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`(12) UK Patent Application (19) GB (11) 2 399 780 (13) A
`
`(43) Date of A Publication
`
`29.09.2004
`
`(21) Application No:
`
`(22) Date of Filing:
`
`0307155.2
`
`28.03.2003
`
`(71) Applicant(s):
`Dyson Limited
`(Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
`Tetbury Hill, MALMESBURY, Wiltshire,
`SN16 0RP, United Kingdom
`
`(72)
`
`lnventor(s):
`Sarah Helen Liddell
`Ricardo Gomiciaga-Pereda
`Matthew James Burgess
`
`(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
`Dyson Limited
`Intellectual Property Dept, Tetbury Hill,
`MALMESBURY, Wiltshire, SN16 0RP,
`United Kingdom
`
`(51)
`
`INT CL7:
`A47L 9/16, B04C 5/13 5/28
`
`(52) UK CL (Edition W ):
`B2P P1 0B2A2 P1 0B2B P1 0B2C
`A4F FFD
`
`(56) Documents Cited:
`GB 2374305A
`GB 2372434A
`GB 1533435A
`
`GB 2372435 A
`GB 2372433 A
`
`(58) Field of Search:
`UK CL (Edition V) A4F, B2P
`INT CL7 A47L, B04C
`Other: ONLINE: WPI, JAPIO, EPODOC
`
`(54) Abstract Title: Arrangement of cyclones for noise damping
`
`(57) Apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow comprises a plurality of cyclones 104 arranged in
`parallel with one another, each cyclone having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The plurality of cyclones 104
`consists of a number of first cyclones 104a and a number of second cyclones 104b. The first cyclones 104a
`each have a fluid outlet 156 in which a centrebody 158 is provided and the second cyclones 104b each
`have a fluid outlet 156 in which no centrebody is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of
`cyclones is positioned downstream of a preliminary cyclone.
`
`158
`
`104a
`
`Fig. 5
`
`This print takes account of replacement documents submitted after the date of filing to enable the application to comply
`with the formal requirements of the Patents Rules 1995 At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print
`reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
`
`Original Printed on Recycled Paper
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`2399780
`
`Cyclonic Separating Apparatus
`
`The invention relates to cyclonic separating apparatus Particularly, but not exclusively,
`
`the invention relates to cyclonic separating apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner
`
`5
`
`It is well known to separate particles, such as dirt and dust particles, from a fluid flow
`
`using a cyclonic separator. A cyclonic separator generally comprises a cyclone body
`
`having a tangential inlet Dirt laden fluid enters the inlet and follows a helical path
`
`around the interior of the cyclone body. Centrifugal forces act on the entrained particles
`
`IO
`
`so as to separate the particles from the flow The separated particles collect at the base
`
`of the cyclone body for subsequent removal from the apparatus. The cleaned flow
`
`commonly changes direction to form a vortex core which exits the cyclone body via a
`
`fluid outlet During the operation of the cyclonic separator the precession of the vortex
`
`core around the interior of the fluid outlet, or vortex finder, causes a significant amount
`
`15
`
`of noise An example of apparatus which aims to overcome this problem is shown in
`
`EP 10661 15 which describes a cyclonic separator having a single upstream cyclone and
`
`a single downstream cyclone. A centrebody is provided in the vortex finder of the
`
`downstream cyclone so as to stabilise the vortex core and reduce the level of noise
`
`20 Cyclonic separators having a number of cyclones operating in parallel are known
`
`Generally, in this type of arrangement, each individual cyclone is small in comparison
`
`to an equivalent single cyclone separator. This has the effect of increasing the
`
`centrifugal forces acting on the particles which, in tum, increases the separation
`
`efficiency of the separator However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that there is
`
`25
`
`an increased likelihood of dust accumulating in the parallel cyclones because the
`
`dimensions of the cyclones are comparatively small.
`
`Vacuum cleaners incorporating cyclonic separators having cyclones arranged in parallel
`
`are known Examples of such machines include models DC07 and DC08 manufactured
`
`30
`
`by Dyson Limited Each cyclone in the arrangement of parallel cyclones has a
`
`centrebody in the vortex finder to prevent high levels of noise being generated
`
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`2
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`It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cyclonic separator,
`
`incorporating parallel cyclones, in which the risk of cone blockage is kept to a minimum
`
`whilst also ensuring that the level of noise generated at the vortex finder is minimised
`
`5
`
`The invention provides apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow comprising a
`
`plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another, each cyclone having a fluid
`
`inlet and a fluid outlet, the plurality of cyclones consisting of a number of first cyclones
`
`and a number of second cyclones, the first cyclones each having a fluid outlet in which
`
`10
`
`a centrebody is provided and the second cyclones each having a fluid outlet in which no
`
`centrebody is provided
`
`In the claimed arrangement, the presence of the first cyclones
`
`achieves the aim of keeping the level of noise generated to an acceptable level, whilst
`
`the presence of the second cyclones ensures that the risk of blockage is reduced
`
`15
`
`Preferably, the total number of cyclones is an odd number and the number of first
`
`cyclones is one less than the number of second cyclones Alternatively, the total
`
`number of cyclones is an odd number and the number of first cyclones can be one more
`
`than the number of second cyclones.
`
`20
`
`Equally, the total number of cyclones can be an even number and the number of first
`
`cyclones is equal to the number of second cyclones In these preferred arrangements, an
`
`advantageous balance is reached between achieving low levels of noise and minimising
`
`the risk of the cyclones blocking.
`
`25
`
`Preferably, the cyclones are arranged in groups, each group having a common fluid
`
`inlet
`
`In this configuration, the apparatus has a simplified construction and can be
`
`manufactured more easily. More preferably, the same number of cyclones is provided
`
`in each group In a preferred embodiment, each group consists of equal numbers of first
`
`cyclones and second cyclones.
`
`30
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`3
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`Preferably, a further cyclone is provided upstream of the first and second cyclones.
`
`Provision of this further cyclone allows larger debris to be separated out of the flow
`
`before entering the first and second cyclones. More preferably, the first and second
`
`cyclones are arranged so as to be inverted with respect to the orientation of the further
`
`5
`
`cyclone. In this arrangement the length of the flow path between the further cyclone
`
`and the first and second cyclones is reduced. This has the effect of achieving a
`
`minimum pressure drop across the apparatus which results in an increase in the
`
`separation efficiency.
`
`10 Other preferred features are set out in the subsidiary claims.
`
`Embodiments of the
`
`invention will now be described with reference
`
`to
`
`the
`
`accompanying drawings, wherein
`
`15
`
`Figures 1 a and 1 b are front and side views, respectively, of a vacuum cleaner
`
`incorporating cyclonic separating apparatus according to the invention;
`
`Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are front, side and plan views, respectively, of a first embodiment
`
`of cyclonic separating apparatus forming part of the vacuum cleaner of Figures 1 a and
`
`20
`
`lb;
`
`Figures 3a and 3b are front and sectional side views, respectively, of the cyclonic
`
`separating apparatus of Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, Figure 3b being taken along line III-III of
`
`Figure 3c;
`
`25
`
`Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are perspective, plan and sectional side views, respectively, of a
`
`cyclone portion of the cyclonic separating apparatus of Figures 2a and 2b, Figure 4c
`
`being taken along line IV-IV ofFigure 4b;
`
`30
`
`Figure 5 is a sectional plan view of the cyclone portion of Figure 4b;
`
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`4
`
`Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of an alternative configuration of the cyclone portion
`
`shown in Figure 5; and
`
`Figures 7 and 8 are sectional plan views of alternative configurations of a cyclone
`
`5
`
`portion of a cyclonic separating apparatus according to a further embodiment of the
`
`invention.
`
`Figures 1 a and 1 b show a domestic vacuum cleaner 10 incorporating cyclonic
`
`separating apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 10
`
`IO
`
`comprises an upstanding body 12 at a lower end of which is located a motor casing 14
`
`A cleaner head 16 is mounted in an articulated fashion on the motor casing 14. A
`
`suction inlet 18 is provided in the cleaner head 16 and wheels 20 are rotatably mounted
`
`on the motor casing 14 to allow the vacuum cleaner IO to be manoeuvered over a
`
`surface to be cleaned
`
`15
`
`The upstanding body 12 further incorporates a hose and wand assembly 28 which may
`
`be retained in the configuration shown in the drawings so as to function as a handle for
`
`manoeuvering the vacuum cleaner JO over a surface to be cleaned Alternatively, the
`
`hose and wand assembly 28 may be released to allow the distal end 28a of the wand to
`
`20
`
`be used in conjunction with a floor tool (not shown) to perform an above-the-floor
`
`cleaning function, eg on stairs, upholstery, etc. The structure and operation of the hose
`
`and wand assembly 28 is not material to the present invention and will not be described
`
`any further here. Also, several tools and accessories 30a, 30b, 30c are releasably
`
`mounted on the upstanding body 12 for storage purposes between periods of use
`
`25
`
`The cyclonic separating apparatus 100 is mounted on the upstanding body 12 above the
`
`motor casing 14 and is seated on a generally horizontal surface formed by a filter cover
`
`22 The filter cover 22 is located above the motor casing J 4 and provides a cover for a
`
`post-motor filter (not shown) The cyclonic separating apparatus 100 is also secured to
`
`30
`
`the upstanding body 12 by means of a clip 24 located at the top of the cyclonic
`
`separating apparatus 100 The upstanding body 12 incorporates upstream ducting (not
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`shown) for carrying dirty air to an inlet of the cyclonic separating apparatus 100 and
`
`downstream ducting 26 for carrying cleaned air away from the cyclonic separating
`
`apparatus 100.
`
`5
`
`In order for the cyclonic separation apparatus 100 to be brought into operation, the
`
`motor located in the motor casing 14 is activated so that air is drawn into the vacuum
`
`cleaner via either the suction inlet 18 or the distal end 28a of the hose and wand
`
`assembly 28. This dirty air (being air having dirt and dust entrained therein) is passed
`
`to the cyclonic separation apparatus I 00 via the upstream ducting. After the air has
`
`IO
`
`passed through the cyclonic separation apparatus I 00, it is ducted out of the cyclonic
`
`separating apparatus 100 and down the upstanding body 12 to the motor casing 14 via
`
`the downstream ducting 26. The cleaned air is used to cool the motor located in the
`
`motor casing 14 before being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner 10 via the filter cover
`
`22.
`
`15
`
`This principle of operation of the vacuum cleaner 10 is known from the prior art. This
`
`invention is concerned with the cyclonic separation apparatus 100 which is illustrated in
`
`Figures 2a, 2b and 2c in isolation from the vacuum cleaner 10
`
`20
`
`The cyclonic separation apparatus 100 illustrated in Figure 2 comprises an upstream
`
`cyclone unit 101 consisting of a single upstream cyclone 102 and a downstream cyclone
`
`unit 103 consisting of a plurality of downstream cyclones I 04 arranged in parallel The
`
`upstream cyclone 102 consists essentially of a cylindrical bin 106 having a closed base
`
`108 The open upper end 110 of the cylindrical bin 106 abuts against an inlet support
`
`25 member 112 which defines an upper end of the upstream cyclone 102 and will be
`
`described in more detail below. An inlet port 114 is provided in the cylindrical bin 106
`
`in order to allow dirty air to be introduced to the interior of the upstream cyclone I 02
`
`The inlet port 114 is shaped, positioned and configured to communicate with the
`
`upstream ducting which carries dirt-laden air from the cleaner head 16 to the cyclonic
`
`30
`
`separating apparatus 100. A handle 116 and a catch 118 are provided on the cylindrical
`
`bin I 06 and the inlet support member 112 respectively in order to provide means for
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`releasing the cylindrical bin 106 from the inlet support member 112 when the
`
`cylindrical bin 106 requires to be emptied A seal (not shown) can be provided between
`
`the cylindrical bin 106 and the inlet support member 112 if required
`
`5
`
`Figures 1 to 6 show cyclonic separating apparatus I 00 incorporating seven downstream
`
`cyclones I 04 The downstream cyclones 104 are equi-angularl y spaced about the
`
`central longitudinal axis 150 of the downstream cyclone unit l 03, which is coincident
`
`with the longitudinal axis of the upstream cyclone unit l 0 1 Each downstream cyclone
`
`I 04 is frusto-conical in shape with the larger end thereof located lowermost and the
`
`10
`
`smaller end uppermost Each downstream cyclone 104 has a longitudinal axis 148 (see
`
`Figure 3b) which is inclined slightly towards the longitudinal axis 150 of the
`
`downstream cyclone unit 103 Also, the outermost point of the lowermost end of each
`
`downstream cyclone 104 extends radially further from the longitudinal axis 150 of the
`
`downstream cyclone unit 103 than the wall of the cylindrical bin 106 The uppermost
`
`15
`
`ends of the downstream cyclones 104 project inside an upper portion 120 which extends
`
`upwardly from the surfaces of the downstream cyclones 104. The upper portion 120
`
`supports a handle 122 by means of which the entire cyclonic separation apparatus 100
`
`can be carried A catch 124 is provided on the handle 122 for the purposes of securing
`
`the cyclonic separation apparatus 100 to the upstanding body 12 at the upper end
`
`20
`
`thereof An outlet port 126 is provided in the inlet support member 112 for conducting
`
`cleaned air out of the cyclonic separating apparatus 100 The outlet port 126 is arranged
`
`and configured to co-operate with the downstream ducting 26 for carrying the cleaned
`
`air to the motor casing 14 The upper portion 120 also carries an actuating lever 128
`
`designed to activate a mechanism for opening the base 108 of the cylindrical bin 106 for
`
`25
`
`emptying purposes as mentioned above.
`
`The internal features of the cyclonic separating apparatus 100 will now be described
`
`with reference to Figure 3b Figure 3a corresponds to Figure 2a and indicates the line
`
`III-III on which the section of Figure 3b is taken
`
`30
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`7
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`The internal features of the upstream cyclone 102 include an internal wall 132
`
`extending the entire length thereof The internal space defined by the internal wall 132
`
`communicates with the interior of the upper portion 120 as will be described below The
`
`purpose of the internal wall 132 is to define a collection space 134 for fine dust
`
`5
`
`Located inside the internal wall 132 and in the collection space 134 are components for
`
`allowing the base 108 to open when the actuating lever 128 is actuated The precise
`
`details and operation of these components is immaterial to the present invention and
`
`will not be described any further here
`
`IO Mounted externally of the internal wall 132 are four equi-spaced baffles or fins 136
`
`which project radially outwardly from the internal wall 132 towards the cylindrical bin
`
`l 06 These bafiles 136 assist with the deposition of large dirt and dust particles in the
`
`collection space 138 defined between the internal wall 132 and the cylindrical bin 106
`
`adjacent the base 108. The particular features of the baffles 13 6 are described in more
`
`15
`
`detail in EP 1098586.
`
`Located outwardly of the internal wall 132 in an upper portion of the upstream cyclone
`
`102 is a shroud 140. The shroud extends upwardly from the bafiles 136 and, together
`
`with the internal wall 132, defines an air passageway 142 The shroud 140 has a
`
`20
`
`perforated portion 144 allowing air to pass from the interior of the upstream cyclone
`
`102 to the air passageway 142 The air passageway 142 communicates with the inlet
`
`146 of each of the downstream cyclones 104. Each inlet 146 is located in the inlet
`
`support member 112 and is arranged in the manner of a scroll so that air entering each
`
`downstream cyclone 104 is forced to follow a helical path within the respective
`
`25
`
`downstream cyclone 104 The detail of the inlets 146 will be described in more detail
`
`below.
`
`The upper ends of the downstream cyclones 104 project inside the upper portion 120, as
`
`previously mentioned The interior of the upper portion 120 defines a chamber 152
`
`30 with which the upper ends of the downstream cyclones 104 communicate The upper
`
`portion 120 and the surfaces of the downstream cyclones 104 together define an axially
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`extending passageway or dust channel 154, located between the downstream cyclones
`
`I 04, which communicates with the collection space 134 defined by the internal wall
`
`132. lt is thus possible for dirt and dust which exits the smaller ends of the downstream
`
`cyclones 104 to pass from the chamber 152 to the collection space 134 via the dust
`
`5
`
`channel 154
`
`The present invention is concerned with the configuration of the downstream cyclones
`
`104 as shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. The downstream cyclones 104 comprise first
`
`cyclones 104a and second cyclones 104b. Each of the first and second cyclones 104a,
`
`IO
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`104b has a tapering body 105, a fluid inlet 146 and a fluid outlet or vortex finder 156
`
`Each vortex finder 156 is located centrally of the lowermost end of the respective first
`
`or second cyclone 104a, 104b and communicates with a chamber 160 of the cyclonic
`
`separating apparatus 100 The chamber 160 communicates with the outlet port 126 as
`
`shown in Figure 2c
`
`15
`
`The first cyclones 104a differ from the second cyclones 104b in that a centrebody 158 is
`
`provided in the vortex finder 156 of each first cyclone 104a. Each centrebody 15 8 has a
`
`generally cylindrical body with shaped ends.
`
`The shaping of the ends of the
`
`centrebodies 158 reduces the risk of turbulence being introduced to the fluid flow as a
`
`20
`
`result of the presence of the centrebodies 158 Each centrebody 158 protrudes beyond
`
`the upstream end of the respective vortex finder 156 to a distance which results in the
`
`greatest level of noise reduction. This is described in greater detail in EP 1066115
`
`Figure 5 shows the arrangement of first cyclones 104a and second cyclones 104b in the
`
`25
`
`vacuum cleaner of Figures 1 to 4. In this arrangement, three first cyclones 104a and
`
`four second cyclones 104b are provided in the cyclonic separating apparatus 100
`
`In a
`
`clockwise direction, from the outlet port 126, the positioning of the cyclones in the
`
`apparatus 100 is a second cyclone 104b, a first cyclone 104a, a second cyclone 104b, a
`
`first cyclone 104a, second cyclone 104b, a first cyclone 104a and a second cyclone
`
`30
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`104b
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`An alternative configuration is shown in Figure 6 in which four first cyclones 104a and
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`three second cyclones 104b are provided in the cyclonic separating apparatus The
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`positioning of the cyclones 104a, 104b is, in a clockwise direction from the outlet port
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`126, a second cyclone 104b, a first cyclone 104a, a second cyclone 104b, a first cyclone
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`5
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`104a, a first cyclone I 04a, a second cyclone I 04b and a first cyclone 104a
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`The mode of operation of the cyclonic separating apparatus 100 described above is as
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`follows. Dirty air (being air in which dirt and dust is entrained) enters the cyclonic
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`separating apparatus 100 via the inlet port 114. The arrangement of the inlet port 114 is
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`IO
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`essentially tangential to the wall of the cylindrical bin 106 which causes the incoming
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`air to follow a helical path around the inside of the cylindrical bin 106. Larger dirt and
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`dust particles, along with fluff and other large debris, are deposited in the collection
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`space 138 adjacent the base 108 by virtue of the effect of centrifugal forces acting on
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`the particles, as is well known. Partially cleaned air travels inwardly and upwardly
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`15
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`away from the base I 08, exiting the upstream cyclone I 02 via the perforated portion
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`144 of the shroud 140 The partially-cleaned air then moves along the air passageway
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`142 in which it is divided into seven portions. Each portion enters either one of the first
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`cyclones I 04a or one of the second cyclones I 04b via the respective inlet 146 Each
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`inlet 146 forces the incoming air to follow a helical path inside the cyclone 104a, 104b.
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`20
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`The tapering bodies 105 of the first and second cyclones 104a, 104b cause further,
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`intense cyclonic separation to take place inside each of the first and second cyclones
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`104a, I 04b so that very fine dirt and dust particles are separated from the main airflow.
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`The dirt and dust particles exit the uppermost end of each of the first and second
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`cyclones I 04a, 104b whilst the cleaned air returns to the lower end of the respective
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`25
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`cyclone 104a, 104b along the axis 148 thereof The cleaned air exits via the vortex
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`finder 156
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`In the case of the first cyclones I 04a, the level of noise generated by the
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`exiting airflow will be considerably less than the noise generated in the second cyclones
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`l 04b because of the presence of the centrebodies 15 8 The total noise generated as the
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`cleaned air exits the first and second cyclones 104a, 104b is within acceptable limits
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`30 Meanwhile, the risk of the second cyclones 104b becoming blocked at the vortex
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`finders thereof is considerably reduced The cleaned air passes from the vortex finders
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`156 into the annular chamber 160 and from there to the outlet port 126 Meanwhile, the
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`dirt and dust which has been separated from the airflow falls from the chamber 152
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`through the passageway 154 to the collection space 134
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`5 A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 7 in which twelve parallel
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`cyclones 204 are provided. Nine of the cyclones 204 are located in an outer ring and
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`three cyclones are located in an inner ring. The cyclones 204 are equi-angularly spaced
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`about the respective rings. This arrangement is used in the Dyson vacuum cleaner
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`model DC08 and is described in more detail in co-pending application GB 0203723 2.
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`10
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`The configuration shown in Figure 7 includes six first cyclones 204a and six second
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`cyclones 204b All of the cyclones 204 located in the inner ring are first cyclones 204a.
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`All of the second cyclones 204b are located in the outer ring.
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`An alternative arrangement of the further embodiment is shown in Figure 8 in which the
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`15
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`first cyclones 204a and the second cyclones 204b are arranged into groups. Three
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`groups are shown in Figure 8. As in Figure 7, the three cyclones located in the inner
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`ring are all first cyclones 204a Each group comprises four cyclones; a first cyclone
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`204a from the inner ring 210 and three further cyclones The further cyclones comprise
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`one first cyclone 204a and two second cyclones 204b. The dotted lines shown in Figure
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`20
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`8 indicate which of the first and second cyclones 204a, 204b belong to the same group.
`
`The invention is not intended to be limited to the precise features of the embodiments
`
`described above. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to a skilled
`
`reader. For example, it is not necessary, although it is preferred, for the number of first
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`25
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`and second cyclones to be equal or nearly so. If desired, the number of first cyclones
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`can be significantly higher than the number of second cyclones or vice versa.
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`Furthermore, the precise shape of the centrebodies is not essential to the principle
`It is envisaged that the cyclonic separating apparatus would be
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`behind the invention
`
`incorporated into a vacuum cleaner but it will be appreciated that the apparatus may also
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`30
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`be utilised in any other suitable particle separation apparatus
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`Claims
`
`11
`
`Apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow comprising a plurality of
`
`cyclones arranged in parallel with one another, each cyclone having a fluid inlet and
`
`5
`
`a fluid outlet, the plurality of cyclones consisting of a number of first cyclones and a
`
`number of second cyclones, the first cyclones each having a fluid outlet in which a
`
`centrebody is provided and the second cyclones each having a fluid outlet in which
`
`no centrebody is provided
`
`JO
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`2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the total number of cyclones is an odd
`
`number
`
`3 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the number of first cyclones is one less
`
`than the number of second cyclones
`
`15
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`4 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the number of first cyclones is one more
`
`than the number of second cyclones.
`
`5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim I, wherein the total number of cyclones is an even
`
`20
`
`number
`
`6 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the number of first cyclones is equal to
`
`the number of second cyclones.
`
`25
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`7 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cyclones are
`
`arranged in groups, each group having a common fluid inlet.
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`8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the same number of cyclones is provided
`
`in each group
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`30
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`9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein each group has the same number of
`
`first cyclones.
`
`10 Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein each group consists of
`
`5
`
`equal numbers of first cyclones and second cyclones
`
`11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid outlets
`
`of the first cyclones are located adjacent the fluid outlets of the second cyclones.
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`IO
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`12 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a further cyclone
`
`is provided upstream of the first and second cyclones.
`
`13 Apparatus as claimed in Claims 11 and 12, wherein the first and second cyclones are
`
`arranged so as to be inverted with respect to the orientation of the further cyclone.
`
`15
`
`14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the first and second cyclones are
`
`arranged so that the fluid inlets thereof are lowermost and the further cyclone is
`
`arranged so that the fluid inlet thereof is uppermost.
`
`20
`
`15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a shroud is
`
`provided upstream of the first and second cyclones such that, in use, the fluid flow
`
`passes through the shroud before entering the fluid inlets of each of the said
`
`cyclones.
`
`25
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`16 Apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow substantially as hereinbefore
`
`described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying
`
`drawings
`
`17. A vacuum cleaner incorporating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow
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`30
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`according to any one of the preceding claims
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`Application No:
`Claims searched:
`
`GB 0307155.2
`1-17
`
`Examiner:
`Date of search:
`
`Jason Scott
`2 September 2003
`
`INVESTOR IN PEOPLE
`
`Patents Act 1977 : Search Report under Section 17
`
`Documents considered to be relevant:
`Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance
`Category Relevant
`to claims
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`GB 2372435 A
`
`GB 2372434 A
`
`GB 2372433 A
`
`GB 2374305 A
`
`GB 1533435 A
`
`DYSON LTD
`See whole document
`
`DYSON LTD
`See whole document
`
`DYSON LTD
`See whole document
`
`DYSON LTD
`See whole document
`
`NAT RES DEV
`See whole document
`
`Categories:
`X Document ind1catmg Jack of novelty or inventive step
`
`A Document mdicating technolog1cal background and/or state of the art.
`
`Y Document md1catmg lack of inventive step 1f combmed
`with one or more other documents of same category
`
`P Document pubhshed on or aller the declared pnonty dale but before the
`filing date of this mventton
`
`& Member of the same patent family
`
`E Patent document published on or after, but with prionty dale earher
`than, the filing date ofth1s appbca!Jon
`
`Field of Search:
`Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCv:
`I A4F; B2P
`Worldwide search of atent documents classified in the followin areas of the IPC7
`A47L; B04C
`The followin online and other databases have been used in the re aration of this search re ort:
`ONLINE- WPI, JAPIO, EPODOC
`
`:
`
`An Exccut1 ve Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry
`
`Dyson Ex1005
`Page 21
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