonic flow region and which are open to communication with the cyclonic flow region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The separator of claim 16 wherein the cyclone chamber has a bottom and comprises a sealed chamber except for the means for introducing the fluid flow and the means for removing the fluid flow and the separation means is positioned at the bottom of the cyclone chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The separator of claim 16 wherein the separation means comprises cover means positioned in the inner portion of the cyclonic flow region and baffle means extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic flow region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the cover means has a radial width that is from 25-75% of the radial length of the baffle means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the cover means has a radial width that is from 25-35% of the radial length of the baffle means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The separator of claim 19 wherein the baffle means extend downwardly from the cover member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The separator of claim 20 wherein the baffle means have a height of at least three-quarters the distance between the bottom and the cover means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the baffle means are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the baffle means extend upwardly at an angle of up to 45° to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the separator is incorporated into a vacuum cleaner having a cleaner head and casing in which the cyclone separator is positioned, the cyclone chamber having center feed means, the baffle means extends inwardly to the center feed means and the cover means extends outwardly from the center feed means, the cover means having a radial width that is from 25-75% of the radial length of the baffle means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The separator of claim 18 wherein the separator is incorporated into a vacuum cleaner having a cleaner head and casing in which the cyclone separator is positioned, the baffle means extends inwardly to the center and the cover means extends outwardly from the center, the cover means having a radial width that is from 25-75% of the radial length of the baffle means.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a fluid to flow cyclonically in a chamber having a cyclonic flow region, the cyclonic flow region having an inner portion and an outer portion; (b) removing particles from the fluid flow in the cyclone chamber and retaining the separated particles in a plurality of areas provided beneath the outer portion of the cyclonic flow region, each of the areas having an upper portion which is open to be in flow communication with the cyclonic flow region; and, (c) removing the fluid flow from the chamber.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a fluid to flow cyclonically in a chamber having a cyclonic flow region, the cyclonic flow region having an inner portion and an outer portion; (b) removing particles from the fluid flow in the cyclone chamber and retaining the separated particles in a plurality of areas provided beneath the outer portion of the cyclonic flow region, each of the areas having an upper portion which is open to be in flow communication with the cyclonic flow region; and, (c) removing the fluid flow from the chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the step of using baffle means having an outer portion and an inner portion to retain the separated particles in the areas.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 28 further comprising the step of using a cap member positioned above the inner portion of the baffle means to reduce the reentrainment of separated particles.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the separator comprises the dirt separation mechanism for a vacuum cleaner and the method further comprises passing a cleaning head over a surface to clean the surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |