Closed loop vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner which includes a closed loop air system is disclosed. The closed loop air system has an entering chamber, a fan in communication with the chamber, an electrical motor which drives the fan, a filtering unit connected to the entering chamber via a hose, an air jet nozzle located adjacent the chamber, and a hose connecting the nozzle to the filtering unit. Air laden with dirt and debris is picked up from the surface being cleaned and is sucked into the chamber via the fan. The air is directed to the filtering unit where it removes the dirt and debris. The cleaned air is returned to the nozzle. The air stream is again polluted by dirt and dust and is immediately sucked into the cleaner by the fan into the entering chamber. In a further embodiment, an additional fan or blower is employed to increase the air pressure at the nozzle.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A closed loop vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 an entering chamber through which air laden with dirt or pollutants enters;    at least one fan in communication with said chamber;    an electrical motor driving said fan;    means for filtering the dirt and pollutants from the air, said filtering means being connected to said entering chamber; and    means for returning the filtered air from said filtering means to an area of said vacuum adjacent said chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The closed loop vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein said filtering means includes a scrubber filter.  
     
     
         3 . The closed loop vacuum cleaner of  claim 1  wherein said air returning system includes an air jet nozzle and a hose which connects said filtering means to said air jet nozzle.  
     
     
         4 . The closed loop vacuum cleaner of  claim 3  wherein said air jet nozzle directs air under pressure to the surface to be cleaned by said vacuum cleaner.  
     
     
         5 . The closed loop vacuum cleaner of  claim 3  further including a fan located ahead of said air jet nozzle for increasing the pressure of the air being delivered to said nozzle.