Balanced flow vacuum cleaner
AssigneeOreck Holdings, LLC
InventorsMichael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.
Claims32
A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake body having an intake opening configured to be positioned proximate to a floor surface for receiving a flow of air and particulates;
- a filter element for separating the particulates from the flow of air;
- at least one conduit coupled between the intake body and the filter element;
- and
- an airflow propulsion device coupled between the intake opening and the at least one conduit to draw the flow of air and particulates through the intake opening and toward the filter element, wherein the intake opening, the propulsion device and the conduit define a flow path for the flow of air and particulates and the flow path has an approximately constant flow area from the intake opening to the propulsion device.
A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake body having an intake opening configured to be positioned proximate to a floor surface for receiving a flow of air and particulates from the floor surface;
- a filter element for separating the particulates from the flow of air;
- at least one conduit coupled between the intake body and the filter element;
- and
- an airflow propulsion device coupled between the intake opening and the at least one conduit, wherein the intake opening, the propulsion device and the conduit define a flow path, the flow path having an approximately constant flow area from the intake opening to the propulsion device, the flow path from the intake opening through the propulsion device having a radius of curvature not less than approximately 0.29 inches to provide smooth flow along the flow path.
A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake body having an intake opening for receiving a flow of air and particulates, the intake body further having at least two exit openings;
- a filter element to separate the particulates from the flow of air;
- at least two conduits, each having a first aperture coupled to one of the exit openings of the intake body and a second aperture in fluid communication with the filter element;
- and
- an airflow propulsion device coupled between the intake opening and the exit openings for moving the flow of air from the intake opening to the filter element.
A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake body having an intake opening configured to be positioned proximate to a surface for receiving a flow of air and particulates, the intake body further having at least two exit openings for simultaneously directing the flow of air and particulates out of the intake body;
- a filter element for separating at least some of the particulates from the flow of air and particulates;
- at least two conduits in fluid communication with the intake body and the filter element;
- and
- an airflow propulsion device for moving the flow of air and particulates from the intake opening to the filter element.
A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
- an intake body having an intake opening configured to be positioned proximate to a floor surface for receiving a flow of air and particulates, the intake body having a lower surface proximate to the floor surface and a vent for exhausting cooling flow for cooling a component within the intake body;
- a filter element for separating the particulates from the flow of air;
- a flow channel coupled between the intake body and the filter element;
- and
- at least one wheel coupled to the intake body and projecting below at least a portion of the lower surface of the intake body to elevate the portion of the intake body above the floor surface, the wheel being positioned in a path of the cooling air passing outwardly through the vent to diffuse the cooling air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.