CA1214007A

CA1214007A - Apparatus for cleaning objects by spraying

Info

Publication number: CA1214007A
Application number: CA000385919A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Guido Oberdorfer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-15
Filing date: 1981-09-15
Publication date: 1986-11-18
Also published as: SU1303015A3; CS268509B2; DE3034769C2; DE3034769A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The apparatus uses a low pressure water stream, from a tap source, into which chemicals can be selectively introduced, and a high pressure water stream produced by a pump, into which chemicals can be selectively intro-duced, and an air stream into which chemicals can be selectively introduced. A heated water supply provides water for the high pressure stream. All the streams lead to a single spray pistol, the spray pistol having control switches for controlling the lines and chemicals.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning objects in industry, as in service s-tations, in shipping, as well as in agriculture and household areas, by which the object to be cleaned is washed by means of a spray pistol and fluid streams mixed with cleaning and servicing chemicals.

Apparatus of this general kind has -taken various forms in the past, and herein a high pressure stream is utilized, drawn by a pump from a heated water supply and with which chemicals are mixed, and the resulting mixture is sprayed from a spray pistol (spray lance). This high prssure stream is of low mass and has a strong effect of removing dirt due to its high pressure.
Here-tofore in order to achieve a good cleaning effect, a very high temperature of the water stream was necessary, which would entail a considerable amount of heat. The water used was warmed or hea-ted by sui-table means. In the use of a high pressure stream, there was insufficient time for the chemicals to penetrate the dirt to be removed. Also because of the high velocity of -the s-tream, an electrostatic charge would develop on the object to be cleaned, and the cleaning result would be impaired.

I-t has also heretofore been known to utilize a water tube, with a wash brush and shampoo rods, to cleanse the object and to provide chemicals by means oE a special pump or equivalen-t means.

A disadvantage of such a pump though is -that strong chemicals cannot be usedl and when changing from one object -to another, the entire spray tube must be emptied and cleaned, which entailed a grea-t amount of valuable time, and rela-tively expensive chemicals would be wasted. There is the further disadvantage that wa-ter $.~

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soluble cleaning means are available only in concentrated form and must be thinned before use.

The present invention provides apparatus and method which are extremely effective with less effort and can go from a low pressure operation to a high pressure operation, and be operated substan-tially more effectively and inexpensively than hi~h pressure cleaning, or low pressure cleaning taken by i-tself.

According to the present invention, cleaning apparatus for use with a common low pressure water supply, container means for chemicais, and a spray pistol for spraying materials onto objects to be cleaned, comprising, a high pressure line leading from the water supply to the spray pistol, pump means for developlng high pressure in the high pressure line, and for drawing chemicals from said container means into the high pressure line, a low pressure line leading from the water supply to the spray pistol in bypassing rela-tion to the high pressure line, injector means operable, in response -to the flow of water in the low pressure line, for introduc-ing chemicals from said container means in-to the low pressure line, and the low pressure line being substantially free of intrumentalities, other than said injector means, and -thereby operable for conducting water there-through at subs-tantially the low pressure of the water supply, means for selectively controlling the intro-duction of chemicals into -the lines respectively, and independen-tly of said pump means) and check valve means in -the lines betweerl the poln-ts of in-troduction of the chemicals into the lines, respectively and -the spray pistol.

In one embodiment of the presen-t invention, a cleaning apparatus for use also with a compressed air supply, and including, an air line leading from the air supply to the spray pistol in bypassing relation -to the high pressure line and the low pressure line, injector means operable in response to the flow of air in the air line, for introducing chemicals from said container means into the air line, means for selectively controlling the introduction of chemicals into the air line independently of the high pressure line and the low pressure line, and check valve means in the air line between the point of introduction of chemicals into the line and the spray pistol. Suitably, at least one of said lines, constitu-ting fluid lines, leads into -the interior of the spray pistol, the apparatus includes a plurality of chemical lines leading from the chemical containers into the in-terior of -the spray pistol, and the spray pis-tol includes means operable for drawing chemicals through the chemical lines in response to flow ~ fluid through -the fluid line, whereby the chemicals are mixed with the fluid and the resulting mix-ture is sprayed from -the spray pistol.

In carrying out the presen-t invention several working stages are utilized: in a first stage a low pressure stream of water is u-tilized, from the general supply or communi-ty supply; in a second stage -the low pressure is shut off and -the chemicals are permi-t-ted to penetra-te the dirt -to be removed; and in a -third stage the chemicals are washed off wi-th a high pressure s-tream.
The present invention u-tilizes a combina-tion of low pressure and high pressure, in which a low pressure step is added to a high pressure step. This has the advantage that -the chemicals are applied with low pressure, which resul-ts in sparingly applying the chemicals on the object to be cleaned. The low pressure s-tream is shut off af-ter the chemicals are applied in the second stage, so that the chemicals can pene-trate the dir-t to be removed for a longer time. Thereafter, the high pressure cleaning is resumed and in this -the third stage, the chemicals are washed off with the high pressure s-tream. This assures complete elimination of the chemicals, and -the high pressure stream itself, without the chemicals, performs a further cleaning effort.

In the present invention, -the combination of the low pressure and high pressure s-tages, perform an efLect far superior to previously known procedures.

The present invention also encompasses a fourth stage in which water remaining on the object being cleaned from the high pressure stream, is blown off wi-th air pressure. This step is of special import-ance in such operations as cleaning motors, ignition distributors, spark plugs, and o-ther water sensitive items.

A further advantage of the invention is that in utilizing an air stream, additional chemicals can be Z5 introduced, such as spray wax, felloe cleaners, insect repellents, etc. This step deals wi-th chemicals that are effective for cleaning, in air, without the use of water.

The appara-tus, utilizing a combination of low pressure and high pressure cleaning s-teps, and alternatively with air cleaning s-teps, has the advan-tage that a considerably lower temperature (c.45 C) can be utilized, and smaller amounts of water are used, and that wi-th lesser pressures. The apparatus therefore results in conserving energy and -there is not so great a demand on the operator for the exact execution of the spray stream, as was previously the ease with high pressure clealling, sinee the dirt is already loosened by the previous low pressure eleaning.

The apparatus has -the further advantage that it is ideally suited for self serviee operation (coin operated), since it ean be readily operated by unskilled operators.

In order to aecommodate strong chemicals, instead of using pumps, injeetors may be used. The chemicals are provided in a plurality of eontainers, in order to aeeommoda-te different kinds of ehemicals. Drawing in the chemicals into the fluid s-treams is controlled by magnetically operated valves, and the use of injectors for drawing in chemicals enables stronger chemicals to be used, that could not ordinarily be aceommodated by pumps.

The magnetically operated valves, for eon-troll-ing the drawing in of chemicals may be controlled by selection swi-tches mounted on -the handle of the spray pistol. Such control may be wireless, or remote eon-trol, or by using eonduetors.

In order that expensive and time eonsuming cleaning of condui-ts is avoided, in changing from one chemical to ano-ther, the apparatus ineludes chemieal duets or passages feeding directly into the spray pis-tol in a common suction eonduit, so that in changing from one chemical to another, it may be done quickly, instead of opening one duet after ano-ther, in an expensive cleaning or emptying of the previously used chemieal duct.

The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagram of the apparatus inc]uding high pressure, low pressure, and air phases; and Fig. 2 shows a modified form of spray pistol, and diagram of rela-ted components of the appara-tus.

E'ig. 1 shows a float valve 2 in a wa-ter supply 1, con-trolling the water level in a boiler 3, -the la-tter having an electrical heating rod 4. Preferably the water temperature is main-tained at 45C by means of a thermostat, Upstream from the floa-t valve 2 is a branch line 29, constituting a low pressure duct or line, through which the water is fed from the water supply 1 into the low pressure phase of the apparatus, while a duct 34 is utilized for supplying wa-ter from the boiler 3 to the high pressure pump 5. The low pressure line 29 includes a magnetic valve 11 controlled by an activa-ting switch which may be at a convenient place in -the housing of the apparatus, or directly on the handle of the spray pis-tol 16 as indicated at 16a.

The low pressure line 29 includes, a-t a position downstream from the valve 11, a back pressure or check v'alve 13, and then leads to an injector 12. I'he back pressure valve 13 opera-tes to hold a high pressure fluid from a high pressure :Line 28, from backing into the low pressure line 29 and then into -the water supply.

The injector 12 develops a lowered pressure in the line 35 which includes a back pressure valve 13a and a metering valve 15, leading from a line 33, the latter having a plurali-ty of branches including magnetic valves 32 in a plurali-ty of containers 31 con-taining the chemicals to be u-tilized. These branch lines ~ - 6 -12~

include magne-tic valves 32. In this case also -these valves may be controlled by selection switches positioned at a suitable location, such as on the handle of the spray pistol 16 as at 16a.

In the injector 12 -the chemical that is drawn from the selected container 31 is mixed with the low pressure water stream and supplied to the line 37 and the joining line 38 of -the spray pistol. The handle of -the spray pistol includes a shut-off valve, and upon that valve being opened, the stream is sprayed through the spray pipe 17 and nozzle 18.

The apparatus also includes a high pressure phase which includes the high pressure pump 5 which draws warmed water from the boiler 3 through the line 34.
At the suction side of the pump 5 is a line 36 which includes a metering valve 30, and through this line 36 chemicals are drawnout of a container 14, this line including magnetic valves 11 controlled by switches at suitable locations.

Instead of using separate chemical containers 14 and 31, a single such con-tainer may be used, with the suction line 36 connec-ted with the suction line 33.

~ he chemicals drawn in through the suction line 36 are mixed with the wa-ter s-tream drawn in through the line 34, and the purnp 5 develops a high pressure water stream and forces it through the high pressure llne 28, and the back pressure valve 13b, and -then to the spray pistol 16. The back pressure valve 13b prevents the fluid from the low pressure line 37 from entering into -the line 28.

The high pressure line 28 includes a safety valve 10, a manometer 9 and a water depository 7. The high ~z~ 7 pressure pump 5 is driven by an electric motor 6.

By means of the confluence of the high pressure line 28 with the low pressure line 37, at the spray pis-tol 16, i-t is consequen-tly possible with a single spray pistol, -to form a low pressure stream of great volume and a high pressure stream with relatively small volume.

Arlother feature of the invention is th~t air pressure can be used in the low pressure phase of the apparatus. 'rhelow pressure line 37 includes a T-piece 39 from which a branch line leads, including a back pressure valve 42 a-t the outlet of an injector 41. At the inle-t of the injec-tor 41 air pressure is supplied through a connec-tor line 40. A suction line 43 includes a reverse pressure valve 43a and a metering valve 43b, and the chemicals are drawn out of the con-tainers 31, selectively in the direction o~ -the arrow 44.
This air stream, including the chemicals mixed therein, is fed through the spray pistol 16, and by means of the air stream itsel:~ with -the chemicals being cut off, the lines can be blown clean upstream of the T~piece 39, the air stream continuing through the spray pistol and the nozzle 18 thereof, and blowing water residue from the object being cleaned.

A modified form is shown in Fig. 2, which includes an air pressure driven spray pis-tol 21. In -this arrangement an additional line 38 wherein a high pressure water stream, as well as the low pressure wa-ter s-tream, can be directed to the pis-tol 21. Additionally, this arrangement provides for an air pressure stream wi-th chemicals therein.

~2~ 7 Consequently, the spray pis-tol 21 shown in Fig. 2 is capable oE spraying a wa-ter stream with chemicals mixed therein, or an air stream with chemicals mixed therein.

In the operation of the appaxatus shown in Fig. 2, an air stream is fed through the conductor 19, and it flows through a pressure reducer 20 and a mano-meter 9. An injector 22 is built in in the handle of the pistol and is capable of mixing chemicals in the air stream or water stream. A short distance upstream ofthe injector are suc-tion lines 45, 46, 47, through which -the chemicals are supplied from the supply containers, 25, 26, 27, as controlled by the magnetic valves 11.

Upon actuation o~ magnetic valves 11, the corresponding chemicals are drawn Erom the containers by the injec-tor 22, -this arrangement eliminating previously known techniques which included a complicated set of steps for emptying and cleaning the suction lines.
This arrangement provides an extremely grea-t advantage in spraying of expensive chemicals, in that they can be accurate]y controlled and used sparingly, and excess chemicals eliminated.

The air pressure s-tream in -the line 48 provides a confining effect in preven-ting an excessive spreading out oE the air pressure stream emani-ting from the spray pipe 24. The line 49, in-to which the suc-tion lines 45, 46, 47, feed, is made of short length, to minimize loss of chemicals passing through the lines.

As in the case of the apparatus of Fig. 1, the magnetic valves 11 may be controlled by a switch moun-ted in the handle of -the spray pistol 21, or by a switch at any appropria-te location in the apparatus.

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Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Cleaning apparatus for use with a common low pressure water supply, container means for chemicals, and a spray pistol for spraying materials onto objects to be cleaned, comprising, a high pressure line leading from the water supply to the spray pistol, pump means for developing high pressure in the high pressure line, and for drawing chemicals from said container means into the high pressure line, a low pressure line leading from the water supply to the spray pistol in bypassing relation to the high pressure line, injector means operable, in response to the flow of water in the low pressure line, for introducing chemicals from said container means into the low pressure line, and the low pressure line being substantially free of instrumen-talities, other than said injector means, and thereby operable for conducting water therethrough at substantially the low pressure of the water supply, means for selectively controlling the introduction of chemicals into the lines respectively, and independently of said pump means, and check valve means in the lines between the points of introduction of the chemicals into the lines, respectively and the spray pistol.

2. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 for use also with a compressed air supply, and including, an air line leading from the air supply to the spray pistol in bypassing relation to the high pressure line and the low pressure line, injector means operable in response to the flow of air in the air line, for introducing chemicals from said container means into the air line, means for selectively contolling the introduction of chemicals into the air line independently of the high pressure line and the low pressure line, and check valve means in the air line between the point of introduction of chemicals into the line and the spray pistol.

3. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, at least one of said lines, constituting fluid lines, leads into the interior of the spray pistol, the apparatus includes a plurality of chemical lines leading from the chemical containers into the interior of the spray pistol, and the spray pistol includes means operable for drawing chemicals through the chemical lines in response to flow of fluid through the fluid line, whereby the chemicals are mixed with the fluid and the resulting mixture is sprayed from the spray pistol.