Vacuum Bypass Vent and Vacuums Incorporating Such Bypass Vents

Abstract

A vacuum appliance capable of picking up both wet and dry material is described, wherein the vacuum appliance includes an impeller configured to induce liquid into the vacuum appliance, a motor configured to turn the impeller, a restrictor assembly to prevent the liquid from being ingested into the motor, and a bypass vent assembly configured to allow sufficient air to reach the motor in order to keep the motor cool while the restrictor is preventing the liquid from being ingested into the motor. The vacuum appliance also includes a drum configured to retain the liquid and an impeller intake between the impeller and the drum. The restrictor may comprise a float configured to rise with a level of the liquid in the drum and prevent the liquid from entering the impeller intake. The bypass vent assembly may be configured to allow airflow to bypass the restrictor and / or the drum.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 142,138 filed on Dec. 31, 2008, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Field of the Invention. The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to wet / dry vacuum appliances, and more specifically, are related to a bypass vent system for use with wet / dry vacuum appliances.Description of the Related Art[0005]Vacuum appliances capable of picking up both wet and dry materials, commonly referred to as wet / dry vacuums, are generally well-known. Such vacuums with both wet and dry capabilities are often used in workshops, basements, garages, and other environments where both wet and dry debris can accumulate and needs to be collected for separate d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to

Problems solved by technology

At that point, continued operation of the vacuum cleaner will result in ineffective or inefficient cleaning, or even worse, it may cause damage to the motor and fan unit.

These float devices are thus not designed to operate by sensing a differential air pressure on opposed sides of a valve.

These latter type of control devices, while addressing the issue, are both complicated and expensive to manufacture.

If the fan continues to operate after its inlet is blocked by sealing of the float against the seat, the fan motor overheats.

This causes the molded plastic grid unit to overheat at a time when there is an upward force transmitted through the float to the sleeve portion of the grid unit.

As a result, the grid unit distorts, often resulting in a faulty sealing between the float and seat at the bottom edge of the sleeve.

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