Patent ID: 7449040

Claim:
A separator for separating entrained particles from a fluid flow, the separator comprising: (a) a cyclone chamber an outer wall and a cyclonic flow region, the cyclonic flow region having a radial width, an outer peripheral portion, a medial portion disposed interior of the peripheral portion and an inner portion disposed interior of the medial portion; (b) a fluid inlet for introducing a cyclonic fluid flow to the cyclonic flow region; (c) a fluid outlet for removing the fluid flow from the cyclone chamber; (d) a particle separating member positioned in the cyclone chamber beneath at least a portion of the cyclonic flow region, the particle separating member having a plurality of apertures; and, (e) a particle receiving chamber disposed beneath the particle separating member for receiving particles passing into the particle receiving chamber through the apertures wherein the apertures are disposed on the particle separating member such that the medial portion of the cyclonic flow region is substantially free from said apertures.