Patent ID: 7048783
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: A47L,B01D,B04C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A vacuum cleaner air/liquid separator, comprising: an offset air/liquid airflow inlet for receiving an air/liquid airflow, with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet possessing a width and a height; a substantially cylindrical separator chamber communicating with the offset air/liquid airflow inlet, wherein the offset air/liquid airflow inlet is radially offset from the separator chamber; a lead-in track extending from the offset air/liquid airflow inlet and at least partially around the circumference of the separator chamber, with the lead-in track tapering from substantially the width of the offset air/liquid airflow inlet into the separator chamber, wherein the air/liquid airflow is entrained into a downward spiraling path in the separator chamber by the lead-in track; an impeller air inlet tube extending down through the separator chamber, with the impeller air inlet tube including an air only inlet; and a separator impeller chamber adapted to house an impeller for generating the air/liquid airflow, with the separator impeller chamber communicating with an air outlet located on an exterior of the air/liquid separator and with the impeller air inlet tube.