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Coaxial Vacuum Cleaner

Sucks and blows simultaneously
  [vote for,

Vacuum cleaners suck up dust and dirt using a fan to create low pressure. Before they can suck up the grime they have to dislodge it for the surface to which it is stuck. Several methods have been used, from rotating combs in upright vacuum cleaners to brushes on the end of the nozzle for the other kind (the one with the hose).

The Coaxial Vacuum Cleaner would be of the kind with the hose but at the centre of the suction nozzle would be another nozzle that blows air at high pressure to dislodge the dust, dirt and grime which would then be sucked up by the surrounding vacuum nozzle. The pressure of the blow nozzle would be user adjustable depending on the surface being cleaned (high to perk up and clean carpets, low to dust and clean the mantelpiece laden with Aunt Edna's valuable china trinkets).

Why is this more effective than a vacuum cleaner that just sucks? Glad you asked me. The effeciveness of a vacuum cleaner at dislodging dirt depends largely on the pressure it can exert. By sucking, the maximum pressure that can be exerted is one atmosphere (the difference between normal atmospheric pressure and a hard vacuum). By blowing, much higher pressures can be created exerting higher forces and dislodging dirt more easily.

st3f, May 23 2002

Similar to a scheme proposed in this brilliant idea http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/VacuuMouse
OK, so maybe it's not all that brilliant. [half, May 23 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

(?) Leaf Blower thing http://www.halfbake.../idea/www.flymo.com
Not ideal for indoor use though [drew, May 23 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]


       This works - my leaf blower/sucker thingy does exactly this. Works much better than when it just sucks.
drew, May 23 2002

       half: It appears that I didn't get here first. I hope you don't mind if my posting stays as a generalisation of yours.   

       drew: Any chance of a link/model number - I've never seen anything like this.   

       all: If drew's got a leafblower that does this then maybe it's made it into the computervacuum type product. Has anybody seen one with simultaneous suck/blow?
st3f, May 23 2002

       [st3f]: Nah. My original idea was just a floating mouse. [UnaBubba] came up with the vacuum bit so I can't claim it anyway.   

       I have previously considered the scheme you propose and have never seen it baked either. I wonder, in the coaxial arrangement, how much of the pressurized air would get sucked immediately back in to the vacuum part, thereby negating the effectiveness of the vacuum.
half, May 23 2002

       Just checked - it's a Flymo Gardenvac 1500 plus.   

       It can just blow, or just suck, or blow and suck - this setting gets the wet leaves off the ground, then it instantly sucks them into its shredder. Neat.
drew, May 23 2002

       Why don't uprights have a clutch for the beater brush? Am I the only one who consistently sucks up throw rugs when vacuuming edges/corners? Just a little squeeze trigger is all I'm asking for.
phoenix, May 23 2002

       bliss: After Mrs drew insisted on spending/wasting billions on a flashy bagless vacuum cleaner with molecular filters and other bells/whistles, the leafy thing stays outside. Until she's out, then I'll try it.
drew, May 23 2002

       Errr no.... How would I sneak it inside for a quick test if she's out with the electric broomstick?
drew, May 23 2002

       [drew]: Flymo, I think that's the company that built a lawnmower I used once. It had no wheels (hence the name "Flymo"). Based on my experience, I hope they've drastically improved since then.
half, May 23 2002

       I used to have one too - useless, except on a very small very flat garden. Think hovercraft, with all the power of a hairdryer.
drew, May 23 2002

       This wouldn't be the only thing I've seen in my lifetime that both sucks and blows...
RayfordSteele, May 24 2002

       You mean like a girlfriend I had once with a stopped up nose; she blew when she sucked and sucked when she blew.
FarmerJohn, May 25 2002


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