Toroidal vortex nozzle

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle. The vacuum cleaner nozzle comprises two concentric tubes which guide fluid flow into toroidal vortex. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region such that dust, dirt, and a variety of other objects may be sucked up. The nozzle is designed to be used in conjunction with a vacuum cleaning system. The entire system is closed such that airflow is contained. Thus, the vacuum cleaner system is highly efficient and prevents dust from escaping into the atmosphere. Additionally, the toroidal vortex nozzle may be fitted with an additional sleeve to allow the nozzle to be placed against surfaces without impeding fluid flow. Furthermore, by venting the nozzle, undesired pluming in front of the nozzle can be prevented.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A toroidal vortex nozzle for guiding fluid flow comprising: 
 an outer tube;    an inner tube disposed inside said outer tube and further wherein the gap between said inner tube and said outer tube forms an annular duct; and    guide means to guide said fluid flow out said annular duct and in said inner tube;    wherein said fluid flow after traveling through said guide means has substantially the characteristics of a toroidal vortex.    
     
     
         2 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising flow straightening vanes in said annular duct.  
     
     
         3 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a vent that allows a portion of said fluid flow to escape.  
     
     
         4 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube is vented.  
     
     
         5 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube further comprises a vent, said outer tube being thicker on one side of said vent.  
     
     
         6 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube further comprises a vent, said outer tube being thinner on one side of said vent.  
     
     
         7 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube further comprises a vent, said outer tube being tapered on one side of said vent.  
     
     
         8 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube further comprises a vent, said outer tube being tapered on both sides of said vent.  
     
     
         9 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising dust in said fluid flow wherein said outer tube further comprises a vent, said vent allowing a portion of said fluid flow to escape while retaining said dust.  
     
     
         10 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a vent wherein said vent prevents the formation of a plume.  
     
     
         11 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a vent wherein said vent prevents the formation of a high pressure region.  
     
     
         12 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube extends axially beyond said inner tube.  
     
     
         13 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         14 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a square cross-section.  
     
     
         15 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         16 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle is angled.  
     
     
         17 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a handle.  
     
     
         18 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a light.  
     
     
         19 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises: 
 a vent in said outer tube; and  
 means to control the size of said vent.  
 
     
     
         20 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a protective screen at the distal end of said nozzle.  
     
     
         21 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a removable protective screen at the distal end of said nozzle.  
     
     
         22 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises bristles.  
     
     
         23 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises bristles at the distal end of said nozzle.  
     
     
         24 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a non-abrasive material.  
     
     
         25 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a non-abrasive material at the distal end of said nozzle.  
     
     
         26 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a material to seal said nozzle to a surface.  
     
     
         27 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a pliable material to seal said nozzle to a surface.  
     
     
         28 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a material at the distal end of said nozzle to seal said nozzle to a surface.  
     
     
         29 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises a pliable material at the distal end of said nozzle to seal said nozzle to a surface.  
     
     
         30 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said inner tube comprises finger-like projections.  
     
     
         31 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said inner tube comprises finger-like projections at the distal end of said nozzle.  
     
     
         32 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said outer tube comprises finger-like extensions.  
     
     
         33 . A toroidal vortex nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said nozzle further comprises wheels.  
     
     
         34 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an additional sleeve coupled to said outer tube.  
     
     
         35 . A nozzle for guiding a fluid flow comprising: 
 an inner tube;    an outer tube, said inner tube and said outer tube being concentric such that said inner tube and said outer tube form an annular duct;    wherein said fluid flows out of said annular duct and into said inner tube.    
     
     
         36 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising flow straightening vanes in said annular duct.  
     
     
         37 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising a vent that allows a portion of said fluid flow to escape.  
     
     
         38 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising a vent wherein said vent prevents the formation of a high pressure region.  
     
     
         39 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising a vent wherein said vent prevents the formation of plumes.  
     
     
         40 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         41 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a square cross-section.  
     
     
         42 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  wherein the distal end of said nozzle has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         43 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  wherein said nozzle further comprises a light.  
     
     
         44 . A nozzle in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising an additional sleeve coupled to said outer tube.  
     
     
         45 . A method of creating a toroidal vortex fluid flow comprising the steps of: 
 flowing a fluid through an annular duct created between concentric tubes; and    flowing said fluid back through the inner tube of said concentric tubes.    
     
     
         46 . A method of creating a toroidal vortex fluid flow in accordance with  claim 45  further comprising the step of straightening said fluid flowing through said annular duct.  
     
     
         47 . A method of creating a toroidal vortex fluid flow in accordance with  claim 45  further comprising the step of venting said annular duct.  
     
     
         48 . A method of creating a toroidal vortex fluid flow in accordance with  claim 45  wherein the distal end of said concentric tubes may contact a surface without interrupting said toroidal vortex fluid flow.