Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus with an air flow path from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path. The apparatus includes a first stage air treatment member comprising an air inlet and an air outlet, and a second stage air treatment member downstream from the first stage air treatment member. A partially treated air flow path extends between the first stage air treatment member and the second stage air treatment member. A valve is associated with the partially treated air flow path and operable to close the partially treated air flow path based on a water level in the first stage air treatment member.

1 . A wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) an air flow path from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path;   (b) a first stage air treatment member comprising an air inlet and an air outlet;   (c) a second stage air treatment member downstream from the first stage air treatment member;   (d) a partially treated air flow path extending between the first stage air treatment member and the second stage air treatment member; and,   (e) a valve associated with the partially treated air flow path and operable to close the partially treated air flow path based on a water level in the first stage air treatment member.   
     
     
         2 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the motor and fan assembly is positioned downstream of the first stage air treatment member. 
     
     
         3 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first stage air treatment member comprises a first cyclonic stage and the air outlet of the first stage air treatment member comprises a vortex finder which comprises a screen and the screen has an interior volume which is part of the partially treated air flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the vortex finder comprises a solid portion located at an end wall of the first stage air treatment member and the valve closes the solid portion. 
     
     
         5 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the solid portion has an outlet port at a downstream end thereof and the valve closes the outlet port. 
     
     
         6 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the screen is located at an inner end of the solid portion that is spaced from the end wall. 
     
     
         7 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the valve is positioned in the interior volume. 
     
     
         8 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the vortex finder comprises a solid portion located at an end wall of the first stage air treatment member, the screen is located at an inner end of the solid portion that is spaced from the end wall and the solid portion has a length in a direction of flow therethrough that is 0.5-4, 1-2.5 or 1.1-1.5 times a diameter of the air inlet of the first stage air treatment member. 
     
     
         9 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a mechanical valve. 
     
     
         10 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the mechanical valve comprises a float valve. 
     
     
         11 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises an electromechanical valve which closes the partially treated air flow path upon receiving a signal from a water level sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the water level sensor comprises a tilt switch. 
     
     
         13 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the electromechanical valve comprises a solenoid. 
     
     
         14 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first stage air treatment member and the second stage air treatment member comprise at least one cyclone. 
     
     
         15 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first stage air treatment member has a collection volume in which water is received when the wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus is operated to collect water, the valve comprises a mechanical drive member which is moveable between an open position, in which the valve is open and the partially treated air flow path is open, and a closed position, in which the valve is closed and the partially treated air flow path is closed, and at least a portion of the mechanical drive member travels through a drive member volume which is isolated from the collection volume. 
     
     
         16 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the mechanical drive member is driven by a water level sensor. 
     
     
         17 . A wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) an air flow path from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a motor and fan assembly positioned in the air flow path;   (b) a first stage air treatment member having an air inlet and an air outlet;   (c) a treated air flow path extending downstream from the first stage air treatment member to the clean air outlet; and,   (d) a valve comprising an electromechanical member, the valve is operable to close the treated air flow path based on a water level in the first stage air treatment member.   
     
     
         18 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the valve comprises a solenoid. 
     
     
         19 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising an electronic water level sensor that is drivingly connected to the valve. 
     
     
         20 . The wet/dry surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a second stage air treatment member downstream from the valve.