Abstract: An apparatus for removing unwanted contaminates from gases, wherein the apparatus can include a housing that has at least one removable portion. The apparatus can also include a reaction chamber formed within the housing. A cartridge can be disposed in the reaction chamber. The cartridge can be connected to the removable portion of the housing.

Abstract: A wet type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner is provided. The wet type dust collecting apparatus of a vacuum cleaner includes a first separating unit configured to filter out and discharge dust by rotating air which is inlet via a first air inlet, and a plurality of a second centrifugal separating units configured to filter out dust from the air which is discharged from the first separating unit, and configured to eliminate dust from the inlet air via water which is filled inside of the second centrifugal separating units.

Abstract: A self-sustaining boiler system for generating usable energy and heat without creating pollution. The self-sustaining boiler system includes a boiler capable of generating efficient usable energy and heat, and also includes an exhaust purifying assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for removing the pollutants from the exhaust generated by the boiler, and further includes a fuel source assembly being in fluid communication to the boiler for providing fuel to the boiler.

Abstract: A CO2 recovering apparatus includes a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 and O2 into contact with CO2 absorbing liquid to reduce CO2 in the flue gas; and a regenerator that reduces CO2 in CO2 absorbing liquid (rich solvent) that absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the CO2 absorbing liquid, so that the regenerated CO2 absorbing liquid (lean solvent) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber. A lower liquid reservoir is located at the bottom of the CO2 absorber, and an air-bubble gathering member is arranged therein to gather air bubbles included in the absorbing liquid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating air containing hydrogen sulfide gas, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals and other mercaptans in order to reduce odor and corrosion related to wet wells, dry pits, grease traps and the like. The system comprises a first and second stage air treatment system. A vacuum pump in the primary (stage 2) treatment housing vacuums the contaminated air from the source and pumps the air through a set of diffusers into a treatment fluid wherein the air is then passed through a pair of porous plates and upward through a discharge pump and then into the atmosphere. Prior to treating the air in the primary housing, it is treated in a pretreatment dry air filter wherein the air is inlet into the pretreatment (stage 1) housing and then through a microfilter prior to being passed into the primary housing for further treatment.

Abstract: An extractor that may have a diffuser located a vacuum chamber to which a vacuum is applied by a vacuum pump. The diffuser has cavity and at least one diffuser aperture, and receives a mixture of waste cleaning liquid and aspirated air. The diffuser and the vacuum chamber separate the waste cleaning liquid from the aspirated air. A suction hose and pump may remove the separated waste cleaning liquid from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A motor-driven blower, particularly suited for carpet cleaners and other wet vacuuming appliances, includes a rotating separator cup to impede water droplets and foam from being drawn into the blower. The separator cup is removably connected to a spider bracket that is mounted more permanently to one end of the motor shaft. Since the separator cup is not directly connected to the motor shaft, the cup can be removed without disturbing the rest of the blower. Thus, the blower can be run either with or without the separator cup. Moreover, by not attaching the separator cup directly to the motor shaft, the shaft can be made shorter to minimize vibration and noise at high rpm's.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner main body that includes a water pan which stores water for removing dust from dust-containing air, and a suction compartment made up with a main casing detachably installed on the water pan compartment, a separator that rotates in the main casing to separate air from the water, and a main fan that rotates in the main casing and sucks in dust-containing air and exhausts air, from which water has been separated by the separator, to the outside of the vacuum cleaner main body; and in this cleaner, the separator is in a round basket shape and ribs are formed in the circumferential direction with slit gaps opened between the ribs, and a reverse jet fin assembly that rotates together with the separator and causes air to jet downward toward the outer surface of the separator is provided on the upper opening of the separator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly comprising a body, a motor disposed within the body and having an output shaft for rotating about axis, a fan coupled to the output shaft for generating a vacuum airflow through an air intake port in the body, and a separator coupled to the output shaft. The separator includes a cup shaped body and a flange extending radially from the open top to an outer periphery. The separator includes a spider, integrated therewithin, having a hub portion surrounding the shaft, and a plurality of helical blades integral with and extending radially from the hub portion to the vanes and integral with the wall. The separator is one piece molded component that may provide for better turbulence characteristics during suction of the air, increase the centrifugal forces to separate the dust and debris from the air flow.

Abstract: The separator has a bottom (12), a cylindrical body with turbine blades (15), and a sealing ring (11) at the upper end. The separator is made of segments or of an integral one piece. The segment of the separator (10) is manufactured as a turbine wheel, where the radial supports (17) have a periphery (16), on which periphery (16) are disposed uniformly and approximately radially turbine blades (15) having a slightly inclined outer part in the counter-rotation direction. The sealing ring (11) has radial supports (17) and a ring (19), and at the bottom of the lid (1a) it has airflow directing means (20) manufactured as extensions inclined from the periphery towards the radius.

Abstract: A ventilation system for a tank which stores water to be supplied to a fuel cell, which includes: a ventilator for ventilating the tank; a gas discharge line to guide gas in the tank to outside; a separator for separating moisture and/or water from the gas from the tank; a water discharge line to guide the water separated by the separator to outside; and an air supply line connected to the water discharge line, which is to supply air for vaporizing water from the water discharge line.

Abstract: A scrubber for exhaust gases comprises a series of nested counter-flow passages including a hot plenum having a star-shaped section. Exhaust gases from the hot plenum surge through a liquid bath and flow in a reverse direction through an inclined array of flat, overlapping, spaced mixing vanes, causing turbulence in the exhaust gases and the formation of highly dispersed tiny bubbles, which enhance the solution of gaseous pollutants into the scrubbing liquid. Mist eliminator vanes strip entrained liquids from the exhaust gases. The hot plenum, reheats the exhaust gases to an unsaturated level. The scrubber is highly effective in reducing particulate matter, stripping sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from exhaust gases, and reducing the heat signature and visual evidence thereof.

Abstract: A dust collector with an inbuilt cyclonic water filter, comprising a cup-shaped dust collecting unit, a water filter, a fan, a dust passage, an air flow passage, incoming and outgoing air passages; wherein, the outlets of the water filter open into the inlet of the outgoing air passage, and the outlet of the outgoing air passage is separated from the incoming air passage, passes through the outer wall of the cup-shaped dust collecting unit and is connected to the air flow passage. In operation, dust-containing air enters the dust collecting unit via the incoming air passage at a tangent, and the air flow in the dust collecting unit is whirled downwards into the water of the water filter, thereby, the dust contained in the air is wet and left in the water, while purified air is discharged.

Abstract: Air and room cleaning device (1, 21) with a suction motor and a supply of water (8), with a rotating separator which is wetted by the water and through which the air flows and with a control unit (17) which brakes the suction motor (15, 23) in particular when the separator (11) is switched off.

Abstract: A separator for a wet vacuum device has a bottom and a sidewall connected to the bottom. The sidewall has stays defining slots between the stays. An air/gas stream, containing particles to be separated from the air/gas stream, enters the separator through the slots near the bottom, and the particles are separated from the air/gas stream by centrifugal force and are expelled from the separator at a spacing from the bottom through the slots. Between 3 and 45 slots are distributed about the circumference of the sidewall. The slots have a slot depth and a slot width, wherein the slot depth is substantially 0.2 up to 2.5 times as large as the slot width. The rotating separator is arranged above the liquid bath such that it agitates the surface of the liquid bath.

Abstract: Sanding and screening are steps in floor finishing that produce large quantities of fine dust which is difficult to remove and which plugs porous filter elements of dust collection systems. Dust collection is enhanced with a floor screening attachment for a floor machine. A vacuum system with a liquid filtering medium is provided to collect dust produced during screening. A dust collection unit is also disclosed to collect and separate sawdust produced by sanding which can cause foaming of a liquid filter medium.

Abstract: Air and room cleaning device (1, 21) with a suction motor and a supply of water (8), with a rotating separator which is wetted by the water and through which the air flows and with a control unit (17) which brakes the suction motor (15, 23) in particular when the separator (11) is switched off.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles and/or other undesirable components from a gas stream includes a container containing a liquid, an inlet for the gas stream permitting wetting of at least a portion of the gas stream, and an outlet from the container for cleaned gas. The inlet and/or the outlet includes condensing means for cooling desired fractions of the gas stream and/or cleaned gas. The liquid may be such as to wet the particulates, thereby retaining them in the liquid while the gas passes through the liquid to the outlet. Methods for removing particulates and/or other undesirable components from a gas stream are also provided.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a main housing having an inlet and an outlet. A motor moves air from the inlet to the outlet, and a first filter is arranged between the inlet and the outlet for filtering the air. An inner wall and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner wall form a cavity between the walls. The cavity is located between the first filter and the outlet. The inner wall has an inner opening that permits air to flow from the first filter into the cavity, and the outer wall has an outer opening. A back cover is removably secured to the outer wall over the outer opening to seal the cavity and guide the air from the cavity to the outlet. The back cover includes an access opening that is removably secured to the back cover over the access opening to seal the access opening. A filter cartridge is removably disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having a housing, a suction unit arranged therein and a suction pipe which enters the housing and is connected to the suction side of the suction unit via a dirt collecting container and a separating device. The closed dirt collecting container is adapted to be inserted into the housing and, when in the inserted position, be connected to the suction pipe in sealed manner via an intake opening and connected to the suction side of the suction unit in sealed manner via an extraction opening. The dirt collecting container is partially filled with fluid into which there enters a feed pipe that extends from the intake opening into the fluid. Deflector surfaces are arranged above the fluid-filling, said surfaces forming a multiply-deflected flow path between the upper surface of the fluid and the extraction opening for the suction current being passed through the fluid.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a main housing having an inlet and an outlet. A motor moves air from the inlet to the outlet, and a first filter is arranged between the inlet and the outlet for filtering the air. An inner wall and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner wall form a cavity between the walls. The cavity is located between the first filter and the outlet. The inner wall has an inner opening that permits air to flow from the first filter into the cavity, and the outer wall has an outer opening. A back cover is removably secured to the outer wall over the outer opening to seal the cavity and guide the air from the cavity to the outlet. The back cover includes an access opening that is removably secured to the back cover over the access opening to seal the access opening. A filter cartridge is removably disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a main housing having an inlet and an outlet. A motor moves air from the inlet to the outlet, and a first filter is arranged between the inlet and the outlet for filtering the air. An inner wall and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner wall form a cavity between the walls. The cavity is located between the first filter and the outlet. The inner wall has an inner opening that permits air to flow from the first filter into the cavity, and the outer wall has an outer opening. A back cover is removably secured to the outer wall over the outer opening to seal the cavity and guide the air from the cavity to the outlet. The back cover includes an access opening that is removably secured to the back cover over the access opening to seal the access opening. A filter cartridge is removably disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing and having an output shaft, and a fan coupled to the output shaft for generating a vacuum airflow through an air intake port in the housing. A separator is operably coupled to the output shaft for separating dust and dirt particulates entrained in air ingested through the intake port. The separator has a body that defines a longitudinal axis of rotation and the motor drives the separator to rotate about the axis. The body includes a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes with each vane presenting a curved flow surface for increased particulate separation as the body rotates about the axis. The longitudinally extending vanes include beveled lower ends that reduce foaming. The separator also includes a plurality of secondary particle impacting vanes positioned in the bottom of the separator for trapping particulates within said separator.

Abstract: In order to elevate dust collecting efficiency by improving a suction work efficiency of a water filter type vacuum cleaner, an air containing dust particles sucked through a sucking opening by virtue of a motor driven blower provided built in a casing of the vacuum cleaner is caused to strike against water previously placed in a water tank to capture inappropriately large dust particles by the water. Moreover, other dust particles pass through a wire netting and then, are sucked together with the water to the blower by channeling the dust particles and water through a suction duct communicated with the blower. The dust particles contained in the sucked air are completely captured by the water by stirring the air and water at a high speed rotation of the blower, and the air and water are then conveyed into the water of the water tank. In the water tank, bubbles are generated by a bubble generating filter to naturally separate the water and the air, whereby clean exhaust air is provided.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus that has at least one suction device that sucks fluid toward the inside of the apparatus and is connected to an external suction duct. Interposed between the duct and the suction device is a device that holds back the solid particles present in the fluid. Such a holding back device includes at least one mixing chamber containing in part the liquid. A further device is provided that causes turbulence in this mixing chamber in such a way as to create a saturated environment of liquid in suspension above a free surface of the liquid contained in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A cyclone is provided above a liquid receptacle (4) in a housing (1,3) whose interior is at reduced pressure in operation. Liquid and solid particles carried by the incoming stream of air accumulate in the cyclone (18) and circulate as a body of solid-laden liquid while coming repeatedly into contact with the incoming stream. Excess solid-laden liquid flows down into the receptacle (4) from the cyclone (18) through a lower outlet (23a). The air leaves the cyclone substantially freed from liquid droplets and solid particles.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a main housing having an inlet and an outlet. A motor moves air from the inlet to the outlet, and a first filter is arranged between the inlet and the outlet for filtering the air. An inner wall and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner wall form a cavity between the walls. The cavity is located between the first filter and the outlet. The inner wall has an inner opening that permits air to flow from the first filter into the cavity, and the outer wall has an outer opening. A back cover is removably secured to the outer wall over the outer opening to seal the cavity and guide the air from the cavity to the outlet. The back cover includes an access opening that is removably secured to the back cover over the access opening to seal the access opening. A filter cartridge is removably disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing and having an output shaft, and a fan coupled to the output shaft for generating a vacuum airflow through an air intake port in the housing. A separator is operably coupled to the output shaft for separating dust and dirt particulates entrained in air ingested through the intake port. The separator has a body that defines a longitudinal axis of rotation and the motor drives the separator to rotate about the axis. The body includes a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes with each vane presenting a curved flow surface for increased particulate separation as the body rotates about the axis. The longitudinally extending vanes include beveled lower ends that reduce foaming. The separator also includes a plurality of secondary particle impacting vanes positioned in the bottom of the separator for trapping particulates within said separator.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a main housing having an inlet and an outlet. A motor moves air from the inlet to the outlet, and a first filter is arranged between the inlet and the outlet for filtering the air. An inner wall and an outer wall that is spaced apart from the inner wall form a cavity between the walls. The cavity is located between the first filter and the outlet. The inner wall has an inner opening that permits air to flow from the first filter into the cavity, and the outer wall has an outer opening. A back cover is removably secured to the outer wall over the outer opening to seal the cavity and guide the air from the cavity to the outlet. The back cover includes an access opening that is removably secured to the back cover over the access opening to seal the access opening. A filter cartridge is removably disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing and having an output shaft, and a fan coupled to the output shaft for generating a vacuum airflow through an air intake port in the housing. A separator is operably coupled to the output shaft for separating dust and dirt particulates entrained in air ingested through the intake port. The separator has a body that defines a longitudinal axis of rotation and the motor drives the separator to rotate about the axis. The body includes a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes with each vane presenting a curved flow surface for increased particulate separation as the body rotates about the axis. The longitudinally extending vanes include beveled lower ends that reduce foaming. The separator also includes a plurality of secondary particle impacting vanes positioned in the bottom of the separator for trapping particulates within said separator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly includes a main housing) having an inlet, a recess and an outlet disposed within the recess. A water bath filter is coupled to the main housing and disclosed between the inlet and the single outlet. The water bath filter is for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly through the outlet. A second filter is removably disposed adjacent said main housing single outlet within the main housing recess.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly (10) comprising a main housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A motor (17a) is disposed within the main housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) for providing motive force to a cooling fan (17b), a blower (17c), and a separator (22). The cooling fan (17b) is mounted within the main housing (12) above the motor (17a) to circulate cooling air around the motor (17a). The blower (17c) is mounted within the main housing (12) below the motor (17a) for drawing air into the inlet (14) and exhausting air outwardly through the outlet (16). The separator (22) is mounted below the blower (17c) for circulating the air and water bath (20) within a water bath pan (36) and provides, in combination with the water bath (20), a primary filter for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly toward the outlet (16) of the vacuum cleaner to atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for scrubbing with water a continuous flow of charged gas, the apparatus including a scrubbing chamber; an inlet via which the scrubbing water is fed into the scrubbing chamber; a scrubbing throat for mixing the scrubbing water with the charged gas in the scrubbing chamber; a removal device for removing the scrubbing water and the collected particles; and a removal device for removing the continuous flow of at least partially scrubbed gas.

Abstract: A gas condensing and cooling system for cooling hot vaporous emissions from a hot vaporous emissions source to a level below prescribed regulatory limits that includes a cooling unit that operates using a readily available pressurized natural gas as the refrigerant element within the cooling unit and includes a multi-chamber condenser unit having a number of chambers each containing a volume of porous rock suspended above a liquid barrier.

Abstract: A cleaner for both dry and wet use capable of sucking not only a solid but also a semisolid and liquid.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly (10) comprising a main housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A motor (17a) is disposed within the main housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) for providing motive force to a cooling fan (17b), a blower (17c), and a separator (22). The cooling fan (17b) is mounted within the main housing (12) above the motor (17a) to circulate cooling air around the motor (17a). The blower (17c) is mounted within the main housing (12) below the motor (17a) for drawing air into the inlet (14) and exhausting air outwardly through the outlet (16). The separator (22) is mounted below the blower (17c) for circulating the air and water bath (20) within a water bath pan (36) and providing, in combination with the water bath (20), a primary filter for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly through the outlet (16).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly (10) is disclosed that includes a main housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A motor (17a) is disposed within the main housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) for providing motive force to a cooling fan (17b), a blower (17c), and a separator (22). The cooling fan (17b) is mounted within the main housing (12) above the motor (17a) to circulate cooling air around the motor (17a). The blower (17c) is mounted within the main housing (12) below the motor (17a) for drawing air into the inlet (14) and exhausting air outwardly through the outlet (16). The separator (22) is mounted below the blower (17c) for circulating the air and water bath (20) within a water bath pan (36) and providing, in combination with the water bath (20), a primary filter for filtering the air prior to exhausting the air outwardly through the outlet (16).

Abstract: An air washer includes an upwardly-open vessel for holding an air washing liquid. An air inlet opening into the upwardly open vessel introduces air to be washed below the upper level of the air washing liquid, and a chamber above the upper level of air washing liquid has inner and outer walls. A fan spaced from the upper level of air washing liquid is positioned within the outer wall of the chamber. The fan pulls an air flow through the inner wall of the chamber and exhausts it to an exhaust path downstream of the fan. Operation of the fan induces air to pass through the inlet and to be washed by the air washing liquid in the vessel and to pass through the chamber to the fan and then to be exhausted through the exhaust path. Air washing liquid entrained as liquid droplets in the cleaned air is propelled outwardly by the fan and centrifugally removed from the cleaned air.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a suction path at least partially submerged in a container of water is subdivided into two parts. An upper part supports a suction motor assembly, and a lower part includes a container of water engaged perimetrically by hooking means to the upper part, and a tubular jacket inside the container partially immersed in the water, so that an annular interspace is formed between respective side facing walls. The interspace forms a siphon to allow suction motor means to draw air and/or liquid from the outside. Also included is a perforated separating diaphragm submerged in the water, and a first removable funnel shaped deflector means placed in an almost suspended position inside the tubular jacket above the water level.

Abstract: A scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly, and the process for using same to remove particulates from a hot partial oxidation gas stream is disclosed. The scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly has a dip tube, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a high pressure settler. The dip tube transports partial oxidation gas from an injection point on the exterior of the scrubbing tower into a volume of water contained in the bottom portion of the scrubbing tower. A blowdown port capable of removing particulate matter is connected to the bottom portion of the assembly. A series of trays is provided in the top portion of the scrubbing tower. The top portion of the scrubbing tower also has inlet ports for receiving water and an outlet port for releasing the scrubbed partial oxidation gas. The use of the high pressure settler facilitates higher particulate settling rates as well as higher scrubbing efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention is a three stage water-from-air-filter system which can be used in combination with substantially any household vacuum cleaner. The system includes a main cylindrically shaped body and a hollow cylinder within the main body. The main body and cylinder form a ring-shaped chamber. The chamber has a spherical bottom partially filled with water. The hollow cylinder is made of a large pipe and a small pipe. The large pipe has an areohydrodynamic separator. An entrance nozzle may be located on either the main body or on the small pipe. Regardless of where the nozzle is located, polluted air enters the ring-shaped chamber through the nozzle. In the chamber the air mixes with the water. The air and water mixture is centrifugally separated several times through the concentric cylinders within the filter system to ensure a high quality of cleaning.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly having a separator of reduced dimensions. The separator is operated at preferably between about 20,000 rpm-30,000 rpm and includes a reduced number of slots formed therein. A labyrinth sealing plate and fan adapter are secured to an upper end of the separator to prevent water and dust and dirt particles from bypassing the separator during operation. The separator is preferably spaced from about 1.0 inch to about 6 inches above the upper surface of the liquid in a liquid reservoir of the vacuum cleaner assembly with which the separator is used. The separator, because of its reduced dimensions and weight, is able to be driven with a small conventional, and less costly and less powerful motor at a higher speed than previously designed separators without suffering breakage. The higher speed of 20,000-30,000 rpm helps to prevent the airflow through the separator from being impeded because of the reduced number of slots.

Abstract: A filtration device particularly for use with vacuum cleaners used for collection of fine particles which tend to clog porous solid filters. The device utilizes readily replaceable water as a filtration medium with air being forced into the water then released for additional multiple water contacts. The device further includes horizontal baffles with air access apertures therein which are positioned above the surface of the water, with a vacuum being applied to the area. This redirects particle laden air into filtration contact with water multiple times wherein filtration efficiency is in excess of 99%.

Abstract: A gas suction filtration apparatus in which a liquid filter medium is contained in a closed container. A gas intake pipe is positioned so as to introduce the gas to be filtered into the bottom of the container and a suction device applies a suction force to the upper part of the container to draw the gas through the liquid filter medium. Gas-liquid mixing plates are disposed in the container which have numerous holes for passage of the gas therethrough. The mixing plates have diameters only slightly smaller than that of the container, and preferably the gap between the outside diameter of the plates and the inside diameter of the container is smaller than the diameter of the holes so that substantially all of the gas to be filtered must pass through the holes to facilitate contact between the gas and the liquid filter medium.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Percolating Vacuum Cleaning wherein driven by vacuum incoming to the apparatus mixture of air and other substances is directed under the top surface of a liquid, where heavier than air particles remain, but cleaned air particles percolate up to the sucking entrance of the vacuum initiator and then are exhausted from the apparatus.

Abstract: A motor-driven blower, particularly suited for carpet cleaners and other wet vacuuming appliances, includes a rotating separator cup to impede water droplets and foam from being drawn into the blower. The separator cup is removably connected to a spider bracket that is mounted more permanently to one end of the motor shaft. Since the separator cup is not directly connected to the motor shaft, the cup can be removed without disturbing the rest of the blower. Thus, the blower can be run either with or without the separator cup. Moreover, by not attaching the separator cup directly to the motor shaft, the shaft can be made shorter to minimize vibration and noise at high rpm's.