U.S. patent number 3,774,260 [Application Number 05/221,983] was granted by the patent office on 1973-11-27 for vacuum pick-up system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Carpetech Corp.. Invention is credited to Ronald W. Emus, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,774,260 |
Emus, Jr. |
November 27, 1973 |
VACUUM PICK-UP SYSTEM
Abstract
There is disclosed apparatus for cleaning carpets, upholstery
and the like utilizing a motor driven separate reservoir system for
supplying a cleaning solution to a remote cleaning head adapted to
apply the cleaning solution to the material being cleaned, and a
separate motor driven vacuum pick-up system for storing cleaning
solution and entrained dirt picked up via the cleaning head. The
reservoir system may typically include in combination with a
reservoir tank, a cleaning fluid pumping circuit comprising fluid
heating means, a fluid pump for supplying fluid from the reservoir
tank to the heating means, pressure sensitive valve means for
returning heated cleaning fluid to the reservoir tank when the
fluid circuit to the cleaning head is closed, and flow sensitive
means disposed between the reservoir tank and the fluid pump
effective to disconnect the pump drive motor and shut down the
fluid pump and heater when the supply of cleaning fluid in the
reservoir tank is exhausted. The vacuum system includes a vacuum
tank, a vacuum pump driven by an electric motor for evacuating the
tank, a dump pump driven by an electric motor for emptying the
vacuum tank, a float actuated switching unit disposed in the vacuum
tank, and switching means actuated by the switching unit effective
to control the dump pump motor and disconnect the vacuum pump drive
motor when the vacuum tank is full of fluid.
Inventors: |
Emus, Jr.; Ronald W.
(Billercia, MA) |
Assignee: |
Carpetech Corp. (Everett,
Middlesex County, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
22830248 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/221,983 |
Filed: |
January 31, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/321;
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/4088 (20130101); A47L 11/34 (20130101); A47L
11/4083 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20060101); A47L 11/34 (20060101); A47l
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/321,319,353
;417/40 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Moore; C. K.
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and
desired to protect as Letters Patent is:
1. In a two tank cleaning apparatus for cleaning carpets and the
like in situ comprising a cleaning solution reservoir tank system,
a vacuum tank pick-up system, and a remote cleaning head; said
reservoir tank system comprising a reservoir tank for supplying
cleaning fluid under pressure to said cleaning head; said vacuum
tank pick-up system including a vacuum tank adapted for connection
to a flexible hose for coupling the interior of said vacuum tank to
said remote cleaning head, an air suction-blower having an inlet
and an outlet, said inlet being coupled to said vacuum tank for
evacuating air therefrom, and a first electric drive motor for
actuating said suction-blower, the improvement comprising:
a. a liquid pump having an inlet coupled to said vacuum tank for
pumping fluid out of said vacuum tank;
b. a second electric drive motor for actuating said liquid pump;
and
c. float actuated switching means including a hollow tube disposed
in said vacuum tank, said tube extending from at least about the
bottom to at least about the top of said vacuum tank, said
switching means comprising first switch means disposed in said tube
adjacent the top of said vacuum tank, second switch means disposed
in said tube adjacent the bottom of said vacuum tank, and float
means freely slidable on said tube and including means for
actuating said first and second switch means when said float means
is disposed at about the level of respectively said first and
second switch means;
d. first circuit means actuated by said first switch means operable
to control the operation of at least said first motor; and
e. second circuit means actuated by said second switch means
operable to control the operation of said second motor.
2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said vacuum tank
has an opening in its bottom wall and said hollow tube is
imperforate, closed at its end adjacent the top of said vacuum tank
and sealably carried by the bottom wall of said vacuum tank at said
opening therein.
3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for
actuating said first and second switch means comprises magnet means
and said first and second switch means are magnetically actuatable
by said magnet means.
4. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said hollow tube
is rectangular and said magnet means is imbedded in said float
means adjacent the inner periphery thereof.
5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said magnet means
is a single magnet.
6. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said hollow tube
is cylindrical and said magnet means comprises first and second
magnets imbedded in said float means opposite one another adjacent
the inner periphery thereof.
7. In a two tank cleaning apparatus for cleaning carpets and the
like in situ comprising a cleaning solution reservoir tank system,
a vacuum tank pick-up system, and a remote cleaning head; said
reservoir tank system comprising a reservoir tank for supplying
cleaning fluid under pressure to said cleaning head; said vacuum
tank pick-up system including a vacuum tank adapted for connection
to a flexible hose for coupling the interior of said vacuum tank to
said remote cleaning head, an air suction-blower having an inlet
and an outlet, said inlet being coupled to said vacuum tank for
evacuating air therefrom, and a first electric drive motor for
actuating said suction-blower, the improvement comprising:
a. a liquid pump having an inlet coupled to said vacuum tank for
pumping fluid out of said vacuum tank;
b. a second electric drive motor for actuating said liquid pump;
and
c. float actuated switching means including a hollow tube disposed
in said vacuum tank, said tube extending from at least about the
bottom to at least about the top of said vacuum tank, said
switching means comprising first switch means disposed in said tube
adjacent the top of said vacuum tank, second switch means disposed
in said tube adjacent the bottom of said vacuum tank, and float
means freely slidable on said tube and including magnet means for
actuating said first and second switch means when said float means
is disposed at about the level of respectively said first and
second switch means;
d. first circuit means for connection to a source of electric
power;
e. second circuit means actuated by said first switch means for
connecting and disconnecting at least said first motor from said
first circuit means; and
f. third circuit means actuated by said second switch means for
connecting said second motor to said first circuit means when said
float means is disposed above said second switch means and
disconnecting said second motor from said first circuit means when
said float means is disposed at about the bottom of said vacuum
tank.
8. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said second
circuit means includes a first relay comprising a first actuating
relay coil and a first relay switch actuated by said first relay
coil, said first relay coil being connected in series with said
first switch means and said first relay switch being connected in
series with said first motor; and said third circuit means includes
a second relay comprising a second actuating relay coil and a
second relay switch actuated by said second relay coil, said second
relay coil being connected in series with said second switch means
and said second relay switch being connected in series with said
second motor.
9. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said first relay
switch is connected in series with said first and second motors
whereby actuation of first magnetically actuated switch by said
float means is effective to disconnect said first and second motors
from said source of power.
10. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said vacuum tank
has an opening in its bottom wall and said hollow tube is
imperforate, closed at its end adjacent the top of said vacuum tank
and sealably carried by the bottom wall of said vacuum tank at said
opening therein, said means for actuating said first and second
switch means comprises magnetic means, and said first and second
switch means are magnetically actuable by said magnet means.
Description
The present invention relates to carpet and upholstery cleaning
apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus for supplying a
cleaning fluid to a cleaning head for application to a carpet and
providing vacuum pick-up means to withdraw from the carpet the
cleaning fluid and entrained dirt.
In the cleaning of carpet and upholstery, it has been found
effective to discharge a jet of pressurized cleaning solution into
the pile, nap, or weave of the fabric to be cleaned, and to
thereafter apply suction to the fabric to withdraw the used
cleaning solution from the fabric together with the dirt loosened
and entrained in the cleaning solution.
Cleaning apparatus of the type referred to above may comprise, for
example, a liquid tank and vacuum tank each mounted on separate
base structures housing a drive motor and its associated
components. A motor drives a suction blower, the intake side of
which is coupled to the interior of the vacuum tank while the
discharge side of the vacuum blower discharges to the atmosphere
either directly or through a muffler. A liquid pump also driven by
a motor is connected to draw liquid from the liquid tank and feed
the liquid under pressure to heating means which is then discharged
through a hose and control valve to a spray or cleaning head
adapted to discharge the heated liquid onto the material being
cleaned. For a more thorough discussion, reference is made to
patent application Ser. No. 25,521, filed Apr. 3, 1970, now U.S.
Pat. No. 3,663,984, and assigned to the same assignee as this
application.
Other cleaning devices particularly devoted to commercial cleaning
fields have been provided which include fluid distribution means
and a vacuum means for picking up fluid and loosened material from
surfaces after the surface has been scrubbed by brushes or the
like. Still other devices have been provided which include means
for high pressure fluid distribution and vacuum pick-up means for
receiving the fluid delivered to the surface to be cleaned. The
picked-up fluid may or may not be returned for recirculation. These
devices operate on the principle that the high pressure fluid
delivery serves as the cleaning and scrubbing element thereby
eliminating the use of brushes or other scrubbing devices.
Whether one is concerned with two-tank cleaning apparatus as
described above or any other apparatus having similar power
requirements, in every case the power consuming characteristic of
the apparatus has in the past been effectively limited to
relatively low levels. This power limitation is due to the fact
that the National Electric Code requires that all residential and
industrial conventional convenience outlets be wired and fused for
only 15 amperes.
In the past this limitation in available electrical power from any
convenience outlet has severely limited the design, capability, and
efficiency of such devices because their electrical power
consumption must be limited to relatively low values, even if
separate electrical devices are provided for connection to separate
outlets as taught in the aforementioned patent application Ser. No.
25,521. For a description of a method of and apparatus for
combining electrical power from two separately fused circuits and
supplying same to carpet cleaning apparatus of the type here
concerned, wherein current in excess of that available from one
convenience outlet may be supplied to the vacuum drive motor for
example, while still supplying sufficient current to the other
power consuming devices, reference is made to patent application
Ser. No. 154,889, filed June 21, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,771
and assigned to the same assignee as this patent application.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved two-tank
cleaning apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved two-tank
cleaning apparatus designed to deliver a heated cleaning solution
under pressure to a surface to be cleaned and to recover the
solution through the use of a vacuum system.
A further object of the invention is the provision of improved
two-tank cleaning apparatus comprising a reservoir system and
vacuum system wherein the vacuum system includes a float actuated
switching unit for disconnecting the vacuum drive motor and
controlling a dump pump motor for emptying the vacuum tank.
A still further object of the invention is the provision in
two-tank cleaning apparatus of an improved vacuum pick-up
system.
A further object of the invention is the provision in two-tank
cleaning apparatus of an improved vacuum pick-up system including a
vacuum tank and having a dump pump for automatically emptying used
cleaning fluid from the vacuum tank without danger of damage to the
dump pump and also preventing overfilling wherein the dump pump and
the vacuum drive motors are controlled by a float actuated
switching unit in the vacuum tank.
The novel features that are considered characteristic of the
invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention
itself, however, both as to its organization and method of
operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof,
will best be understood from the following description of a
specific embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a reservoir system in accordance
with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the vacuum pick-up system;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section showing details of
the float actuated switching unit in the vacuum tank.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit including
reed switches in a float actuated switching unit in the vacuum tank
for controlling the vacuum drive motor and dump pump motor.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a remote cleaning head for cleaning
carpets together with a reservoir and vacuum pick-up system.
FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the float
actuated switching unit comprising a cylindrical tube and
float.
Directing attention now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 is shown the
reservoir system designated generally by the numeral 10. The
reservoir system may be supported by an acoustically insulated base
housing as shown for example in FIG. 4, the reservoir or solution
tank 12 being removably attached as by hooks or the like to the
upper surface of the housing and the balance of the reservoir
system more fully described hereinafter being contained in
conventional manner within the base housing.
At the base of the reservoir tank may be provided two connections
preferably of the conventional "quick disconnect" type so that the
reservoir tank can be simply, quickly, and without loss of fluid,
removed from the base housing while still containing a liquid or
cleaning solution. Disposed within and supported by the base
housing is an electric drive motor 15 coupled, for example, in
conventional driving relationship via pulleys to a solution or
liquid pump 16. While the electric drive motor must meet certain
power requirements, the liquid pump employed may if protected as
described hereinafter be of a simple and inexpensive type without
any protective means or apparatus to protect the pump against
damage in the event the pump inlet is not continuously supplied
with fluid. Since several well-known types are suitable for the
purpose, the details thereof are not illustrated or described
herein.
The inlet or low-pressure side of the liquid pump 16 may be
connected by a conventional pipe or liquid supply line 19, a
pressure or flow sensitive switch 25 more fully disclosed
hereinafter, and a flexible hose 26 to the quick disconnect
connection 13 as shown.
As will become more evident hereinafter the inlet and outlet sides
of the liquid pump need not be coupled through conventional by-pass
means including pipes and a pressure regulator for maintaining a
predetermined pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump and/or
providing continuous fluid flow through the pump. The liquid pump
may be of a conventional type as noted above and typically should
at least be capable of providing an outlet pressure of about 100
psi at flow rates of about 2 gallons per minute or more. The outlet
of the liquid pump 16 communicates through pipe 31 and a one-way
check valve 32 with the lower end of a conventional electric type
heater means 33 for at least maintaining the temperature of
cleaning fluid at a suitable temperature to provide at the outlet
of the heater, a temperature of, for example, about 160.degree. F.
The cleaning fluid is most conveniently initially provided in the
tank 12 by mixing suitably hot water with concentrated detergents
and the like. A suitable heater may be, for example, a "Chromalex,"
Model No. B, manufactured by the Edwin L. Wiegand Company which
includes adjustable thermostat means 33a to control the temperature
to which the liquid is heated by the heater.
The outlet side of the heater 33 communicates through one port of a
T-connection via pipe 34, flexible hose 30, a pressure regulator
35, and connection 14 with the interior of the reservoir tank 12.
Through the other port of the T-connection, the outlet of the
heater also communicates via pipe 36, filter 37, adjustable flow
pressure valve 38, pressure gauge 39 and a quick disconnect
connection 44 with an insulated and flexible high temperature fluid
predetermined 42, the remote end of which hose communicates with a
suitable cleaning head more fully described hereinafter and in said
application Ser. No. 25,521. Heated fluid may flow from the heater
33 in one of two directions, the first of which is through pressure
regulator 35 and back into the reservoir tank and the second of
which is via pipe 36, adjustable flow pressure valve 38 and
flexible hose 42 to the cleaning head. Pressure regulator 35 is
adjusted to open and permit heated fluid to pass therethrough when
the pressure in line 34 is greater than a predetermined amount such
as, for example, 75 psi. Adjustable flow pressure valve 38 is a
normally open, solenoid actuated type flow valve having an on-off
switch 46 connected in series therewith and a pilot light 47. Both
the switch 46 and pilot light 47 are preferably mounted on the base
housing. The pilot light 47 is of course lit when switch 46 is
closed thereby indicating that valve 38 is in its actuated
position.
When the control valve in the cleaning head is in its normally
closed position, thereby preventing the discharge of cleaning fluid
(or flexible hose 42 is disconnected thereby closing line 36 at
connection 44), cleaning fluid in the reservoir tank will be
continuously supplied to the heater 33, heated, and then circulated
back into the reservoir tank 12. The adjustable flow pressure valve
38, pressure gauge 39, and one-half of connection 44 may be mounted
in the base housing. The quick disconnect connection 44 is, of
course, connected such that the high temperature fluid line 36 is
closed when the flexible hose 42 to the cleaning head is
disconnected.
When the high temperature fluid line 36 is coupled to the cleaning
head via hose 42 and the control valve at the cleaning head is
opened, the heated fluid which previously was flowing back into the
reservoir tank via pressure regulator 35 now flows through the high
temperature flexible hose 42 and is discharged at the cleaning head
because the pressure on the heater outlet side of pressure
regulator 35 drops below the critical pressure at which it is set
and, accordingly, pressure regulator 35 closes. Upon closure of
regulator 35, the heated fluid is directed to the cleaning head.
When the control valve on the remote cleaning head is closed or
hose 42 is disconnected, the pressure on the heater side of
pressure regulator 35 increases thereby causing pressure regulator
35 to exceed its critical pressure and, hence, open and permit
heated cleaning fluid to again be circulated back to the reservoir
tank. As will now be obvious, there is a continuous flow of fluid
from the reservoir tank to the heater and thence back to the
reservoir tank except when fluid is permitted to be discharged at
the cleaning head. This permits the solution in the tank to be at
least continuously maintained at an initial predetermined
temperature thereby allowing maximum cleaning capability to be
effected by the cleaning solution.
The foregoing arrangement also results in continuous pressurized
flow of fluid through the pump 16 irrespective of whether cleaning
fluid is being used or not. Accordingly, during any time that motor
15 is actuated no damage can result to the motor driven pump or the
system so long as sufficient cleaning fluid is contained in tank 12
to permit continuous circulation via pipes 26 and 30.
Pressure switch 25 is connected in series with electric motor 15
via conductors 48. Flow sensitive switch 25 may be any conventional
type such as, for example, a McDonnell No. FS1 flow switch
manufactured by McDonnell and Miller, Inc., of Chicago, Ill., which
is comprised of an electrical switch portion controlled by a flow
sensitive portion through which the monitored fluid flows. The
point of actuation of the switch is variable whereby the switch can
be set to be actuated from a minimum to a maximum flow
velocity.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical switch portion of switch 25 is
connected in series with the input line. Thus, when normal flow in
hose 26 is interrupted, as when tank 12 is empty or flow via hose
30 or line 36 is blocked, this condition is detected by switch 25
and the flow of current to motor 15, heater 33, and flow control
valve 38 is interrupted. In short, the reservoir system is shut
down, thereby preventing damage to heater 33 and/or damage to pump
16 that may otherwise result from their continued use without a
continuous supply of fluid.
Directing attention now to FIG. 2 there is shown the vacuum tank
pick-up system generally designated by the number 55 comprising a
vacuum tank 56 that may be removably supported as by hooks on a
second base housing (not shown), a second drive motor 58, and a
suction blower 59. The drive motor 58 may be drivingly connected as
by a pulley-belt system to the suction blower 59. The suction
blower may be of the positive displacement type. The specific type
of suction blower employed is not material to the invention, and
since several well-known types are suitable for the purpose, the
details thereof are not illustrated or described herein. The outlet
or high pressure side of the suction blower 59 communicates through
a pipe 61 with one end of a silencer 62 which may be a muffler of
the type used to muffle the exhaust noise of internal combustion
engines and the like. The silencer 62 is preferably supported
within the base housing as by support brackets or the like.
A suction type flexible hose 60 is connected to the inlet or low
pressure side of the suction blower 59 and extends upwardly through
a hole in the base housing. The upper end of the flexible hose 60
is removably fitted onto the lower end of a suction tube 63
incorporated axially in the vacuum tank 56. The flexible hose 60
preferably is of the annularly corrugated, axially resiliently
extensible type to permit it to be easily connected and
disconnected from the axial tube 63 of the vacuum tank 56.
A suitable base housing may be of sheet metal, cylindrical, mounted
on casters, and of a size to receive the components as described
hereinbefore.
The vacuum tank is of the same size and generally of the same
structure as the reservoir tank. Each may comprise a conventional
domed bottom, sealed into the lower end of a conical wall having a
radially inwardly extending shoulder. While the upper end of the
reservoir tank is open, that of the vacuum tank is closed, and has
a suction relief valve 64 mounted thereon. The suction relief valve
64 is so adjusted that when the pressure within the vacuum tank
drops below a pre-set minimum of the relief valve, the latter will
open to permit atmospheric air to bleed in and thus limit the
vacuum in the tank to the desired level. A conventional vacuum
gauge 65 is mounted on the vacuum tank to indicate the degree of
vacuum therein.
Provided adjacent the top of the vacuum tank is a suction inlet 68
for communicating the vacuum hose 69 with the interior of the
vacuum tank. The remote end of the vacuum hose 69 is coupled to the
cleaning head as and for the purposes more fully described
hereinafter. A drain valve 40 is also provided at a low point in
the vacuum tank for draining soiled cleaning solution therefrom. A
conventional electrically driven dump pump 66 is coupled to the
interior of the vacuum tank via hose 67 and a "quick disconnect"
connection 70. A garden hose or the like may be connected to the
outlet of the dump pump and is of such length as to reach a
drain.
Disposed within the vacuum tank 56 is a float actuated switching
unit 71 comprising a sealed, upright tube 72 sealably attached to
the bottom of the vacuum tank 56, a float 73 slidably carried on
the tube 72, and switching means removably carried inside tube 72.
The switching means as best shown in FIG. 3 may comprise a first
upper magnetically actuatable reed switch 74 and a second lower
magnetically actuatable reed switch 75 attached to a supporting
member 76 maintained in tube 72 by plate 77, two conductors for
each switch being brought out through the bottom of the vacuum tank
and connected as and for the purpose set forth below.
Irrespective of whether a square or circular tube is used the
actuated portions of the reed switches are preferably ferromagnetic
and disposed close to the tube wall. For the case of a square
float, it need only be provided with a single magnet 78 effective
to actuate each reed switch when moved to a position in close
proximity thereto. In conventional manner, the magnet actuates each
switch to its actuated position. Thus, if the reed switches 74 and
75 are normally closed when the fluid level reaches a sufficiently
high level, as may be determined by the location of switch 74,
float 73 will reach switch 74 and actuate it, which action, in
accordance with the invention, is utilized to prevent further fluid
from being introduced into the vacuum tank as it is necessary to
make sure that liquid does not enter pipe 63. On the other hand,
when the level of liquid in the vacuum tank approaches switch 75,
float 73 will reach this switch and actuate it. In accordance with
the invention, this action is advantageously utilized to control a
motor driven dump pump for automatically pumping soiled cleaning
fluid out of the vacuum tank and via a suitable hose, to any
convenient drain.
If desired, a switch or the like (not shown) may be connected in
series with motor 66 to prevent its actuation in the event a drain
is not available and/or it is not desired to continuously empty the
vacuum tank. Operation under these circumstances will in due course
cause actuation of switch 74 which may, for example shut the system
down. Thus, even if tank 12 is refilled, operation is prevented
until tank 56 is emptied.
Where a circular tube 72a as shown in FIG. 6 is used, and care is
exercised to locate the reed switches close to the tube wall, which
of course must be composed of a non-magnetic material, a circular
float 73a may be used with two oppositely disposed magnets 78a and
78b. If desired, for example, the tube may be formed of a suitable
non-magnetic material such as, for example, non-magnetic stainless
steel and made integral with a threaded base portion 97 adapted to
be sealably threaded in conventional manner into the base of the
vacuum tank. The float is advantageously formed of a plastic that
will float with the magnet or magnets imbedded therein adjacent the
inner periphery of the float.
The upper switch 74 is preferably located such that it will be
actuated when the fluid level reaches a level several inches below
the top of tube 63, and switch 75 is located such that it will be
actuated when the fluid level is within one or two inches of the
bottom of the vacuum tank.
Directing attention now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in
schematic form, connection of the switches to prevent overfilling
of the vacuum tank and provide automatic emptying during use such
that the fluid level in the vacuum tank is always maintained at a
level near the bottom of the tank.
For the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, switch 74 may be a conventional
normally closed reed switch one contact of which is connected via
conductor 81 and through coil 82 of relay 83 to main power
conductor 84 and one contact is connected to the other main power
conductor 85. The normally closed switch 86 of relay 83 is
connected in series with conductor 84 such that, as shown, power is
removed from vacuum motor 58 and dump pump motor 66 whenever reed
switch 74 is actuated to its open position by float 73. Start
switch 87 is connected across switch 86 to momentarily energize
coil 82 and thereby close switch 86 on start-up.
Normally closed reed switch 75 is connected across the main power
conductors 84 and 85 through coil 91 of relay 92 and conductors 93,
94, and 95. The dump pump motor is connected across the main power
conductors 84 and 85 through normally closed switch 96 of relay 92.
As will now be apparent, when the fluid level in the vacuum tank
causes the float to be disposed above switch 75, current will be
supplied to the dump pump motor and effect emptying of the vacuum
tank. However, when the level of fluid approaches the bottom of the
vacuum tank, reed switch 75 will be actuated to its open position
by float 73, thereby shutting off the dump pump by disconnecting
its motor from the source of current.
While an illustrative arrangement has been shown by way of example,
for controlling the vacuum drive motor 58 and dump pump motor 66,
it is to be understood that the invention is not to be so limited
and that other arrangements and connections operative to control
the aforementioned motors as and for the purposes disclosed may be
used as may be desired by those skilled in the art. For example,
switches 74 and 75 may be coupled to actuate appropriate relays in
the power control system disclosed in said application Ser. No.
154,889.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a suitable cleaning head is indicated
generally by the numeral 181 and includes a floor tool head
assembly 182 and a handle assembly 183. The floor tool head
assembly includes a pick-up nozzle unit 184 to which is secured a
roller 187. When the roller 187 is in contact with the surface of
the carpet or the like being cleaned, the nozzle unit 184 is in
contact with the surface being cleaned.
The nozzle unit 184 is generally hollow having converging front and
rear walls and side walls defining a suction chamber having an
elongated narrow suction opening. In the working position shown in
FIG. 5, the nozzle opening of the nozzle unit is maintained in
contact with an upper surface of a carpet being cleaned. Cleaning
fluid dispensing means (not shown) may be disposed intermediate
nozzle unit 184 and roller 187. Such cleaning fluid dispensing
means may conventionally include a plurality of adjustable jet
outlet nozzles each providing a fan shaped spray and uniformly
spaced from one another on a common axis. The nozzles are
preferably canted slightly such that the edges of the fan shaped
spray from the nozzles overlap but do not interfere one with
another. This is effective in preventing what is commonly referred
to as streak lines in a carpet.
The operation of the illustrative form of the invention is as
follows:
With the reservoir tank and vacuum tank pick-up systems assembled
and the cleaning head operatively connected, the drive motors are
connected to a source of electric current. A supply of cleaning
solution such as, for example, heated water with suitable cleaning
and/or solvent material in solution therein, is poured into the
open top of the reservoir tank 12, the amount and type of solution
used being determined by the nature of the cleaning job to be
performed. With the drain valve 40 of the vacuum tank 56 closed,
and the suction relief valve 64 and the pressure regulator valve 35
set to the desired setting, the separate drive motors 15 and 58 and
the heating element of the heating means 33 are energized. With the
reservoir system drive motor 15 and the heater 33 operating, the
liquid in the reservoir tank is almost continuously being heated
and the suction blower 59 immediately reduces the pressure within
the vacuum pick-up tank 56 which causes a partial vacuum in the
suction hose 69. The size of the suction nozzle is preferably such
as to limit the flow of atmospheric air therethrough to a rate
below the capacity of the suction blower 59, so that were it not
for the vacuum relief valve 64, the vacuum in the hose 69 would be
greater than desirable. Accordingly, a suitable setting of the
vacuum relief valve 64 is such as to maintain the vacuum in the
tank 56 at a suitable level below ambient atmospheric pressure.
With the system thus operating and after a few moments have been
allowed to permit the heating of the liquid in the heater 33, the
control valve at the cleaning head may be opened to permit the
discharge of cleaning fluid via appropriate nozzles onto the
surface to be cleaned. For a further discussion of an appropriate
cleaning head reference is made to said application Ser. No.
25,521.
The suction nozzle of the cleaning head is drawn in successive
strokes across the material to be cleaned while at the same time
operating the control valve as required to direct fan-shaped
streams of heated cleaning fluid from jet outlet nozzles in the
cleaning fluid dispensing means onto the material being cleaned.
The dirt from the material being cleaned together with the cleaning
solution used, and atmospheric air drawn through such material, are
all sucked into the cleaning fluid pick-up chamber of the nozzle,
pass thence through the vacuum hose 69 and are discharged in the
vacuum tank 56 through the suction inlet tube 68.
The soiled cleaning fluid is discharged through the vacuum inlet
tube 68 into the vacuum tank 56 in conventional manner to prevent
the flow of said cleaning fluid through the suction blower. In the
event the dump pump system is not used or is not operative the
collected cleaning fluid may be withdrawn from the vacuum tank 56
by opening the drain valve 71.
Where convenient or possible, the outlet of the dump pump is
preferably connected to a suitable drain via a hose, the action of
the float in the vacuum tank being effective to control the
operation of the dump pump motor to maintain the level of soiled
cleaning solution at its normal low level adjacent the bottom of
the vacuum tank and to disconnect the vacuum drive motor when the
vacuum tank is full.
All during the time that the system is being used, cleaning fluid
is continuously being supplied to pump 16 and either returned to
tank 12 or supplied to the remote cleaning head. Thus the pump is
not exposed to any danger of failure resulting from a lack of input
fluid at any time so long as some fluid is present in tank 12. When
the fluid in tank 12 is exhausted, this condition is immediately
detected by switch 25 which is effective to immediately shut down
the reservoir system thereby preventing any possible damage to the
pump 16 or heater 33 in the event it is not protected by a thermal
cut-out switch. This permits the use of inexpensive and/or
unprotected pumps in addition to permitting the elimination and
consequent cost of thermal protective means for the heater, thereby
achieving not only more efficient operation but a reduction in
component and assembly cost.
For rugs of average or small pile height and/or lightly soiled
rugs, switch 46, which may be conveniently mounted on the base
housing, is actuated to its closed position, thereby providing
actuation of valve 38 and pilot light 47. When valve 38 is in its
normally open or unactuated position, cleaning fluid may flow
therethrough at the maximum rate, thereby providing the high flow
condition.
When switch 46 is closed, valve 38 is actuated, and cleaning fluid
may flow through valve 38 at one-half the rate when it is
unactuated, thereby providing the low flow condition.
The provision of a low flow and a high flow rate is particularly
advantageous when the remote cleaning head is of the small hand
held type useful for cleaning carpets on stairs, in corners, and
furniture and the like.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated
and described, it will be understood, however, that various changes
and modifications may be made in the details thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the
appended claims.
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