Patent ID: 8596462

Claim:
A separator for separating particles of first and second mass/size ranges from an ambient fluid medium in which they are present, particles of the first range being of generally larger size/mass than particles of the second range, the separator comprising a body having an inlet provided by a plurality of inlet ports through which the ambient fluid medium can be admitted into the separator, each inlet port leading to (i) a respective first chamber; (ii) a respective set of a plurality of outlet ports, around the periphery of the chamber leading from the chamber, and; (iii) an outlet from the chamber, the outlet being remote from the inlet of the chamber wherein during operation of the separator particles of the second range can be drawn through the plurality of outlet ports for subsequent collection, while particles of the first range pass generally axially through the chamber to be vented from the separator via the outlet, and wherein a predetermined pressure variation at the ports is provided to permit the particles to be directed in dependence upon the inertial mass of said particles, thereby enabling the particles to be separated by the separator without there being a significant physical contact with the particles and wherein each inlet port is associated with an individual arrangement of features (i), (ii) and (iii).