Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps – With cutter or comminutor for debris in working fluid
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-30
2003-10-07
Verdier, Christopher (Department: 3745)
Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps
With cutter or comminutor for debris in working fluid
C415S204000, C415S206000, C416S175000, C416S203000, C416S185000, C416S188000, C416S228000, C416S238000, C416S23600R, C015S339000, C015S405000, C241S055000, C029S889400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06629818
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of impeller fans, such as for use in association with hand-held, portable blower/vacuums. More particularly, the present invention pertains to impellers having non-uniform spacing between adjacent air generating vanes.
BACKGROUND
Convertible blower/vacuum units (blower/vacs) are commonly used by homeowners and professionals alike for the removal of debris from yards, driveways, sidewalks, etc. As used herein, a convertible blower/vac is a portable device which can be configured for use as either a debris blower or a debris vacuum. When used as a vacuum, vacuum attachments coupled to the blower housing permit leaves or similar debris to be vacuumed into an attached bag or other debris container.
When used in the blower configuration, blower/vacs provide a sweeping action created by the production of a fast moving stream of air generated by a rotating impeller located within the blower housing. The impeller draws air into the housing through an air inlet opening and exhausts an accelerated air stream through a housing outlet. The air stream is typically channeled through a tapered, removable blower tube. In addition to providing a more precisely focused air stream, the tapered blower tube also yields an air stream of generally higher velocity.
Because most all blower/vac units are designed for hand-held use, they are often made of lightweight materials and utilize lightweight power sources, e.g., small electric-(battery and corded) and gasoline-powered motors. While applicable to blower/vacs having most any power source, the present invention is particularly advantageous for use with corded electric blower/vacs and the remainder of this discussion will focus on the same.
Although size and weight are criteria to consider in selection of the blower/vac motor, available power is also a factor. Generally speaking, maximum electric current draw for these and other portable consumer devices may be restricted to ensure conformance with conventional household circuits and available electrical equipment (e.g., extension cords). For example, a typical blower/vac may be designed to operate, within acceptable margins, with a 120 volt, 15 amp circuit.
Nonetheless, a blower/vac motor designed to draw a particular current load under normal operating conditions, e.g., when operating in blower mode with the blower tube installed, may, under certain circumstances, exceed that load. For example, removal of the blower tube may reduce back pressure in and around the impeller, permitting the motor to spin faster and thus draw slightly more current.
One solution that addresses this “tube removed” condition is to provide a motor that will produce maximum power, e.g., draw maximum current, when the blower tube is removed. However, such a motor will undesirably draw less current, e.g., spin at a lower speed, when the blower tube is installed. Another solution is to provide a motor that is optimized for blower operation, e.g., operation with the blower tube installed. However, as mentioned above, motors optimized for maximum current draw during blower operation may exceed the maximum desired current load if the blower tube is removed.
While either option is acceptable, a solution that yields the desired current draw, i.e., produces the maximum desired motor speed, with the blower tube installed while preventing excessive current draw when the blower tube is removed would be advantageous.
Known impeller fans, such as for use with a portable blower/vac device, have included a plurality of air flow generating vanes disposed on a base in substantially uniform manner, e.g., the vanes are equally spaced upon the impeller base. Also known are impeller fans having air flow generating vanes which provide serrations or debris-engaging structure for further mulching debris prior to deposit in a vacuum bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A blower/vac is provided that, generally speaking, prevents motor operation unless at least the blower tube and air inlet cover are installed. Accordingly, the motor size may be maximized for blower/vac operation without concern for excessive current draw should the blower tube be removed during operation.
In one embodiment, a portable blower/vac is provided which includes a housing having an air inlet opening and a housing outlet. A blower tube operable to removably couple to the housing outlet is further provided, as is an air inlet cover. The air inlet cover is operable to removably cover the air inlet opening. The air inlet cover is preferably retained relative to the air inlet opening by coupling with at least the housing and the blower tube.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling a portable blower/vacuum is provided. In this embodiment, a blower housing is provided having an air inlet opening and a housing outlet. The method further includes coupling a blower tube to the housing outlet of the blower housing, and coupling an air inlet cover over the air inlet opening. The air inlet cover is coupled to both the blower tube and the blower housing.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling and using a portable blower/vacuum is provided. The method includes providing a blower housing where the housing has an air inlet opening and a housing outlet. A blower tube is coupled to the housing outlet of the blower housing. The method also includes providing an air inlet cover; engaging a first latch member of the air inlet cover with a first latch receiver on the blower tube; and engaging a second latch member of the air inlet cover with a second latch receiver on the blower housing.
In still yet another embodiment, a portable blower/vac is provided which includes a blower housing. The blower housing itself includes a housing outlet; an air inlet opening in fluid communication with the housing outlet; and a rotatable impeller coupled to an electric motor. The impeller is operable to draw air into the housing through the air inlet opening and expel the air through the housing outlet. The blower/vac further includes a blower tube attachable to the housing outlet and an air inlet cover for attachment over the air inlet opening. The air inlet cover is securable by coupling to both the blower tube and the blower housing.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an impeller fan, such as for use with a portable blower/vac device, having a plurality of air flow generating vanes disposed on a base in a non-uniform manner, e.g., the vanes are unequally spaced upon the impeller base. An improved impeller fan according to the present invention may have shortened members or elements which provide serrations or debris-engaging structure for further mulching debris prior to deposit in a vacuum bag. The shortened member may be a curved element generally resembling a lower portion of the air vanes. Additional debris-engaging structure may be provided between predetermined sets of vanes.
The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description and claims in view of the accompanying drawings.
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The Toro Company
Verdier Christopher
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