Combined, E.g., With Signal Or Indicator Patents (Class 15/339)
  • Publication number: 20140068888
    Abstract: A wall cleaner structure hung by a cable and adapted to wash a wall surface includes a frame; a cleaning device for washing the wall surface; a suction device for drawing in a liquid having been used in washing the wall surface; and a collection device for collecting the liquid. The wall cleaner structure washes the wall surface in an automated manner, prevents accidents, and prevents waste liquid from flowing downward across the wall surface or even falling to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: SHUN-YUAN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140059796
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for disinfection of aircraft galleys and lavatories and other surfaces. The embodiments may use UV light sources and/or a disinfection unit powered by a fuel cell or other external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Razmik B. Boodaghians, Andreas Hoogeveen, Jean-Paul Libis, Yannick Brunaux, Jos Vandervossen
  • Patent number: 8661607
    Abstract: The present invention comprises: a collecting section mounted at one side of the pathway, in which the suction force of a vacuum cleaner for sucking dust is transmitted, and moves at least some of the sucked dust towards one direction; a dust collecting section made of transparent material coupled with the collecting section, in which the receiving status of the inflow of dust through the collecting section is exposed to the outside; a discharge section which guides air and dust, which has passed through the dust collecting section, to be discharged into the pathway that transmits the suction force of a vacuum cleaner; and a foreign material discharge means which guides the flow of air into the inner corner of the dust collecting section by the operation of the user and forcibly discharges the remaining dust in the dust collection section to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Geunbae Hwang, Kyeongseon Jeong
  • Patent number: 8661605
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a body having at least one outer wall, a drive system disposed on the body and configured to maneuver the robot over a work surface, and a cleaning assembly carried by the body. The cleaning assembly includes first and second cleaning rollers rotatably coupled to the body, a suction assembly having a channel disposed adjacent at least one of the cleaning rollers, and a container in fluid communication with the channel. The container is configured to collect debris drawn into the channel. The suction assembly is configured to draw debris removed from the work surface by at least one of the cleaning rollers into the channel, and the container has a wall common with the at least one outer wall of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Selma Svendsen, Daniel N. Ozick, Christopher M. Casey, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Tony L. Campbell, Chikyung Won, Christopher John Morse, Scott Thomas Burnett
  • Patent number: 8650706
    Abstract: A hose equipped with a cord, wherein the hose and the cord can be easily assembled together and easily maintained. A cord-equipped hose, wherein opposite ends of a flexible hose are respectively provided with tube holders each constructed from a pair of half tubes. The tube holders each sandwich an end of the flexible hose with the pair of half tubes joined together and each form, between the joined ends of the half tubes, a lead-out opening for an electric power source cord. Opposite ends of the electric power source cord in the flexible hose are respectively led out of the lead-out openings of the tube holders and held in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shibata, Kazunori Tsuge
  • Patent number: 8647408
    Abstract: An indicator device for a filter includes a filter replacement indicator that is actuatable by thermal expansion. The indicator device can be included in a filter. Also, a vacuum cleaner including a filter having the indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Seyfettin Kara, Monika Seifert, Stefan Tiekoetter, Cornelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 8635741
    Abstract: An auxiliary apparatus for better vacuum cleaning effect, comprising: a first frame, formed with a first entrance and a first exit connected to the first entrance by a channel; a second frame, formed with a second entrance and a second exit, both arranged at positions between the first entrance and the first exit while being connected to the channel; and an energy harvester, wherein an airflow entering the first frame through the first entrance is split into a first airflow and a second airflow while enabling the first airflow to flow toward the first exit and the second airflow to flow into the second frame through the second entrance where it is guided toward the energy harvester for driving the same, and then the second airflow is guided to flow out of the second exit and enters the first frame for merging with the first airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Yang Peng, Ya-Hui Tsai, Chun-Hsien Liu
  • Patent number: 8635738
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dusting system (1) comprising a dusting tool (20) with a cleaning portion (21) connected to a handle (22), and an elongated chamber (10) for holding the dusting tool. The chamber comprises a storage compartment (15) arranged for storing at least a part of the cleaning portion as the dusting tool is inserted into the chamber, and a cleaning compartment (11) arranged between the opening (13) of the chamber and the storing compartment (15). Further, an outlet channel (12) is arranged for enabling fluid communication between the chamber and a vacuum source. The outlet channel is arranged at the cleaning compartment, thereby enabling a cleaning of the cleaning portion upon insertion or extraction of the cleaning portion into or from the storage compartment. The system may be a self standing unit or be integrated into a vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventor: Johann Zita
  • Publication number: 20140020203
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a horizontal type cleaner body (2) with a bottom (3), top (4), front (5) and back side (6), a suction blower unit accommodated in the cleaner body (2) and at least one primary stage cyclone dust separator (7) having an air inlet opening fluidly coupled to the suction blower unit, wherein in bottom to top direction the primary stage cyclone dust separator (7) is positioned over the suction blower unit, and wherein the air inlet opening and a dust outlet opening of the primary stage cyclone dust separator (7) are located towards the back side (6) and front side (5) respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Akteibolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Håkan Miefalk, Esbjörn Svantesson
  • Patent number: 8631540
    Abstract: A canister attachment for leaf blowers/vacuums is an apparatus that attaches to existing yard waste leaf blower/vacuum's to provide a user with a facilitated means to collect solid animal waste or other debris deposited on the ground. The apparatus comprises a suction nozzle assembly, a canister, a suction duct, a support assembly, and a leaf blower/vacuum. The suction nozzle assembly comprises a canister mount and a nozzle. The canister comprises a nozzle mount, a lateral surface, a filter plate, a duct opening, and a first and second chamber. The suction duct comprises a duct canister mount, a channel, and a leaf blower/vacuum mount. The configuration of these components provides the user with a mobile accessory that utilizes the suction from existing conventional leaf blowers/vacuums to siphon animal waste through the nozzle and into the canister. Furthermore, the apparatus provides an exhaust catch to prevent accidental discharge through the leaf blower/vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry Robichaux, Nurcan Robichaux
  • Patent number: 8627531
    Abstract: When the electrically driven fan (14) of a vacuum cleaner is driven, air containing dust is drawn into the cleaner main body (1) through a hose (7) connected to a hose socket (8) and is exhausted into the outside of the cleaner main body (1) through an exhaust port (1b) via first and second suction passageways (10, 13). Disposed outside the first suction passageway (10) is an ion generator (23), it being arranged that plus and minus ions generated in the ion generator (23) are fed to the air stream flowing in the first suction passageway (10). Since the plus and minus ions kill floating germs in the air stream, the exhaust can be purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohji Ninomiya, Mikio Yagi, Shigenori Hato, Kazumasa Hayashi, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Yoshihiro Shimizu, Hideo Nojima, Hisaharu Yagi, Kazuo Nishikawa, Tetsuyuki Ohtani
  • Publication number: 20140007371
    Abstract: A cleaning and inspection system includes a cleaning chamber and retaining structure disposed within the cleaning chamber and configured to secure an article to be cleaned within the cleaning chamber. The cleaning and inspection system also includes a gas distributor disposed within the cleaning chamber and configured to distribute a turbulent flow of gas into the cleaning chamber that facilitates removal of foreign particles from a surface of the article. Further, the system includes a particle collection surface positioned to collect foreign particles removed from the surface of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Lun Lu, Sheng-Chi Chin
  • Patent number: 8607402
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a drive unit having a maximum input power and a drive unit operating device configured to operate the drive unit below the maximum input power. The drive unit operating device includes a regulating unit configured to regulate an actual input power of the drive unit within a first operating range in which an input power is above a predefinable upper limit. The regulating unit is operable to detect a controlled variable including the actual input power and/or a measure of the actual input power, compare the actual input power to a reference variable including the predefinable upper limit and/or a measure of the predefinable upper limit, and influence the actual input power of the drive unit so as to conform the actual input power of the drive unit to the reference variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Manfred Gerhards
  • Patent number: 8607401
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is generally composed of a suction unit provided with a suction source, a suction nozzle equipped with a suction port adapted to suck dust or like from a surface to be cleaned, a suction hose connected at one end to the suction nozzle and connected at another end to the suction unit, a low-center-of-gravity support member provided for the suction hose so as to serve as a fulcrum when the suction hose is bent and deformed, a wire member supported at a distal end by the suction nozzle and arranged along the suction hose, and a control unit used to bend and deform the suction hose by manipulating the wire member with the low-center-of-gravity support member serving as a fulcrum. This cleaning apparatus is specifically usable for a bottom surface of a reactor pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hisashi Hozumi, Mitsuaki Shimamura, Yutaka Togasawa, Naruhiko Mukai, Shinji Toki, Yasuhiro Yuguchi, Koichi Soma
  • Patent number: 8601640
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a motor-driven suction fan disposed in the housing, a fan motor and a power supply device configured to provide power supply to the fan motor. The vacuum cleaner also includes both a rechargeable battery and cord reel permanently integrated in the housing such that the vacuum cleaner is configured to be alternately operable in a battery mode and a mains mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Andre Bertram, Volker Gerth, Olivier Liebig, Rainer Schultz, Heiko Stork, Dirk Wegener, Manfred Gerhards
  • Patent number: 8601637
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device is robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Patent number: 8595893
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with an automated diverter valve is described. The vacuum includes a handle, body, base, an automated diverter valve and air duct including two input ports. An automated diverter valve assembly at the junction of the dirty air intake within the base extends the air duct within the base and connects to the main air duct of the vacuum to the beater bar input and an attachment input. The automated diverter valve causes the air intake of the vacuum to be drawn from either the beater bar (floor) air input or the attachment input depending upon the position of the vacuum handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Charles J. Morgan, Bruce Kiern
  • Patent number: 8595894
    Abstract: A battery-powered insect removal device comprises a funnel-shaped housing further including a cylindrical handle which has a fan motor, a battery, an operating switch, and electrical components which generate a vacuum across the opening of the funnel. During use, the device is electrically activated and then placed near a flying or crawling insect. The vacuum will draw the insect inside where it is exterminated by a plurality of fan blades and collected within and interior receptacle. The receptacle is removable for emptying and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Issa Kakish
  • Publication number: 20130312214
    Abstract: Portable vacuum systems are provided. In one embodiment, a portable vacuum system includes a tank, an engine, and a transportation system. The engine is configured to generate a vacuum within the tank. The transportation system illustratively has one or more wheels and is configured to tilt the tank about an axis that is between a front and a back of the tank. In other embodiments, a portable vacuum system may also include a swivel elbow that connects the tank to a vacuum wand, a ledge that supports the engine, a back door that forms a seal with the tank along a curved lip, and a filter that is accessible through a threaded cover on the tank. Additionally, one or more of the components of a system may be made utilizing rotational molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: WINFIELD CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Johnson, Mark D. McNeil
  • Patent number: 8584314
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides a flea vacuum. The device may include a nozzle having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may have a tapered end and may be configured to vacuum an insect (e.g., a flea, etc). The device may also include a hose coupled to the nozzle. The device may also include an adapter coupled to the hose. The adapter may have an end configured for insertion into a vacuum. The device may also include a kill agent comprising bentonite as the active ingredient for killing and/or neutralizing pests, such as for example fleas. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fleavac, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Lewis
  • Patent number: 8584310
    Abstract: A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an onboard power outlet and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. A delay period can be utilized to maintain the vacuum source is an on state for a predetermined period of time after the power tool is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Beers, Kathy E. DiPasquale, Spencer G. Maid
  • Patent number: 8584305
    Abstract: A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Selma Svendsen, Paul E. Sandin, Scott Thomas Burnett, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Stephen A. Hickey, Robert Rizzari, Zivthan A. C. Dubrovsky
  • Patent number: 8584307
    Abstract: A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Selma Svendsen, Paul E. Sandin, Scott Thomas Burnett, Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Stephen A. Hickey, Robert Rizzari, Zivthan A. C. Dubrovsky
  • Publication number: 20130298349
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a secured tube secured horizontally to the front surface of the main body of the cleaner and sucks in dust from the outside due to a motor in the main body; a pair of securing members which secure two ends of the secured tube to the main body and convey the sucked-in dust to a filter in the main body; and a suction tube which is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube and rolls along the surface to be cleaned, and in the cylindrical surface of which are formed dust-suction holes for sucking in dust. Because the suction tube in which the plurality of dust-suction holes are formed is rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the secured tube, the suction tube continuously turns while cleaning bedding by pushing or pulling the main body, and thus the bedding is not sucked into the secured tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TEKFORUS INC.
    Inventor: Byung-Ho Song
  • Patent number: 8578554
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing dust from power tool operation are disclosed. The system comprises a debris-collecting accessory that includes a body and a nose. The nose has an opening for a toolbit and at least one suction port that opens into an interior volume of the housing. The body has a second end configured to couple to a power tool. An exhaust tube attaches to the exterior surface of the body such that an interior volume of the exhaust tube connects to an interior volume of the housing. An exit passage is coupled to the exhaust tube and is configured to couple to a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Skitter & Squirt, LLC
    Inventor: Jack Marion King, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130291331
    Abstract: An automatic cleaner, which includes a casing including a suction port through which,a foreign substance is suctioned, a moving device that moves the casing, and a side brush assembly movably installed on the casing. The side brush assembly includes a brush rotating to move a foreign substance located outside the footprint of the casing, to the suction port. A rotation shaft of the brush is moved according to a movement of the side brush assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Haeseock Yang, Yonggyun Ghim, Seonil Yu, Seunghyun Song, Hyunseon Shin, Hyosung Kim
  • Patent number: 8572801
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaner (1) of stick or upright type, which vacuum cleaner (1) comprises a housing (2), a nozzle (3) with an air inlet (4), a dust separation chamber (5), a fan unit (6) and at least one air outlet, whereby the fan unit (6) is adapted to create an air flow in a flow path extending from the air inlet (4) via the dust separation chamber (5) to the air outlet, and whereby the housing (2) comprises two main separate parts (7, 8) connectable to each other, of which one part (7) comprises the dust separation chamber (5) and the fan unit (6), and the other part (8) comprises a handle for the stick or upright type vacuum cleaner. At least one air outlet (15) is placed in the part (8) comprising the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Christer Engström, Ulrik Danestad
  • Patent number: 8572799
    Abstract: A cleaning robot system includes a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot as directed by a controller, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing and a driven cleaning roller. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing and a docking platform configured to support the robot when docked. A mechanical agitator engages the roller of the robot with the robot docked. The agitator includes an agitator comb having multiple teeth configured to remove accumulated debris from the roller as the agitator comb and roller are moved relative to one another. The robot maintenance station includes a collection bin arranged to receive and hold debris removed by the mechanical agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Chikyung Won, Stephen A. Hickey, Mark Schnittman, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Selma Svendsen, Jed Lowry, David Swett, John Devlin
  • Patent number: 8567002
    Abstract: Used in a mobile robotic vacuum cleaner, a dust collector is disclosed to include a dust collection box, and a chips collection box connected to the dust collection box. The chips collection box comprises two openings respectively disposed adjacent to one respective roller brush of the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner and adapted for receiving chips directed by the roller brush for enabling the directed chips to be gathered in the chips collection box. Thus, dust sucked by the mobile robotic vacuum cleaner and chips directed by the roller brushes are respectively collected in the dust collection box and the chips collection box, and any non-dust articles that are accidentally directed into the chips collection box can be discovered and cleaned easily by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Egenpower Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Li
  • Patent number: 8567007
    Abstract: An air flow sensing unit, which may sense an amount of air flowing or an pressure for air flown into the cleaning apparatus by a suction motor or an impeller and inform a user of a time for emptying a dirt collecting receptacle of dust or dirt and/or a time for cleaning or replacing a filter with a new one, and a cleaning apparatus having the same are provided. The unit may include an air flow pipe to fluidly communicate an air flow passage of a cleaning apparatus with the outside, and an indicator positioned in the air flow pipe to be lifted based on a change in amount of air flowing or air pressure generated by air movement in the air flow passage and to be lowered due to a weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-gyu Song, Min-ha Kim, Jang-keun Oh
  • Publication number: 20130276259
    Abstract: Flexible plastics tubing provided for transmitting a signal, wherein the tubing at a first end includes a signal input member, and at the second end includes a signal readout member, characterized in that said tubing comprises at least one zone extending continuously from said first end towards said second end to be connected to the signal input member and the signal readout member respectively, wherein said at least one zone is made of a conductive plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Roger Winckelmans
  • Patent number: 8561252
    Abstract: A value document processing apparatus comprises an input for value documents to be processed, an output and/or a storage device for processed value documents, a transport device for singled transport of value documents from the input to the output or the storage device, a housing, a checking device arranged in the housing for checking value documents transported in singled form past it, and a suction conduit system for suction air which has a port for a suction unit for sucking air with dust out of the suction conduit system, and at least one hand cleaning portion connected to the port and having a suction opening movable in the area of the checking device, and/or at least two conduit portions connected to the port and having suction openings arranged at different portions of the transport path and directed onto the transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Demmeler
  • Patent number: 8561253
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric machine that includes exciting a winding of the electric machine in synchrony with zero-crossings of back emf when operating over a first speed range. The method then includes exciting the winding in advance of the zero-crossings by a fixed period of time when operating over a second speed range, and exciting the winding in advance of the zero-crossings by a period of time that varies with speed when operating over a third speed range. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Charlton Clothier, Tuncay Celik, Roger Michael Dawe
  • Publication number: 20130269149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, especially beneficial for fabrication systems using silicon wafer carried on trays. Removal of broken wafers and particles from within the fabrication system is enabled without requiring disassembly of the system and without requiring manual labor. A placing mechanism moves a suction head to location of the broken substrate and a suction pump coupled to a flexible hose is used to remove the broken pieces. A hood is positioned at the inlet of the suction head, and setback extensions are provided at the bottom of the hood to allow air flow into the inlet and prevent thermal conductance from the tray to the hood. Pins are extendable about the inlet of the suction head to enable breakage of the wafer to smaller pieces for easy removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Lyle Stevens, David Eric Berkstresser, Wendell Thomas Blonigan
  • Patent number: 8560119
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that travels straight through alignment of drive wheels to move the robot cleaner and a method of controlling travel of the same. Information related to a movement angle of the robot cleaner is detected from angle information of a caster wheel rotating depending upon a state of a floor, such as a carpet in a state in which texture of the carpet occurs in one direction, and, when the movement angle of the robot cleaner deviates due to slippages of the drive wheels, rates of rotation of the drive wheels are adjusted to correct the slippages of the drive wheels such that the robot cleaner easily travels straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Hwa Lee, Jae Man Joo, Dong Won Kim, Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Hwi Chan Jang, Jang Youn Ko, Jeong Gon Song, Sam Jong Jeung
  • Patent number: 8549700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a visualization device for dust collection of a vacuum cleaner, the visualization device includes a collecting unit mounted on one side of a pathway on which the suction force of a vacuum cleaner for sucking dust is transmitted, and moves at least some of the sucked dust in one direction, a dust collecting unit of transparent material coupled with the collecting unit and exposes a state of dust received by the collecting unit to the outside, a discharge unit which guides air and dust, which has passed through the dust collecting unit, to be discharged into the pathway that transmits the suction force of the vacuum cleaner, a foreign material separation unit provided in the dust collecting unit to generate cyclonic flow, and a foreign material discharge unit inserted into the inside of the foreign material separation unit by the manipulation of a user from one side of the dust collecting unit and allows the inflow of air from the outside into the inside thereof to discharge dus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Geunbae Hwang, Kyeongseon Jeong
  • Patent number: 8549701
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body capable of standing and inclining, an electric blower accommodated in the cleaner body, a floor nozzle capable of cleaning a surface while the cleaner body inclines, a mode detector detecting whether the cleaner body stands or inclines, and a controller controlling a power supplied to the electric blower. The controller is operable to supply a first power the electric blower if the mode detector detects that the cleaner body inclines, and to supply a second power lower than the first power to the electric blower if the mode detector detects that the cleaner body stands. This vacuum cleaner prevents the electric blower from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tosiaki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8539638
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter medium, a filter inlet side, a filter outlet side and an indicator device. The indicator device is configured to be acted upon by air flow through the filter and is disposed adjacent to the filter medium and extends from the filter inlet side to the filter outlet side. The indicator device includes an air path starting from the filter inlet side, a viewing window covering the air path on the filter outlet side, and a flow-through usage indicator configured to receive filtered material and disposed in the air path and visible beneath the viewing window on the filter outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Andre Bertram, Seyfettin Kara, Monika Seifert, Stefan Tiekoetter, Cornelius Wolf
  • Publication number: 20130239358
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body including a suction source configured to generate a suction force, a suction inlet body configured to inhale dust on a surface to be cleaned using the suction force of the suction source, a dust bucket detachably installed on the cleaner body, a cyclonic unit formed inside the dust bucket and configured to centrifuge the dust from air flowed in through the suction inlet body, and a paper-shredder installed on a top of the dust bucket and configured to communicate with the top of the dust bucket so that shredded pieces of paper are dropped inside a dust collecting space of the dust bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Kim, Kang Kim, Chang-hyun Park, Jae-jin Aum, Yong-jae Yong, Sung-cheol Lee, Jun-hwa Lee, Jun-hoo Choe
  • Patent number: 8528161
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance is capable of performing two or more cleaning functions. The cleaning appliance may include a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner such that a user can vacuum a floor prior to steam cleaning the floor. Various manual switching arrangements may be used as part of controlling the cleaning appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Ognjen Vrdoljak, Oliver Rudolph Breit, Aviva Rosenzweig
  • Patent number: 8528157
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning assembly housing and at least one driven sweeper brush. The robot includes a controller and a removable sweeper bin configured to receive debris agitated by the driven sweeper brush. The sweeper bin includes an emitter disposed on an interior surface of the bin and a receiver disposed remotely from the emitter on the interior surface of the bin and configured to receive an emitter signal. The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emitter emissions. The robot includes a bin controller disposed in the sweeper bin and monitoring a detector signal and initiating a bin full routine upon determining a bin debris accumulation level requiring service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Schnittman, Daniel N. Ozick, Gregg W. Landry
  • Patent number: 8522395
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body having a suction source for generating a suction force; a suction nozzle assembly to draw in a dust or dirt from a surface to be cleaned by using the suction force of the suction source; a cyclone unit to separate the dust or dirt drawn in through the suction nozzle assembly from an air; a dust bin detachably disposed to the cleaner body to collect the dust or dirt separated at the cyclone unit; and a shredder to shred a paper, the shredder being detachably communicated with an opening of the dust bin to collect the shredded paper into the dust bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Jun-hwa Lee, Sung-cheol Lee, Jae-jin Aum, Chang-hyun Park, Jun-hoo Choe, Yong-jae Yong, Kang Kim
  • Publication number: 20130219652
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vacuum system including a housing and at least one filter disposed within the housing. A valve assembly can be at least partially disposed within the housing and can be in fluid communication with the filter. The valve assembly can include a manifold and a support member coupled to a plurality of dampers. The plurality of dampers can include a first damper and a second damper that include unequal sizes. The support member and the dampers can be configured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Steve Martel, Martin Gagnon, Robert Lagueux, Mathieu Lalancette-Jutras
  • Patent number: 8516651
    Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Newton E. Mack, David M. Nugent, Paul E. Sandin
  • Patent number: 8516653
    Abstract: Handle has status indicators viewable by operator while viewing location being cleaned and using handle in ordinary cleaning position, and light illuminating location being cleaned. Indicators are LED lamps. Light is an LED lamp. Microphone senses particles and illuminates an indicator. Indicators and light are provided in a housing section that forms part of a housing for handle. Housing section may be integrated with the remainder of the housing, or may be unit that fits into remainder of housing. Light has central axis generally parallel, within approximately five degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. Indicators each have a central axis generally parallel, within approximately 5 degrees from parallel, with cleaning axis of handle. The indicators have limited beam angle. Indicator viewable over grasping section of handle from towards distal end of handle. The cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner, which may be a central vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
    Inventors: J. Vern Cunningham, Paul Charlebois, Tasneem Babul Rayani, Paul Arato
  • Patent number: 8516650
    Abstract: A vacuum electronics system is provided including an electronic water sense circuit for sensing the water level and preventing the vacuum source from operating when the water level approaches the vacuum filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Beers
  • Publication number: 20130205537
    Abstract: There is provided a dust detection system for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dust separation chamber (20) of cyclone type and having a separate dustbin (30) for collecting separated dust. The dust separation chamber is adapted to provide a generally cyclonic airflow for separating dust from a dust laden air stream, and is at a bottom (25) of the dust separation chamber connected via an outlet (22) to the dustbin. The dust detection system further comprises an emitter (41) positioned to emit an electromagnetic signal into the dust separation chamber during operation of the vacuum cleaner, and a receiver (42) positioned to receive the electromagnetic signal. The inventive concept is based on an understanding that when the dustbin becomes full, dust accumulates at the bottom of the dust separation chamber, i.e. stays rotating at the bottom, since it cannot enter the dustbin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX
    Inventors: Stefan Jonsson, Fredrik Sjöberg
  • Publication number: 20130198993
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dust indicator in a vacuum cleaner, which dust indicator (200) is arranged in a wall (102) at least partly defining a space of the vacuum cleaner that is set under negative pressure with respect to the outside of the wall during operation of the vacuum cleaner. The dust indicator comprises an air channel (211) having an air inlet (212) arranged at an outer side of the wall, and an air outlet (213) arranged at an inner side of the wall, such that an airflow is directed into the space during operation of the vacuum cleaner due to the negative pressure. The dust indicator further comprises a sensor (220) arranged for detecting dust by means of sending and/or receiving an electromagnetic signal which is transmitted through the space. The air channel is arranged such that the airflow prevents dust from sticking in an area of the path of the electromagnetic signal of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET ELECTROLUX
    Inventors: Stefan Jonsson, Fredrik Sjöberg, Henrik Troberg
  • Publication number: 20130192020
    Abstract: An appliance capable of using smart grid includes a main body, an auxiliary power supply device mounted at the main body and includes a charging unit to store power therein, and a cleaner power management unit equipped at the main body to select one of the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply device and a power supplied from an external power supply source in order to use the selected power as an operating power of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Sungsu Kang
  • Publication number: 20130192645
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a collection system of debris is shown and described. The apparatus may include a debris collector having a capacity and an inlet hose operatively coupled with the debris collector, at least a portion of the inlet hose positionable within the collection system. The apparatus may also include at least one vacuum operatively coupled with the debris collector, where the vacuum creates suction capable of forcing debris and fluid from the collection system into the inlet hose, and a debris reduction assembly attached to the inlet hose, where the debris reduction assembly is capable of generally reducing a size of the debris entering the inlet hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Jet-Vac, LLC
    Inventor: Jet-Vac, LLC