Gas separation: apparatus – Electric field separation apparatus – Including gas flow distribution means
Patent
1997-07-08
1998-11-24
Chiesa, Richard L.
Gas separation: apparatus
Electric field separation apparatus
Including gas flow distribution means
15347, 55323, 55337, 55471, 55DIG3, 96 63, B03C 336
Patent
active
058401032
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Summary of the Invention
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and to a filter assembly therefor. It will be understood that the term "vacuum cleaner" is here used so as to encompass any type of cleaning apparatus which uses the creation of a vacuum to draw air along an airflow path.
(2) Description of Related Art
Vacuum cleaners of both the upright and cylinder types operate by utilising a motor or fan unit to draw air along an airflow path from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet via some sort of filtering or dirt/dust separating apparatus. The air which passes along the airflow path thus passes through the motor or fan unit.
It is known to filter the air passing along the airflow path before it is expelled to the atmosphere. If the appropriate filter is located upstream of the motor or fan unit, any particles of dirt, carbon, etc becoming entrained within the airflow inside the motor or fan unit will inevitably be expelled into the atmosphere with the airflow. If the filter is located downstream of the motor or fan unit, any dirt or dust remaining in the airflow after it has passed through the filtering or dirt/dust separating apparatus will pass through the motor or fan unit. This may cause the motor or fan unit to become unbalanced which will shorten its life and may result in premature failure. Also, dust can collect and build up in the region of the motor or fan unit which can result in sudden unwanted releases of large quantities of fine dust which can cause blockage of the filter or damage the motor or fan unit.
A very few manufacturers have, prior to the date of this application, been fitting electrostatic filters both before and after the motor or fan unit. This has the advantage of preventing dusty air from passing through the motor or fan unit and also of preventing any particles released within the motor or fan unit from escaping into the atmosphere. However, two problems have been identified in respect of this arrangement. Firstly, even if the operator remembers to change one of the filters, the second filter is rarely changed. Presumably this is because changing the first filter gives the operator sufficiently improved performance for the changing of the second filter to be thought unnecessary or else the second filter is forgotten. Secondly, the operator has difficulty in ascertaining that the filters require changing because they are not easily visible.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter assembly for use in such a vacuum cleaner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The sole FIGURE shows a vacuum cleaner 100 with a cover 102 and casing 104 encasing filters 112 and 114 on motor or fan unit 110.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner comprising an airflow path, dirt and dust collecting means arranged in the airflow path, a motor or fan unit for causing air to flow along the airflow path and also arranged therein, a first filter arranged immediately upstream of the motor or fan unit and a second filter arranged downstream of the motor or fan unit, wherein the arrangement is such that, when in use the dirt and dust collecting means are made accessible or removed for emptying or replacement, both filters are visible to the user.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
The sole drawing FIGURE shows a vacuum cleaner arranged in accordance with the invention.
The sole drawing FIGURE illustrates the present invention. This drawing shows a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cover 102 which is hinged to a casing 104 about an axis 106 so as to be movable between a closed position (illustrated in solid lines) and an open position (illustrated in broken lines). Inside the casing 104 are located dirt or dust collecting means (not shown) and a motor or fan unit 110. First and second filters 112,114 are located immediately upstream and downstream respectively of the motor or fan unit 110. The filters 112,114 are preferably electrost
REFERENCES:
patent: 3871847 (1975-03-01), Fish
patent: 5248323 (1993-09-01), Stevenson
Chiesa Richard L.
McLeod Ian C.
Moyne Mary M.
Notetry Limited
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