Abstract: A vortex finder (18,27,40) for a cyclonic separator (1) through which air flowing in a helical path ‘D’ about an axis A-A of a cyclone chamber (4) passes to an outlet (6) is disclosed. The vortex finder comprises a plurality of stationary overlapping vanes (13,19) extending in an axial direction and spaced radially around said axis ‘A’, the vanes (13,19) being positioned relative to each other so a helical flow of air about the axis of the cyclone chamber (4) passes over an outer surface (16) of the vanes (13,19) with a portion of the air flow being redirected around a leading edge (14) of each vane (13,19) and through a gap between adjacent vanes (13,19) to the outlet (6).

Abstract: A vortex finder (18,27,40) for a cyclonic separator (1) through which air flowing in a helical path ‘D’ about an axis A-A of a cyclone chamber (4) passes to an outlet (6) is disclosed. The vortex finder comprises a plurality of stationary overlapping vanes (13,19) extending in an axial direction and spaced radially around said axis ‘A’, the vanes (13,19) being positioned relative to each other so a helical flow of air about the axis of the cyclone chamber (4) passes over an outer surface (16) of the vanes (13,19) with a portion of the air flow being redirected around a leading edge (14) of each vane (13,19) and through a gap between adjacent vanes (13,19) to the outlet (6).

Abstract: The present application relates to a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner that comprises a soleplate with a suction channel slot therein for the suction of debris from a surface, a wheel mounted for rotation about an axis to support the nozzle on said surface, and a suction pipe connector for rotation about an axis that is coaxial with said wheel axis. The wheel has a radius (h) of at least 25 mm and a distance across the surface between a point of contact of the wheel with the surface that is directly beneath the wheel axis and a point midway between the leading and trailing edges of the suction channel slot is no greater than 80 mm.

Abstract: A dust filter for filtering dust out of an air stream has a filter membrane pleated into a row of pleats. A pleat deflector is movably suspended for moving along the row of pleats for cleaning the filter membrane. The deflector has a free end extending between the pleats when the deflector and the pleats are in undeflected condition, such that when the deflector is moved along the row of pleats, the pleats are deflected and released in succession along the row. The deflector includes a flexible plate of which at least a portion between the suspension and the free end has a width transverse to the direction of movement of the deflector, where the width decreases with the distance to the suspension.

Abstract: A dust filter for filtering dust out of an air stream has a filter membrane (2) pleated into a row of pleats. A pleat deflector (3A, 3B) is movably suspended for movability along the row of pleats, for cleaning the filter membrane (2). The deflector (3A, 3B) has a free end (9A, 9B) extending between the pleats when the deflector (3A, 3B) and the pleats are in undeflected condition, such that when the deflector (3A, 3H) is moved along the row of pleats, the pleats are deflected and released in succession along the row. The deflector (3A, 3H) is or comprises a flexible plate (10A, 10B) of which at least a portion between the suspension (4) and the free end (9A, 9B) has a width transverse to the direction of movability of the deflector (3A, 3B), which decreases with the distance to the suspension (4). Thereby, a deflector of increased stiffness is obtained which is advantageous for effective dust removal.