Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction fan, a dustcup, a cover and an inlet into the dustcup. The dustcup is removably secured to the housing, and includes a cup end wall, a sidewall extending from the cup end wall, and an open end opposite the cup end wall. The cover can be connected to the open end of the dustcup, and includes an air outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan, and a filter covering the air outlet and extending from the cover towards the cup end wall. The cup end wall includes a barrier positioned to be contacted by air flowing through the dustcup to thereby separate dirt particles from the air.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner system dustcup assembly and method for using said system with a vacuum cleaner apparatus to separate dirt from a mixture of dirt and air inducted into said vacuum cleaner apparatus. Said bagless vacuum cleaner system generally comprises a dustcup assembly, a handle assembly and a motor intake adaptor.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner system dustcup assembly and method for using said system with a vacuum cleaner apparatus to separate dirt from a mixture of dirt and air inducted into said vacuum cleaner apparatus. Said bagless vacuum cleaner system generally comprises a dustcup assembly, a handle assembly and a motor intake adaptor.

Abstract: Central vacuum units are provided with a canister having a sidewall forming a hollow interior, a vacuum motor disposed within the hollow interior, an exhaust port in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and an acoustic damping pathway. Examples of the acoustic damping pathway can include a plurality of acoustic damping chambers in fluid communication with each other. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can include an inner acoustic damping chamber and an outer acoustic damping chamber. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can form a serpentine passage from the motor to the exhaust port.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vacuum cleaner is provided with a cleaning attachment, a housing adapted to attach to the cleaning attachment, and at least one lighting device. The lighting device is further provided with an electric circuit including a battery and a switch operably connected to the battery and the lighting device to regulate electric current between the battery and the lighting device. The lighting device includes a timing device adapted to deactivate the lighting device after a predetermined amount of time after activation by the switch.

Abstract: A programmable control unit for a vacuum cleaning system, such as central vacuum cleaning system. A control unit is programmed after manufacture to execute a particular control program for performing various diagnostic and operational functions including user interface, voltage level detecting, voltage monitoring, current monitoring, user interface, power supply control, temperature monitoring, AC line frequency detection, operation data recording, speed control program selection, expansion bus interface and service tool interface. Power control to the vacuum motor is facilitated by the control unit directly through a triode for alternating current (TRIAC). Manufacturing costs are reduced by producing a single programmable control unit that can be programmed with a control program corresponding to a variety of different vacuum cleaning devices across a manufacturer's product line.

Abstract: A lighting device for a vacuum cleaner is provided with a cleaning attachment, a housing adapted to attach to the cleaning attachment, and at least one lighting device. The lighting device is further provided with an electric circuit including a battery and a switch operably connected to the battery and the lighting device to regulate electric current between the battery and the lighting device. The lighting device includes a timing device adapted to deactivate the lighting device after a predetermined amount of time after activation by the switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for power control of an electric motor, in particular a motor for driving the suction fan of a vacuum cleaner connected to an AC mains power supply. The power control is effected by varying the phase angle of the electric alternating quantity supplied to the motor by the use of semiconductor switches. AC power supplied to the motor is switched by using different delay times for the switching in each half-period of a full AC period to suppress odd harmonics, particularly the third harmonic of the mains power line frequency. Half-periods of a full period are mirrored in the next consecutive full period in order to suppress even harmonics, particularly the second harmonic of the mains power line frequency. A set of delay times t1 and t2 are defined and selected to be used in further avoiding critical delay time areas for harmonics and minimize the generation of vibrations.

Abstract: Central vacuum units are provided with a canister having a sidewall forming a hollow interior, a vacuum motor disposed within the hollow interior, an exhaust port in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and an acoustic damping pathway. Examples of the acoustic damping pathway can include a plurality of acoustic damping chambers in fluid communication with each other. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can include an inner acoustic damping chamber and an outer acoustic damping chamber. In addition or alternatively, the acoustic damping pathway can form a serpentine passage from the motor to the exhaust port.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner system dustcup assembly and method for using said system with a vacuum cleaner apparatus to separate dirt from a mixture of dirt and air inducted into said vacuum cleaner apparatus. Said bagless vacuum cleaner system generally comprises a dustcup assembly, a handle assembly and a motor intake adaptor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a nozzle, a handle pivotally attached to the nozzle, and a suction motor that has an inlet, and is adapted to generate a working air flow through the nozzle. The vacuum includes a separation system having an outer wall and a closed tube having at least a portion of its length located within the wall, and forming a separation chamber between the wall and the closed tube. The separation chamber has an inlet, in communication with the nozzle, that is adapted to impart a tangential component to the air flow as it flows through the separation chamber. A hollow tube is generally coaxially aligned with the closed tube and has a tube inlet at an end adjacent the closed tube and a tube outlet at an end opposite the closed tube. The tube outlet is in fluid communication with the suction motor inlet.

Abstract: A wet extraction floor cleaning device having a base assembly adapted for movement on a surface being cleaned, an operating handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, a supply tank having a supply tank outlet, and a recovery tank having a recovery tank inlet and a recovery tank outlet. The base assembly has an inlet nozzle that extends from an inlet slit proximal the surface being cleaned to a nozzle outlet. The device further includes a fluid deposition assembly that can be selectively placed in fluid communication with the supply tank outlet, a vacuum source, and first and second external pockets. The supply and recovery tanks are adapted to be selectively placed in the first and second external pockets, thereby placing the supply tank outlet in fluid communication with the fluid deposition system, the recovery tank inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle outlet, and the recovery tank outlet in fluid communication with the vacuum source inlet.

Abstract: A dusting device can be used with a vacuum cleaner having an inlet port and a vacuum source. The dusting device comprises a holder defining a chamber and a dust pick up tool adapted to be at least partially received by the holder. The dusting device further comprises a fitting adapted to engage an inlet port of a vacuum cleaner. The tool and/or the chamber may be cleaned by activating a vacuum source to cause air to flow through the chamber.