Separator for a vacuum cleaner system

For a vacuum cleaner system, a separator for separating liquid particulates, dust particulates, dirt and other similar products entrained in intake air, said separator comprising:

• annular, cup-like housing means operable to rotate axially about a vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force, said housing means further having a substantially flat bottom portion, a slightly conical, annular side portion and an upper flanged portion integrally formed with said substantially vertical side portion;
• intake means disposed on said substantially flat bottom portion of said housing means for intaking liquid particulates from a liquid source and dust and dirt particulates entrained in intake air into an interior area of said housing means, whereby said liquid particulates coalesce with said dust and dirt particulates therein;
• and
• exhaust means disposed on said side portion of said housing means for allowing coalescing liquid, dust and dirt particulates to be exhausted from said interior area of said housing means as said coalesced liquid, dust and dirt particulates are forced radially outward by said centrifugal force towards and through said exhaust means by rapid, axial rotation of said housing means.

For a vacuum cleaner system, a separator operable to rotate axially about its vertical axis for removing dust and dirt particles from intake dust and dirt entrained air through centrifugation of said dust and dirt entrained air, said separator comprising:

• annular, cup-like housing means having a vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force on an intake air mass within said housing means when said housing means is rotated axially about said vertical axis;
• a first plurality of slots in said housing means operable to act as an intake to allow liquid particulates from a liquid source and dust and dirt particulates entrained in intake air to enter therethrough into an interior area of said housing means, whereby said liquid particulates coalesce with said dust and dirt particulates;
• a second plurality of slots in said housing means operable to act as an exhaust to allow coalescing dust and dirt particulates to be forced from said interior area of said housing means by said centrifugal force, said liquid particulates acting to enhance said exhaust of said dust and dirt particulates;
• and
• a detachable spider member positioned concentrically with said housing means, said spider member further having a plurality of vanes resting partially within said housing means and operable to further generate centrifugal force therein.

For a vacuum cleaner system, a separator operable to draw in liquid droplets from a liquid source and dust and dirt particulates from ingested dust and dirt particulate entrained air by the application of centrifugal force to said dust and dirt particulate entrained air, said separator comprising:

• annular, cup-like housing means having top, side and bottom portions, and a vertical axis, for generating said centrifugal force when said housing means is rotated axially about said vertical axis;
• and
• a plurality of elongated slots formed in said side portion, said slots having upper and lower portions, said lower portions being operable to provide an intake of said dust and dirt particulate entrained air and liquid droplets from a liquid source therethrough, whereby said liquid droplets and said dust and dirt particulate entrained air coalesce inside said housing means, thereby helping facilitate separation of said dust and dirt particulates from said dust and dirt particulate entrained air;
• wherein said upper portions of said slots operate to enable said liquid droplets coalesced with said dust and dirt particulates to be exhausted therethrough by said centrifugal force.

In a vacuum cleaner, a separator operable to rotate axially about its vertical axis for removing dust and dirt particulates from intake dust and dirt particulate entrained air by the application of centrifugal force to said dust and dirt particulate entrained air, said separator comprising:

• annular, cup-like housing means having top, side and bottom portions, and a vertical axis, for generating said centrifugal force when said housing means is rotated axially about said vertical axis;
• a plurality of elongated, vertically oriented slots in said side portion, said slots formed having upper and lower portions, said lower portions being operable to provide an intake of said dust and dirt particulate entrained air and liquid particulates from a liquid source therethrough, whereby said liquid particulates and said dust and dirt particulate entrained air coalesce inside said housing means, thereby helping facilitate separation of said dust and dirt particulates from said dust and dirt entrained air;
• and
• an annular spider element removably attachable to said housing means, said spider element having a plurality of vanes partially extending radially downwardly from its vertical center axis into said housing means and being operable to rotate coaxially with said housing means to further enhance said separation of said dust and dirt particulates from said dust and dirt entrained air;
• wherein said upper portion of each said slot operates to provide an exhaust function to enable said liquid particulates coalesced with said dust and dirt particulates to be centrifugally forced therethrough, thereby leaving a relatively clean air mass within said separator.