A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclone, a conical pre-motor filter that is positioned rearward of the cyclone and a suction motor. The pre-motor filter has a front end that faces towards the cyclone air outlet. The conical pre-motor filter has an open interior volume, an outer surface, which is an upstream surface of the pre-motor filter, and an inner surface, which is a downstream surface of the pre-motor filter.

A novel Fine-Particles-Removing Device (FPRD) is disclosed. The FPRD can be used removing fine particles from a flow of gas. Some embodiments of the FPRD can comprise a housing having a peripheral wall, upper and lower extremities wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet opening for receiving the gaseous stream and an inner-ring having a plurality of gaps. The housing can be associated with outlet means for removing of solid contaminants from the housing into a collecting receptacle for collecting the removed solid contaminants from the outlet means. In addition a pressure-manipulating-device (PMD) can be placed between the outlet means and the collecting receptacle.

A novel Fine-Particles-Removing Device (FPRD) is disclosed. The FPRD can be used removing fine particles from a flow of gas. Some embodiments of the FPRD can comprise a housing having a peripheral wall, upper and lower extremities wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet opening for receiving the gaseous stream and an inner-ring having a plurality of gaps. The housing can be associated with outlet means for removing of solid contaminants from the housing into a collecting receptacle for collecting the removed solid contaminants from the outlet means. In addition a pressure-manipulating-device (PMD) can be placed between the outlet means and the collecting receptacle.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber having a longitudinal cyclone axis of rotation wherein the dirt outlet is defined by a gap between the sidewall of the cyclone and a plate positioned at the dirt outlet end of the cyclone.

A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber having a longitudinal cyclone axis of rotation wherein the dirt outlet is defined by a gap between the sidewall of the cyclone and a plate positioned at the dirt outlet end of the cyclone.

A dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner includes a chamber having an inlet through which dirt-laden fluid enters and an outlet through which cleansed fluid exits the chamber. A disc located at the outlet rotates about a rotational axis and comprises holes through which the cleansed fluid passes. The inlet is defined by an end of an inlet duct that extends within the chamber, and a separation distance between the centre of the inlet and the centre of the disc is no greater than the diameter of the inlet.

A dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner includes a chamber having an inlet through which dirt-laden fluid enters and an outlet through which cleansed fluid exits the chamber. A disc located at the outlet rotates about a rotational axis and comprises holes through which the cleansed fluid passes. The inlet is defined by an end of an inlet duct that extends within the chamber, and a separation distance between the centre of the inlet and the centre of the disc is no greater than the diameter of the inlet.

A downforce system for a vehicle includes: a restrictor configured to restrict a flow of air into a region that is defined at least in part by the restrictor and a ground surface, a rim disposed on the restrictor and configured to form at least a partial seal with the ground surface; a dedicated pressure source disposed outside the restrictor and connected to the restrictor via an air flow path, the pressure source being configured to generate a pressure differential across the restrictor; and a dust and debris removal system configured to prevent dust and debris from exiting the downforce system via the air flow path. By generating a pressure differential across the restrictor, a downforce which acts on the vehicle may be generated. The downforce may result in an improved grip or traction of the vehicle, which may improve handling and safety of the vehicle.

A downforce system for a vehicle includes: a restrictor configured to restrict a flow of air into a region that is defined at least in part by the restrictor and a ground surface, a rim disposed on the restrictor and configured to form at least a partial seal with the ground surface; a dedicated pressure source disposed outside the restrictor and connected to the restrictor via an air flow path, the pressure source being configured to generate a pressure differential across the restrictor; and a dust and debris removal system configured to prevent dust and debris from exiting the downforce system via the air flow path. By generating a pressure differential across the restrictor, a downforce which acts on the vehicle may be generated. The downforce may result in an improved grip or traction of the vehicle, which may improve handling and safety of the vehicle.

An apparatus to recover incoherent material present in a process fluid to be treated (F1) comprises a separation device (13) to separate, by means of centrifugal action, the incoherent material (M) from the process fluid (F) and a pumping unit (12) configured to remove the process fluid to be treated (F1) from a collection zone (11) and send it to the separation device (13).