WO2007063452A2

WO2007063452A2 - Scavenging cleaning system

Info

Publication number: WO2007063452A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/054374
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Turner
Original assignee: John Turner
Priority date: 2005-11-30
Filing date: 2006-11-21
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: WO2007063452A3; WO2007063452B1

Abstract

A scavenging cleaning system utilizing in combination, a high-pressure liquid cleaner and recycling system, designed for domestic use and in particular for where water use restrictions apply and for the cleaning of hard surfaces of any orientation. In a broad form of the invention the cleaning system comprises a reservoir of liquid, a supply and recovery sub-system and a vacuum pump arrangement located within a cleaner body (12). A flexible connecting hose system (103) comprising a plurality of fluid conducting passages extends from the body to a handheld delivery/brush/recovery head that is worked over the surface to be cleaned. The passages within the hose system are in liquid communication with the supply and recovery sub-system and in vacuum communication with the vacuum pump arrangement, whereby liquid is delivered at high-pressure to a target surface with substantially all the liquid being recovered, filtered and repeatedly reused.

Description

DESCRIPTION SCAVENGING CLEANING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to liquid jet cleaning devices and, more particularly, to devices employing a liquid recovery and reuse system. BACKGROUND

Water has increasingly come to be recognised as a limited supply resource so that costs and regulatory restrictions on its availability and application increasingly create a demand for its more efficient use.

Some commonly used applications of water for cleaning purposes have become either severely restricted or prohibited entirely. An example is the washing of motor vehicles or other hard surfaced structures using free flowing hoses connected to the reticulated water supply. This activity consumes and largely wastes significant volumes of water, and hence is one of the first water uses to be restricted or banned.

Although use of high-pressure water cleaning jets use significantly less water for a given result than do free flowing mains supplied hoses, the water used by these devices is wasted.

Cleaning machines utilising liquid recovery such as carpet cleaning machines such as that described in US 5797163 have been used for sometime however the liquid is recovered not for reuse but disposal and the machines are limited to floor cleaning. Similarly large industrial floor cleaners that recover and reuse the cleaning liquid are also available but again they are not for domestic use and are limited to cleaning floors or other substantial, horizontal or near horizontal flat surfaces.

A further consideration is the restricted power available from a domestic electric power outlet. For example in Australia the normal domestic outlet is restricted to 10 amps current which in general means that at a voltage of 240 volts the maximum power consumption of any connected appliance is limited to 2400 watts.

It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages and limitations or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. Note

The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In a first broad form of the invention there is provided a scavenging cleaning system substantially for domestic use, said cleaner comprising in combination:

(a) a reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system located in association with a cleaner body;

(b) a vacuum pump arrangement located within said cleaner body;

(c) a flexible connecting hose system comprising a plurality of fluid conducting passages; said hose system extending from said body and connected at a first end to said cleaner and at a second end to a delivery/recovery head; said passages in fluid communication with said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system; at least one of said passages further in vacuum communication with said vacuum pump arrangement,

and wherein said delivery/recovery head is separated from the said body of the said cleaner by the said communicating hose system and wherein said delivery/recovery head is light and easily moved over surfaces to be cleaned, of any orientation from horizontal to vertical (such as a motor vehicle body) and wherein said delivery/recovery head includes a delivery nozzle and at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice, whereby liquid from said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system is delivered at high-pressure to a target surface, and wherein substantially all said liquid so delivered is recovered and repeatedly reused by the cleaner.

Preferably, said hose system includes separately a delivery passage for said liquid and at least one liquid recovery passage.

Preferably, at least one swivel connection is located in said hose system.

Preferably, said at least one swivel connection is located at either end or both ends of said hose system.

Preferably, said delivery/recovery head includes a brush assembly . Preferably, said liquid from said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system is delivered at a pressure up to 3000 psi.

Preferably, in a high pressure form of the cleaner said high-pressure is in the range of 1000 psi to 1600 psi. Preferably, in a low pressure form of the cleaner said low-pressure is in the range of 2 psi to 100 psi.

Preferably, said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system incorporates at least one baffle; said at least one baffle adapted to prevent liquid surging within said cleaner; said at least one baffle further adapted to reduce amount of entrained liquid droplets presenting to said vacuum pump arrangement .

Preferably, said cleaner further incorporates a liquid separation device whereby liquid returning to said cleaner is substantially separated from an air stream within which it is entrained.

Preferably, said liquid separation device includes a cyclonic separator. Preferably, said liquid separation device includes a vane type separator; said vane type separator adapted to separate a liquid from an air stream by means of trapping entrained liquid behind vanes at points where said gas stream is forced to change direction by said vanes. Preferably, said separator includes a coarse mesh filter or the like; said filter or the like located in front of said vane type separator so as to prevent larger particulate matter entering into and becoming trapped in said vane type separator . Preferably, said liquid separation device provides a physical separation between said air stream and said reservoir of liquid within said cleaner.

Preferably, said physical separation is provided by means of a shallow upper cone placed one on top of a shallow inverted lower cone such that said upper cone is pointed upwards and provides a first liquid draining surface extending to a periphery of said liquid separation device. Preferably, said lower cone forms a tundish; said lower cone truncated to form a central orifice such that liquid having drained from said periphery is captured by said lower cone; said lower cone providing a second draining surface extending to said central orifice.

Preferably, components of said liquid separation device are adapted for rapid disassembly so as to allow cleaning of said device.

Preferably, said cleaner body is supported on wheels, skids or the like whereby said cleaner can be urged and moved from a first location to a second location without being lifted clear of the surface upon which it rests. Preferably, said body is translucent so as to allow a user to observe the level, behaviour and clarity of said liquid.

Preferably, said body incorporates a transparent or translucent panel so as to allow a user to observe the level, behaviour and clarity of said liquid.

Preferably, said body incorporates a large bore drain valve .

Preferably, said cleaner further incorporates at least one filter within said body; said at least one filter filtering liquid returned from said delivery nozzle and liquid recovery inlet orifice via said hose system.

Preferably, said at least one filter includes a cyclone- type filter. Preferably, said at least one filter comprises a cartridge filter.

Preferably, said at least one filter comprises a porous textile supported on a frame; said textile and said frame forming a filter assembly within said reservoir of liquid, supply and recovery subsystem.

Preferably, said textile incorporated in said filter assembly is adapted to have an affinity with selected contaminants returning to said cleaner body in said air stream and recovered liquid. Preferably, said selected contaminants include oil and like substances originating in from road film washed from a vehicle surface.

Preferably, said at least one filter within said body is positioned between the point of entry into said body of said liquid recovery passage and the surface of said liquid retained in said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system.

Preferably, said at least one filter within said cleaner body is enclosed within an enclosed filter housing such that the entire surface area of said at least one filter is utilised even at very low liquid levels within said cleaner reservoir .

Preferably, said filter housing is comprised of an inverted, open container sealed but for a small gap at the bottom to allow said liquid to pass through from said reservoir to said at least one filter.

Preferably, a 3-way-valve is located in a liquid conduit between said reservoir of liquid and said pressure pump. Said 3-way-valve connecting at a first port to said reservoir, at a second port to said pressure pump and having a third port available for connection to a supply hose.

Preferably, said 3-way-valve can allow any two or all three of said ports to be interconnected. Preferably, said supply hose is used to fill said reservoir of liquid.

Preferably, said supply hose is used to prime said pressure pump.

Preferably, said delivery/recovery head comprises a hand- held housing and a head portion; said head portion incorporating said delivery nozzle and said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice.

Preferably, said delivery/recovery head comprises a handheld housing and a head portion separated by a rigid and strong connecting piece set at an angle to said head portion and of sufficient length such that said hand piece is at a practical working distance from the face of the delivery/recovery head for the cleaning of solid surfaces such as walls and floors; said head portion incorporating said delivery nozzle and said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice.

Preferably, said angle is between 40 and 55 degrees.

Preferably, said angle is 45 degrees. Preferably, said practical working distance is between 700 and 1000mm.

Preferably, said practical working distance is 800mm.

Preferably, said delivery nozzle and said at least one recovery inlet orifice are fixed within said head portion.

Preferably, said delivery nozzle is controlled by a trigger assembly on said hand-held housing.

Preferably, said delivery nozzle is adjustable in height relative to a vehicle body or other surface over which it passes.

Preferably, said delivery nozzle is adapted to provide a fan-shaped, vee-shaped or conically-shaped spray pattern.

Preferably, said delivery nozzle is recessed within said brush assembly; the bristles of said brush or like structure extending beyond said delivery nozzle so as to contact said vehicle body or other surface at a predetermined distance in advance of said delivery nozzle.

Preferably, said bristles are arranged in a generally annular array; said delivery nozzle located centrally within said array; said array forming an enclosure when in contact with said surface; said enclosure adapted to substantially capture liquid emitted by said delivery nozzle for return to said body via said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice . Preferably, said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice arranged at the periphery of said annular array.

Preferably, a base portion of said head portion is provided with a flexible outer skirt of elastomeric material extending from a periphery of said base portion; said base portion further provided with a flexible inner skirt of elastomeric material depending from a periphery of a generally annular array of bristles of said brush assembly; said inner skirt substantially concentric with said outer skirt to form a generally annular space; the arrangement being such that liquid injected into an enclosure formed by said annular array of bristles and a surface of application, is forced outwardly past said bristles into said generally annular area formed between said inner skirt and said outer skirt; said liquid substantially drawn into at least one said liquid recovery inlet orifice communicating with said generally annular space.

Preferably, said outer skirt and said inner skirt substantially maintain a seal with said surface of application; said inner skirt and said outer skirt forming a smooth walled enclosure adapted to facilitate capture of said liquid.

Preferably, said base portion is provided with an outer generally annular array of bristles; said outer generally annular array complementing or replacing said outer skirt.

Preferably, for some applications and in particular for the cleaning of vertical or near vertical surfaces, said outer skirt is angled in towards said inner skirt such that when pressure is applied to said delivery/recovery head against said surface of application being cleaned, said outer skirt slidingly folds inwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of said enclosure and said seal with said surface .

Preferably and in particular for the cleaning of motor vehicles, said outer skirt (and said generally annular array of bristles complementing or replacing said outer skirt if present) are angled out away from said inner skirt such that when pressure is applied to said delivery/recovery head against said surface of application being cleaned, said outer skirt slidingly folds outwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of said enclosure and said seal with said surface and to increase the effective cleaning area of the said delivery/recovery head above the projected area of the said base portion. Preferably, extension of said outer skirt from said base portion is greater than extension of said generally annular array of bristles; extension of said inner skirt being less than said extension of said generally annular array of bristles.

Preferably, said elastomeric material of said inner skirt and said outer skirt is a non-marking material.

Preferably, said elastomeric material is a silicone rubber . Preferably, said inner skirt and said outer skirt are releasably attached to said base portion so as to be readily replaceable when worn or damaged.

Preferably, said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system includes a pressure pump. Preferably, said pressure pump is located at or near a base portion of said body thereby to keep the centre of gravity of said cleaner relatively low.

Preferably, said pressure pump is provided with an overpressure sensing switch adapted to detect when pressure supplied by said pump exceeds a predefined threshold.

Preferably, said overpressure switch acts to turn off said pump when flow from said pump is obstructed when said trigger is released to close said delivery nozzle while said delivery/recovery head is in contact with a said surface of application.

Preferably, said pump is provided with an isolating switch adapted to isolate said pump from a power supply.

Preferably, said vacuum pump arrangement incorporates a first switch and control for said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system; said first switch and control adapted to selectively switch said sub-system from an operational to a non-operational condition.

Preferably, said vacuum pump arrangement incorporates a switching mechanism thereby to move said vacuum pump arrangement from an operational to a non-operational condition .

Preferably, said vacuum pump arrangement and said reservoir of liquid and said supply and recovery sub-system are selected so that maximum combined electric current draw at any one time is limited to domestic electric output capacity .

Preferably, said output capacity is 10 amps.

Preferably, said vacuum pump assembly comprises a plurality of vacuum pumps fitted to a common vacuum receiving chamber; each of said plurality of vacuum pumps individually controllable such that said vacuum pump arrangement exhibits a modulating effect and is capable of delivering a variable air flow and vacuum with a corresponding electrical current draw.

Preferably, said plurality of vacuum pumps comprises two vacuum pumps .

Preferably, at least one vacuum pump discharges into a common exhaust manifold. Preferably, said common exhaust manifold is a source of pressurised air.

Preferably, said common exhaust manifold is provided with a fitting at an exhaust port of said manifold; said exhaust port adapted to accept connection of a blower hose to said vacuum pump assembly to facilitate blowing down or drying of surfaces .

Preferably, one vacuum pump of said two vacuum pumps has an electric current draw substantially equal to said one pressure pump. Preferably, said one vacuum pump is arranged to switch from off to on automatically as said pressure pump switches from on to off such that the operational states of said one vacuum pump and said pressure pump are mutually exclusive. Preferably, each of said vacuum pumps is provided with a one-way valve adapted to prevent an operational vacuum pump drawing air through an adjacent non-operational vacuum pump, thereby to ensure substantially all air entering said vacuum pump assembly is drawn from said liquid separator device so as to maximise scavenging of liquid.

Preferably, said modulating effect of said vacuum pump assembly is effected by means of a single vacuum pump provided with a variable speed drive. Preferably, a modulating effect of said pressure pump is effected by means of a variable speed drive.

Preferably, a modulating effect of said vacuum pump assembly and said pressure pump is effected by means of variable speed drives on each.

Preferably, said variable speed drives are controlled by an electronic control in a complimentary manner such that as the pressure pump speeds up the vacuum pump assembly slows down .

Preferably, said electronic control maintains the total electric current draw for both said pressure pump and said vacuum pump assembly below a preset maximum.

Preferably, said preset maximum electric current draw is the maximum allowable from a domestic power outlet.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the minimisation of liquid usage in a water-jet cleaning operation; said method including the steps of:

(a) supplying said liquid from a portable reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system via a first hose passage and a delivery nozzle of a delivery/recovery head, (b) providing said delivery/recovery head with a projecting generally annular brush forming an enclosure when ends of bristles of said brush are in contact with a surface,

(c) supplying vacuum pressure via a second hose passage to said enclosure so as to substantially return liquid issuing from said delivery nozzle to said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system via said second hose passage.

Preferably, said surface is the exterior of a motor vehicle .

Preferably, said surface is a hard surface of any orientation amenable to cleaning with a high pressure liquid jet .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a scavenging cleaning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a detailed view of a delivery nozzle and brush arrangement of a liquid delivery and recovery head of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1,

Figure 3A is a sectioned view of the liquid delivery and recovery head of Figure 2,

Figure 3B is a sectioned view of a preferred form of a liquid delivery and recovery head utilising flexible rubber type skirts. Figure 3C is a sectioned view of a further preferred form of a liquid delivery and recovery head utilising flexible rubber type skirts and pressurised air.

Figure 3D is a view of a preferred form of hand piece most suitable for the cleaning of walls and floors or similar where some scrubbing action is desirable.

Figure 4 is a further view of the liquid delivery and recovery head of Figures 2 and 3A and 3B when fitted with a trailing wheel device. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a preferred form of vacuum pump arrangement consisting of two vacuum pumps .

Figure 6 is a view of a preferred filter and pressure pump arrangement . Figure 6A is an enlarged view of the filter of Figure 6.

Figure 7A is a plan view of a preferred form of liquid separation device including cyclonic action and a vane type separator .

Figure 7B is a sectional view of the liquid separation device depicted in Figure 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figure 1, a scavenging cleaning system 10 includes a portable cleaner vehicle body 12 forming a housing for a reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system wholly contained within body 12.

Preferably body 12 is mounted on wheels 14, skids or the like, so as to allow movement over a supporting surface without the need for lifting the cleaning system 10. Body 12 is adapted to accept and retain a volume of cleaning liquid 16, typically water, to which may be added a cleaning agent and or a de-foaming agent . Preferably such cleaning agent has non-foaming properties and is non corrosive to the cleaner component parts. Located in the base of body 12, so as to maintain a low centre of gravity, is a pressure pump 18 adapted to draw from liquid 16 and deliver the liquid at high pressure to first hose 20. Preferably the output pressure of pump 18 is in the range of 2 to 3000psi. Preferably, in a high pressure form of the cleaner the output pressure of pump 18 is in the range of 1000 to 1500psi but higher pressures up to a maximum of 3000 psi might be more suitable for some applications. Preferably, in a low pressure form of the cleaner where high pressures may damage the surface to be cleaned the output pressure of pump 18 is in the range of 2 to lOOpsi. Pressure pump 18 can be a submersible pump within the chamber as shown in Figure 1, or, if not submersible, located external to the chamber holding the liquid 16 as can be seen with pump 118 in Figure 6. Now with reference to Figure 6 and enlargement Figure 6A, the pressure pump 118 external to body 12, draws liquid 16 from the body 12 through filter assembly 100 and piping 110. Filter assembly 100 contains a cylindrical filter 113, preferably a cartridge filter of a porous textile supported on a frame 117. Filter 113 is located within an enclosed filter housing 105 with both filter 113 and housing 105 held rigidly in place by means of threaded rod 106 and blind wing nut 102. The filter housing 105 extends almost to the bottom of body 12 leaving a gap 107 for the liquid 116 to pass through. The filter 113, housing 105 and body 12 seal one to each other by means of rubber rings 108 or the like; one seal located at the top and the other located at the bottom of filter 113. Wing nut 102 seals against the housing 105 by means of sealing washer 109. The arrangement thus described allows the pump 118 to draw liquid through the filter 113 over its entire filter surface even when the liquid 16 surface 101 drops below the level of the top of the filter 113. Indeed the filter 113 will continue to filter over its entire filter surface until the liquid level drops to the point where air can enter the housing 105 through the gap 107.

A 3-way-valve 114 is provided in piping 110, between the filter 113 and the pump 118 allowing any two or all three of the three ports of valve 114 to be interconnected. The valve 114 allows for firstly, the body 12 to be filled with liquid from a supply hose 103; secondly, for the pump 118 to be primed under pressure from the supply hose 103 or thirdly, for the pump 118 to draw liquid 116 directly from the body 12. Preferably body 12 is fitted with a large bore drain valve 111 to facilitate the draining and cleaning of the body.

Pressure pump 118 is fitted with a pressure switch 104 at the outlet of the pump. Pressure switch 104 can be used to control a mutually exclusive switching between operational and non-operational states of the pressure pump 118 and component vacuum pumps 70 of a vacuum pump arrangement 22 (shown in Figure 5) as will be explained below. Pressure switch 104 is adapted to act as an over-pressure sensing switch to detect when pressure supplied by said pump exceeds a predefined threshold. Switch 104 also acts to turn off the pump when flow from the pump is obstructed when the delivery/recovery head trigger is released to close the delivery nozzle.

With reference to Figure 5, there is shown a schematic diagram of the vacuum pump arrangement 22, located at the top of body 12 (as shown in Figure 1) . In a preferred arrangement, two vacuum pumps 70, each with a one-way valve 71 at the pump inlet, are fitted into a common vacuum receiving chamber 72. Air is drawn into the vacuum receiving chamber 72, entering through vacuum receiving chamber inlet 73 and thence through one-way valves 71 and vacuum pumps 70.

Vacuum pumps 70 can discharge through their exhaust ports 74 into a common exhaust manifold 75. An exhaust fitting 76 in the manifold 75 allows a blower hose 77 to be connected to the vacuum pump arrangement 22 for the purpose of blowing any residual liquid from cleaned surfaces and other similar purposes .

Now with reference to Figures 7A and 7B there is shown a plan and sectioned side view of a preferred form of a liquid separation device 80. A returning airstream with entrained liquid enters the separation device 80 through tangential inlet pipe 81. Heavier entrained particulates and a portion of the entrained liquid are thrown to the outer surface of the separation device 80 by centrifugal force. Larger size particulates are prevented from further travel by course screen 82 where they collect. The airstream with the remaining liquid continues around to vane separator 83. Vanes 91 force directional changes in the airstream to trap liquid particles so that substantially all of the remaining liquid is removed from the airstream which continues out through the exit 84 of vane separator 83 and exits the separation device 80 through central exit pipe 86. Exit pipe 86 communicates with the inlet 73 of the vacuum pump arrangement 22 previously described and shown in Figure 5. Bypass of liquid from the inlet 81 to the exit 86 is prevented by means of an internal dividing wall 85. The base of the separation device 80 is formed by conical section 87 (as shown in Figure 7B) with a series of slots 88 in its peripheral edge which sits on, and slightly inside an inverted and truncated conical section, or tundish 89. Liquid separated from the airstream drains to the outside of conical section 87, through slots 88 and into tundish 89. Freed from the turbulence of the airstream the liquid drains to opening 90 and into the reservoir of liquid within body 12. The components of separation device 80 are assembled by means of various fasteners (not shown) adapted to allow rapid disassembly for ease of cleaning when required.

It has been found that the inclusion of vane separator 83 in this design of separation device 80, guarantees almost complete separation of the entrained liquid, although an adequate separation for some applications can be achieved by the combination cyclonic action and the use of opposing conical sections 87 and 89.

Now with reference again to Figure 1, preferably mounted at the top of body 16, is the vacuum pump arrangement 22 previously described, providing vacuum pressure to second hose 24 through the body 12. Power for both suction pump 18 and the vacuum pump arrangement 22 may be from mains supply, with preferably internal control power reticulation at low voltage. Alternatively, the cleaning system may be provided with a rechargeable power source for increased safety and mobility. Switches are provided (not shown) to allow independent switching on and off of pump 18 and vacuum pump arrangement 22, or the component pumps of the vacuum pump arrangement. The vacuum pump arrangement incorporates a first switch and control for the reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system, adapted to selectively switch the sub-system from an operational to a non-operational condition. A further switching mechanism acts to modulate the vacuum pump arrangement from an operational to a non-operational condition. By these means the duty cycles of the vacuum pump arrangement and the sub-system can be selected as required so that maximum combined electric current draw at_any one time is limited to domestic electric output capacity, which is typically lOamps. Modulation of the vacuum provided by the vacuum pump arrangement may also be effected by use of a variable speed vacuum pump.

In a preferred arrangement, one of the vacuum pumps 70 has an electric current draw substantially equal to the pressure pump 18 (or 118) . In this arrangement, that one vacuum pump 70 switches from off to on automatically as the pressure pump 18 or 118 switches from on to off such that the operational states of the one vacuum pump and the pressure pump are mutually exclusive. One-way valves 71 prevent an active vacuum pump 70 drawing air from the adjoining inactive pump when the one vacuum pump is so switched. This arrangement allows the cleaner to move seamlessly with electric current draw always below the allowable maximum between an operational state with pump 18 (or 118) and one vacuum pump running and an operational state with only the 2 vacuum pumps running as the trigger controlling the pump 18 (or 118) is released.

In another preferred arrangement the complimentary modulation of the at least one vacuum pump 70 and pressure pump 18 (or 118) is achieved by varying the speed of the at least one vacuum pump 70 and/or pressure pump 18 (or 118) by electronic means.

A hose system 26 with dual passageways 26A and 26B is connected at a first end to a swivel connection 29 and fitting 28 mounted to a side wall of body 12. Hose system 26 may be in the form of two hose bodies co-extruded, two separate hoses retained in close contact by suitable restraining means or two separate hoses one running wholly within the other as shown in enlargement A of Figure 2. These three alternatives are illustrated in enlargements Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

Fitting 28 is arranged to connect each of first hose 20 and second hose 24 to a respective hose passageway within hose system 26. Thus first conduit 20 may communicate with hose passageway 26B and second conduit 24 communicate with hose passageway 26A. The swivel connection 29 allows the hose system 26 to swivel with respect to the cleaner body 12. Hose system 26 is connected at a second end through another swivel connection 29 (that allows the handpiece 30 to swivel with respect to the hose system 26) to a handpiece 30, comprising as best seen in Figure 2, a hand-held housing 32 and liquid delivery and recovery head 34.

Various preferred arrangements of the handpiece 30 connecting to hose assembly 26 are possible, each of which may be best suited to a particular cleaner and brush application. There are however certain features that are common:

(a) Hose system passageways 26A and 26B both must connect to the delivery and recovery head 34. One or both may extend through hand held housing 32.

(b) Hose system passageway 26A that carries the liquid under pressure from pump 18 (or 118) to handpiece 30 requires a wall construction designed to accept pressure appropriate for the supply pressure of the pump 18 (or 118) . Preferably, this wall construction is best achieved by the use of reinforced pressure hose . (c) Hose system passageway 26B that carries the air and scavenged liquid from the handpiece 30 is necessarily much larger in cross section than passageway 26A that delivers liquid under pressure from pump 18 (or 118) to the handpiece 30.

(d) Hose system passageway 26B must be routed around or through the handheld housing 32 such that the handgrip is not uncomfortable, the passageway does not drag on the target surface and the operator can move the handpiece freely over the target surface.

As shown in Figure 2, hand held housing 32 preferably includes a trigger lever 36 for controlled opening and closing of passageway 26A. With reference to both Figures 2 and 3A, delivery and recovery head 34 includes a brush 38, the bristles 40 of which are arranged to form a relatively thick-walled cylinder. The following description relates to a substantially circular brush assembly, but it will be understood that other shapes such as square, oblong, triangular or elliptical are equally applicable and may suit different cleaning applications. When the ends 42 of the bristles 40 are in contact with a surface 44 to be cleaned, the brush 38 forms an enclosure 48 in which a lowered air pressure may be maintained by vacuum pump arrangement 22 acting via second hose 24, hose passageway 26B and the at least one vacuum inlet orifices 46 in head 34.

By this means, substantially all of the liquid delivered under pressure from a delivery nozzle 50 in head 34 is sucked back to the vacuum pump arrangement 22 to be released back into body 12 and returned to the liquid volume 16 for reuse. Delivery nozzle 50 may be adapted to provide a fan-shaped, vee-shaped or conically-shaped spray pattern.

With reference to Figure 3B there is shown a preferred form of brush assembly utilising flexible rubber type skirts. When the ends 42 of the bristles 40 are in contact with a surface 44 to be cleaned, the brush forms an enclosure 48 into which liquid is delivered under pressure from a delivery nozzle 50 in head 34. In this preferred embodiment of a delivery and recovery head 30, the head is provided with an inner skirt 51 and an outer skirt 52 of a flexible, non- marking elastomeric material, such as a silicone rubber. Preferably skirts 51 and 52 are releasably attached to allow for easy replacement in case of wear or damage. Inner skirt 51 and outer skirt 52 when in use, contact the surface 44 forming a smooth walled annular enclosure 53 around circular brush 40, in which a lowered air pressure may be maintained by vacuum pump arrangement 22 acting via second conduit 24, hose passageway 26B and vacuum inlet orifices 46 in head 34. Outer skirt 51 can be provided with at least one aperture 54 to allow air to be drawn into the annular enclosure 53. The cleaning liquid 55 passes out from the enclosure 48 at the ends of the bristles 42 in contact with the surface 44, under the inner skirt 51 and into the second enclosure 53 to be entrained in the airsteam 56 as it is drawn through the aperture 54, through the annular enclosure 53 and into the at least one vacuum inlet orifice 46.

In a preferred arrangement, outer skirt 52 is angled in towards inner skirt 51 such that when pressure is applied to the delivery/recovery head 30 against surface of application 44, outer skirt 52 slidingly folds inwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of the enclosure and the seal with surface 44. In a further preferred arrangement, outer skirt 52 generally complimenting an outer array of bristles (not shown) is angled out away from inner skirt 51 such that when pressure is applied to the delivery/recovery head 30 against surface of application 44, outer skirt 52 slidingly folds outwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of the enclosure and the seal with surface 44 and to increase the effective cleaning area of the delivery/recovery head 30.

In a further preferred form, the extension of outer skirt 52 from the base portion is greater than the extension of the generally annular array of bristles 40 and the generally annular outer array of bristles (not shown) if present; the extension of the inner skirt 51 being less than the extension of the array of bristles.

With reference to Figure 3C there is shown another preferred form of brush assembly utilising flexible elastomeric type skirts, but in this embodiment also provided with pressurised air. When the ends 42 of the bristles 40 in this arrangement are in contact with a surface 44 to be cleaned, the brush again forms an enclosure 48 into which liquid 55 is delivered under pressure from a delivery nozzle 50 in head 34. As before, inner skirt 51 and outer skirt 52 contact the surface 44 forming a second annular enclosure 53 in which a lowered air pressure may be maintained by vacuum pump arrangement 22 acting via second conduit 24, hose passageway 26B and the at least one vacuum inlet orifices 46 in head 34. In addition pressurised air 59 is introduced to annular enclosure 53 through at least one air inlet nozzle 58. The cleaning liquid 55 passes out from the enclosure 48 at the ends of the bristles 42 in contact with the surface 44, under the inner skirt 51 and into annular enclosure 53 to be entrained in the airstream 56 as it enters annular enclosure 53 and into the at least one vacuum inlet orifice 46. Preferably said pressurised air 59 is supplied from the vacuum pump exhaust manifold 75 and hose 77 as shown in Figure 5.

Now with reference to Figure 3D there is shown another preferred form of the hand piece 130 (particularly suited to the cleaning of walls and floors where some scrubbing action may be necessary) wherein a hand held housing 132 and the trigger assembly 36 are located further away from the brush head 134 but rigidly connected to it in the manner of a broom head and handle by means of a strong rigid connecting piece 131. Preferably the connecting piece 131 also acts as the conduit for at least the high pressure liquid delivery to the delivery/recovery head 134. Preferably the delivery/recovery head 134 takes one of the forms depicted in figures 3A, 3B or 3C. Preferably the hand piece 130 is constructed such that the distance HT of the hand held housing 132 from the target surface 44 is in the range 700 - 1000mm. More preferably HT = 800mm. Preferably the angle AG subtended by connecting piece 131 and the target surface 44 is in the range 40 - 55 degrees. More preferably AG = 45 degrees.

For some applications, to assist in maintaining the bristles of brush 38 and skirts 51 and 52 in contact with surface 44 and thus also ensuring delivery nozzle 50 remains at an optimum distance from surface 44, a detachable trailing wheel device 60 may be provided on handle piece 32 as shown in Figure 4. The support for the trailing wheel may be made adjustable in length (not shown) so as to alter the height of the delivery nozzle and inlet orifices from the surface.

Referring again now to Figure 1, interposed between a liquid outlet 56 of vacuum pump arrangement 22, is a primary filtration system 58 adapted to remove particulate matter from the recovered liquid stream. A further secondary filter system

(not shown) may be provided at the inlet of pump 18.

By this means a small volume of water initially introduced into the body 12 of the device, may be re-used many times over during a cleaning operation. When that operation is completed the water may be discharged, either for garden use for example or to normal waste water drainage. In Use

In use, the system herein described allows effective cleaning of vehicles and other surfaces in a domestic environment. By the combination of relatively high pressure and the recovery and recycling of a relatively small initial volume of water, the present system provides a significant contribution to the conservation of water resources. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

DATED : 21 November 2006

JOHN CHARLES TURNER

Claims

1. A scavenging cleaning system substantially for domestic use, said cleaner comprising in combination: (a) a reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery subsystem located in association with a cleaner body;

(b) a vacuum pump arrangement located within said cleaner body;

2. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said hose system includes separately a delivery passage for said liquid and at least one liquid recovery passage.

3. The cleaning system of claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one swivel connection is located in said hose system.

4. The cleaning system of claim 3 wherein said at least one swivel connection is located at either end or both ends of said hose system.

5. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said delivery/recovery head includes a brush assembly.

6. The cleaning system of any previous claim wherein said liquid from said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system is delivered at a pressure up to 3000 psi .

7. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said pressure is in the range of 1000 psi to 1600 psi.

8. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said pressure is in the range of 2 psi to 100 psi.

9. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery subsystem incorporates at least one baffle; said at least one baffle adapted to prevent liquid surging within said cleaner; said at least one baffle further adapted to reduce amount of entrained liquid droplets presenting to said vacuum pump arrangement .

10. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said cleaner further incorporates a liquid separation device whereby liquid returning to said cleaner is substantially separated from an air stream within which it is entrained.

11. The cleaning system of claim 10 wherein said liquid separation device includes a cyclonic separator.

12. The cleaning system of claim 10 wherein said liquid separation device includes a vane type separator; said vane type separator adapted to separate a liquid from an air stream by means of trapping entrained liquid behind vanes at points where said gas stream is forced to change direction by said vanes.

13. The cleaning system of claim 12 wherein said separator includes a coarse mesh filter or the like; said filter or the like located in front of said vane type separator so as to prevent larger particulate matter entering into and becoming trapped in said vane type separator.

14. The cleaning system of any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein said liquid separation device provides a physical separation between said air stream and said reservoir of liquid within said cleaner.

15. The cleaning system of claim 14 wherein said physical separation is provided by means of a shallow upper cone placed one on top of a shallow inverted lower cone such that said upper cone is pointed upwards and provides a first liquid draining surface extending to a periphery of said liquid separation device.

16. The cleaning system of claim 15 wherein said lower cone forms a tundish; said lower cone truncated to form a central orifice such that liquid having drained from said periphery is captured by said lower cone; said lower cone providing a second draining surface extending to said central orifice.

17. The cleaning system of any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein components of said liquid separation device are adapted for rapid disassembly so as to allow cleaning of said device .

18. The cleaning system of any previous claim wherein said cleaner body is supported on wheels, skids or the like whereby said cleaner can be urged and moved from a first location to a second location without being lifted clear of the surface upon which it rests.

19. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said body is translucent so as to allow a user to observe the level, behaviour and clarity of said liquid.

20. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said body incorporates a transparent or translucent panel so as to allow a user to observe the level, behaviour and clarity of said liquid.

21. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said body incorporates a large bore drain valve.

22. The cleaning system of any previous claim wherein said cleaner further incorporates at least one filter within said body; said at least one filter filtering liquid returned from said delivery nozzle and liquid recovery inlet orifice via said hose system.

23. The cleaning system of claim 22 wherein said at least one filter includes a cyclone-type filter.

24. The cleaning system of claim 22 wherein said at least one filter comprises a cartridge filter.

25. The cleaning system of claim 22 wherein said at least one filter comprises a porous textile supported on a frame; said textile and said frame forming a filter assembly within said reservoir of liquid, supply and recovery subsystem.

26. The cleaning system of claim 25 wherein said textile incorporated in said filter assembly is adapted to have an affinity with selected contaminants returning to said cleaner body in said air stream and recovered liquid.

27. The cleaning system of claim 26 wherein said selected contaminants include oil and like substances originating in from road film washed from a vehicle surface.

28. The cleaning system of any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein said at least one filter within said body is positioned between the point of entry into said body of said liquid recovery passage and the surface of said liquid retained in said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system.

29. The cleaning system of any one of claims 22 to 28 wherein said at least one filter within said cleaner body is enclosed within an enclosed filter housing such that the entire surface area of said at least one filter is utilised even at very low liquid levels within said cleaner reservoir.

30. The cleaning system of claim 29 wherein said filter housing is comprised of an inverted, open container sealed but for a small gap at the bottom to allow said liquid to pass through from said reservoir to said at least one filter.

31. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 30 wherein a 3-way-valve is located in a liquid conduit between said reservoir of liquid and said pressure pump. Said 3-way- valve connecting at a first port to said reservoir, at a second port to said pressure pump and having a third port available for connection to a supply hose.

32. The cleaning system of claim 31 wherein said 3-way-valve can allow any two or all three of said ports to be interconnected.

33. The cleaning system of claim 31 or 32 wherein said supply hose is used to fill said reservoir of liquid.

34. The cleaning system of any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein said supply hose is used to prime said pressure pump.

35. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein said delivery/recovery head comprises a hand-held housing and a head portion; said head portion incorporating said delivery nozzle and said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice.

36. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein said delivery/recovery head comprises a hand-held housing and a head portion separated by a rigid and strong connecting piece set at an angle to said head portion and of sufficient length such that said hand piece is at a practical working distance from the face of the delivery/recovery head for the cleaning of solid surfaces such as walls and floors; said head portion incorporating said delivery nozzle and said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice.

37. The cleaning system of claim 36 wherein said angle is between 40 and 55 degrees.

38. The cleaning system of claim 36 wherein said angle is 45 degrees .

39. The cleaning system of claim 36 wherein said practical working distance is between 700 and 1000mm.

40. The cleaning system of claim 36 wherein said practical working distance is 800mm.

41. The cleaning system of claim 1 or 40 wherein said delivery nozzle and said at least one recovery inlet orifice are fixed within said head portion.

42. The cleaning system of any one of claims 36 to 41 wherein said delivery nozzle is controlled by a trigger assembly on said hand-held housing.

43. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 42 wherein said delivery nozzle is adjustable in height relative to a vehicle body or other surface over which it passes.

44. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 43 wherein said delivery nozzle is adapted to provide a fan-shaped, vee-shaped or conically-shaped spray pattern.

45. The cleaning system of claim 43 or 44 wherein said delivery nozzle is recessed within said brush assembly; the bristles of said brush or like structure extending beyond said delivery nozzle so as to contact said vehicle body or other surface at a predetermined distance in advance of said delivery nozzle.

46. The cleaning system of claim 45 wherein said bristles are arranged in a generally annular array; said delivery nozzle located centrally within said array; said array forming an enclosure when in contact with said surface; said enclosure adapted to substantially capture liquid emitted by said delivery nozzle for return to said body via said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice.

47. The cleaning system of claim 46 wherein said at least one liquid recovery inlet orifice arranged at the periphery of said annular array.

48. The cleaning system of claim 46 or 47 wherein a base portion of said head portion is provided with a flexible outer skirt of elastomeric material extending from a periphery of said base portion; said base portion further provided with a flexible inner skirt of elastomeric material extending from a periphery of a generally annular array of bristles of said brush assembly; said inner skirt substantially concentric with said outer skirt to form a generally annular space; the arrangement being such that liquid injected into an enclosure formed by said annular array of bristles and a surface of application, is forced outwardly past said bristles into said generally annular area formed between said inner skirt and said outer skirt; said liquid substantially drawn into at least one said liquid recovery inlet orifice communicating with said generally annular space.

49. The cleaning system of claim 48 wherein said outer skirt and said inner skirt substantially maintain a seal with said surface of application; said inner skirt and said outer skirt forming a smooth walled enclosure adapted to facilitate capture of said liquid.

50. The cleaning system of claim 48 or 49 wherein said base portion is provided with an outer generally annular array of bristles; said outer generally annular array complementing or replacing said outer skirt.

51. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 50 wherein said outer skirt is angled in towards said inner skirt such that when pressure is applied to said delivery/recovery head against said surface of application being cleaned, said outer skirt slidingly folds inwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of said enclosure and said seal with said surface.

52. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 50 wherein said outer skirt (and if present said generally annular array of bristles complementing or replacing said outer skirt) is angled out away from said inner skirt such that when pressure is applied to said delivery/recovery head against said surface of application being cleaned, said outer skirt slidingly folds outwards so as to substantially maintain integrity of said enclosure and said seal with said surface and to increase the effective cleaning area of the said delivery/recovery head above the projected area of the said base portion of the said delivery/recovery head.

53. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 52 wherein extension of said outer skirt from said base portion is greater than extension of said generally annular array of bristles; extension of said inner skirt being less than said extension of said generally annular array of bristles .

54. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 53 wherein said elastomeric material of said inner skirt and said outer skirt is a non-marking material.

55. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 54 wherein said elastomeric material is a silicone rubber.

56. The cleaning system of any one of claims 48 to 55 wherein said inner skirt and said outer skirt are releasably attached to said base portion so as to be readily replaceable when worn or damaged.

57. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 56 wherein said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub- system includes a pressure pump.

58. The cleaning system of claim 57 wherein said pressure pump is located at or near a base portion of said body thereby to keep the centre of gravity of said cleaner relatively low.

59. The cleaning system of claim 57 or 58 wherein said pressure pump is provided with an over-pressure sensing switch adapted to detect when pressure supplied by said pump exceeds a predefined threshold.

60. The cleaning system of claim 59 wherein said overpressure switch acts to turn off said pump when flow from said pump is obstructed when said trigger is released to close said delivery nozzle while said delivery/recovery head is in contact with a said surface of application.

61. The cleaning system of any one of claims 57 to 60 wherein said pump is provided with an isolating switch adapted to isolate said pump from a power supply.

62. The cleaning system of any previous claim wherein said vacuum pump arrangement incorporates a first switch and control for said reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system; said first switch and control adapted to selectively switch said sub-system from an operational to a non-operational condition.

63. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 62 wherein said vacuum pump arrangement incorporates a switching mechanism thereby to move said vacuum pump arrangement from an operational to a non-operational condition.

64. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 63 wherein said vacuum pump arrangement and said reservoir of liquid and said supply and recovery sub-system are selected so that maximum combined electric current draw at any one time is limited to domestic electric output capacity.

65. The cleaning system of claim 64 wherein said output capacity is 10 amps.

66. The cleaning system of any one of claims 1 to 65 wherein said vacuum pump assembly comprises a plurality of vacuum pumps fitted to a common vacuum receiving chamber; each of said plurality of vacuum pumps individually controllable such that said vacuum pump arrangement exhibits a modulating effect and is capable of delivering a variable air flow and vacuum with a corresponding electrical current draw.

67. The cleaning system of claim 66 wherein said plurality of vacuum pumps comprises two vacuum pumps.

68. The cleaning system of claim 66 or 67 wherein at least one vacuum pump discharges into a common exhaust manifold .

69. The cleaning system of claim 68 wherein said common exhaust manifold is a source of pressurised air.

70. The cleaning system of claim 68 or 69 wherein said common exhaust manifold is provided with a fitting at an exhaust port of said manifold; said exhaust port adapted to accept connection of a blower hose to said vacuum pump assembly to facilitate blowing down or drying of surfaces.

71. The cleaning system of claim 67 wherein one vacuum pump of said two vacuum pumps has an electric current draw substantially equal to said one pressure pump.

72. The cleaning system of claim 71 wherein said one vacuum pump is arranged to switch from off to on automatically as said pressure pump switches from on to off such that the operational states of said one vacuum pump and said pressure pump are mutually exclusive.

73. The cleaning system of any one of claims 66 to 72 wherein each of said vacuum pumps is provided with a one-way valve adapted to prevent an operational vacuum pump drawing air through an adjacent non-operational vacuum pump, thereby to ensure substantially all air entering said vacuum pump assembly is drawn from said liquid separator device so as to maximise scavenging of liquid.

74. The cleaning system of any one of claims 66 to 73 wherein said modulating effect of said vacuum pump assembly is effected by means of a single vacuum pump provided with a variable speed drive.

75. The cleaning system of claim 31 wherein a modulating effect of said pressure pump is effected by means of a variable speed drive.

76. The cleaning system of claim 75 wherein a modulating effect of said vacuum pump assembly and said pressure pump is effected by means of variable speed drives on each .

77. The cleaning system of claim 76 wherein said variable speed drives are controlled by an electronic control in a complimentary manner such that as the pressure pump speeds up the vacuum pump assembly slows down.

78. The cleaning system of claim 77 wherein said electronic control maintains the total electric current draw for both said pressure pump and said vacuum pump assembly below a preset maximum.

79. The cleaning system of claim 78 wherein said preset maximum electric current draw is the maximum allowable from a domestic power outlet.

80. A method for the minimisation of liquid usage in a water- jet cleaning operation; said method including the steps of: (a) supplying said liquid from a portable reservoir of liquid and a supply and recovery sub-system via a first hose passage and a delivery nozzle of a delivery/recovery head,

(b) providing said delivery/recovery head with a projecting generally annular brush forming an enclosure when ends of bristles of said brush are in contact with a surface,

81. The method of claim 80 wherein said surface is the exterior of a motor vehicle.

82. The method of claim 80 or 81 wherein said surface is a hard surface of any orientation amenable to cleaning with a high pressure liquid jet.

83. A scavenging cleaning system as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DATED : 21 November 2006

JOHN CHARLES TURNER