DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air intake system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cyclone pre-cleaner assembly capable of separating dust particles from an air flow.
DEFINITION
[0002] Contaminants – The term contaminant herein may include, but is not limited to, soil particles, dust particles, sand particles, water, debris etc.
[0003] Polluted environment – The term polluted environment may include but is not limited to environments where contaminants are produced or generated either due to human activity or due to natural phenomena or both.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An air intake system is configured to supply air to an internal combustion engine. The air intake system removes any debris or dust from the air and the clean air is received by the internal combustion engine, wherein the clean air facilitates combustion of fuel in the internal combustion engine.
[0005] A typical air intake system comprises a pre-cleaner, a filter element, and air flow ducts. The air intake system functions on pressure differences of engine compartment, wherein atmospheric air is drawn into the pre-cleaner, then through the filter elements and finally through the air flow ducts the cleaned air reaches the internal combustion engine.
[0006] The pre-cleaner is designed to separate larger dust particles from the atmospheric air which is being drawn thereto to obtain partially cleaned air. The filter element is designed to remove fine dust particles from the partially cleaned air to obtain substantially cleaned air, which is received by the internal combustion engine through the air flow ducts.
[0007] The internal combustion engines employed in automotive vehicles or machines may operate in highly polluted environments. The polluted environments may contain high amounts of undesirable contaminants including, but not limited to, dust, dirt, water, etc.
[0008] Typically, the polluted or highly polluted environments may include, but are not limited to, agricultural farms, mines, and tropical climates. Internal combustion engines or machines are exposed to high amounts of contaminants, which is not desired as the contaminants may enter the internal combustion engines and damage them.
[0009] Engine air filters though capable of removing contaminants from the air being drawn may not have the capacity to filter large amounts of contaminants which is the case with the highly polluted environments. Therefore, in such cases one or more pre-cleaners are employed, which are configured to remove the contaminants. The pre-cleaners may be placed before the engine air filters. One advantage of the pre-cleaners is that the pre-cleaners not only enhance contaminant removal capacity but also may extend the life of the air filters by three to five times its normal life span.
[00010] In the known art, the pre-cleaners are designed to remove heavier dust particles and debris. Removal of heavier dust particles and debris avoids clogging of the air filter/air filter element which usually has a finer mesh for air filtration. Using such pre-cleaners help in reducing the volume of contaminants to be removed or filtered by the air filters.
[00011] In the known art, numerous types of pre-cleaners are used. More specifically, multi-cyclone pre-cleaner is one of the most commonly used pre-cleaner. Multi-cyclone pre-cleaner has an advantage of having high capacity and high efficiency for removing contaminants.
[00012] A typical conventional multi-cyclone pre-cleaner comprises one or more cyclone tubes having a guiding element. The air enters into the cyclone tube through one open end thereof, and the guiding element induces spinning vortex in the incoming air. The centrifugal action induced due to the vortex separates the contaminant particles from the incoming air and the (partially) cleaned air is discharged from the second open end of the cyclone tube. More specifically, the centrifugal action forces the contaminant particles towards the inner walls of the cyclone tube, wherein the contaminant particles hit the inner walls and loose momentum and fall in an operative downward direction. The separated contaminant particles exit through a separate opening or aperture configured on the cyclone tube or may also discharge through the second open end of the cyclone tube.
[00013] In certain alternative designs, the multi-cyclone pre-cleaner may include a concentric outlet tube which is disposed axially at the center of the cyclone tube and the partially cleaned air is sucked from a center of the vortex.
[00014] In multi-cyclone pre-cleaners, some of the contaminant particles separated by individual cyclones may stick around the inner walls of the cyclone tube and start accumulating therein and some may be collected in a main discharge area of the pre-cleaner housing. Also, water droplets or contaminant particles with some amount of moisture content may form muddy lumps in the cyclone tube or in the main discharge area of the housing. This results in slow blocking of the air passageways and contaminant collecting areas of the cyclone tube. The cyclone tubes start filling up with said contaminant particles and muddy lumps reducing the separation efficiency of the pre-cleaner with increasing the pressure drop across the pre-cleaner. The contaminant particles that stick to the walls of the cyclone tube or on the rest of the part of the pre-cleaner may enter into clean air outlet due increased back pressure of the pre-cleaner housing and further block the air flow ducts.
[00015] The multi-cyclone pre-cleaner assembly is typically mounted on the vehicle or machine. This makes removal and cleaning of the lumps and contaminant particles difficult from the cyclone tube. Further, once the air passageway of these cyclone tubes is choked the whole pre-cleaner assembly is required to be removed from the vehicle mounting for effective cleaning purposes.
[00016] More specifically, in practice the whole pre-cleaner assembly mounted on the vehicle has to be removed for cleaning or servicing purpose and has to be mounted back, which happens frequently, damaging the fitment area of the pre-cleaner assembly further arising with a problems of mounting and air leakages.
[00017] Hence, there is felt a need to provide a serviceable cyclone pre-cleaner assembly which facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance of the cyclone pre-cleaner assembly.
[00018] Thus, there exists an acute need for providing a cyclone pre-cleaner assembly wherein whole assembly is not required to be removed and mounted again for each of the cleaning and servicing purpose and can achieve higher efficiency without damaging the fitment areas of the cyclone pre-cleaner assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[00019] Some of the objects of the presently disclosed invention, of which at the minimum one object is fulfilled by at least one embodiment disclosed herein, are as follows:
[00020] An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative, which overcomes at least one drawback encountered in the existing prior art.
[00021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-cyclone pre-cleaner which facilitates easy cleaning and removing of contaminant particles from the cyclone tubes.
[00022] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-cyclone pre-cleaner which obviates the need for dis-mounting and re-mounting of the whole multi-cyclone pre-cleaner from the vehicle or machine on which it is mounted.
[00023] Other objects and benefits of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to bind the scope of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00024] The present invention relates to a cyclone pre-cleaner assembly capable of separating dust particles from an air flow.
[00025] The pre-cleaner assembly comprising a pre-cleaner housing defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, an inlet face, an outlet face, a first side face, and a second side face, channels configured within the pre-cleaner housing, the channels running from the inlet face to the outlet face, wherein a first open end and a second open end of the channels registering with the inlet face and the outlet face respectively, a cyclone separator detachably received within each of the channels, wherein during one of the operations selected from the group consisting of cleaning, repairing, replacing, restoring, and combinations thereof of the pre-cleaner assembly, the cyclone separator being removable from the channels without need for dismounting of the whole pre-cleaner assembly from a utility whereupon the pre-cleaner assembly is mounted.
[00026] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cleaner assembly is made of one material selected from the group consisting of metal, alloy, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, and combinations thereof.
[00027] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the channels may be disposed parallel to one another and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pre-cleaner housing.
[00028] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the channels having a guiding passage is configured along a longitudinal axis of the channels, and slot is configured on the inlet face.
[00029] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone separator having a protrusion, the protrusion having a profile complimentary to a profile of the slot, wherein the protrusion configured to block the slot when the cyclone separator is received in the channel.
[00030] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the cyclone separator comprising an outer tube having a first open end and a second open end registering with the first open end and the second open end of the channels, respectively, a swirl imparting device operatively disposed within each of the outer tube in proximity of the first open end, an inner tube concentrically disposed and received within the outer tube in proximity of the second open end, the inner tube having a first open end, and a second end, wherein the second end and the second end are coupled together to define a coupled edge, a straight portion extending outwardly away from the coupled edge, a groove configured on an outer surface of the straight portion, the groove configured to receive a sealing member, the sealing member configured to provide sealing between the outer surface of the straight portion and an inner surface of the outer tube, a protrusion extending radially outwardly from a periphery of the outer tube at and around the first open end, a dust discharge port configured on and extending radially outwardly from the outer tube in proximity of the second open end of the outer tube, and a protrusion integrally extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube and disposed along the periphery of the outer tube, the protrusion configured to couple the cyclone separator to the inlet face.
[00031] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member is an O-ring or a lip seal or a gasket.
[00032] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the swirl imparting device is one of a vane, a helical fan blade, a tangential inlet, and combinations thereof.
[00033] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the guiding passage has a profile chosen from the group consisting of oval, chamfered corner rectangle, chamfered corner square, and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
[00034] The present invention will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which
[00035] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pre-cleaner assembly in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
[00036] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1.
[00037] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1.
[00038] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 with cyclone separators removed from respective channels.
[00039] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cyclone separator of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1.
[00040] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of an outlet end of a cyclone separator of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1.
LIST OF NUMERALS
100 – pre-cleaner assembly
102 – pre-cleaner housing
102a – Top surface
102b – Bottom surface
102c – Inlet face
102d – Outlet face
102e – First side face
102f – Second side face
104 – Channels
104a – Guiding passage
104b – First open end
104c – Second open end
104s – Slot
106 – Cyclone separator
106a – Protrusion
106b – Outer tube
106b1 – First open end
106b2 – Second open end
106c – Swirl imparting device
106d – Inner tube
106d1 – First open end
106d2 – Second end
106d3 – Coupled edge
106e – Straight portion
106f – Groove
106g – Sealing member
106h – Dust discharge port
106i – Protrusion
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00041] All technical terms and scientific expressions used in the present invention have the same meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless and otherwise specified.
[00042] As used in the present specification and the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00043] The term "comprising” as used in the present specification will be understood to mean that the list following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other extra suitable things, for instance one or more additional feature(s), part(s), component(s), process step(s), sub-step(s), and /or constituent(s) as applicable.
[00044] As discussed in the background section herein above, the conventional pre-cleaner assemblies have been observed to have certain drawbacks.
[00045] One of the drawback of the conventional pre-cleaners is that the whole pre-cleaner assembly mounted on the vehicle has to be removed for cleaning or servicing or replacing purpose and then mounted back. This task of removal and fitting may damage the fitment area of the pre-cleaner assembly and further may result in problems like mounting issues and air leakage issues.
[00046] Another drawback of the conventional pre-cleaners is that the structures are such that they are difficult to clean, maintain, and/or replace the same as the existing designs are complex and not user friendly.
[00047] In view of the above, the present invention provides a pre-cleaner assembly which overcomes one or more drawbacks associated with the conventional pre-cleaner assemblies.
[00048] More specifically, the inventors of the present invention envisaged a pre-cleaner assembly which may be easily disassembled for cleaning, repairing, maintenance, and replacement of one or more components and reassembled thereafter without need for mounting and dismounting the pre-cleaners from the vehicle or the machine.
[00049] The pre-cleaner assembly of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pre-cleaner assembly in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1 with cyclone separators removed from respective channels, FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cyclone separator of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of an outlet end of a cyclone separator of the pre-cleaner assembly of FIG. 1.
[00050] More specifically, a pre-cleaner assembly (100) is disclosed in accordance the embodiments of the present invention. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) comprising a pre-cleaner housing (102), a plurality of channels (104), and a plurality of cyclone separators (106).
[00051] The pre-cleaner housing (102) of the pre-cleaner assembly (102) comprising a top surface (102a), a bottom surface (102b), an inlet face (102c), an outlet face (102d), a first side face (102e), and a second side face (102f). All of the top surface (102a), the bottom surface (102b), the inlet face (102c), the outlet face (102d), the first side face (102e), and the second side face (102f) define the pre-cleaner housing (102), wherein the pre-cleaner housing (102) enclosing a space therewithin.
[00052] The faces of the pre-cleaner housing (102) may also be referred to as the walls of the pre-cleaner housing (102). The pre-cleaner housing (102) may be made of any suitable material including plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. The dimensions of the pre-cleaner housing (102) may be defined by the volume of air or fluid to be passed and cleaned therethrough and the requirement of the vehicle or the machine to which the pre-cleaner assembly (100) is to be fitted.
[00053] The pre-cleaner housing (102), in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, may include a plurality of channels (104) configured within the pre-cleaner housing (102). The term channels herein mean passages or through holes configured on the pre-cleaner housing (102). The plurality of channels (104) run from the inlet face (102c) to the outlet face (102d) such that a first open end (104b) and a second open end (104c) of the channels (104) register with the inlet face (102c) and the outlet face (102d) of the pre-cleaner housing (102), respectively.
[00054] The plurality of channels (104) may also be envisaged as conduits or pipes running from the inlet face (102c) to the outlet face (102d) of the pre-cleaner housing (102). However, the conduits or pipes are just examples and are not to be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.
[00055] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of channels (104) may be disposed parallel to one another. In other words, the plurality of channels (104) may have the longitudinal axes parallel to one another.
[00056] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of channels (104) comprising a guiding passage (104a) configured along a longitudinal axis of the channels (104), and a slot (104s) configured on the inlet face (102c). The guiding passage (104a) may be rectangular shaped or any other suitable shape, such that the guiding passage (104a) receives and guides one or more components, or members or elements of the cyclone separator (106) received within the channels (104). The dimensions of the guiding passage (104a) depend on the dimensions of the one or more components, or members or elements of the cyclone separator (106). The guiding passage (104a) facilitates in easy removal and/or fitment of the cyclone separator (106) received therein.
[00057] Further, the guiding passage (104a) has a profile chosen from the group consisting of oval, chamfered corner rectangle, chamfered corner square, and combinations thereof.
[00058] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of channels (104) further having the slot (104s) configured on the first open end (104b) thereof. The slot (104s) may have any shape and dimension. The slot (104s) serves as a locking mechanism for the cyclone separator (106) received within the plurality of channels (104), which is described herein below in detail.
[00059] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of channels (104) may have their respective longitudinal axes perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pre-cleaner housing (102).
[00060] A cyclone separator (106) is detachably received within each of the plurality of channels (104), wherein the cyclone separator (106) is secured by suitable securing means or fastening means. In one embodiment, the cyclone separator (106) is received in the channel (104) and secured thereto using fasteners. In another embodiment, the cyclone separator (106) is received in the channel (104) and secured thereto by providing snap fitting mechanism.
[00061] The cyclone separator (106), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprising an outer tube (106b), a swirl imparting device (106c), an inner tube (106d), a straight portion (106e), a groove (106f) configured on the straight portion (106e), a dust discharge port (106h), and one or more protrusions (106a, 106i).
[00062] More specifically the cyclone separator (106) comprises an outer tube (106b). The outer tube (106b) is having a first open end (106b1) and a second open end (106b2) registering with the first open end (104b) and the second open end (104c) of the channels (104), respectively. The outer tube (106b) may have suitable dimensions and shape. For example, the outer tube (106b) may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The dimensions of the outer tube (106b) are such that the outer tube (106b) is slidably and sealably received in the channel (104), without leaving gap between walls thereof. The outer tube (106b) typically has a diameter which is just less than the inner diameter of the channel (104). The outer tube (106b) may be made of a suitable material.
[00063] Further, the outer tube (106b) has a protrusion (106a) configured on the first open end (106b1). The protrusion (106a) typically extends radially outwards from a periphery of the outer tube (106b) at and around the first open end (106b1). The protrusion (106a) is having a profile which is complimentary to the profile of the slot (104s). The protrusion (106a) is received in and covers the slot (104s). The provision of the protrusion (106a) and the slot (104s) locks the cyclone separator (106) in position within the channel (104).
[00064] The cyclone separator (104) further includes a swirl imparting device (106c) which being operatively disposed within each of the outer tube (106) in proximity of the first open end (106b1). In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the swirl imparting device (106c) may be one device selected from the group consisting of a vane, a helical fan blade, a tangential inlet, and combinations thereof. The swirl imparting device imparts rotational motion to the fluid or air which is being flown there through.
[00065] An inner tube (106d) is concentrically disposed and received within the outer tube (106b) in proximity of the second open end (106b2). The inner tube (106d) is having a first open end (106d1), and a second end (106d2), wherein the second end (106b2) of the outer tube (106b) and the second end (106d2) of the inner tube (106d) are coupled together to define a coupled edge (106d3). Typically, the inner tube (106d) is having a diameter and length much less than that of the outer tube (106b). More specifically, the diameter of the inner tube (106d) is such that an annular portion is formed between the inner wall of the outer tube, and outer wall of the inner tube. The length of the inner tube is such that the air or fluid entering through the inlet end (106b1) of the outlet tube and after receiving swirl motion on passing through the swirl imparting device (106c), the air or fluid which is substantially free of dust or contaminants is received in and passed through the inner tube and then outside of the inner tube, whereas the dust or the contaminant particles are accumulated in the annular region or area between the inner and outer tubes.
[00066] Further, a dust discharge port (106h) is configured on and extends radially outwardly from the outer tube (106b) in proximity of the second open end (106b2) of the outer tube (106b). The dust discharge port (106h) facilitates in egress of the dust and/or contaminant particles accumulated in the annular region or area. The dust discharge port (106h) is received in the guiding passage (104a) via the slot (104s). The slot (104s) thus facilitates in receiving the dust discharge port (106h) within the channel (104) easily, and further as described herein above permits securing of the cyclone separator (106) within the channel (104).
[00067] A straight portion (106e) extends outwardly away from the coupled edge (106d3). The straight portion (106e) may extend integrally or non-integrally from the coupled edge (106d3).
[00068] Further, a groove (106f) is configured on an outer surface of the straight portion (106e). The groove (106f) is configured to receive a sealing member (106g). The sealing member (106g) provides sealing between the outer surface of the straight portion (106e) and an inner surface of the outer tube (106b). The sealing member (106g) facilitates in securing the cyclone separator (106) within the channel (104) and providing sealing.
[00069] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member (106g) may be an O-ring or a lip seal or a gasket. Any other sealing mechanism is also well within the ambit of the present invention.
[00070] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion (106i) integrally extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube (106b) and is disposed along the periphery of the outer tube (106b), the protrusion (106i) is configured to couple the cyclone separator (106) to the inlet face (102c). The protrusion (106i) in combination with a fastener (such as screw) secures the cyclone separator (106) to the inlet face (102c), which is a part of the housing (102). The protrusion (106i) may have a bore configured thereon which may be internally threaded, wherein a screw can be fitted thereby coupling/securing the cyclone separator to the housing.
[00071] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cleaner assembly (100) may be made of one material selected from the group consisting of metal, alloy, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, and combinations thereof.
WORKING OF THE INVENTION
[00072] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, during one of the operations selected from the group consisting of cleaning, repairing, replacing, restoring, and combinations thereof relate to the pre-cleaner assembly (100), each of the cyclone separators (106) can be removed or detached from the channels (104) without need for dismounting of the whole pre-cleaner assembly from a utility whereupon the pre-cleaner assembly is mounted.
[00073] The term utility herein means the vehicle engine, and/or machine which may have an internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine is supplied with the cleaned air via the pre-cleaner with a filter disposed between the pre-cleaner and the utility.
[00074] More specifically, the cyclone separators (106) can be removed or dismounted from the respective channels (104) by unscrewing the fasteners which secures the cyclone separators (106) to the inlet face of the housing. Upon removing the fasteners, the cyclone separators (106) can be pulled out of the channel (104) and can be cleaned or replaced or repaired as the case may be. Further, the dust or contaminant particles within the housing (102) can also be removed or cleaned easily without need for dismounting of the whole structure or the pre-cleaner assembly.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A pre-cleaner assembly (100) characterized by having:
- a pre-cleaner housing (102) defined by a top surface (102a), a bottom surface (102b), an inlet face (102c), an outlet face (102d), a first side face (102e), and a second side face (102f);
- channels (104) configured within the pre-cleaner housing (102), the channels (104) running from the inlet face (102c) to the outlet face (102d), wherein a first open end (104b) and a second open end (104c) of the channels (104) registering with the inlet face (102c) and the outlet face (102d), respectively;
- a cyclone separator (106) detachably received within each of the channels (104);
wherein during one of the operations selected from the group consisting of cleaning, repairing, replacing, restoring, and combinations thereof of the pre-cleaner assembly (100), the cyclone separator (106) being removable from the channels (104) without need for dismounting of the whole pre-cleaner assembly from a utility whereupon the pre-cleaner assembly is mounted.
2. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 is made of one material selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy, a plastic, a fiber reinforced plastic, and combinations thereof.
3. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channels (104) being disposed parallel to one another and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pre-cleaner housing (102).
4. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channels (104) having
- a guiding passage (104a) configured along a longitudinal axis of the channels (104); and
- a slot (104s) configured on the inlet face (102c).
5. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cyclone separator (106) having a protrusion (106a), the protrusion (106a) having a profile complimentary to a profile of the slot (104s), wherein the protrusion (106a) configured to lock and cover the slot (104s) when the cyclone separator (106) is received in the channel (104).
6. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cyclone separator (106) having:
- an outer tube (106b) having a first open end (106b1) and a second open end (106b2) registering with the first open end (104b) and the second open end (104c) of the channels (104), respectively;
- a swirl imparting device (106c) operatively disposed within each of the outer tube (106) in proximity of the first open end (106b1);
- an inner tube (106d) concentrically disposed and received within the outer tube (106b) in proximity of the second open end (106b2), the inner tube (106d) having a first open end (106d1), and a second end (106d2), wherein the second end (106b2) and the second end (106d2) are coupled together to define a coupled edge (106d3);
- a straight portion (106e) extending outwardly away from the coupled edge (106d3);
- a groove (106f) configured on an outer surface of the straight portion (106e), the groove (106f) configured to receive a sealing member (106g), the sealing member (106g) configured to provide sealing between the outer surface of the straight portion (106e) and an inner surface of the outer tube (106b);
- a protrusion (106a) extending radially outwardly from a periphery of the outer tube (106b) at and around the first open end (106b1);
- a dust discharge port (106h) configured on and extending radially outwardly from the outer tube (106b) in proximity of the second open end (106b2) of the outer tube (106b); and
- a protrusion (106i) integrally extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube (106b) and disposed along the periphery of the outer tube (106b), the protrusion (106i) configured to couple the cyclone separator (106) to the inlet face (102c).
7. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sealing member (106g) is an O-ring or a lip seal or a gasket.
8. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the swirl imparting device (106c) is one of a vane, a helical fan blade, a tangential inlet, and combinations thereof.
9. The pre-cleaner assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guiding passage (104a) has a profile chosen from the group consisting of oval, chamfered corner rectangle, chamfered corner square, and combinations thereof.
Dated this 11th June 2021
For the Applicant

Deepak Pradeep Thakur
The Applicant’s Patent Agent
IN/PA – 3687
To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, At Mumbai