Patent ID: 7708808

Claim:
A separator for separating particles from a particle laden gas stream, comprising: a cyclone body wall having a top and a bottom and defining a central vertical axis, with said cyclone body wall having a larger first radius at the top and tapering to a smaller second radius at the bottom, said cyclone body wall defining a gas inlet, a gas outlet opening at the top, and a particle outlet opening at the bottom, wherein said gas outlet opening and particle outlet opening are substantially aligned with said central vertical axis; a particle collection chamber beneath said particle outlet opening, said particle collection chamber having a closed bottom and defining a top opening in fluid communication with said particle outlet opening; means for rotating said particle collection chamber about said vertical axis relative to said cyclone; means for removing separated solid particles from said particle collection chamber; and means for providing a substantially airtight seal around said particle outlet opening to ensure that gas entering through the cyclone gas inlet exits through said gas outlet opening.