EXHIBIT 10.13
United States Patent
POWER SPRAY WASHER
United States Patent Patent Number: 5,277,208
Mansur Date of Patent: Jan.11, 1994
[54] MULTI-PROCESS POWER SPRAY WASHER APPARATUS
[76] Inventor: Pierre G. Mansur, 12210 SW. 130th
St.. Miami, Fla. 33186
[21] Appl. No.: 884,406
[22] Filed: May 18, 1992
[51] Int. Cl.5...............B08B 3/02; B08B 13/00
[52] U.S. Cl...................134/56 R; 134/99.2;
134/107;134/108;134/109; 134/111; 134/153;
. 210/167;210/297;210/387
[58] Field of Search ........... 134/56;210/167,297,
210/387
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,378,018 4/1968 Lanter...................134/109
3.624,750 11/1971 Peterson.................134/153 X
3.765.430 10/1973 Muller...................134/109
4.143,669 3/1979 Minkin...................134/153
4,217.920 8/1990 Ballard..................134/153 X
4.652.368 3/1997 Ennis et al..............134/109 X
4.769.158 9/1998 Eckert...................210/297 X
4.948.502 8/1990 Anderson.................210/387
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
710672 2/1980 U.S.S.R 134/109
761035 9/1990 U.S.S.R 134/109
PRIMARY EXAMINER - Philip R. Coe
ATTORNEY, AGENT, OR FIRM - Malloy & Malloy
[57] ABSTRACT
A self-contained and integrated multi-process power spray washer apparatus to be
used to clean articles placed therein, the washer apparatus including a central
washing chamber which is large enough to enclose and rotate an article to be
cleaned therein. A primary filter removes contaminants from a cleaning solution
immediately after it has been used, and a solution reservoir receives and holds
filtered cleaning solution from the primary filter. A fin forced electronic
burner heats the cleaning solution contained in the reservoir, and Provides a
heat source for contaminant incineration. An oil skimmer removes oil and grease
from an upper surface of the cleansing solution held in the reservoir, and a
secondary centrifugal filter through which cleansing solution is pumped from the
reservoir additionally filters the solution. A high power sprayer sprays the
recycled and clean cleansing solution into the washing chamber at a
substantially high volume and pressure so as to substantially clean the item
contained within the washing chamber. A fresh water rinse cycle provides for a
final fresh water rinse of the article being cleaned and the recycling of the
contaminated water prior to reuse or proper drainage. Accordingly, three steps
of a cleaning process associated with the present invention include spray
washing, recycling and disposal which are fully integrated in the self contained
power spray washer apparatus.
14 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
[DRAWING]
U.S. PATENT Jan 11, 1994 5,277,208
[DRAWING, Fig.1]
[DRAWING, Fig.2]
1
MULTI-PROCESS POWER SPRAY WASHER
APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a self-contained and integrated multiprocess power
spray washer apparatus, to be used to clean any and all parts or articles placed
therein, and is structured to power spray wash parts, filter and recycle
cleansing solutions, and dispose of all contaminant by-product, thereby
providing a cost efficient, highly effective, and environmentally acceptable
means of cleaning engine parts and the like which require thorough cleaning
prior to use.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed towards a self-contained and integrated
multi-process power spray washer apparatus to be used to clean any and all parts
placed therein. The apparatus includes primarily a central washing chamber
which is sufficiently large to enclose and rotate completely the item to be
cleaned, thereby utilizing the cleansing solution at a substantially high
pressure and volume which maximizes the effects of the cleaning. Additionally,
the washer apparatus includes a primary filter which is structured and disposed
to receive used cleansing solution from the central washing chamber and
substantially remove contaminants therefrom. This primary filter is
interconnected with a solution reservoir such that the filtered cleansing
solution may flow therefrom into the solution reservoir. Within the solution
reservoir, the cleansing solution is heated by in integrated burner so as to
maximize the effects of the cleansing solution. The cleansing solution within
the solution reservoir is further cleaned by an oil skimmer which removes oil
and grease from the cleansing solution. Further included as part of the washer
apparatus is a secondary centrifugal filter. This secondary centrifugal filter
is structured such that cleansing solution is pumped from the solution reservoir
therethrough, wherein the solution is further cleansed of contaminants. After
passing through the secondary centrifugal filter, the cleansing solution is
pumped through a high power sprayer which sprays the cleansing solution into the
washing chamber at substantially high volumes and pressures, thereby cleaning
the item contained within the washing chamber. The object of the present
invention is to provide a power spray washing apparatus which will thoroughly
clean any and all parts. including engine blocks and the like which often have
large quantities of dirt, grease, and contaminants built up thereon. Another
object of the present invention is to provide a spray washer apparatus which
enables the cleansing solution to be recycled and reused, yet be effective
throughout all of the multiple uses. Yet another object of the present invention
is to provide a power spray washer apparatus which is environmentally acceptable
and eliminates contaminant waste.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
2
FIG. 1 is a front, partial cutaway perspective view of the power spray washer
apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway, side view of the power spray washer apparatus.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of
the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is directed towards a
self-contained and integrated multiprocess power spray washer apparatus
generally indicated as 10, to be used to thoroughly clean any and all parts
which may have substantial dirt, grease, and contaminates built up thereon. The
spray washer apparatus 10 includes a large central washing chamber 20 capable of
completely enclosing the item to be cleaned. Located within the central washing
chamber 20 is a pull out, rotating turntable 24 which is structured to be able
to support objects of substantial weight thereon. The rotating turntable 24 is
structured such that all sides of the item to be cleaned will be thoroughly
sprayed, and as it may be easily pulled out and slid back within the washing
chamber 20, the large and heavy items to be cleaned may be conveniently
positioned thereon before insertion into the washing chamber 20. In order to
assure maximum sealing efficiency within the washing chamber 20, and in order to
minimize the floor space required for the spray washer apparatus 10, a pair of
inwardly opening doors 25 are utilized to allow access into the washing chamber
20. Included at a lower portion of the washing chamber 20 is a drainage opening
28. The drainage opening 28 is structured such that cleansing solution used
within the washing chamber 20 may flow therethrough into a primary filter 30.
The primary filter 30 utilizes a filtration sheet 31 which is structured to
remove a majority of the contaminants contained in the used cleansing solution,
and allow passage of the filtered cleansing solution therethrough. The
filtration sheet 31 is positioned at a distal end 32 thereof on an automatic
roller 33 which contains the clean filtration sheet 31. The filtration sheet 31
is positioned so as to pass substantially over a drainage area 35. Used
cleansing solution flows into the drainage area 35 and is filtered by the
filtration sheet 31, however, since the portion of the filtration sheet 31 which
is over the drainage area 35 will eventually become saturated with contaminants,
a fluid level meter 36 is included over the drainage area 35 such that when a
predetermined quantity of cleansing solution backs up within the drainage area
35, thereby indicating the filtration sheet 31 is saturated, it will trigger the
automatic roller 33. Once triggered, the automatic roller 33 causes a clean
portion of the filtration sheet 31 to be positioned atop the drainage area 35,
and causes the saturated proximate end 34 of the filtration sheet 31 to pass
into a disposal holding area 40. Further, suction fan 2 located in cleansing
solution reservoir 50 provides negative pressure to augment the flow of
cleansing solution through filtration sheet 31. Additionally, a safety release
overflow outlet 39 above filtration sheet 31 and a hood 37 encapsulating the
drainage area 35 prevent any overflows. After passage through the drainage area
35, the filtered cleansing solution passes into the solution reservoir 50
positioned beneath the washing chamber 20. The contaminant saturated portion 34
of the filtration sheet 31 after passage into the disposal holding area 40 can
be removed and positioned within a heavy duty
5,277,208
3
incinerator chamber 41, having ceramic lining 43, wherein the saturated portion
34 of the filtration sheet 31 will be incinerated by a fan forced burner 42. The
incineration formed by this process passes through an exhaust duct and out of
the spray washer apparatus 10. In addition to incinerating the filtration sheet
31. the fan forced burner 42 also functions as heating means to beat cleansing
solution held within the solution reservoir 50, thereby maximizing the
efficiency of the cleansing solution. Once within the solution reservoir 50, an
oil skimmer 55 is utilized to remove remaining oil or contaminants from the
cleansing solution. The above steps are part of what may be referred to as a
cleansing cycle or operation. After the cleansing cycle or operation, to be
described in even greater detail hereinafter, has been completed, a filtering
cycle may be started by adding flocculent and/or coagulant chemical catalysts
contained in catalyst holding tank 12 into the cleaning solution reservoir 50 so
as to react with the cleaning solution and initiate the coagulant and/or
flocculent chemical process which coagulates or flocculates the finer
contaminants for pick up by the mechanical, rotating 360' sweep 19 which may
again be activated during the filtering cycle. The rotating sweep 19 once again
activated directs the contaminated solution into an upper portion of the washing
chamber 20 through a diverter flow tube 27, and into a suction and discharge
chamber 15. This flow is induced by a suction mechanism 13 which creates a
desired turbulent free flow of the solution for discharge through discharge
opening 17 into drainage opening 28 therethrough into primary filter 30 so as to
separate the flocculated and/or coagulated contaminants from the recycled
solution. However, during the cleansing cycle or operation the cleansing
solution containing gravity settled contaminants is picked up from the solution
reservoir 50 through mechanical rotating 360' sweep 19 at the extreme solution
reservoir 50 bottom into pump 60, and through solution conduits 62 and 64 into a
secondary centrifugal filter 70. The secondary centrifugal filter 70 revolves
the cleansing solution at high speeds causing any remaining contaminated
cleansing solution to pass to a lower portion 71 thereof, and out through a
drainage outlet 72. This contaminated cleansing solution passes from the
drainage outlet 72 into an extremely fine filter element 73 so as to separate
the contaminants from the recycled solution which is automatically directed back
to the holding tank 50. After passage through the secondary centrifugal filter
70, the clean, reused cleansing solution passes into a high power sprayer 80.
The high power sprayer 60 includes a plurality of nozzles 82 which are
structured to optimize a solution spray pattern into the central washing chamber
20. After introduction of the cleansing solution into chamber 20, and the
cleaning of an item therein, an additional part of the cleansing cycle includes
a fresh water rinse cycle, performed within central washing chamber 20. After
rinsing the item being cleaned, the initially fresh rinse washer, now containing
contaminants, is routed or allowed to drain through a diverter door 5 on the
drainage opening 28 which directs contaminated fresh water rinse fluid through a
discharge tube to entry 79 and into a rinse cycle filter 75 which combines a
filter roll element plus heavy metal removal media, with activated charcoal
discharged from the apparatus 10 through a discharge opening 77. Contaminants
within the rinse water are thereby properly eliminated. Conveniently positioned
outside of the central washing chamber 20 is a control panel which includes a
plurality of gauges to check solution temperature, levels and the like, and may
further be programmed to perform automated,
4
timed cleaning cycles. Finally, the entire power spray washer apparatus 10 is
heavily polyurethane insulated to reduce heat emission and retain the cleansing
solution at a desired temperature.
Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed is:
1. To be used to power clean any and all parts, a self-contained and
integrated multi-process power spray washer apparatus comprising:
a central washing chamber, said chamber being sufficiently large to enclose
an item to be cleaned therein,
a primary filter, said primary filter structured to remove flocculated and/or
coagulated contaminants from a cleansing solution,
a solution reservoir, structured to receive the filtered cleansing solution
from said primary filter,
heating means to heat said cleansing solution in said reservoir,
an oil skimmer structured and disposed to remove remaining oil and grease from
said cleansing solution in said reservoir,
a secondary centrifugal filter through which said cleansing solution is
pumped, said secondary centrifugal filter being structured to remove
additional contaminants from said cleaning solution prior to reuse, and
a high power sprayer to spray said cleansing solution, after passage through
said secondary centrifugal filter, into said washing chamber at a
substantially high volume and high pressure so as to clean the item
contained within said chamber.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said central washing chamber
includes a pull out, rotating turntable whereon said item to be cleaned may be
positioned and rotated within said chamber so as to place all sides of said item
under the direct spray of said high power sprayer.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said turntable is capable of
supporting thereon items of substantial weight.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said central chamber includes a
pair of inwardly opening doors structured and disposed to maximize sealing
efficiency and minimize floor space requirements.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said primary filter includes a
filtration sheet pulled from a roll on an automatic roller and across a drainage
area, a used portion thereof being discarded into a disposal holding area.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said drainage area includes a
fluid level meter means positioned so as to detect when said cleansing solution
attains a predetermined height and said filtration sheet has become saturated by
contaminants and will no longer allow passage of filtered cleanser therethrough
into said solution reservoir, and said meter triggering said automatic roller
when the fluid level reaches the predetermined height so as to move a fresh area
of said filtration sheet from said roll over said drainage area and direct
saturated areas of said filtration sheet into said disposal holding area.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said heating means includes a
fan forced electronic burner.
5,277,208
5
8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7 further including a disposal
incineration area having a heavy duty, ceramic lined incinerator, exhaust means,
and being structured and disposed to incinerate said saturated filtration paper
using said electronic burner.
9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8 further including a mechanical rotating
360 sweep suction mechanism at an extreme bottom of said solution reservoir to
assist the flow of contaminants and cleansing solution throughout said
apparatus.
10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said secondary centrifugal
filter is structured and disposed to direct contaminants to a lower portion
thereof, and send filtered cleansing solution into said high power sprayer.
11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said lower portion of said
secondary filter includes a drain-
6
age outlet to direct the contaminants into a fine filter element so as to
separate the contaminants from the recycled solution prior to being directed
back into said solution reservoir.
12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11 further including a chemical catalyst
added into said solution reservoir to chemically induce removal of contaminants
from the cleansing solution.
13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12 which includes an integral fresh water
rinse cycle with provisions for diverting fresh water rinse through several
stages of filtration removing the majority of contaminants for reuse or proper
drainage.
14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said high power sprayer
includes a plurality of nozzles structured and disposed to optimize asolution
spray pattern.