Cyclone separator

A domestic vacuum cleaner including a cyclone separator for separating household dust and debris from air, comprising a container closed at one end, an inlet for introducing a fluid mixture swirling about an axis at a region of the container remote from the end, a barrier between the region and the end, the barrier having a surface facing the inlet and extending towards the outer wall of the container leaving a gap therebetween, and an outlet for lighter phase of the mixture, the outlet opening from the region, and the radial extent of the gap being substantially equal to or less than the distance that the outer perimeter of the barrier extends in the axial direction, the distance being 40 mm or less.

A method of separating gases, liquids or solids of different density, or combinations thereof, comprising introducing them as a swirling mixture to a domestic vacuum cleaner, including a cyclone separator for separating household dust and debris from air, comprising a container closed at one end, an inlet for introducing a fluid mixture swirling about an axis at a region of the container remote from the end, a barrier between the region and the end, the barrier having a surface facing the inlet and extending towards the outer wall of the container leaving a gap therebetween, and an outlet for lighter phase of the mixture, the outlet opening from the region, and the radial extent of the gap being substantially equal to or less than the distance that the outer perimeter of the barrier extends in the axial direction, the distance being 40 mm or less.

A domestic vacuum cleaner including a cyclone separator for separating household dust and debris from air, including a container for collecting dust and debris at a lower end thereof, an inlet for introducing a fluid mixture swirling about an axis at a region of the container remote from the lower end, a barrier between the region and the lower end, and an outlet for lighter phase of the mixture, the outlet opening from the region, wherein a lower portion of the container is dividable from an upper portion to allow emptying of the container of collected dust and debris, the lower portion being below the barrier, wherein the barrier is mounted on a member mounted centrally within the container, the member being closed off from fluid communication with the container, and wherein the member is hollow and is connected to receive relatively heavier phase components from a further separator connected to the outlet.

A method of separating gases, liquids or solids of different density, or combinations thereof, comprising introducing them as a swirling mixture to the domestic vacuum cleaner;

• including:
• a container for collecting dust and debris at a lower end thereof, an inlet for introducing a fluid mixture swirling about an axis at a region of the container remote from the lower end, a barrier between the region and the lower end, and an outlet for lighter phase of the mixture, the outlet opening from the region, wherein a lower portion of the container is dividable from an upper portion to allow emptying of the container of collected dust and debris, the lower portion being below the barrier, wherein the barrier is mounted on a member mounted centrally within the container, the member being closed off from fluid communication with the container, and wherein the member is hollow and is connected to receive relatively heavier phase components from a further separator connected to the outlet.