Cyclonic Separator

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprises first and second devices 116,125 for separating dirt and dust from an airflow through the cleaner. The dirt and dust separated by the first and second devices 116,125 is deposited at the bottom of a collection chamber 112 . The dirt and dust separated by the second device 125 is transferred to the bottom of the collection chamber 112 via a duct which is normally closed by a valve 124 to prevent air from leaving the chamber 112 along the duct 133 instead of forming a proper cyclonic flow in the chamber 112 . An actuator 131, 135, 136 is provided for periodically opening the valve 124 to release the collected dirt and dust into the bottom of the chamber 112 . The actuator 131, 135, 136 simultaneously closes the duct 133 between the valve 124 and the second device 125 , so as to temporarily prevent air from leaving the chamber 112 along the duct 133 whilst the collected dirt and dust is released. In this manner the dirt and dust from both devices can be collected together and compacted by a single compaction auger 120.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cyclone separation apparatus for separating matter from a flow of fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a first device for separating dirt and dust from the fluid flow,   a second device mounted downstream of the first device for separating dirt and dust from the fluid flow from the first device,   a collection chamber for collecting dirt and dust separated by the first and second devices,   a passageway extending from an outlet of the second device to said collection chamber for conveying dirt and dust separated by the second device to said collection chamber,   a first valve member for closing the passageway during use of the apparatus and arranged to retain dirt and dust separated by the second device,   an actuator for opening the first valve member, and   a second valve member arranged between the outlet and the first valve member for closing the passageway when said the first valve member is opened by said actuator.   
     
     
         2 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the actuator is arranged to close the second valve member when the first valve member is opened. 
     
     
         3 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the passageway comprises an elongate tubular duct. 
     
     
         4 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the duct has a distal end which communicates with said collection chamber and a proximal end which communicates with the outlet of said second separation device. 
     
     
         5 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the first valve is disposed in the duct at a point remote from the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the second valve member seals against the proximal end of the duct when closed. 
     
     
         7 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the actuator extends along the duct to the first valve member and comprises respective portions for actuating the first and second valve members. 
     
     
         8 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the second valve member comprises a formation on the actuator which closes the duct. 
     
     
         9 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the actuator comprises a device which is arranged to displace a portion of the actuator to operate the valves. 
     
     
         10 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the actuator comprises a portion which extends along the duct from the proximal end thereof, the actuator device being disposed adjacent the second separator device. 
     
     
         11 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the first valve member is biased into its normally closed position. 
     
     
         12 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the first valve member comprises a flap which is pivoted across the duct and which is pivoted towards the distal end of the duct to open the valve. 
     
     
         13 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , in which an auger is provided in the collection chamber for compacting the dirt and dust separated by the first and second separation devices. 
     
     
         14 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the duct extends along a shaft of the auger. 
     
     
         15 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the first separation device comprises a cyclone separator, the duct extending along the central axis of the separator. 
     
     
         16 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , in which an auger is provided in the collection chamber for compacting the dirt and dust separated by the first and second separation devices, the auger comprising a vane which increases in diameter towards the distal end of the collection chamber, such that the vane contacts a tubular sidewall of the collection chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the actuator is arranged to periodically open the first valve member and close the second valve member during use of the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the second separation device comprises one or more cyclone separators. 
     
     
         19 . A cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the second separation device comprises a filter. 
     
     
         20 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a cyclone separation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 .