A method of separating a flow of multi-phase fluid includes directing the flow through the inlet opening of an enclosed tubular body comprising a tubular sidewall with opposed end walls, one or more axial outlet apertures formed through the end walls, and one or more radial outlet apertures formed through the tubular sidewall at locations spaced from the inlet opening. The method also includes directing the flow of multi-phase fluid onto one or more swirl plates positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet apertures, with the swirl plates having angled surfaces configured to impart a cyclonic motion to the flow so as to initiate separation of the constituents of the multi-phase. The method further includes directing the gas constituent axially outward through the axial outlet aperture and directing the oil constituent and the water constituent radially outward from the tubular body through the one or more radial outlet apertures.

A distributor device for use with cyclone separator apparatus, the distributor device comprising, a main body having a distribution chamber therein, the main body including a back wall and a front wall which at least in part enclose the distribution chamber, the main body including a peripheral region between the front and back walls, the device comprising a plurality of delivery outlets arranged in spaced apart relation around the peripheral region the front wall having an inner face and a back wall having an inner face, the device further including a feed inlet to the distribution chamber in the front wall having a main axis extending in a direction between the front and back walls; the back wall having an inner face which includes main face section and a protrusion which extends from the main face section towards the inner face of the front wall.

A dust container for a vacuum cleaner comprises a vessel, a reed valve, and a filter. The vessel has a longitudinal axis and an annular cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis. The vessel has a first end and a second end, a tangential inlet near the first end, and an axial outlet at the first end. The second end is closed, and the vessel is impervious except for the inlet and the outlet. A vacuum actuated valve biased toward a closed position is positioned to seal the inlet of the vessel, and a filter is positioned in covering relationship with the outlet of the vessel. Dust is trapped within the vessel which can be disposed of as a unit together with the valve and filter and can be replaced with a fresh unit.

A dust container for a vacuum cleaner comprises a vessel, a reed valve, and a filter. The vessel has a longitudinal axis and an annular cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis. The vessel has a first end and a second end, a tangential inlet near the first end, and an axial outlet at the first end. The second end is closed, and the vessel is impervious except for the inlet and the outlet. A vacuum actuated valve biased toward a closed position is positioned to seal the inlet of the vessel, and a filter is positioned in covering relationship with the outlet of the vessel. Dust is trapped within the vessel which can be disposed of as a unit together with the valve and filter and can be replaced with a fresh unit.

A surface cleaning apparatus such as an extractor has a fluid flow path extending from a dirty fluid inlet head to a clean air outlet. The fluid flow path upstream of the separation stage comprises a removable portion.

A surface cleaning apparatus such as an extractor has a fluid flow path extending from a dirty fluid inlet head to a clean air outlet. The fluid flow path upstream of the separation stage comprises a removable portion.

A bubble separator used in a fluid circuit for an automobile and that separates bubbles in a refrigerant may include a swirl flow formation part extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and including an internal space having a columnar shape. The bubble separator may also include a flow inlet disposed at one end of the swirl flow formation part, and being open so as to cause the refrigerant to flow in the flow inlet in a tangential direction of an inner peripheral surface of the swirl flow formation part and so as to form a swirl flow on the inner peripheral surface. The bubble separator may also include a flow outlet disposed at another end of the swirl flow formation part, and being open so as to cause the refrigerant to flow out of the flow outlet in a tangential direction from the inner peripheral surface. The bubble separator may further include a gas discharge port to discharge gas separated from the refrigerant in the swirl flow formation part outside of the swirl flow formation part, and at least one liquid drop nozzle provided on a wall surface of the swirl flow formation part.

A bubble separator used in a fluid circuit for an automobile and that separates bubbles in a refrigerant may include a swirl flow formation part extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and including an internal space having a columnar shape. The bubble separator may also include a flow inlet disposed at one end of the swirl flow formation part, and being open so as to cause the refrigerant to flow in the flow inlet in a tangential direction of an inner peripheral surface of the swirl flow formation part and so as to form a swirl flow on the inner peripheral surface. The bubble separator may also include a flow outlet disposed at another end of the swirl flow formation part, and being open so as to cause the refrigerant to flow out of the flow outlet in a tangential direction from the inner peripheral surface. The bubble separator may further include a gas discharge port to discharge gas separated from the refrigerant in the swirl flow formation part outside of the swirl flow formation part, and at least one liquid drop nozzle provided on a wall surface of the swirl flow formation part.

A cleaning apparatus, including: a suction system; a separation system; a filtration system; and a garbage collection system at least comprising a first garbage collection cavity configured to collect garbage passing through a primary separation system and a second garbage collection cavity configured to collect garbage passing through a secondary separation system, wherein the first garbage collection cavity and the second garbage collection cavity have a common airtight cover, a bottom of the second garbage collection cavity and a bottom of the first garbage collection cavity are located on the airtight cover in a direction extending outward from a center of the airtight cover, and the first garbage collection cavity and the second garbage collection cavity are isolated in a sealed manner in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the airtight cover.

A cleaning apparatus, including: a suction system; a separation system; a filtration system; and a garbage collection system at least comprising a first garbage collection cavity configured to collect garbage passing through a primary separation system and a second garbage collection cavity configured to collect garbage passing through a secondary separation system, wherein the first garbage collection cavity and the second garbage collection cavity have a common airtight cover, a bottom of the second garbage collection cavity and a bottom of the first garbage collection cavity are located on the airtight cover in a direction extending outward from a center of the airtight cover, and the first garbage collection cavity and the second garbage collection cavity are isolated in a sealed manner in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the airtight cover.