WO2007120535A2

WO2007120535A2 - Separating air and matter

Info

Publication number: WO2007120535A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/008196
Authority: WO
Inventors: Curtis W. Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-01
Filing date: 2007-03-30
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-01
Also published as: WO2007120535A3

Abstract

In different embodiments, the techniques of this disclosure separate matter by using centrifugal force and geometric considerations. Centrifugal force pushes particulate out of an airflow or near a primary airflow boundary. The airflow is then or contemporaneously steered about a circuitous path to a clean-air exit port. The particulate is unable to be steered along the circuitous path due to the centrifugal force and, instead, is diverted to a collection area where it is collected with other particulate. The circuitous route that does not allow for particulate to remain in the primary airflow is established through geometric considerations such as boundary conditions imposed by the shape of the device itself.

Description

DESCRIPTION

SEPARATING AIR AND MATTER

CROSS-REFERENCEfS) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/788,002, filed April 1, 2006, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to matter separation. More particularly, it concerns techniques to separate air and matter by taking advantage of centrifugal force and geometric considerations. Using these techniques allows for effective separation without having to use a conventional filter. The techniques may be used to improve vacuum cleaners and many other devices that separate particulate.

2. Description of Related Art

Cleaners using a vacuum and pore-based filtration date back to the 1860's. U.S. Patent No. 889,823 ("the '823 patent"), which is incorporated by reference, issued in 1908 and describes an electric carpet "sweeper" that drew dust and dirt into a fan casing through an opening. The device of the '823 patent used a cloth filter bag (a pillowcase) and eventually led to the birth of the Hoover vacuum company. Conventional vacuum cleaners use the same or similar principles for cleaning carpets and other surfaces.

In the 1980's and 1990's, cleaners based on the cyclone principle became available. An early representative patent concerning cyclonic cleaning is U.S. Patent No. 4,593,429, which is incorporated by reference. Cyclonic cleaners collect dust in a detachable collection vessel. Air and dust are blown at high speed into the collection vessel at a direction tangential to the vessel wall, creating a vortex. The dust moves to the outside of the vessel by centrifugal force, and clean air from the center of the vortex is expelled from the machine after passing through a number of successively finer filtration stages at the top of the container. Even today, cyclonic cleaners typically use conventional, pore-based filters to remove fine dust particles, even if cyclone action removes other particles. Many filters must be cleaned or replaced to ensure that the machine performs efficiently.

While pore-based filters have long been used to separate air and matter — in conventional and cyclonic cleaners — they can be problematic. By their very design, filters work by impeding airflow. The finer the filter, the more restricted is the airflow, which creates an inherent tradeoff: more filtration requires more power, less power provides less filtration. Another problem is that any filtration system begins to fail from the first moment of use. Because filtration works by trapping particles in a medium, the first trapped particle reduces airflow. As particles continue to pile-up on the medium, the airflow restriction can increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present techniques are applicable to a vast number of applications, including but not limited to any application benefiting from the separation of air and matter. For example, these techniques are applicable to particle separators such as vacuum cleaners and dehumidifϊers, as well as to many other devices.

In different embodiments, the techniques of this disclosure separate matter by using centrifugal force and geometric considerations. Centrifugal force pushes particulate out of an airflow or near a primary airflow boundary. The airflow is then or contemporaneously steered about a circuitous path to a clean-air exit port. The particulate is unable to be steered along the circuitous path due to the centrifugal force and, instead, is diverted to a collection area where it is collected with other particulate. The circuitous route that does not allow for particulate to remain in the primary airflow is established through geometric considerations such as boundary conditions imposed by the shape of the device itself. Some embodiments comprise an apparatus for matter separation that includes an assembly that includes a diverter, an exit body element, and blades connecting the diverter with the exit body element, the exit body element having an outer rim; and an entry body element arranged coaxially with the assembly, the entry body element having an outer rim that is spaced apart from the outer rim of the exit body element to create a matter exit gap.

> The apparatus may be configured such that during operation of the apparatus (e.g., under power) rotation of the assembly draws (or is capable of drawing) air containing matter into the apparatus, and at least some of the matter is expelled through the matter exit gap while the air travels through the entry body element and the assembly. The assembly and entry body element may be arranged to create a turn in the air flow path through the apparatus that is

> greater than about 90 degrees in the vicinity of the matter exit gap to facilitate matter separation through centrifugal force during operation of the apparatus. The outer rim of the entry body element may be characterized by an entry body element outer rim perimeter (located at the outermost edge of the rim), the outer rim of the exit body element may be characterized by an exit body element outer rim perimeter (located at the outermost edge of the rim), and the entry body element outer rim perimeter may be greater than the exit body element outer rim perimeter. The space between the two outer rims that creates the matter exit gap may include both axial spacing (such that the exit and entry body elements are axially spaced apart from each other to some extent) and non-axial spacing (resulting at least in part from the perimeter of one outer rim being greater than the perimeter of the other). The apparatus may be configured such that air is drawn into the apparatus through the entry body element and exits the apparatus through the exit body element. A portion of the inner surface of the entry body element may be concave, including a portion that surrounds an axis that passes vertically through the entry body element (such that the entry body element may be characterized by an annular inner surface portion that is concave). A portion of the outer, or exterior, surface of the diverter may be concave, including a portion that surrounds an axis that passes vertically through the assembly (such that the diverter may be characterized by an annular exterior surface portion that is concave). The apparatus may also include a housing

5 that at least partially encloses the assembly and entry body element. The apparatus may also include a fan affixed to the assembly and coupled to a motor. The housing may be stationary relative to the assembly when the apparatus is operated. The housing may also at least partially enclose the motor. The housing may include an inlet port for air to pass through the entry body element and assembly and an outlet port through which the air can exit the

D apparatus. The entry body element may be coupled to a Hd of a container. The apparatus may be configured to rotate the impeller during operation at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute. Further, during operation of the apparatus, the entry body element may be rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute. A magnet or magnets can be placed on the diverter and the entry body element such that as the diverter

> turns, the opposing magnetic fields generated by energizing the different sets of magnets spin the entry body element. The apparatus may comprise two units arranged in back-to-back fashion and separated by a motor, where each unit includes both an assembly and entry body element as described above.

Some embodiments comprise a centrifugal matter separator that includes an impeller

> comprising: a diverter; an exit body element coaxially aligned with the diverter; and at least one blade extending from an exterior surface of the diverter to an inner surface of the exit body element, the blade having a non-linear path of contact with both the diverter and the exit body element (meaning the blade has a non-linear path of contact with the diverter and the blade has a non-linear path of contact with the exit body element); the diverter, the exit body element and the blade being configured to rotate about an axis as one element; and an entry body element arranged coaxially with the impeller but not being connected directly to the impeller so that the impeller and the entry body element can rotate independently about the axis, the entry body element and exit body element being spaced apart from each other by an annular matter exit gap. The centrifugal matter separator may be configured such that during operation of the separator (e.g., under power) rotation of the diverter draws (or is capable of drawing) air containing matter into the separator, and at least some of the matter is expelled through the matter exit gap while the air travels through the entry body element and the diverter. The impeller and entry body element may be arranged to create a turn in the air flow path through the centrifugal matter separator that is greater than about 90 degrees in the vicinity of the matter exit gap to facilitate matter separation through centrifugal force during operation of the centrifugal matter separator. The entry body element may have an outer rim (e.g., the largest outer rim on the entry body element) that is larger (e.g., its perimeter is larger) than an outer rim (e.g., the largest outer rim) of the exit body element of the diverter. The space between those two outer rims that creates the matter exit gap may include both axial spacing (such that the exit and entry body elements are axially spaced apart from each other to some extent) and non-axial spacing (resulting at least in part from the perimeter of one outer rim being greater than the perimeter of the other). The separator may be configured such that air is drawn into it through the entry body element and exits it through the exit body element of the impeller. A portion of the inner surface of the entry body element may be concave, including a portion that surrounds an axis that passes vertically through the entry body element (such that the entry body element may be characterized by an annular inner surface portion that is concave). A portion of the outer, or exterior, surface of the diverter may be concave, including a portion that surrounds an axis that passes vertically through the assembly (such that the diverter may be characterized by an annular exterior surface portion that is concave). The separator may also include a housing that at least partially encloses the impeller and entry body element. The separator may also include a fan affixed to the impeller and coupled to a motor. The housing may also at least partially enclose the motor. The housing may be stationary relative to the impeller when the separator is operated. The

⁾ housing may include an inlet port for air to pass through the entry body element and impeller and an outlet port through which the air can exit the separator. The entry body element may be coupled to a Hd of a container. The centrifugal matter separator may be configured to rotate the impeller during operation at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute. Further, during operation of the centrifugal matter separator, the entry body element may be rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30.000 revolutions per minute. A magnet or magnets can be placed on the diverter and the entry body element such that as the diverter turns, the opposing magnetic fields generated by energizing the different sets of magnets spin the entry body element. The centrifugal matter separator may comprise two units arranged in back-to- back fashion and separated by a motor, where each unit includes both an impeller and entry body element as described above.

Some embodiments comprise a method of separating matter from air that includes rotating a matter separator, the matter separator including an impeller but not a porous filter; drawing air containing matter into the matter separator through rotation of the impeller; and expelling the matter through an annular gap in the rotating matter separator. The matter separator may comprise, for example, any of the assembly/diverter plus entry body element arrangements described above. Furthermore, the matter separator may be part of a larger device that includes, for example, a housing, which may at least partially enclose the matter separator. The expelling may include expelling matter though the annular gap into a space bounded at least partially by the housing. The housing may be stationary relative to the rotating matter separator. The impeller may be rotated at a rate between 10,000 - 30,000 revolutions per minute. The matter separator may include an entry body element that is rotated at a rate between 10,000 - 30,000 revolutions per minute during performance of at least aspects of a given method. The matter that is separated from the air may include water. Some embodiments comprise a method of separating matter from air that includes rotating a matter separator, the matter separator including an impeller but not a porous filter; drawing air containing matter into the matter separator through rotation of the impeller; and expelling the matter through an annular gap in the rotating matter separator, at least some of the matter then contacting a non-moving (e.g., stationary) wall. The matter separator may comprise, for example, any of the assembly/diverter plus entry body element arrangements described above. Furthermore, the matter separator may be part of a larger device that includes, for example, a housing, which may at least partially enclose the matter separator and include the non-moving wall (relative to the rotating matter separator). The expelling may include expelling matter though the annular gap into a space bounded at least partially by the housing. The impeller may be rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute. The matter separator may include an entry body element that is rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute during performance of at least aspects of a given method. The matter that is separated from the air may include water.

— J"~ Some embodiments comprise a method of separating matter from air that includes drawing air containing matter into a matter separator that includes an impeller but not a porous filter by rotating the impeller; where at least some of the matter is expelled through an annular gap in the matter separator due to centrifugal force acting on that matter overcoming any other force tending to cause that matter to flow through the matter separator with the air.

The matter separator may comprise, for example, any of the assembly/diverter plus entry body element arrangements described above. Furthermore, the matter separator may be part of a larger device that includes, for example, a housing, which may at least partially enclose the matter separator. The expelling may include expelling matter though the annular gap into a space bounded at least partially by the housing. The housing may be stationary relative to the rotating impeller. The impeller may be rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute. The matter separator may include an entry body element that is rotated at a rate between 10,000 — 30,000 revolutions per minute during performance of at least aspects of a given method. The matter that is separated from the air may include water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of this disclosure and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the invention. The drawings do not limit the invention but simply offer examples. The structures shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 8 are proportionally to scale ) in all of the figures in which they appear.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a diverter and impeller assembly, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a diverter fan and separator, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a separation apparatus (minus the blades), in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cutaway diagram of a diverter fan and separator cutaway, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. FIG.5 is a schematic diagram of a prior art thru-flow discharge vacuum motor.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a separation apparatus coupled to a discharge vacuum motor, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 A is a schematic diagram of a separation apparatus including a collection chamber, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG.7B is a schematic assembly diagram of the apparatus of FIG.7A.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a separator showing that magnets can be used to rotate the separator, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C are schematic diagrams of a separation apparatus embodied as a vacuum suitable for workshop or warehouse use, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 1OA is a schematic diagram of a separation apparatus including an intermediate DC motor, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 1OB is a schematic assembly diagram of the apparatus of FIG. 1OA.

FIGS. 11A-11D are photographs of a separation apparatus that was built and tested.

> FIGS. 12A and 12B are photographs of a separation apparatus that was built and tested.

FIG. 12C is a schematic view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

> DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The description below is directed to specific embodiments, which serve as examples only. Description of these particular examples should not be imported into the claims as extra limitations because the claims themselves define the legal scope of the invention. With the benefit of the present disclosure, those having ordinary skill in the art will comprehend that techniques claimed and described here may be modified and applied to a number of additional, different applications, achieving the same or a similar result.

As used in this disclosure, "coaxially" encompasses "substantially" coaxially, as "substantially" is defined below.

The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise.

The term "approximately" and its variations are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%. The term "substantially" and its variations are defined as being largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the substantially refers to ranges within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5% of what is specified.

The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as "includes" and "including") and "contain" (and any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The term "coupled" is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

A dirty airflow is made up of two things: air and matter. Techniques of this ) disclosure separate those two entities. Matter is heavier than air, and aspects of this invention take advantage of that fact. Centrifugal force (arising from spinning) and particular surface arrangements can be combined to create a circuitous path for airflow that acts as a gatekeeper — allowing smaller, lighter air to pass through while separating and redirecting larger, heavier matter. In one preferred embodiment, separation of air and matter is achieved using an apparatus that includes: (a) a diverter and impeller assembly and (b) a separator. The diverter and impeller assembly is sometimes referred to as an "impeller" or as a "diverter fan." The separator is sometimes referred to as the entry body element because an air/matter mix typically enters on the separator side (although it can enter on the diverter fan side (see FIG. 10A)), with at least an air flow continuing toward the diverter fan side. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a representative embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the diverter fan, and FIG. 2 shows the fan and a separator.

Rotation of the diverter and impeller assembly draws air into the apparatus. Both the assembly and the separator spin, although they do not need to be directly connected to each other. The assembly and separator may be coaxially arranged, and a portion of the separator may overlap with a portion of the assembly (such as the diverter). As the apparatus operates, matter contained in the airflow is subject to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the assembly and of the separator. As a result of the centrifugal force and the contact of the matter with various surface portions of the assembly and the separator, at least some of the matter is expelled from the airflow path through a gap (e.g., an annular gap) between the assembly and the separator (FIG. 2 shows such a gap) while the air travels through the entry body element and the assembly. As shown in these figures (and in FIG. 3), the matter exit gap is located between an outer rim of the entry body element that is spaced apart from an outer rim of the exit body element. Both such outer rims may be annular, and the entry body element outer rim may have a larger diameter than the exit body element outer rim. The matter (which can be, for example, particles of dust, dirt, water, etc.) may be collected, while the airflow (which is at least partially free of matter) continues to a suitable exit port. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises three main components: a diverter, an exit body element that surrounds at least a portion of the diverter, and vanes or blades extending between the diverter and the exit body element (see FIG. 1).

In FIGS. 1 and 2, spinning the diverter fan creates airflow (e.g., a vacuum or suction) by way of the impeller blades. This airflow passes thru the neck of the spinning separator and contacts or approaches the curved surface of the spinning diverter (a portion of which

) may have a concave shape), then contacts or approaches the inner surface (a portion of which may have a concave shape) of the spinning separator, then makes a "U" turn around the diverter, and continues thru the diverter fan in the spaces between the impeller blades and then exhausts. This circuitous path and the associated manner of operation are show in detail in FIG.3. With reference to FIG. 3, the circuitous course described above allows the lighter air to make the complete path from air-in to air-out. If the airflow contains matter, the matter may hit the curved exterior surface of the spinning diverter, is centrifugally spun outwards, then hits the curved inner surface of the spinning separator but, being heavier than the air, is not able to make the "U" turn (which may be relatively sharp) and exits out thru the gap between the separator and the diverter fan. The circuitous route and the exit path for an airflow can be seen in the cutaway of FIG.4. The centrifugal force is created by the spinning diverter and separator, and its action facilitates this separation of air and matter.

In preferred embodiments, the diverter fan and the separator (sometimes collectively referred to as a centrifugal air/matter separator, or CAMS) spin rapidly. Example (but non- limiting) spin rates suitable for separating air and matter are 10,000 — 30,000 rpm for the diverter fan and 10,000 — 30,000 rpm for the separator. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other spin rates are possible, and that the most suitable spin rate for a given application will depend on the size of the matter to be separated. In general, it is believed that the higher the spin rate, the lighter the matter that can be separated.

A portion of the circuitous route explained above has been described as a "U-turn," but those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other shapes are suitable for the separation described in this disclosure. Any interface that allows for the flow of lighter air through the device while diverting at least some and preferably substantially all heavier matter, via centrifugal force, substantially out of the air flow and through an exit gap is suitable. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface arises at least in part from the gentle upward sloping profile of the diverter along with the gentle downwardly sloping profile of the separator (which is generally above the diverter) at or near the matter exit gap. This relationship is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In other embodiments, a different arrangement of parts may create a different turn (such as a different sharp turn) that allows lighter air to proceed while spinning at least some heavier matter to a different, exit location (such as a matter exit gap). For example, in one embodiment, any mutual arrangement of a diverter and separator that create a turn greater than about 90 degrees in the vicinity of a matter exit gap or other exit port may provide acceptable separation of air and matter. In embodiments

) approaching a true "U-turn" the angle is substantially 180 degrees.

The techniques of this disclosure can be applied to various equipment, including but not limited to vacuum cleaners and dehumidifiers. In one embodiment, a CAMS device may be mated or otherwise associated with a thru-flow discharge vacuum motor. Thru-flow discharge vacuum motors are common in the industry (other vacuum motor types include circumferential and tangential motors — both of which may benefit from the techniques of this disclosure). Thru-flow motors are desirable for their simplicity and because the thru-flowing air acts to cool the workings of the motor. A prior art thru-flow motor is shown in FIG. 5. The problem is that "dirty" air can have undesirable effects on those workings. As discussed previously, porous filtration, with its inherent problems, is commonly used to solve this problem.

FIGS. 6-7B show embodiments in which a CAMS device is mated with or otherwise coupled to a thru-flow discharge vacuum motor to create an improved apparatus for separating air and matter. In such embodiments, a CAMS diverter fan can be affixed to the fan of a typical vacuum motor to give the diverter fan suitable rotational speed. As FIG. 6 shows, the vacuum motor itself counts as one stage, while the impeller blades of the diverter fan effectively act as an additional stage. This arrangement can increase airflow or suction.

FIGS. 7A and 7B (an assembly of FIG. 7A) show an embodiment using a thru-flow vacuum motor and a CAMS device and additional structure that includes a collection and exhaust chamber. Here, the system is contained by two housings or chambers. The top housing acts as a collection chamber, and the bottom housing acts as an exhaust chamber directing the airflow. In this embodiment, the separator is coupled to the top of the collection chamber but still freely spins. One may remove collected matter from the collection chamber in a number of ways. For example, an opening or door may be part of the collection chamber to allow a user to empty collected matter.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the separator can be made to spin in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the separator may be associated with its own motor. In another embodiment, spinning may be accomplished by blowing air or another gas across the outside of the separator. For example, one may redirect clean exhaust air to turn the separator, in the form of a turbine. In yet another embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 8, magnetic fields can be used to spin the separator. A magnet or magnets can be placed on the diverter and separator, as shown in FIG. 8. As the diverter turns, the opposing magnetic fields generated by energizing the different sets of magnets spin the separator.

FIGS. 9A-9C show additional embodiments, in which a CAMS device is used to

⁾ create a vacuum suitable for workshop or warehouse use. To create such a vacuum, one may simply change the housings from the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The Kd of the device shown in FIGS. 9A-9C becomes the exhaust chamber and vacuum motor/CAMS carrier, while the can becomes the collection chamber. In this embodiment, water may be at least some of the matter that is being separated from air. The water is expelled into the can, creating a wet/dry vacuum. And, because the techniques of this disclosure are used, one need not rely on conventional filters, such as porous filters. Because conventional filters do not need to be used, one can size down the vacuum motor, making the entire cleaning device smaller, lighter, and quieter. Just as CAMS equipment may be used to create an improved vacuum like the one shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, CAMS equipment can also be used to create an improved back-pack mounted vacuum. There, the vacuum motor and CAMS equipment can be coupled to a frame suitable for support by the user's back or other body part.

These applications (various vacuum configurations) are examples only. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the CAMS' ability to separate matter from an airflow on a thru-flow vacuum motor (or other motor) without conventional filtration techniques provides virtually unlimited application. In particular, any application that would benefit from matter separation may take advantage of at least aspects of this disclosure. For example, other applications include pollution separators and smoke cleaners, to name a few. FIGS. 1OA and 1OB (an assembly of FIG. 10A) illustrate an embodiment in which a

CAMS system is mated or associated with its own wrap-around DC motor. The motor is shown as being intermediate to a dual stage CAMS device. One stage is above the motor, and another stage is below. This illustrates the more general proposition that several CAMS devices can act together to form a separation system that includes multiple stages or separator units. In different embodiments, the rotation speeds, the surface geometries of each CAM device, and/or exit gap size may be optimized for separation of different matter or sizes/weights of matter. In this way, a successive stage device can be fabricated in which finer and finer matter is separated as progressive stages are reached.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1OA and 1OB, the DC motor may be custom configured

J to make it smaller, quieter, and more versatile than a standard thru-flow motor designed for a more conventional vacuum device. The illustrated back-to-back CAMS create, in essence, a two stage vacuum motor in terms of airflow or suction power. Further, it also creates a two stage vacuum system in terms of ability to separate matter from an airflow. As explained above, the second stage could be engineered differently from the first to separate smaller (or > different) matter. While shown as a two stage device, those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional stages may be applied in the same or similar way.

The following examples are included to demonstrate aspects of specific experiments related to this disclosure. Subject matter presented as an example may be encompassed by the present claims, or claims may be added to define it as protected subject matter. FIGS. 11A-11D are photographs of a separation apparatus created in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. The CAMS device shown in FIGS. 11 A-IlD was fabricated from nylon using selective laser sintering (SLS), and the CAMS structure that was used is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-lOB. The diverter fan of the CAMS device was connected to and driven by an AMETEK LAMB thru-flow vacuum motor model 115923 (style B), which is available from W. W. Grainger, Inc. as Grainger Item # 4M903. The diverter of the CAMS device included a passageway through which a rod was placed that connected to and extended from the motor. A turbine was created that surrounded the neck of the separator. The separator was driven by blowing air into the turbine, as shown in FIG- HC. The apparatus shown in FIGS. 11A-11D was tested and successfully separated matter (specifically, talcum powder, which some would characterize as the "Holy Grail" of the vacuum industry) from air in the manner described above.

Testing using the device shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, which preceded the creation and testing of the unit shown in FIGS. HA-IlD unit, has been successful. The pictured device was created using a circumferential vacuum motor and two drum cymbals that were attached to each other and spaced apart from each other such that they spun at the same rate. A diverter was positioned between the two cymbals, although no vanes/blades were present between either cymbal and the diverter. FIG. 12C is a schematic of the device. In a test that lasted only about 10 seconds, the device was able to pick-up and deposit into the collection chamber a pile of talcum powder. The unsealed bearings of the test model quickly became clogged and allowed for only short tests. The test was repeated successfully numerous times.

* * *

With the benefit of the present disclosure, those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that techniques claimed here and described above may be modified and applied to a number of additional, different applications, achieving the same or a similar result.

Claims

1. An apparatus for matter separation comprising: an assembly that includes a diverter, an exit body element, and blades connecting the diverter with the exit body element, the exit body element having an outer rim; and an entry body element arranged coaxially with the assembly, the entry body element having an outer rim that is spaced apart from the outer rim of the exit body element to create a matter exit gap; where rotation of the assembly draws air containing matter into the apparatus, and at least some of the matter is expelled through the matter exit gap while the air travels through the entry body element and the assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the entry body element has an inner surface portion that is concave and annular, and the diverter has an inner surface portion that is concave and annular.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a housing that at least partially encloses the assembly and the entry body element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a fan affixed to the assembly and coupled to a motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, where the housing is stationary relative to the assembly when the apparatus is operated under power.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, where the housing at least partially encloses the motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, where the housing includes an inlet port through which the air is drawn into the apparatus and an outlet port through which the air exits the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the entry body element is coupled to a lid of a container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the assembly and the entry body element define an air flow path that includes a turn that is greater than 90 degrees, which turn facilitates expelling the matter through the matter exit gap during operation of the apparatus.

10. A centrifugal matter separator comprising: an impeller comprising: a diverter; an exit body element coaxially aligned with the diverter; and at least one blade extending from an exterior surface of the diverter to an inner surface of the exit body element, the blade having a non-linear path of contact with both the diverter and the exit body element; the diverter, the exit body element and the blade being configured to rotate about an axis as one element; and an entry body element arranged coaxially with the impeller but not being connected directly to the impeller so that the impeller and the entry body element can rotate independently about the axis, the entry body element and exit body element being spaced apart from each other by an annular matter exit gap.

11. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 10, where the entry body element has an inner surface portion that is concave and annular, and the diverter has an inner surface portion that is concave and annular.

12. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 11, further comprising a housing that at least partially encloses the impeller and the entry body element.

13. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 12, further comprising a fan affixed to the impeller and coupled to a motor.

14. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 12, where the housing is stationary relative to the impeller when the centrifugal matter separator is operated under power.

15. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 13, where the housing at least partially encloses the motor.

16. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 12, where the housing includes an inlet port through which the air is drawn into the centrifugal matter separator and an outlet port through which the air exits the centrifugal matter separator.

17. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 10, where the entry body element is coupled to a lid of a container.

18. The centrifugal matter separator of claim 10, where the impeller and the entry body element define an air flow path that includes a turn that is greater than 90 degrees, which turn facilitates expelling matter through the annular matter exit gap that is carried by air flowing through the centrifugal matter separator during operation of the centrifugal matter separator.

19. A method of separating matter from air comprising: rotating a matter separator, the matter separator including an impeller but not a porous filter; drawing air containing matter into the matter separator through rotation of the impeller; and expelling the matter through an annular gap in the rotating matter separator.

20. The method of claim 19, where the expelling comprises expelling the matter through the annular gap in the rotating matter separator into a space bounded at least partially by a housing that at least partially encloses the matter separator, the housing being stationary relative to the rotating matter separator during operation of the matter separator.

21. A method of separating matter from air comprising: rotating a matter separator, the matter separator including an impeller but not a porous filter; drawing air containing matter into the matter separator through rotation of the impeller; and expelling the matter through an annular gap in the rotating matter separator, at least some of the matter then contacting a non-moving wall.

22. A method of separating matter from air comprising: drawing air containing matter into a matter separator that includes an impeller but not a porous filter by rotating the impeller; where at least some of the matter is expelled through an annular gap in the matter separator due to centrifugal force acting on that matter overcoming any other force tending to cause that matter to flow through the matter separator with the air.