Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a so-called "cyclone separator" which can be mounted
and functionally integrated with a suction device that can be employed in work contexts
wherein a swarf of material is created, and wherein such suction device has the main
function of collecting and clearing such swarf from the working area (and consequently,
the invention also relates to a suction device equipped with such cyclone separator).
Background Art
[0002] As is known, in several working settings there is the need to withdraw material or
to carry out a wide range of processes creating swarfs, trash material and various
dirt deriving from the materials subjected to the same processes: in these settings
it is therefore necessary to provide for the removal of these wastes or swarfs or
scrap materials, either to avoid contaminating the product being processed or to ensure
the operator performing the processes to remain in a suitable and safe working environment.
[0003] By way of example, soles and / or shoe uppers finishing processes may be cited, which
during the rounding or assembly can generate various types of slag (sole or upper
trimmings, solid surpluses of adhesives mechanically withdrawn during processing,
granules of various materials and so on): in this context, a human operator takes
great advantage in the presence of a suction blower, which can even be of the swiveling
type so as to position itself, at least as regards its suction orifice, in the most
appropriate spatial position to maximize the effect of removing unwanted materials
and / or of not interfering in the actions of the operator himself. Generally, the
suction blowers of the prior art consist of the aforementioned suction orifice (connected
to a hose or joint that can make it fixed or swiveling) adequately de-pressurized
precisely in order to exert the suction effect, and a separation system of the sucked
in air from the waste or scrap materials sucked in during the activity of the suction
blower itself: in turn, these separation systems are often based on the so-called
"cyclone technology", which is based on the creation of a whirling motion of the sucked
in air, and on the separation of air from the sucked in materials by centrifugal /
centripetal effect.
[0004] In this operating setting, despite the intrinsic simplicity of the just mentioned
"cyclonic" separation systems, there are still some drawbacks of a practical nature,
since such separators have non-optimal limits of efficiency and / or maintenance times,
especially where they must work in environments with high production of waste or scrap
materials to be withdrawn.
[0005] In greater detail, the devices adopted nowadays on an industrial level for the suction
of solid materials currently in use are not able to completely retain the sucked in
material into the predefined collection container, leaving a certain quantity in suspension:
this part of material is pushed again towards the outside by the internal pressure
generated by the suction blower and this implies the fact that the air thereby contaminated
is reintroduced into the environment passing through a filtration system that, having
to retain an excessive amount of material, rapidly decreases its filtering efficiency
leading to a frequent maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, cyclonic separators
still need, typically in order to comply with the current regulations on the reintroduction
of air into the environment after its separation from the waste and / or scrap material,
filtering elements: such filters are usually shaped as "socks" or "bags" and are mounted
externally to the cyclonic separator, so as to intercept the air after the centrifugal
separation and to filter it accordingly.
[0006] However, such sock or bag filters are generally not very efficient, suffer from early
clogging and lead to significant and repeated maintenance interventions.
[0007] At the same time, cyclonic separators of the known type can generate non-negligible
environmental noise, and are therefore a source of discomfort for the operators who
have to work alongside them: the greater the suction power to be used, the higher
the noise.
Detailed description of the invention
[0008] In comparison with the prior art and the problems mentioned above herein, the aim
of the present invention is therefore to provide a suction device overcoming the drawbacks
of the prior art and providing the operator or the work area where it is operatively
activable with a greater and better level of efficiency, reliability, maintainability
and therefore of overall management cost.
[0009] Described herein, by way of non-limiting example, is an embodiment of a suction device
according to the invention, shown in the attached exemplary, however not limiting,
figures, wherein:
- Figure 1 shows an axonometric / perspective view in transparency of a cyclone separator
(associated with a suction device, which can be of a known type and therefore is not
shown in the figure) according to the present invention; and
- Figures 2, 3 and 4 show views of the individual constitutive components of the cyclone
separator of Figure 1.
[0010] The cyclone separator according to the invention is globally indicated with the reference
numeral 1 in the attached figures and, as previously mentioned, can be structurally
and functionally integrated in a suction device, which can also be of a known type
and is therefore not illustrated in its constitutive details.
[0011] Focusing the attention on the attached figures, note that for its part the cyclone
separator, associated as mentioned with an suction device, conveniently comprises
a filtering element 2 mounted internally and / or contained within the cyclone separator
1 itself: such filtering element 2 is therefore suitable for intercepting an air flow
passing through the cyclone separator 1 and, unlike the cyclone separators of the
known type, it is characterized by a peculiar volumetric / topological arrangement
of the filtering element itself (bringing advantages that will appear later in the
present description).
[0012] From the structural point of view, the cyclone separator 1 comprises a containment
body 3a (e.g. with a cylindrical shape) extending along an axis "A" and defining in
turn:
- an intake 3b, typically oriented tangentially to an intake ideal plane normal to the
axis "A" and positioned at a first end portion of the containment body 3 (which for
example, in the attached figures is positioned upwards and sideways on the body 3a);
and
- an exhaust 3c subsequently located with respect to the intake 3b along a crossing
path subtended between the intake 3b and the exhaust 3c itself. The just defined crossing
path appears to be crossable by an air sucked in by the suction device (and such air
will typically contain waste and / or scrap materials that must be properly treated
in the cyclone separator 1): once treated in the cyclone separator 1, the air can
exit through the exhaust 3c, which in the exemplary embodiment of the attached figures
is positioned at a second end portion of the containment body 3a.
[0013] On the contrary, as far as the structure of the filtering element 2 is concerned,
it can be noted that this is shaped according for example (but not necessarily) to
a cylindrical body, and in turn such body comprises:
- a coronal filtering portion 2a mounted internally and / or contained within the cyclone
separator 1 in operating conditions of the suction device (in this way, the filtering
element 2 is suitable for intercepting an air flow along the aforementioned crossing
path); and
- an attestation flange 2b which can be mounted, in a typically reversible manner, in
the cyclone separator and, with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the figures,
at and / or near the exhaust 3c.
[0014] Conveniently, in order to obtain the maximum performance of cleaning the air flow
and to comply with the current regulations, the filtering element 2 can be a "HEPA"
type filter, and structurally the coronal filtering portion 2a can consist at least
partially of a material made of canvas and / or mesh and / or porous material and
/ or spongy material (such material can conveniently be supported by the attestation
flange 2b).
[0015] In order to allow the maintenance and / or inspection of the filtering element 2,
the invention provides for the possible presence of proper constraining means, preferably
of the reversible or removable type, operatively active between the containment body
3a and at least the attestation flange 2b of the filtering element 2.
[0016] According to a further aspect of greater practicality and improved functionalities
of the invention with respect to the prior art, vorticity-inducing means 5 can also
be present mounted inside the cyclone separator 1 and cooperatively suitable for accelerating
an air flow comprising waste and / or scrap materials, and for decreasing an average
diameter of turbulent structures within said air flow comprising waste and / or scrap
materials along the crossing path.
[0017] The just mentioned vorticity-inducing means 5 can operate in the cyclone separator
1 even in the absence of the filtering element 2, or can also operate in synergy with
the latter, multiplying quantitatively and / or qualitatively the operative performance
of the invention with respect to similar devices belonging to the prior art and consequently
of the suction device which can be structurally and functionally integrated with the
invention itself.
[0018] Going into detail, note that the vorticity-inducing means 5 comprise a predetermined
number of helical- and / or spiral-shaped channels extending into the containment
body 3a an internal space of the containing body 3a itself: such channels are suitable
for intercepting the already cited air flow comprising waste and / or scrap materials
and typically define a crossing path comprising at least one spiral segment descending
from intake 3b to the exhaust 3c.
[0019] With reference to the attached figures, it can also be noted that the helical- and
/ or spiral-shaped channels are suitable for intercepting the air flow comprising
waste and / or scrap materials "upstream" from the filtering element 2 (where present
and operating in synergy with the latter, and more precisely upstream in the travel
direction of the crossing path defined by the containment body 3a) and preferably
for directing it towards the latter.
[0020] In order to ensure a further increase in the quality of the air flow within the cyclone
separator 1, and to simultaneously ensure adequate support for the helical- and /
or spiral-shaped channels, there is also a separating cylinder 6 coaxially mounted
in the main body 3a and circumscribed at least to the filtering portion 2a of the
filtering element 2: conveniently, the vorticity-inducing means 5 are mounted on said
separating cylinder 6.
[0021] From the geometric / topological point of view, note that the containment body 3a
and the separating cylinder 6 (which, as seen above, also acts as the supporting wall
of the helical- and / or spiral-shaped channels) define two coronal spaces 4a and
4b respectively concentric and arranged within the body 3a: moreover, the separating
cylinder 6 also acts as a further protection for the filtering element 2, against
the material entering the invention 1.
[0022] The operation of the cyclone separator 1 according to the invention is as follows.
[0023] The sucked in material enters the containment body (otherwise called "external cylinder")
3a and is directed towards the vorticity-inducing means 5 (otherwise called "spiral
conveyor"), after which the air, which contains the waste and / or scrap materials,
is compressed and accelerated by the combined effect of reducing the flow section
caused by the spiral conveyor with respect to the inlet section of the outer cylinder
and by the action of the centrifugal force created and amplified by the spiral conformation
of the conveyor itself.
[0024] The waste and / or scrap materials is then pushed towards a collection container
(not shown, since it can be of a known type and for example can be placed under the
conveyor, or in other words below the first end portion of the containment body 3a),
where it remains permanently due to effect of the high pressure generated during the
operating state of the suction device in combination with the effect of the conveyor.
[0025] Naturally, the air exiting the cyclone separator can pass through the filtering element
2, undergoing a further cleaning and separation action from those parts of the waste
and / or scrap materials that have not been previously separated by centrifugation
and precipitation, then exiting the exhaust 3c.
[0026] The invention achieves a level of practicality of use and a greater utility of use
and implementation with respect to the prior art.
[0027] Primarily, thanks to the peculiar construction architecture of the cyclone separator
described above herein (and claimed hereinafter) a considerably greater filtering
efficiency can be obtained, combined with an increased efficiency and a longer "life
cycle" of the filtering element.
[0028] Moreover, the same construction architecture that generates a better functional efficiency
is also suitable for obtaining a significant reduction in the noise generated in the
cyclonic separator, with great benefit for the quality of the working environment.
[0029] Even more particularly, the fact that all the components of the separator-and in
particular the filtering element - are within the "main cylinder" makes the filter
itself very well protected (also thanks to the presence of the "internal separator")
both from the sucked in material and from the dirt naturally present in the working
environment (dirt that is normally deposited on the outside of the external bag type
filters of the known type) with further advantages in terms of efficiency, duration
and maintenance of the filter and of the entire workstation wherein the present invention
operates.
[0030] Moreover, in the case of processing ferrous material that can cause the aspiration
of sparks, the presence of the vorticity-inducing means (or in other words, of the
"spiral conveyor") also has the ability of preventing potential ignitions of the material
already present in the collection container: this occurs thanks to the fact that the
sparks are extinguished autonomously on contact with the walls during the passage
in the spiral (prior falling into the collection container) without having to resort
to additional structures or the use / presence of firefighting liquids.
[0031] The entire invention then has a minimal spatial / volumetric footprint, and this
also allows to increase its "aesthetic" value.
[0032] The invention can also be easily integrated into structures and / or working environments
of various nature, size and accessibility (as well as according to the most varied
retrofitting modes in already existing systems).
[0033] It is finally evident that modifications or additions, which are obvious to a person
skilled in the art, may be applied to the object of the present invention, without
departing from the scope of protection provided by the appended claims.
1. Cyclone separator (1) associated with a suction device,
characterized in that it further comprises a filtering element (2) mounted inside and / or contained inside
said cyclone separator (1), said filtering element (2) being suitable for intercepting
an air flow passing through the cyclone separator (1).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cyclone separator (1) comprises a containment
body (3a) extending along an axis (A) and defining:
- an intake (3b) preferably oriented tangentially to an intake ideal plane normal
to said axis (A) and positioned at a first end portion of the containment body (3a);
and
- an exhaust (3c) located subsequently with respect to said intake (3b) along a crossing
path subtended between the intake (3b) and the exhaust (3c), said crossing path being
crossable by an air sucked in by the suction device, said exhaust (3c) being preferably
positioned at a second end portion of the containment body (3a).
3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the filtering element (2) is shaped according
to a cylindrical body, said cylindrical body comprising:
- a coronal filtering portion (2a), said coronal filtering portion (2a) being mounted
inside and / or contained inside the cyclone separator (1) under operating conditions
of the suction device, the filtering element (2) being suitable for intercepting an
air flow along said crossing path; and
- an attestation flange (2b) which can be mounted, preferably in a reversible manner,
in the cyclone separator and preferably at and / or near said exhaust (3c).
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the filtering element (2) is a filter of the
"HEPA" type, at least said coronal filtering portion (2a) consisting at least partially
of a material made of canvas and / or mesh and / or porous material and / or spongy
material, said material being supported by said attestation flange (2b).
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are also constraining
means, preferably of the reversible or removable type, operatively active between
the containment body (3a) and at least the attestation flange (2b) of the filtering
element (2).
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are also vorticity-inducing
means (5) mounted inside the cyclone separator (1) and cooperatively suitable for
accelerating an air flow comprising waste and / or scrap materials and / or for decreasing
an average diameter of turbulent structures within said air flow comprising waste
and / or scrap materials along the crossing path.
7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said vorticity-inducing means (5) comprise a
predetermined number of helical- and / or spiral-shaped channels extending into the
containment body (3a) towards a space within the containment body (3a) itself and
suitable for intercepting said air flow comprising waste and / or scrap materials,
said helical- and / or spiral-shaped channels preferably defining a crossing path
comprising at least one spiral segment from the intake (3b) to the exhaust (3c).
8. Device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said helical- and / or
spiral-shaped channels are suitable for intercepting the air flow comprising waste
and / or scrap materials upstream from the filtering element (2) and preferably for
directing it towards the latter under operating conditions of the suction device (1).
9. Device according to any of the previous claims from 6 to 8, wherein there is also
a separating cylinder (6) coaxially mounted in the main body (3a) and circumscribed
at least to the filtering portion (2a) of the filtering element (2), the vorticity-inducing
means (5) being mounted on said separating cylinder (6).