Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: A sealable debris bag includes a bag body having an opening, and a plate member attached to the bag body proximate the opening. First and second portions of the plate member are pivotable along a fold-line so that the first portion is engageable with the second portion to substantially seal the opening. A tab on one side of the fold-line engages a notch on the other side of the fold-line to secure the device. The fold-line can be formed in the plate member, to define the first and second portions where the portions are contiguous, or can be formed in the bag body where the portions are non-contiguous. The opening may be formed in a flexible lateral wall of the bag body, or alternately, in an end portion of the bag body. A complimentary alignment structure on plate member mates with an alignment structure on a vacuum to ensure proper alignment of the debris bag on the vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a rotary propulsion device having a rotatable hub with a plurality of vanes. The flow area between the vanes can be approximately constant from a region adjacent the hub to a region spaced apart from the hub. A housing is disposed about the vanes and the flow of air and particulates can enter the housing through a single inlet aperture and exit the housing through two spaced apart outlet apertures. The vanes can be arranged on the hub such that when one vane is centered relative to one of the outlet apertures, the vane closest to the other outlet aperture is offset from the center of that aperture to control the noise generated by the propulsion device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing a filter element of a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a housing body elongated along a housing axis. The housing body can include a partially porous material clamped at an upper end to an upper Support and at a lower end to a lower support. The upper and lower supports support the upper housing body relative to the vacuum cleaner. The housing body further includes an aperture for receiving a filter element and can have a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane approximately perpendicular to the housing axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include a manifold with two inlet ports that collect two separate streams of the flow, combine the streams, and direct the combined flow toward a filter element through a single outlet port. The flow can expand within the manifold between the inlet ports and the outlet ports to decelerate the flow. The manifold can also include a storage receptacle for storing a belt used to drive a roller brush of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include an airflow propulsion device that draws the flow through an intake aperture and propels the flow through two upwardly-extending conduits toward a filter element housed in a filter housing. The conduits can have generally smooth internal walls and a combined flow area less than the flow area of the intake aperture to accelerate the flow upwardly toward the filter element.

Abstract: A high efficiency motor for low velocity and high volume fans and other applications includes an armature, a stator and a motor shaft. The armature is made from plates that collectively have a stack height that give the armature a thickness. The plates are keyed with a keyway and the motor shaft has a key to increase alignment accuracy and armature assembly efficiency. An armature aspect ratio is determined by the armature diameter divided by the armature thickness. Similarly a stator aspect ratio is determined by a stator diameter divided by a stator thickness. The armature and the stator aspect ratios are selected to increase torque output and lower rotational speed of the motor for various power output levels. Magnetic permeability properties of the armature and stator is selected to increase operating efficiency of the motor and decrease motor size.

Abstract: A high efficiency motor for low velocity and high volume fans and other applications includes an armature, a stator and a motor shaft. The armature is made from plates that collectively have a stack height that give the armature a thickness. The plates are keyed with a keyway and the motor shaft has a key to increase alignment accuracy and armature assembly efficiency. An armature aspect ratio is determined by the armature diameter divided by the armature thickness. Similarly a stator aspect ratio is determined by a stator diameter divided by a stator thickness. The armature and the stator aspect ratios are selected to increase torque output and lower rotational speed of the motor for various power output levels. Magnetic permeability properties of the armature and stator is selected to increase operating efficiency of the motor and decrease motor size.

Abstract: A method and process for computer-controlled manufacture of three-dimensional objects involves dispensing a layer of a first material, such as a liquid, insoluble material onto a platform at predetermined locations corresponding to a cross-section of the object, which then hardens. A second medium, preferably water soluble, is then sprayed onto this layer to thereby encapsulate the hardened insoluble media. The uppermost surface of this encapsulant is planned, thus removing a portion of the encapsulant to expose the underlying insoluble material for new pattern deposition. After the resulting planing residue is removed, another layer of liquid, insoluble media is dispensed onto the planned surface. The insoluble media can be of any color and may vary from layer to layer, and from location within a layer to location with a layer. These steps are repeated, until the desired three-dimensional object, surrounded by a mold, is completed.

Abstract: A method and process for computer-controlled manufacture of three-dimensional objects involves dispensing a layer of a first material, such as a liquid, insoluble material onto a platform at predetermined locations corresponding to a cross-section of the object, which then hardens. A second medium, preferably water soluble, is then sprayed onto this layer to thereby encapsulate the hardened insoluble media. The uppermost surface of this encapsulant is planarized, if necessary, for example by way of a mill cutter, knife, roller or thermal bar, thus removing a portion of the encapsulant to expose the underlying insoluble material for new pattern deposition. The dispensing of the first and second materials, and the planarization, may be performed in a single pass by an integrated printhead. After the resulting planing residue is removed, another layer of liquid, insoluble medium is dispensed onto the planed surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.