| DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120114513 | FAN - A fan assembly for creating an air current is described, the fan assembly having a nozzle, a system for creating an air flow through the nozzle and a filter for removing particulates from the air flow, the nozzle having an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow, wherein the fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, i.e. air flow is created by a bladeless fan. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112861 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MAGNET ASSEMBLY - A method of manufacturing a magnet assembly that includes surrounding a bonded magnet with a sleeve, heating the magnet, and compressing the magnet in an axial direction such that the magnet and sleeve expand in a radial direction. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120093630 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a nozzle and a system for creating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an outlet for emitting the primary air flow, and defines an opening through which a secondary air flow from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the outlet. To allow a parameter of an air flow, formed from the combination of the primary and secondary air flows, to be adjusted by a user, the nozzle has an adjustable configuration. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093629 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a nozzle and a system for creating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes at least one outlet for emitting the primary air flow, and defines an opening through which a secondary air flow from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the emitted primary air flow and which combines with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow. The nozzle includes a user operable device for allowing a user to adjust selectively at least one parameter, for example at least one of the profile, the orientation and the direction, of the combined air flow. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120082561 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. Each of the base and the body has an outer surface shaped so that adjoining portions of the outer surfaces are substantially flush when the body is in the untilted position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081064 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method of controlling an electrical machine that includes exciting a phase winding with a supply voltage, and freewheeling the phase winding when current in the phase winding exceeds a threshold. The threshold is then adjusted in response to changes in the supply voltage and/or the speed of the electrical machine. Additionally, a control system that implements the method and an electrical machine comprising the control system are described. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081050 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method of controlling an electrical machine that includes commutating a phase winding of the electrical machine at a time T_COM( | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081046 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method of controlling an electrical machine that includes selecting an edge of a rotor-position signal as a reference edge and commutating a phase winding of the electrical machine at times relative to the reference edge. The rotor-position signal has at least four edges per mechanical cycle, each of the edges being associated with a respective zero-crossing in back EMF or minimum in inductance of the phase winding. The angular position of at least one of the edges relative to its respective zero-crossing or minimum is different to that of the other edges. The reference edge is then selected from the edges such that the angular position of the reference edge relative to its respective zero-crossing or minimum is the same with each power on of the electrical machine. Additionally, a controller and control system that implement the method. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079677 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a system for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly and including at least one floor engaging support member, and a duct for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus. At least part of the duct is connected to the chassis for pivoting movement relative to the chassis. A biasing arrangement is provided for engaging the duct to urge the pivoting part of the duct towards a rest position relative to the chassis. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079676 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes a substantially spherical surface engaging rolling assembly having a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a system for drawing the fluid flow through the inlet, and a plurality of support members for supporting the rolling assembly as it is maneuvered over a surface. The center of gravity of the cleaning appliance is located within the rolling assembly. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079674 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes cyclonic separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow. The separating apparatus is mounted on a main body which includes a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow from the separating apparatus, a system for drawing the fluid flow into the rolling assembly, and a plurality of rolling elements rotatable relative to the main body and which define with the main body a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly. The main body includes a support, which is separate from the fluid inlet, for supporting the separating apparatus. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079673 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly housing a motor driven fan unit for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, and a duct for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus. To improve the stability of the appliance, the duct has an inlet section which is connected to the chassis for pivoting movement relative to the chassis as the appliance is maneuvered over a floor surface. An outlet section for coupling the inlet section to the separating apparatus is releasably connected to the rolling assembly to facilitate the removal of any blockages within the duct. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079671 | VACUUM CLEANER - A vacuum cleaner of the stick-vac type, the cleaner including a handheld vacuum cleaner which is attached to an elongate, rigid wand and which is fluidly connected to a cleaner head provided at the end of the wand. The cleaner head is connected to the wand via a mechanical steering couple for directionally steering the cleaner head in plane parallel contact with the floor as the wand is rotated about its axis. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120074806 | REINFORCED MAGNET - A magnet that includes a composite body and at least one reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is embedded within the body and increases the radial strength of the body. As a result, the magnet is able to rotate at higher speeds without fracturing. Additionally, methods of manufacturing the magnet are described. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073078 | FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a filter housing having at least one air inlet for receiving an air flow, a filter assembly removably locatable within the filter housing for removing dirt from the air flow, and a duct for receiving the air flow exhausted from the filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filter body, a filter mounted on the filter body, and a spring-loaded coupling member moveable relative to the filter body for engaging the duct. The coupling member includes an air outlet through which the air flow is exhausted from the filter assembly. A convoluted sealing member forms a seal between the filter body and the coupling member while allowing relative movement therebetween as the coupling member engages the duct. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120057959 | FAN - A fan includes a casing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller housing located within the casing, an impeller located within the impeller housing for generating an air flow along a path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet through the impeller housing, a motor housing connected to the impeller housing, and a motor located within the motor housing for driving the impeller. A bellows support is provided for mounting the impeller housing within the casing. The bellows support is disposed on a seat connected to the casing. The bellows support extends about the impeller housing and forms a seal between the impeller housing and the casing. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120045316 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120045315 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039705 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120034108 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, and a casing comprising at least one air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow, and first channel means for conveying the first portion of the air flow to said at least one air outlet. To cool part of the casing, the casing includes means for diverting a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater, and second channel means for conveying the second portion of the air flow along an internal surface of the casing. This second portion of the air flow may merge with the first portion within the casing, or it may be emitted through at least one second air outlet of the casing. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033952 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, a casing including an interior passage for receiving the air flow, and a plurality of air outlets for emitting the air flow from the casing. The casing defines and extends about an opening through which air from outside the casing is drawn by the air flow emitted from the air outlets. The fan assembly also includes at least one heater for heating at least a first portion of the air flow, and means for diverting at least a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater. The plurality of outlets includes at least one first air outlet for emitting the relatively hot first portion of the air flow and at least one second air outlet for emitting the relatively cold second portion of the air flow. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031509 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, means for diverting a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater, and a casing comprising at least one first air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow and at least one second air outlet from emitting the second portion of the air flow. To cool an external surface of the casing, at least one second air outlet is arranged to direct at least part of the second portion of the air flow over the external surface. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120014806 | ROTOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor assembly that includes a shaft and an impeller and/or a rotor core. The shaft is secured within a bore in the impeller and/or the rotor core by an adhesive such that the concentricity of the shaft is smaller than that of the bore. A method of manufacturing the rotor assembly is also described. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011680 | VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaner head is described for use with a vacuum cleaning appliance including a fan unit for generating an air flow which passes from the cleaner head to the fan unit. The cleaner head includes a rotatable agitator assembly including an agitator for sweeping dust particles. The agitator assembly is housed in an agitator chamber housing including a downwardly-directed opening through which dust particles energized by the agitator enter the cleaner head, and a dust outlet located adjacent the opening and through which the energized particles leave the agitator chamber. The cleaner head also includes an exhaust port from which a dust-bearing air flow is drawn from the cleaner head, and a dust channel extending between the dust outlet and the exhaust port. The dust channel has channel walls which are shaped to retain energized dust particles therebetween through collisions thereagainst. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120000029 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a plurality of frusto-conical cyclones arranged in parallel. Each cyclone has a relatively wide, rigid frusto-conical portion and a relatively narrow, flexible frusto-conical portion connected to the relatively wide portion. The relatively wide portion includes at least one dirty air inlet, and the relatively narrow portion includes a dirt outlet. The relatively narrow portion vibrates during use of the appliance is dislodged dirt from the inner surface of the relatively narrow portion, the dislodged dirt being expelled from the dirt outlet. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110257791 | CONTROLLER FOR A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A controller for a brushless motor that includes a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs. The processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input. The first timer then generates an interrupt after a first period. In response to the interrupt, the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs. The processor also loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to either the input signal or the interrupt. The comparator then generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254489 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor until current in the winding exceeds a threshold, and then continuing to excite the winding for an overrun period. The length of the overrun period is adjusted in response to a change in one of time, motor speed and excitation voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254488 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS PERMANENT-MAGNET MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless permanent-magnet motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage having a ripple of at least 50%, and exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage. The winding is excited in advance of zero-crossings of back EMF by an advance period and is excited for a conduction period over each electrical half-cycle of the motor. The advance period and/or the conduction period are then adjusted in response to changes in the speed of the motor and/or the RMS value of the alternating voltage so as to maintain constant average power. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254487 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor in advance of predetermined rotor positions by an advance period. The length of the advance period is defined by a waveform that varies periodically with time. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254486 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage, and exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage. The winding is excited in advance of predetermined rotor positions by an advance period and is excited for a conduction period over each electrical half-cycle of the motor. The length the advance period and/or the conduction period is defined by a waveform that varies periodically with time. The method then includes adjusting the phase of the waveform relative to the alternating voltage in response to a change in one of motor speed and RMS value of the alternating voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254485 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor for a conduction period over each electrical half-cycle of the motor. The length of the conduction period is defined by a waveform that varies periodically with time. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254484 | CONTROLLER FOR A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A controller for a brushless motor that includes an input for receiving an analog signal, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for sampling the analog signal, and a processor. The processor starts the ADC during a first electrical half-cycle and reads the ADC during a second electrical half-cycle of the motor. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254483 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage, and exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage. The winding is excited in advance of predetermined rotor positions by an advance period that is updated in response to a zero-crossing in the alternating voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254482 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes exciting a winding of the motor with a voltage, and freewheeling the winding when current in the winding exceeds a threshold or after the winding has been excited for a timeout period. The timeout period is adjusted in response to a change in one of the voltage and the motor speed. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254481 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage, exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage and freewheeling the winding when current in the winding exceeds a threshold. The winding is freewheeled for a freewheel period, which is updated in response to a zero-crossing in the alternating voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254480 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage, exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage for a conduction period over each electrical half-cycle of the motor, and updating the conduction period in response to a zero-crossing in the alternating voltage. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254476 | CONTROL OF A BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A method of controlling a brushless motor that includes rectifying an alternating voltage to provide a rectified voltage having a ripple of at least 50%, exciting a winding of the motor with the rectified voltage, and performing a first process or a second process in response to current in the winding exceeding a threshold that is proportional to the rectified voltage. The first process includes freewheeling the winding, while the second process includes continuing to excite the winding for an overrun period and freewheeling the winding at the end of the overrun period. Additionally, a control system that implements the method, and a motor system that incorporates the control system. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110236229 | ACCESSORY FOR A FAN - An external accessory for a portable fan including a base having an air inlet located in a side wall of the base, and an air outlet detachably connectable to the base, the accessory including a high energy particle arrester filter and connectors for detachably connecting the accessory to the fan so that the filter is located upstream from the air inlet of the fan. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110236228 | FAN - A portable fan includes a casing having an air inlet, and an air outlet having an interior passage for receiving an air flow, and a mouth for emitting the air flow, the interior passage extending about an opening through which air is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The fan includes an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to generate an air flow between the air inlet and an air outlet which has a static pressure of at least 150 Pa downstream from the impeller. A filter unit is detachably connected to the casing. A filter of the filter unit is located upstream of the air inlet to remove airborne particulates from the air flow before it enters the casing. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110236219 | FAN - A portable fan includes a casing having an air inlet and a first connector, and an air outlet having a second connector. A filter unit includes a third connector, which is substantially the same as the second connector, for co-operating with the first connector to removably connect the filter unit to the casing, a filter which is located upstream from the air inlet when the filter unit is connected to the casing, and a fourth connector, which is substantially the same as the first connector, for co-operating with the second connector to removably connect the air outlet to the filter unit. This can allow the air outlet to be connected either directly to the casing, or to an optional filter unit which is connected to the casing. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110223015 | FAN - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a bladeless fan assembly including a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage and a mouth receiving the air flow from the interior passage. A Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, that is, the air flow is created by a bladeless fan. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110223014 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The base comprises an outer casing, an impeller housing located within the outer casing, the impeller housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the impeller housing and a motor for driving the impeller to create an air flow through the impeller housing. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the air outlet of the impeller housing and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110219571 | VACUUM CLEANER ARRANGEMENT - An arrangement including: a handheld suction unit in combination with an elongate suction wand to form a stick-vac cleaner, the arrangement further including a wall-mountable docking station for supporting the stick-vac cleaner on a wall in an upright, docked position when not in use. The arrangement provides for relatively stable storage of the stick-vac cleaner in the upright position, convenient for use. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110219566 | VACUUM CLEANER ARRANGEMENT - An arrangement including: a handheld suction unit in combination with an elongate suction wand to form a stick-vac cleaner, the arrangement further including a wall-mountable docking station for supporting the stick-vac cleaner on a wall in an upright, docked position when not in use. The arrangement provides for relatively stable storage of the stick-vac cleaner in the upright position, convenient for use. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110214252 | VACUUM CLEANING HEAD - A vacuum cleaning head includes a pressure chamber having a first chamber section and a second chamber section which is moveable relative to the first chamber section in response to a pressure differential thereacross from a first position to a second position, and a control mechanism located within the pressure chamber. The control mechanism has a first state for inhibiting the movement of the second chamber section in response to said pressure differential beyond a third position intermediate the first and second positions, and a second state for allowing the second chamber section to move in response to said pressure differential to the second position. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to a movement of the second chamber section from the third position. This can allow the pressure chamber to toggle between different configurations through varying the pressure differential across the second chamber section, for example to raise or lower part of the cleaner head, or to selectively activate or deactivate an agitator. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214250 | HANDLE FOR A WAND OF A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. To vary the air flow into the conduit, the control mechanism includes a first manually operable actuator located on the handle for moving both of the first and second valves away from the aperture, and a second manually operable actuator is located on the handle for moving only one of the first and second valves away from its respective portion of the aperture. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214249 | VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a vacuum cleaning head having a suction opening, the head having a first state and a second state, a fan unit for drawing an air flow through the suction opening, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the head. The control assembly includes a user-operable valve for increasing temporarily an air pressure within an airflow path extending from the suction opening to the fan unit, a pressure chamber having an interior volume in fluid communication with the airflow path, the pressure chamber being moveable from an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration in response to a pressure difference between the interior volume and ambient air, the pressure chamber being biased towards the expanded configuration, and a control mechanism for allowing the pressure chamber to move to the contracted configuration in response to a first operation of the valve to place the head in one of the first and second states, and for preventing the pressure chamber from returning to the contracted configuration in response to a second operation of the valve to place the head in the other of the first and second states. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214248 | VACUUM CLEANING HEAD - A vacuum cleaning head includes a housing having a suction opening for admitting an air flow to the head, an agitator for agitating a surface to be cleaned, the agitator having an active state and an inactive state, a duct for receiving the air flow from the housing, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the agitator. The control assembly includes a pressure chamber having an interior volume in fluid communication with the duct and which is variable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration in response to a pressure difference between the interior volume and ambient air, an actuator for effecting a transition of the agitator from one of the active state and the inactive state to the other of the active state and the inactive state in response to a transition of the pressure chamber to the contracted configuration, and a control mechanism having a first state for preventing the pressure chamber from adopting the contracted configuration, and a second state for allowing the pressure chamber to adopt the contracted configuration. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to an increase in the interior volume of the pressure chamber, for example in response to an increase in the air pressure within the duct. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110209447 | CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a cyclonic separating apparatus and a vortex finder plate for use in a cyclonic separating apparatus, the vortex finder plate including a support structure and a plurality of vortex finder support flaps extending from the support structure, each vortex finder support flap comprising a vortex finder. At least one of the vortex finder support flaps is connected to the support structure by a hinge. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110164959 | FAN - A bladeless fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the base and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted. The nozzle extends about an axis to define an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The nozzle includes a surface over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The surface has a diffuser portion tapering away from the axis, and a guide portion downstream from the diffuser portion and angled thereto. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110146009 | BRUSH BAR FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - The invention relates to a brush bar for a surface treating appliance, including a supporting body, at least one retaining member welded to the supporting body and at least one bristle tuft clamped in place on the supporting body by the retaining member. The use of welding to attach the retaining member to the supporting body allows for a reduction in the wall thickness of the supporting body, which is advantageous for locating a motor inside the brush bar. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110110805 | FAN - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet, the air outlet comprising an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow, the air outlet defining an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a remote control for transmitting control signals to the control circuit, and at least one magnet for attaching the remote control to the air outlet. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110094054 | UPRIGHT CLEANING APPLIANCE - An upright cleaning appliance is described which includes a reclining upright body and a cleaner head, the cleaner head being connected to the upright body and maneuverable across a floor surface using a handle fixed to the upright body. The appliance also includes a substantially rigid wand which is connected to a suction inlet on the vacuum cleaner by a flexible hose and which is suitable for use in cleaning above the floor. The wand is configured for storage on-board the vacuum cleaner with a first portion of the wand constrained relative to the handle and a second portion of the wand constrained relative to a lower part of the upright body so that the wand braces the handle to said lower part. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110088213 | UPRIGHT CLEANING APPLIANCE - An upright cleaning appliance having a handle for maneuvering the appliance across a floor. The handle is secured on a reclining upright body of the appliance for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the upright body. The handle includes a forward-extending handgrip portion which terminates in an abutment flange for preventing the handgrip portion from slipping out through the bottom of a user's grip. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088212 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a pair of dome-shaped wheels rotatably connected to a yoke, and a stand pivotable relative to the main body. The appliance also includes a surface treating head having at least one support member. A stand retaining mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the stand in a supporting position relative to the main body in which the wheels are raised above the surface and the main body is supported by the stand and the support member of the surface treating head. The stand is moveable relative to the main body from the supporting position to a retracted position in which the main body is supported by at least the wheels to allow the appliance to be maneuvered over the surface during treatment thereof. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088211 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke pivotably connected to the main body, and a pair of domed-shaped wheels rotatably connected to the yoke. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The yoke is shaped so that a section of the yoke is located between the rims of the wheels. To afford a compact appearance to the appliance, the outer surfaces of the wheels and the section of the yoke together at least partially delimit a substantially spherical volume. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088210 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head rotatably connected to a yoke, and a main body pivotably moveable relative to the yoke about a pivot axis between an upright position and a reclined position. A retaining mechanism is provided for inhibiting rotation of the head relative to the yoke when the main body is in the upright position. The retaining mechanism includes a locking member which is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position for inhibiting rotation of the head relative to the yoke, and an actuator for urging the locking member towards its deployed position. To provide a compact appliance, the actuator moves with the main body about the pivot axis to urge the locking member towards its deployed position as the main body is moved to the upright position. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088208 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head rotatably connected to a yoke, and a main body including a casing housing a fan unit for creating a fluid flow through the appliance. The main body is moveable relative to the yoke between an upright position and a reclined position. A retaining mechanism is provided for inhibiting rotation of the head relative to the yoke when the main body is in the upright position. The retaining mechanism includes a locking member which is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position for inhibiting rotation of the head relative to the yoke, and an actuator for urging the locking member towards its deployed position. To provide a compact appliance, the actuator is carried by the casing so as to move therewith and urge the locking member towards its deployed position as the main body is moved to the upright position. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088206 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body and a cleaner head connected to a yoke. The main body is rotatable relative to the yoke about a first axis for movement between an upright position and a reclined position. A stand is moveable relative to both the main body and the yoke, preferably also about this first axis between a supporting position for supporting the main body in its upright position, and a retracted position. The stand is biased towards its retracted position by a spring. An actuator is rotatable about a second axis spaced from the first axis to move the stand away from its supporting position against the biasing force of the torsion spring. A drive member drives rotation of the actuator about the second axis as the main body is moved from a reclined position to an upright position. The actuator has a set of teeth which meshes with a profiled surface to drive the movement of the stand away from its supporting position | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088205 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright vacuum cleaning appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing air flow and a casing housing a fan unit for drawing the air flow through the separating apparatus. A support assembly is connected to the main body for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a pair of domed-shaped wheels which each have a substantially circular rim. The overall size of the appliance is reduced by locating the casing between the wheels, and providing an air duct which extends between the rims of the wheels to convey the air flow from the separating apparatus to the casing. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088202 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose, and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid, and a rotary changeover valve including a valve member which is selectively rotatable between a first position allowing fluid flow between the hose and the fan unit, and a second position allowing fluid flow between the surface treating head and the fan unit, the valve member comprising a hub having an internal surface shaped to receive a boss about which the valve member is selectively rotatable. To facilitate the breaking of seals by valve member and other parts of the appliance as the valve member moves away from one of its first and second positions, the external surface of the boss and the internal surface of the hub each has a profile generally in the form of a triangular prism, the profile of the external surface of the boss tapering towards the valve member. As a result, the valve member is forced to move along the longitudinal axis of the boss as it is rotated thereabout. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088200 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a stand moveable relative to the main body between a supporting position for supporting the main body in an upright position, and a retracted position. The stand includes at least one surface-engaging rolling member for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle when, with the stand in its supporting position, the main body is reclined rearwardly from its upright position. The appliance further includes a stand retaining mechanism for releasably retaining the stand in the supporting position and from which the stand is releasable upon application of a force to the main body. The stand retaining mechanism includes a system for increasing the force required to release the stand when the main body is reclined rearwardly from its upright position. This can reduce the risk of the stand being released accidentally from the supporting position when the main body is reclined rearwardly from its upright position and rolled along a surface. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088198 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body, a surface treating head connected to a yoke, and a stand. To provide a compact appliance the yoke and the stand are pivotable independently relative to the main body about a common pivot axis. This can also enable the yoke and the stand to be rotatably connected to the main body using one or more common connectors or bearings. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088197 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a surface treating head, a hose and a main body including a fan unit for generating a flow of fluid and a rotary changeover valve. The changeover valve includes a valve body having a first section for receiving fluid flow from the surface treating head, a second section for receiving fluid flow from the hose, and third section for conveying fluid flow towards the fan unit; and a valve member which is selectively moveable between a first position which connects the second section to the third section, and a second position which connects the first section to the third section. To minimize the number of components of the main body, the valve body forms part of a casing for the fan unit. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088196 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, a surface treating head connected to a yoke moveable relative to the main body, a stand moveable relative to both the main body and the yoke between a supporting position for supporting the main body in an upright position, and a retracted position, and a stand retaining mechanism for releasably retaining the stand in the supporting position and from which the stand is releasable upon application of a force to one of the main body and the stand. The yoke is moveable relative to the main body in response to an impact on the surface treating head to apply said force to the stand. This allows the force of the impact on the surface treating head to be transferred through the stand to the stand retaining mechanism, which, depending on the magnitude of the impact, can release both the stand and the yoke for movement relative to the main body. This avoids the need to provide separate releasing mechanisms for both the yoke and the stand. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088195 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to the yoke, the yoke being shaped so that a section of the yoke lies between the rims of the wheels. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The main body is pivotably connected to the yoke for movement about a pivot axis passing between the wheels, and so that a part of the main body is located between the rims of the wheels. As the main body is pivoted about said axis from an upright position to a reclined position, the spacing between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body increases, and so a shield is provided for covering the gap so formed between said section of the yoke and said part of the main body to prevent dirt and dust from passing into the support assembly through the gap. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088194 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body and a stand pivotable relative to the main body between a supporting position and a retracted position. A stand retaining mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the stand in the supporting position, and which includes a locking member pivotably moveable about a first axis to release the stand as it is moved from the supporting position to the retracted position, and about a second axis spaced from the first axis to retain the stand as it is returned to the supporting position. At least one biasing member applies a relatively large first force to the locking member which resists movement thereof about the first axis. To facilitate the return of the stand to its supporting position, the biasing member is arranged to apply a relatively small second force to reset the locking member following movement thereof about the second axis. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110083289 | DOMESTIC APPLIANCE - A domestic appliance includes a head divided into a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, and a drive mechanism for rotating the head about a first axis while simultaneously rotating the first rotatable member about a second axis and the second rotatable member about a third axis. Each of the second axis and the third axis is angled to and preferably intersects the first axis. When viewed in a direction extending along the second axis towards the first axis, the drive mechanism rotates the first rotatable member about the second axis in a first angular direction and the second rotatable member about the third axis in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110061351 | MULTISTAGE CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS - A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic separating unit including at least one first cyclone and an annular dust collecting chamber, a second cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the first cyclonic separating unit and including at least one second cyclone and a dust collecting chamber, and a third cyclonic separating unit located downstream of the second cyclonic separating unit and including a plurality of third cyclones arranged in parallel and a dust collecting chamber. The number of third cyclones is higher than the number of second cyclones, and the dust collecting chambers of the second and third cyclonic separating units are located inside of the annular dust collecting chamber of the first cyclonic separating unit. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110058935 | FAN - A fan assembly for creating an air current, the fan assembly having a base including a system for creating an air flow and a side wall that, at least partially encloses the system for creating the air flow and has a plurality of air inlets, wherein the plurality of air inlets allow air to enter the base, and a nozzle, mounted on the base, having an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the base, and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110044810 | BEARING SUPPORT - A bearing support that includes a body through which a bore extends and a plurality of grooves formed in a wall of the bore. Each groove extends from a first end of the bore and terminates prior to a second end of the bore. A bearing can be secured within the bearing support by injecting adhesive into one or more of the grooves. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110015788 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A control system for an electric machine that includes an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC), a processor and a memory device storing a lookup table. The ADC converts a voltage at an input to a first value. The processor then uses the first value to address an element of the lookup table. Data stored in the addressed element is used to generate an index value, which the control system then uses to generate one or more control signals for controlling excitation of a winding of the electric machine. Additionally, a method of controlling the electric machine and a method of trimming the control system. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010890 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD - A surface treating head includes a main body, a suction cavity in the main body including first and second suction channels, each of which is bounded on one side by a working edge, an air duct interposed between the first and second suction channels for conveying air towards the working edges, a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position in which the air duct is open to the atmosphere and a deployed position in which the air duct is closed. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010889 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD - A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels, bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt. To enable the surface treating head to be used to treat both carpeted floor surfaces and hard floor surfaces, the surface treating head may be provided with a brush unit and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit between a stowed position and a deployed position. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110010886 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD - A surface treating head includes a main body; a brush unit; and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit relative to the main body between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drive mechanism includes a pressure chamber and a valve unit for varying the pressure within the chamber. The valve unit includes a housing, a valve located within the housing and, disposed on the housing, an actuator moveable relative to the housing through engagement with a surface to be treated for operating the valve and at least one surface engaging member extending downwardly beyond the actuator. The housing is moveable relative to the main body to maintain the surface engaging member in contact with the surface to be treated. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100319159 | TOOL FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A tool for a surface treating appliance includes a main body connected to a conduit. The main body includes a first suction channel and a second suction channel in fluid communication with the first suction channel and located between the first suction channel and an outlet from the main body. In use, a relatively low vacuum is generated in the first suction channel which draws a first dirt-bearing fluid flow into the main body, and a relatively high vacuum is generated in the second suction channel, which draws a second dirt-bearing fluid flow into the main body and receives the first dirt-bearing fluid flow from the first suction channel. To maintain the pressure differences between the suction channels, the main body includes flexible surface engaging members located about the suction channels, and between the first suction channel and the second suction channel. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100319158 | TOOL FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A tool for a surface treating appliance includes a main body connected to a conduit. To enable the main body to be widely maneuverable over, for example, a floor surface, the conduit includes a front section and a rear section. The front section is pivotably connected to the main body for movement relative thereto about a first axis to allow the conduit to be raised and lowered relative to the main body. The rear section is pivotably connected to the front section for movement relative thereto about a second axis to allow the rear section to be angled relative to the front section. The front section includes at least one port though which fluid is conveyed into the conduit from the main body, and through which the first axis passes. This can enable a relatively simple seal to be provided between the main body and the conduit to inhibit fluid loss to the external environment from the port as the main body is maneuvered over the floor surface, and can allow the tool to have a low profile along the length thereof. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100306959 | CLEANER HEAD - Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10 | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100306958 | CLEANER HEAD - Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having an outer surface comprising an electrically conductive pile formed from filaments having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10 | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100306957 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance includes a housing and a rotatable brush bar located within the housing. The brush bar includes a first plurality of bristles and a second plurality of bristles which protrude radially outwardly beyond the first plurality of bristles. The second plurality of bristles has a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10 | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100306956 | CLEANER HEAD - Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having a plurality of grooves formed therein, an agitating member located within each groove so that at least one side edge of the agitating member protrudes outwardly from the body, and a connecting member located within each groove for connecting the agitating member to the body. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100294210 | ATTACHMENT FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a head and a handle connected to the head. The head includes a bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles, and a bristle cover having a plurality of apertures. A conduit is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow from the bristle cover towards the appliance. The head includes a suction opening of the conduit and the handle includes an air bleed into the conduit. An actuator effects relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures. A mechanism is provided for controlling the air flow through the air bleed, for example depending on the configuration of the bristle carrier and the bristle cover so that when the head is in its deployed configuration there is a relatively low air flow into the suction opening to prevent the head from being pushed down against, for example, the skin of the pet being groomed, whereas when the head is in its stowed configuration it is preferable to have a relatively high air flow into the suction opening in order to draw the hair collected between the bristles into the conduit. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100294209 | ATTACHMENT FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a head and a handle connected to the head. The head includes a bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles, and a bristle cover having a plurality of apertures. A conduit is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow towards the appliance. The head includes a first suction opening of the conduit and the handle includes a second suction opening of the conduit. An actuator effects relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100294208 | ATTACHMENT FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - A grooming device includes a head and a handle. A first end of the handle is connected to the head, and a second end of the handle is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance. The head includes a bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles, and a bristle cover having a plurality of apertures. The device includes an actuator manually operable by a user to effect relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover from a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover to a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures. The handle includes a conduit for conveying an air flow from the head to the second end of the handle. Resilient members are provided for returning the head to the stowed configuration automatically when the actuator is released by the user. In addition to enabling hair or other matter collected between the bristles of the bristle carrier to be readily dislodged from the device, the automatic retraction of the bristles can ensure that the bristles are not exposed when the device is not in use. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100294207 | ATTACHMENT FOR A VACUUM CLEANING APPLIANCE - An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a head having a bristle carrier and a bristle cover. The bristle carrier includes a plurality of bristles and the bristle cover includes a plurality of apertures. The attachment includes a conduit which is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow from the bristle cover towards the appliance, a handle connected to the head, and an actuator which is depressible towards the handle to effect relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover between a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover and a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100257696 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, and a plurality of floor engaging support members connected to the housing. Each support member includes a curved lower surface and a rolling element located within a recessed portion of the lower surface of the support member. The outer surface of the rolling element is substantially coincident with a locus, or virtual surface, described by the lower surface of the support member. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100257695 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a sole plate for engaging with the floor surface, the sole plate comprising a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, and a flexible annular seal located between the sole plate and the housing to allow the housing to move relative to the sole plate to reduce the force exerted on the sole plate by the housing, thereby allowing the sole plate to ride over the floor surface during a cleaning operation. The cleaner head includes at least one floor engaging support member connected to the housing for restricting the movement of the housing towards the sole plate to prevent the housing from pushing the sole plate against the floor surface. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100257693 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100257692 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a housing, a moveable agitator located within the housing, and a detachable unit extending about the agitator. The detachable unit includes a sole plate having a suction opening through which dirt-bearing air enters the cleaner head, a chassis detachably connected to the housing, and a flexible annular seal for allowing relative movement between the housing and the sole plate. One end of the flexible annular seal is connected to the chassis and the other end of the flexible annular seal is connected to the sole plate. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100257680 | CLEANER HEAD - A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including a housing having an air outlet, a rotary brush bar assembly located within a chamber of the housing, the chamber having an air outlet which is in fluid communication with the air outlet of the housing, and a drive mechanism for driving the brush bar assembly, the drive mechanism extending into the chamber between first and second side walls of the chamber, wherein the brush bar assembly comprises a first brush bar section located within a first section of the chamber between the drive mechanism and the first side wall of the chamber, and a second brush bar section located within a second section of the chamber between the drive mechanism and the second side wall of the chamber, and wherein the air outlet of the chamber extends between and into both sections of the chamber. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100254800 | FAN - A bladeless fan assembly ( | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254685 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A control system for an electric machine, the control system including a position sensor and a drive controller. The drive controller generates one or more control signals for use in exciting a winding of the electric machine. Control signals for each electrical half-cycle of one mechanical cycle are generated by the drive controller in response to a single edge of a signal output by the position-sensor. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253274 | POWER TUNING AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM - A method of power tuning an electric system, the electric system including an electric machine and a control system for driving the electric machine in response to control values stored in a power map. The method includes loading the control system with a first power map, driving the electric machine with the control system, measuring a power of the electric system, and loading the control system with a second power map in the event that the measured power lies outside a predetermined range. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253268 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A control system for an electric machine, the control system including a current controller and a drive controller. The current controller includes an input, an output, a comparator and a latch. The comparator sets the latch when a voltage at the input exceeds a threshold, and the latch outputs an overcurrent signal when set. The drive controller then resets the latch after a predetermined period of time. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253265 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method of controlling an electric machine that includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling a winding of the electric machine. The winding is excited in advance of zero-crossings of back emf in the winding by an advance angle, and the winding is freewheeled over a freewheel angle. The method then includes varying the advance angle and the freewheel angle in response to changes in the voltage used to excite the winding. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253264 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method of controlling an electric machine that includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling a winding of the electric machine. The winding is excited in advance of zero-crossings of back emf in the winding by an advance angle, and the winding is freewheeled over a freewheel angle. The method then includes varying the advance angle and the freewheel angle in response to changes in the speed of the electric machine. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253263 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method of controlling an electric machine that includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling a winding of the electric machine. The winding is excited by an excitation voltage and is freewheeled over a freewheel angle. The method then includes varying the freewheel angle in response to changes in the excitation voltage. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253262 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A control system for an electric machine, the control system including a position sensor and a drive controller. The drive controller generates one or more control signals for exciting a winding of the electric machine in response to edges of a signal output by the position sensor. The times at which the control signals are generated by the drive controller are corrected by a position-sensor offset that is fixed over an operating speed range of the electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253261 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method of controlling an electric machine that includes exciting a winding of the electric machine in advance of zero-crossings of back emf by a fixed advance time over a range of speeds. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253257 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method of controlling an electric machine, the method comprising storing a plurality of power maps, each power map comprising control values for driving the electric machine at different power, and selecting a power map in response to an input signal. Additionally, a control system for an electric machine, and a product incorporating the control system and electric machine. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253250 | CURRENT CONTROLLER FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A current controller for an electric machine that includes an input, an output, a threshold generator and a comparator. The threshold generator stores a scaling factor and includes a PWM module that operates on a reference voltage to generate a threshold voltage. The duty cycle of the PWM module is then defined by the scaling factor. The comparator compares a voltage at the input against the threshold voltage and causes an overcurrent signal to be generated at the output when the voltage at the input exceeds the threshold voltage. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100251512 | CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - 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. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100251511 | CONTROL OF A PERMANENT-MAGNET MOTOR - A method of controlling a permanent-magnet motor that includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling a winding of the motor. The method includes varying the angle over which the winding is freewheeled in response to changes in speed of the motor. Additionally, a control system for a permanent-magnet motor, and a product incorporating the control system and motor. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100251510 | CONSTANT-POWER ELECTRIC SYSTEM - An electric system that includes a single-phase permanent-magnet electric machine and a control system for driving the electric machine. The control system sequentially excites and freewheels a winding of the electric machine so as maintain substantially constant power over an operating speed range spanning at least 10 krpm and/or an excitation voltage range extending between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage, the minimum voltage being less than 80% of the maximum voltage. Additionally, a product comprising the electric system. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100251509 | HIGH-SPEED ELECTRIC SYSTEM - An electric system that includes a single-phase permanent-magnet electric machine and a control system for driving the electric machine under load at speeds in excess of 60 krpm. Additionally, a product that includes the electric system. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100242224 | CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A clutch assembly for a surface treatment appliance includes an input clutch member, an output clutch member driven by the input clutch member, a control system for determining the difference between the rotational speeds of the input clutch member and the output clutch member, and a drive system for effecting relative movement between the input clutch member and the output clutch member from an engaged position, in which torque is transmitted by the output clutch member to an output, to a disengaged position, in which torque is not transmitted to the output, depending on said difference between the rotational speeds. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242223 | CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A clutch assembly for a surface treatment appliance includes an input clutch member, an output clutch member driven by the input clutch member, a motorized mechanism for effecting relative movement between the input clutch member and the output clutch member from an engaged position, in which torque is transmitted by the output clutch member to an output, to a disengaged position, in which torque is not transmitted to the output, and a control system for actuating the motorized mechanism. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242221 | SEPARATING APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a separating apparatus for separating particles from a fluid flow. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having such a separating apparatus for removing dust particles from a dust laden airstream. The separating apparatus includes a first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cyclonic cleaning stage arranged downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage, and an elongate filter arranged downstream from the second cyclonic cleaning stage, wherein the filter is at least partially surrounded by the first cyclonic cleaning stage. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242220 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242219 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a substantially spherical floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a plurality of floor engaging support members for supporting the rolling assembly as it is manoeuvred over a floor surface. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242218 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a chassis, a plurality of front floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis, a rear floor engaging rolling assembly connected to the chassis, and a control mechanism for steering the steering members. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242217 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a duct for conveying the fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the duct. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242216 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type, including separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a support for supporting the separating apparatus on the appliance, a duct having a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid flow from a fluid outlet of the separating apparatus, and a mechanism for urging together the fluid inlet of the duct and the fluid outlet of the separating apparatus. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242215 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is manoeuvred over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242214 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet, and a steering mechanism including a chassis connected to and projecting from the rolling assembly, a plurality of floor engaging steering members connected to the chassis and a control mechanism for changing simultaneously the orientation of the steering members relative to the chassis. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242213 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly comprising a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a chassis connected to the rolling assembly, a duct moveable relative to the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, a floor engaging steering member for steering the rolling assembly, and a control mechanism for moving the steering member relative to the rolling assembly in response to movement of the duct relative to the chassis. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242212 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis for supporting the separating apparatus, and a substantially spherical rolling assembly comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid flow from the separating apparatus and a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242211 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a chassis, and a duct mounted on the chassis for conveying the fluid flow to the separating apparatus, the duct including a support for supporting the separating apparatus. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100242208 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a fluid inlet and a device for drawing the fluid flow through the fluid inlet, a duct for conveying the air fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly about an axis passing through the duct. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100239903 | RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK - The invention relates to a rechargeable battery pack. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a rechargeable battery pack for a battery powered appliance such as a hand held vacuum cleaner. The rechargeable battery pack includes at least one power interface for transferring power from the battery pack to an appliance during use and a single charger input terminal to which an output terminal of a battery charger is connectable during use for charging the battery pack, wherein the single charger input terminal is connectable to the output terminal of a battery charger when the battery pack is connected to an appliance and when the battery pack is not connected to an appliance. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100236092 | Drive Circuit - A drive circuit for a high-frequency agitation source includes a signal generator generating a train of low voltage square-wave pulses at a drive frequency, a booster including a boost inductor generating a back EMF and configured to produce a high-voltage pulse train in response to the low-voltage square-wave pulse train and a filter producing a drive signal having a pre-determined harmonic of the drive frequency, the drive signal being used to drive the high-frequency agitation source. The drive circuit is particularly suitable for use with piezoelectric crystals. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100236015 | SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable out of a supporting position in which it supports the main body by a user performing a plurality of steps—for example, by depressing a pedal, then tilting the main body by pulling the handle. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of accidental release of the support assembly from its supporting position. For example, if the user depresses the pedal alone, or only pulls on the handle, the support assembly remains in its supporting position. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100236012 | CLEANING AND/OR FILTERING APPARATUS - The invention relates to apparatus and a method for separating solid particles from fluids and particularly gas flows. The apparatus is particularly for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine or vacuum cleaner. The apparatus includes cyclone separator means which comprise at least two axial common cyclone separator elements, an inner and outer element, in conjunction with a two-stage electrostatic precipitator. The apparatus allows the filtration of fluid effectively, even if the flow varies over time. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100229339 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD - A surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a main body, a suction cavity and an outlet. The suction cavity includes first and second suction channels bounded on both sides by respective working edges. A fluid flow path extends from the first suction channel to the second suction channel and from there to the outlet. The plurality of suction channels permits effective pick-up of dirt, which may be further enhanced by an air duct, in the form of a slot, which draws air over some of the working edges. The invention permits a tool with a lower profile to be manufactured than would be achievable by providing separate flow paths between the respective channels and the outlet. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100229321 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit, an airflow generator for generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source for supplying power to the airflow generator and a handgrip enabling a user to maneuver the hand-held cleaning appliance. The handgrip has a first end and a second end. The airflow generator is arranged directly adjacent the first end of the handgrip and the power source is arranged adjacent the second end of the handgrip. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100226801 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a base having an air inlet and an air outlet, the base housing an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The fan assembly further includes a vertically oriented, elongate annular nozzle including an interior passage having an air inlet for receiving the air flow from the base and a mouth for emitting the air flow, the nozzle defining an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226797 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A bladeless fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a device for creating an air flow. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The nozzle defines, and extends about, an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The nozzle also includes a heater for heating the air flow upstream of the mouth. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226787 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. Each of the base and the body has an outer surface shaped so that adjoining portions of the outer surfaces are substantially flush when the body is in the untilted position. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226771 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The base comprises an outer casing, an impeller housing located within the outer casing, the impeller housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the impeller housing and a motor for driving the impeller to create an air flow through the impeller housing. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the air outlet of the impeller housing and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. A flexible sealing member is located between the outer casing and the impeller housing. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226769 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A bladeless fan assembly includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a motor and an impeller driven by the motor for creating an air flow. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow, a mouth for emitting the air flow, and a plurality of stationary guide vanes located within the interior passage and each for directing a portion of the air flow towards the mouth. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226764 | FAN - A floor standing pedestal fan for creating an air current includes a base housing an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow, an air outlet, and a telescopic duct for conveying the air flow to the air outlet. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226763 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A bladeless fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The nozzle comprises an interior passage and a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage and through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The nozzle is detachable from the base, which is preferably sized to be accommodated within the opening of the nozzle for transportation. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226758 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The base includes an outer casing, a silencing member housed within the outer casing, an impeller housing located within the outer casing, the impeller housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the impeller housing and a motor for driving the impeller about an axis to create an air flow through the impeller housing. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the air outlet of the impeller housing and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly. The silencing member is located beneath the air inlet of the impeller housing and is spaced from the air inlet along said axis by a distance in the range from 5 to 60 mm. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226754 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A pedestal for a fan assembly includes a telescopic duct for conveying an air flow to an outlet of the fan assembly. The duct includes an outer tubular member having a first stop member, an inner tubular member located at least partially within and slidable relative to the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a second stop member for engaging the first stop member to inhibit withdrawal of the inner tubular member from the outer tubular member, and a mainspring rotatably mounted on the second stop member, the mainspring having a free end retained by the first stop member. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226753 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and an air outlet for emitting the air flow. The air outlet is mounted on a stand for conveying the air flow to the air outlet. The fan assembly also includes a tilt mechanism for tilting the air outlet relative to at least part of the stand. The tilt mechanism comprises a flexible hose defining, at least in part, an air passage through the tilt mechanism. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226752 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The air outlet defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The motor has a rotor which, in use, is capable of rotating at a speed of at least 5,000 rpm. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226751 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and an air outlet for emitting the air flow, the air outlet being mounted on a pedestal including a base and a height adjustable stand. The base includes an oscillating mechanism for oscillating the stand and the air outlet. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226750 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a centre of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the centre of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100226749 | FAN ASSEMBLY - A bladeless fan assembly includes a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The nozzle is mounted on a height adjustable pedestal. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225208 | HOLDER FOR A POSITION SENSOR - A holder for a position sensor of an electric machine. The holder includes a pocket for holding the position sensor, an abutment, and a biasing mechanism mountable to a fixture of the electric machine so as to bias the abutment relative to the fixture. Additionally, an electric machine that incorporates the holder, the electric machine including a stator against which the biasing mechanism biases the abutment. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225207 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - An electric machine that includes a stator and a Hall-effect sensor. The stator includes a pair of asymmetric poles and the sensor is oriented such that the plane of the sensor is substantially parallel to armature field lines passing through the sensor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225197 | STATOR CORE - A stator core that includes a pair of poles separated by an air gap. Each pole includes a first side adjacent the air gap and a second opposite side remote from the air gap. A pole arc is formed in the first side and an arcuate mounting recess is formed in the second side of each pole. Additionally, an electric machine that includes the stator core. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225196 | ELECTRIC MACHINE - An electric machine that includes a permanent-magnet rotor and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of poles, each pole having a leading edge and a trailing edge relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor. The leading edge of each pole is thicker than the trailing edge in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the rotor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225012 | HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS - Humidifying apparatus includes a humidifier for emitting moist air into an external environment, and a fan assembly for generating an air current within the external environment for conveying the emitted moist air away from the humidifier. The fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and a nozzle comprising an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The humidifier is located behind nozzle, the nozzle extending about and defining an opening through which both air from outside the nozzle and the moist air emitted from the humidifier are drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100223753 | FLOOR TOOL - The present invention relates to a floor tool for a surface treating appliance including, a sole plate comprising a floor engaging surface having forward and rearward floor contacting edges and a suction opening, a head which is pivotable relative to the sole plate about an articulation axis between forward and rearward positions, the head having a front sole plate engaging edge and a back sole plate engaging edge, and a connecting arm comprising an outlet in communication with the suction opening, at least a portion of the floor engaging surface of the sole plate extends beyond the back sole plate engaging edge of the head when the head is in the rearward position. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100223751 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes an airflow generator for generating an airflow, separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source for supplying power to the airflow generator, at least one exhaust vent and an exhaust baffle, the exhaust baffle includes a body having an upstream face and a downstream face, an airflow path between the upstream and downstream faces and a plurality of blades projecting from the body, each blade having a first side edge, a second side edge and a forward edge. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100219013 | Silencing Arrangement - In an appliance, such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, a motor is arranged to drive an impeller fan located in a motor and fan unit. The rotation of the impeller may cause nuisance tones to be generated. A silencing arrangement is provided to control such noise and includes a plurality of discrete passive silencers in the form of tube silencers arranged in a first set and a second set. The tube silencers have open end portions arranged to face the fan and the silencers of the first set are spaced from the silencers of the second set in both axial and radial directions. This combination gives the same effect as an array of closely spaced tube silencers—however, by spacing the silencers in two directions, fluid is allowed to flow freely. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100218338 | Cyclonic Separating Apparatus - Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner has a longitudinal axis, an upstream cyclonic separator and a downstream cyclone assembly. The downstream cyclone assembly comprises a plurality of cyclones arranged in parallel with one another. The downstream cyclones are arranged in a first set in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a first angle (α) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus and a second set, in which each cyclone has a longitudinal axis inclined at a second angle (β) to the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separating apparatus. The second angle (β) is greater than the first angle (α). The invention allows the downstream cyclone assembly to be compactly packaged. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100215500 | ROTOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor assembly that includes a shaft to which are mounted an impeller and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is located at least partly within the profile of the impeller so as to reduce loading of the bearing assembly as well as reduce the cantilever length of the rotor assembly. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215491 | ROTOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor assembly that includes a shaft to which are mounted an impeller, a rotor core and a bearing cartridge. The bearing cartridge is mounted between the impeller and the rotor core and comprises a pair of bearings, a spring that applies a preload to each of the bearings, and a sleeve that surrounds the bearings. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215489 | DIFFUSER - A diffuser that includes a plurality of radial vanes having a blade count of between 15 and 20, a solidity of between 0.6 and 0.8, and a radius ratio of vane inlet to impeller outlet of less than 1.5. Additionally, a compressor that incorporates the diffuser. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215485 | CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR - A centrifugal compressor that includes an impeller, a diffuser and a shroud. One of the diffuser and shroud includes a plurality of recesses and the other of the diffuser and shroud includes a plurality of radial vanes. The shroud covers the impeller and diffuser such that each radial vane projects into a respective recess. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100205769 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD ASSEMBLY - A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in a housing. A motor is arranged to drive a mechanism, such as cams arranged to adjust the position of the brush bar with respect to the housing. An electro-mechanical feedback arrangement, which may include an actuator, is arranged to bear against microswitches to control operation of the motor. Different faces of the actuator are arranged to act against different ones of the microswitches in accordance with different positions of the brush bar. The height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100192324 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD ASSEMBLY - A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a piston assembly operable to apply a force to the head. The piston assembly is connected to the main motor of the vacuum cleaner by a valve. When the valve is opened, suction airflow flows through tubes connecting the motor to the piston assembly. The resulting suction force causes the piston assembly to contract, thereby drawing the cleaner head downwards. Thus, the head is urged towards the floor surface so as to improve the efficiency of a cleaning operation. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100192323 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD ASSEMBLY - A surface treating head assembly for an appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a head and a drivable agitator in the form of a brush bar, rotatably housed in the head. A cam arrangement is rotatably driven in the head. The cam arrangement includes a pair of cams, each having a plurality of cam faces, each cam face corresponding to respective predetermined vertical positions of the brush bar. Thus, the height of the brush bar is selectively controllable between the predetermined positions, such that the depth of penetration of the bristles of the brush bar may be optimized for different types of carpet. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100186190 | SWITCH AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY - A cleaning appliance includes a motor arranged to drive a fan for generating suction air flow and a cleaner head having a drivable agitator with a dedicated motor. The agitator drive motor has a selectively-operable switch and a resettable circuit breaker arranged such that, when the switch is activated, the circuit breaker is reset. A button actuates the switch and simultaneously resets the circuit breaker. When there is a blockage so that the circuit breaker trips out the motor, the user can reset the circuit breaker and restart the agitator motor by the simple act of depressing one button, thereby obviating the need for a separate control. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100154653 | DOMESTIC APPLIANCE - A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element for heating a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, an optical system having a first light source for illuminating the foodstuff with light having a first wavelength and an optical receiver for detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. A second light source is provided for illuminating at least the optical receiver with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A controller varies the intensity of the light emitted from the second light source during a toasting operation. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100154239 | DRYING APPARATUS - A drying apparatus such as a hand dryer has a casing, a fan located within the casing and capable of creating an airflow, and an inlet arranged in the casing through which air is drawn into the apparatus by the fan. At least one outlet opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow towards an object to be dried. The inlet comprises at least one inlet opening and a corresponding shield member which is spaced apart from and overlies the inlet opening such that air drawn into the apparatus by the fan passes through the inlet opening and is then deflected around the shield member. This allows air to be drawn freely into the casing while preventing objects which might cause damage to a filter or the fan or motor from being inserted into the casing via the inlet. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100154150 | FLOOR TOOL FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A floor tool for a cleaning appliance including a cleaner head rotatably attached to a conduit carried by a pair of wheels that converge beneath the conduit. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100151103 | DOMESTIC APPLIANCE - A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element arranged to heat a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, and an optical system for optically illuminating the foodstuff and detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. Before the foodstuff begins to change colour as a result due to the heating thereof by the heating element, a controller varies the illumination of the foodstuff by the optical system so that the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff is at or around a set value. The controller subsequently terminates the toasting operation when the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff has reduced, due to toasting thereof, from the set value by an amount depending on a desired degree of toasting of the foodstuff. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100150699 | FAN - A fan assembly for creating an air current is described. The fan assembly includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the base, a mouth through which the air flow is emitted, the mouth being defined by facing surfaces of the nozzle, and spacers for spacing apart the facing surfaces of the nozzle. The nozzle extends substantially orthogonally about an axis to define an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan. The spacers can provide for a reliable, reproducible nozzle of the fan assembly and performance of the fan assembly. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100139028 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - The present invention relates to a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner having a fluid flow path extending between at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet wherein at least a part of the fluid flow path is housed within a releasable portion of the surface treating appliance. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100132319 | SEPARATING APPARATUS FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a separator for separating dirt and dust from a fluid flow and a collecting chamber arranged to collect dirt and dust separated by the separator. A first catch for opening a closure member on the collecting chamber is provided, with first releasing means for releasing this catch. There is also provided a second catch for releasing the collecting chamber from the separator and second releasing means for releasing the second catch. The second releasing means is inaccessible when the first catch is engaged. A cover associated with the first releasing means obscures the second releasing means until the first catch has been released. The invention prevents the user from accidentally releasing the collecting chamber from the separator when it was the user's intention simply to empty dirt and dust from the collecting chamber. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100132155 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a main body housing a motor and fan unit for generating a fluid flow. The main body also houses a removable pre-motor filter located upstream of the motor and fan and a removable post-motor filter located downstream of the motor and fan. It is beneficial to permit the user to be able to monitor the condition of both the pre-motor filter and the post-motor filter, and to remove and replace them as required, and so access to both filters may be provided. It is more important that the user checks the pre-motor filter as it gets dirtier than the post-motor filter. Therefore, the post-motor filter is not accessible or removable from the main body until the pre-motor filter is removed from the main body, by removing its housing. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100132154 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface-treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a main body housing a component such as a post-motor filter. A door provides access to the filter. The door is connected to the main body by a hinge arranged to allow the door to pivot about the hinge's rotational axis and to move axially as the door is moved between closed and open positions. The provision of a hinge that can move along its rotational axis permits the door to move laterally as it opens, thereby clearing adjacent parts of the appliance, such as the spine. This allows an appliance to be manufactured that permits the user to access components housed inside of it, but is compact. Preferably, the hinge includes a cam arrangement, so that the door automatically moves away from adjacent parts of the appliance as it moves from the closed position to an open position. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100107891 | DOMESTIC APPLIANCE - Apparatus for foaming milk comprises a body defining a foaming chamber, a nozzle insertable into milk located in a milk container, a conduit arrangement for conveying milk to the foaming chamber from the nozzle, means for drawing milk through the conduit arrangement to the foaming chamber, a foamed milk outlet configured to return foamed milk to the container, a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of milk being supplied to the foaming chamber, and a controller arranged to terminate the drawing of milk along the nozzle depending on the monitored temperature. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100095479 | HOSE AND WAND ASSEMBLY FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A vacuum cleaner has a hose and wand assembly onto which a floor tool may be attached. The wand includes a plurality of telescoping tubes which can slide between retracted and extended positions. In order to be able to transmit power and signals from the vacuum cleaner to the end of the wand assembly, conductors are provided in a channel in the hose. The hose is connected to the interior of the wand, just beyond the last telescoping joint, with the conductors extending beyond the end of the hose to a connector at the far end of the wand. This arrangement automatically provides a reliable electrical connection down the wand. Previously, electrical conductors were not employed with this type of wand as it was not straightforward to provide electrical connections across the telescoping parts. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095477 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface-treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, has a main body and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The support assembly includes a user-operable pedal, a component such as a stand and an actuator arranged to act on one of the pedal and the component over a first range of positions between the supporting and retracted positions and to act on the other of the pedal and the component over a second range of positions between the supporting and retracted positions. This arrangement brings the pedal and component positively into and out of the supporting and retracted positions. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100095474 | HOSE FOR A SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A vacuum cleaner has a hose and wand assembly, onto which a floor tool may be attached. Power and signals are transmitted down electrical conductors in the hose. In order to permit free movement of the hose, the hose is divided into portions having a joint therebetween. Conductors of one hose portion terminate in contact anus in the joint. The contact arms are in sliding intimate contact with slip rings. The slip rings are connected to conductors of the other hose portion. Thus, the hose portions may rotate relative to one another without causing damage to the electrical connection along the hose. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100088842 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a device generating a flow of fluid in the form of a motor and fan, housed in a main body. A hose and wand assembly, a surface treating head and a rotary change over valve are also provided. The valve is selectively rotatable so as to allow fluid flow from either the surface-treating head or the hose. A support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The change over valve and support assembly are arranged so that motion of the support assembly between the supporting and retracted positions induces rotary motion of the change over valve. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100058554 | FLOOR TOOL - A floor tool for a cleaning appliance includes a head for engaging with a floor surface, a connecting arm pivotally connected to the head about a first axis and a supporting body pivotally connected to the head about a second axis. The head includes a suction opening which lies in a suction plane. The connecting arm includes an outlet in communication with the suction opening and adapted to connect to the cleaning appliance. The connecting arm is adapted and arranged to engage with the supporting body so that when, in use, the floor tool is pushed forwardly across the floor surface, the connecting arm applies a force to the head in a direction away from the floor surface. This allows the floor tool to be of reduced depth than was achievable hitherto while still being able to achieve the desired “rocking” motion to improve cleaning performance. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100050885 | Domestic Appliance - An apparatus for extracting juice from a comestible includes a cavity for receiving a comestible, the cavity having a cavity wall extending about an axis and movable in response to an applied hydraulic force to form a plurality of lobes spaced about the axis for applying a compressive force to the comestible. By providing such an arrangement, the applied force can be distributed evenly across the comestible, resulting in an even collapse of the comestible. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100037425 | ATTACHMENT FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - An attachment for a cleaning appliance includes a main body having a head and a passageway through which a fluid is able to flow. The head includes first and second suction openings, each of the first and second suction openings being arranged to engage with a surface to be cleaned. The first and second suction openings are in simultaneous communication with the passageway. By providing such an arrangement, both of the first and second suction openings are independently able to engage with a surface to be cleaned and a rotatable connection between the head and a neck is not required. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100024367 | COLLECTING CHAMBER FOR A VACUUM CLEANER - A bagless vacuum cleaner includes a separating unit for separating dirt and dust from a dirt-laden airflow which is drawn in by the cleaner. The separating unit has a chamber with collection areas for collecting dirt and dust which is separated from the airflow. A base of the separating unit is movable between a closed position and an open position. A dividing wall between the collection areas is arranged so that its end is spaced from the base by different distances at different respective regions. This enables an enlarged opening, by which dirt and dust can be emptied from the chamber, to be provided, which facilitates emptying of the chamber. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100011532 | FILTER ASSEMBLY - A filter assembly for use in a cleaning appliance has a first filter portion surrounded by a deformable rim. The first filter portion consists of a non-woven medium. The filter assembly (also includes a second filter portion located downstream of the first filter portion. The first filter portion and the second filter portion are held directly adjacent one another by means of the deformable rim. The filter assembly further includes a third filter portion located upstream of the first filter portion and consisting of a mesh material. The first filter portion and the third filter portion are held directly adjacent one another by means of the deformable rim. The filter assembly has a tab located on a surface thereof to facilitate removal of the filter assembly from a filter housing or a vacuum cleaner. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100011531 | FILTER ASSEMBLY - A filter assembly for use in a cleaning appliance has filter portion and a rim surrounding the filter portion. The rim is deformable so as to be capable of sealing against a part of an appliance in which the filter assembly is located. The rim is arranged to include a locating member adapted to prevent incorrect orientation of the filter assembly in an appliance housing. The rim is flexible and capable of being manipulated and flexed by a user during a process of locating the filter assembly in an appliance. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100000044 | HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a handle portion for maneuvering the handle assembly during use, a flexible hose having a first end connectable to a main body of the cleaning appliance and a second end connectable to the handle portion, and a tubular wand. The tubular wand is slidably mounted in the handle portion so as to be moveable between a first position in which the tubular wand extends along the handle portion inside the flexible hose and a second position in which the tubular wand extends beyond the handle portion away from the flexible hose. The handle is releasably attachable to the main body by a catch mechanism arranged so as to release the handle portion from the main body when the tubular wand is moved from the first position to the second position. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090313959 | HANDHELD CLEANING APPLIANCE - A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The separating apparatus includes a cyclonic separator having at least one first cyclone and a plurality of second cyclones arranged in parallel with one another and located downstream of the first cyclone. By providing a cyclonic separator having a plurality of second cyclones in parallel, the handheld cleaning appliance is capable of separating fine dirt and dust particles without using barriers such as filters or bags which need maintenance to ensure that performance remains high over a period of time. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090313958 | CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS - A cyclonic separating apparatus for separating particles from a dirt-laden airflow includes a cyclone for separating and collecting dirt and dust from the dirt-laden airflow. The cyclone has an air inlet, an air outlet, a longitudinal axis and a wall. The wall includes a first portion and a second portion spaced farther from the longitudinal axis than the first portion, the first and second portions being spaced along the longitudinal axis. The cyclone also includes at least one lip extending from the first portion of the wall into a portion of the cyclone surrounded by the second portion of the wall. By providing a cyclone with a wall having two portions of different sizes and a lip extending from the portion with the smaller size into the portion with the larger size, the risk of blockages due to re-entrainment and movement of dirt and dust within the cyclonic separating apparatus is reduced. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090313786 | SURFACE TREATING HEAD ASSEMBLY - A surface treating head assembly includes a housing having a fluid outlet. A sealing connection is provided between the outlet and a flexible hose, which may be located on the main body of a surface-treating appliance such as a vacuum cleaner. The housing is arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, and the head assembly further includes a locating mechanism arranged to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots. The provision of a sealing connection that is inhibited from rotating permits the surface treating head to be widely maneuverable while having a sound fluid flow path. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090308254 | HANDHELD CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes a main body, a filter and an interlock. The main body includes an airflow generator, a separating apparatus separating dirt and dust from an airflow, and a flowpath between the separating apparatus and the airflow generator delimited by a wall. The interlock has a first part located on the filter and a second part located on the main body outside the flowpath, arranged to communicate remotely when the filter is correctly located in the pre-determined position. The interlock is arranged selectively to allow or prevent operation of the airflow generator depending upon the relative separation between the first and second parts. By providing an interlock which has first and second parts which communicate remotely, the second part located on the main body can be isolated from the airflow path so that the second part is not subject to dirt and dust carried by the airflow. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090307867 | CLEANER HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR A VACUUM CLEANER - A cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner head body pivotably attachable to a main body of a vacuum cleaner and a brush housing pivotably mounted on the cleaner head body, the brush housing having a suction opening, a brush bar mounted therein and a resilient member provided to bias the brush housing in a pivoting direction so as to urge a rear portion of the brush housing in an upward direction with respect to the cleaner head body. This configuration allows the brush housing to be doubly articulated with respect to the main body of the vacuum cleaner as it is biased by the resilient member in the pivoting direction such that the rear portion of the brush housing is urged in an upward direction with respect to the cleaner head body and the suction opening remains in a horizontal plane. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090307864 | HANDHELD CLEANING APPLIANCE - A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The cyclonic separator is arranged in a generally upright orientation. A base surface of the main body and a base surface of the cyclonic separator together form a base surface of the appliance for supporting the appliance on a surface. By providing a base surface of the appliance which is made up of the base surface of the main body and the base surface of the cyclonic separator, the appliance is provided with a substantial base surface on which the appliance can be stably and reliably supported. This is also achieved without substantially increasing the size of the appliance as a whole. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090300875 | SUPPORT ASSEMBLY - A support assembly for a surface treating appliance includes a central roller arranged to engage a surface and outer rollers at either end of the central roller. The rollers together define a rolling support surface, and the outer rollers rotate about an axis spaced from the rotational axis of the central roller. This arrangement of rollers provides a rolling support surface over a wide range of motions, and spacing the rotational axes of the rollers permits the rollers to be arranged relative to one another to define a region into which components of the appliance are mountable. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090288268 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a main body, a surface treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be rolled along a surface. The support assembly also houses a component of the appliance, such as a motor for driving a surface-agitating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the support assembly may accommodate a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow, a fluid outlet for exhausting fluid and a device for acting on the fluid flow received by the inlet such as a filter or suction apparatus. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090272654 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE - An electrolytic cell generates hydrogen peroxide and includes a reservoir for storing hydrogen peroxide generated by the cell. A controller is arranged to activate the cell and introduce stored hydrogen peroxide from the reservoir to the cell. This permits the concentration of a store of hydrogen peroxide to be refreshed as required, by introducing the stored hydrogen peroxide as the electrolyte in the cell. This counteracts the natural decay of the stored hydrogen peroxide. The pH of the hydrogen peroxide is controlled so that it is below a predetermined value. It has been found that hydrogen peroxide having a low pH, close to neutral, decays much more slowly than hydrogen peroxide having a more strongly alkaline pH. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090265877 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit having a longitudinal axis, an airflow generator generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus arranged in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source supplying power to the airflow generator and an elongate handle disposed between the airflow generator and the power source. The elongate handle is dimensioned and arranged to be gripped by a user's hand and the elongate handle lies transverse to the longitudinal axis of the suction conduit. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090212132 | SPRAY DISPENSER - A spray dispenser comprises a housing and a nozzle. The housing contains a reservoir for storing liquid, an electrolytic cell for receiving liquid from the reservoir and increasing the level of oxidative properties in the liquid, and a pump for circulating fluid between the reservoir and the electrolytic cell so that liquid having enhanced oxidative properties in dispensed from the nozzle. In the preferred embodiment, the electrolytic cell generates hydrogen peroxide from water introduced to the reservoir by the user so that a sterilising solution of hydrogen peroxide is dispensed from the nozzle. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090188067 | ATTACHMENT FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - An attachment for a cleaning appliance includes a head including a suction opening and a neck including an intermediate portion and an end portion for connection to the mouth of a wand or hose having a longitudinal axis. The attachment also includes a first rotatable connection located between the end portion and the intermediate portion having a first axis of rotation and a second rotatable connection located between the head and the intermediate portion having a second axis of rotation. Each rotatable connection allows relative movement of the end portion with respect to the head. The first axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the end portion. By providing such an attachment for a cleaning appliance, the head of the attachment can be moved into a variety of useful positions to allow easier cleaning of walls and high-level horizontal surfaces. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090165823 | ELECTROLYTIC CELLS - An electrolytic cell for producing hydrogen peroxide includes an anode, a cathode and an intermediate membrane. The anode is associated with a first electrolyte and the cathode is associated with a second electrolyte. The use of two electrolytes associated with the respective electrodes permits the user to select the most suitable salt solutions for each electrode and so avoid production of gases and by-products unsuitable for a domestic environment. Thus, the electrolytic cell is suitable for use in an automatic dishwasher. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090158548 | WAND ASSEMBLY FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A wand assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a handle portion having a channel formed therethrough; a tubular wand received within the channel and moveable between a first position and a second position; a locking mechanism having a lock position and an unlock position and preventing the wand from moving from the first position when in the lock position; and a release mechanism mounted to the wand and which can be actuated to move the locking mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position. The release mechanism is actuated by relative movement of the release mechanism with respect to the wand. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090139409 | TOASTING APPLIANCE - A toasting appliance includes a cabinet housing a toasting chamber and a moveable heating element for heating a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber. The cabinet defines an opening through which the foodstuff is introduced into the toasting chamber. The appliance also includes a door moveable between an open position and a closed position for covering the opening and has a carriage attached thereto for receiving the foodstuff to be introduced into the toasting chamber when the door is in the open position and for supporting the foodstuff within the toasting chamber when the door is in the closed position. The appliance also has a coupling mechanism for coupling the door and the heating element such that movement of the door causes movement of the heating element relative to the carriage. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090133210 | SUPPORT ASSEMBLY - A support assembly for a surface treating appliance includes a roller having one or more tires, wherein the one or more tires are fused to the roller. The roller can include a polymer such as polypropylene and may also include a glass filled impact modified copolymer such as a 20% glass filed impact modified copolymer. The tires can include a thermoplastic elastomer such as a modified polymer including a mixture of polypropylene and an ethylene propylene diene monomer. The thermoplastic elastomer may have a hardness of from 55 to 95 Duro measured on the A scale, more specifically from 70 to 79 Duro on the A scale or from 80 to 95 Duro on the A scale | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090133209 | SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE - A surface treating appliance includes a main body, a head and a connector. The connector is adapted and arranged to connect the head to the main body while allowing relative rotation therebetween. The connector includes a connecting member which is removable from the remainder of the connector to allow the head to be released from the main body. At least a part of the connecting member forms a part of the external surface of the surface treating appliance. By providing such an arrangement, the connecting member is immediately visible to the user and can be accessed easily. Further, only the connecting member needs to be removed in order to release the head from the main body, making removal of the head a simple and straightforward process. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090113748 | DRYING APPARATUS - A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor has a rotor which, in use, rotates at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. This produces a high velocity, high pressure airflow which dries an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090113746 | DRYING APPARATUS - A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and at least one slot-like opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The slot-like opening has a maximum width which is no greater than 0.8 mm. This produces a very narrow, high velocity, high pressure airflow which is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090113663 | CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS - A cyclonic separating apparatus includes a cyclonic separator for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, an inlet to the cyclonic separator and a shroud comprising a wall having a multiplicity of through-holes forming an outlet from the cyclonic separator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of separate passageways provided immediately downstream of the through-holes. By providing this arrangement, the separate passageways can be located around other parts of the cyclonic separating apparatus inwardly of the shroud, allowing for better packaging of the components of the cyclonic separating apparatus. The shroud may be reduced in size because some of the space previously required for a single, large passageway can be used for other components of the cyclonic separating apparatus such a collector or a cyclone. The reduction in size of the shroud in turn allows for the cyclonic separating apparatus to be more compact. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090106932 | CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cleaning appliance includes a main body, including a motor and fan unit for generating an airflow, a separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from the airflow and a passageway for receiving a filter. The passageway and a filter may be located downstream of the separating apparatus and upstream of the motor, and the filter may have an at least partially curved filter surface. The filter is arranged around at least a part of the motor and fan unit. The filter is removable through a side, and through a wheel, of the appliance. The arrangement facilitates ease of removal of the filter from the cleaning appliance. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090100634 | CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, at least three collectors for collecting separated dirt and dust, and a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors. The ends of the collectors are separated by dividing walls. A seal is provided to seal between the closure member and the dividing walls when the closure member is in the closed position. This common seal between the dividing walls and the closure member is able to seal effectively even if the closure member is misaligned or incorrectly fitted. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090100633 | CYCLONIC SEPARATING APPARATUS FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE - A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, at least two or three collectors for collecting separated dirt and dust, and a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors. The ends of the collectors are separated by dividing walls. A expandable seal is provided between the closure member and the dividing walls to seal when the closure member is in the closed position. The expandable seal is able to seal effectively even if the closure member is misaligned, incorrectly fitted or if dirt and dust is present between the surfaces to be sealed. | 04-23-2009 |
