Separator for a vacuum cleaner system

摘要

A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; a plurality of slots on the housing for allowing dust and dirt particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates will be subjected to centrifugal force and will thereby be separated from the intake air; and a plurality of exhaust slots for allowing the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force towards and through the exhaust slots by rapid, axial rotation of the housing. In one preferred embodiment a plurality of elongated slots in the housing provides both an intake and an exhaust function. In other preferred embodiments the intake slots and the exhaust slots are disposed on various portions of the housing to alter the separating characteristics of the separator. The preferred embodiments each further incorporate a removable spider for providing further structural support to the separator, and for further helping to generate centrifugal force within each separator.