Abstract: An air precleaner for mechanically removing particulate contaminants from an enclosed environment includes a peripheral air intake manifold that is in communication with the inlet port of a mechanical separation unit, and a central exhaust port that is in communication with the air output port of the mechanical separation unit. The precleaner can be inserted into or onto a vacuum system from which airborne particulate matter is to be removed. The precleaner includes a container which may be a two part container formed of a fitting assembly and a canister for the collection of particulates. The canister itself may be divided into a top and a bottom, compartment by a flange extending outwardly around the outer edge of the mechanical separation unit. Particulate matter collects in the bottom compartment of the canister, which can be periodically removed from the rest of the precleaner to dispose of the accumulated particulates.

Abstract: Intake air cleaning apparatus includes a filter canister with a filter mounted therein to filter air passing from an inlet end of the canister to an outlet end. A hood is mounted to the filter canister at the inlet end and has a discharge port for discharging particulates. A series of vanes are mounted in a gap between the hood and the inlet end of the filter canister to define channels through which air is directed into the air space between the hood and canister inlet end. A rotor mounted within the air space flings particulates toward the hood for expulsion through the discharge port. The filter within the canister may be formed of an outer cylindrical filter and an inner cylindrical filter mounted to the outlet wall of the canister to filter the precleaned air that passes through an inlet opening of the canister into the air space between the interior of the canister and the outer filter.

Abstract: An air precleaner includes a base assembly, a hood mounted to the base assembly and spaced from the base assembly to define a circumferential gap, and a rotor assembly mounted for rotation within the air space between the hood and base assembly. The base assembly has an outlet port that is connectable to an engine intake. Inlet ports may be formed between web supports connecting an outer circumferential wall to an inner circumferential wall of the base assembly. A series of vanes are mounted in the gap between the hood and base assembly at an angle between radial and tangential to define channels between them through which air is directed into the air space between the hood and base assembly with both an inward and tangential component of velocity. The air drawn in through the channels between the vanes provides a strong tangential component of air velocity impacting upon the rotor to maintain high efficiency of particulate removal.

Abstract: A ramp outlet air precleaner has a base assembly, a dome shaped hood, and a rotor assembly. The base assembly includes an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall, the inner circumferential wall defining an air outlet port. Angled web supports connect the outer circumferential wall to the inner circumferential wall and the arrangement forms air inlet ports that direct air upon the rotor assembly. A ramp extends perpendicularly and axially from the outer circumferential wall and, starting at the top of the outer circumferential wall, the ramp surface winds around the outer circumferential wall in a spiral, terminating near the bottom of the outer circumferential wall below its starting point. The two ends of the ramp form the top and bottom of a particulate discharge port gap. The rotor assembly includes a hub that has arms extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A high efficiency air precleaner has a base assembly, a hood, and a rotor assembly. The base assembly includes an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall, the inner circumferential wall defining an air outlet port. Angled web supports connect the outer circumferential wall to the inner circumferential wall and their arrangement forms air inlet ports that direct air upon the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotatable hub that has arms extending outward therefrom, each of the arms including a radial first blade, an axial second blade descending at a right angle from the first blade, a paddle at the outer end of each arm, and a tab extending downwardly from the second blade adjacent the hub. The first blade extends from the edge of the second blade forwardly in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the hub. Air incident upon the arms causes rotation of the hub, the arms flinging particulates outward.

Abstract: An air precleaner (10) has a base assembly (12) a dome-shaped hood (18), and a rotor assembly (20). The base assembly (12) includes an inner circumferential wall (24) and an outer circumferential wall (22), the inner circumferential wall (24) defining an air outlet port (16). Angled web supports (28) connect the outer circumferential wall (22) to the inner circumferential wall (24) and their arrangement forms air inlet ports (14) that direct air upon the rotor assembly (20). The rotor assembly (20) includes a hub (64) that has arms (66) extending outward therefrom, each of the arms (66) including a first blade (68) a second blade (70) descending at right angles from the first blade (68), and a tab (72). Air incident upon the arms (6) causes rotation of the hub (64), the arms (66) flinging particulates outward. A gap (62) is formed at the interface between the base assembly (12) and the hood (18) that is positioned above the base assembly (12) and that encloses the precleaner (10).