EP1006854B1 - Einrichtung zum reinigen von oberflächen mit sprüzerstäuber und wiederverwendungseinheit - Google Patents

Einrichtung zum reinigen von oberflächen mit sprüzerstäuber und wiederverwendungseinheit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1006854B1
EP1006854B1 EP97934883A EP97934883A EP1006854B1 EP 1006854 B1 EP1006854 B1 EP 1006854B1 EP 97934883 A EP97934883 A EP 97934883A EP 97934883 A EP97934883 A EP 97934883A EP 1006854 B1 EP1006854 B1 EP 1006854B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
retrieval
extending
unit
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97934883A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1006854A2 (de
EP1006854A4 (de
Inventor
Richard D. Rohrbacher
Kemper Marley, Jr.
Nelson D. Graves
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cyclone Surface Cleaning Inc
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Cyclone Surface Cleaning Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/746,025 external-priority patent/US5826298A/en
Application filed by Cyclone Surface Cleaning Inc filed Critical Cyclone Surface Cleaning Inc
Publication of EP1006854A2 publication Critical patent/EP1006854A2/de
Publication of EP1006854A4 publication Critical patent/EP1006854A4/de
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Publication of EP1006854B1 publication Critical patent/EP1006854B1/de
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B3/024—Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
    • E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
    • E01H1/10—Hydraulically loosening or dislodging undesirable matter; Raking or scraping apparatus ; Removing liquids or semi-liquids e.g., absorbing water, sliding-off mud
    • E01H1/101—Hydraulic loosening or dislodging, combined or not with mechanical loosening or dislodging, e.g. road washing machines with brushes or wipers
    • E01H1/103—Hydraulic loosening or dislodging, combined or not with mechanical loosening or dislodging, e.g. road washing machines with brushes or wipers in which the soiled loosening or washing liquid is removed, e.g. by suction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B2203/00—Details of cleaning machines or methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B2203/02—Details of machines or methods for cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B2203/0229—Suction chambers for aspirating the sprayed liquid

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a mobile system for processing flat surfaces and includes a cyclonic power wash system that uses sprayed water for cleaning flat surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and other various hard surfaces.
  • Aircraft are sprayed with deicing fluid while on the airport apron or runway. Much of the deicing fluid falls to the flat surface and collects in the expansion joints and cracks formed therein. If this fluid is not quickly removed it will run through the cracks and joints of the surface and eventually find its way into the rivers, lakes and streams.
  • the present invention also relates to a pick up or processing system that can efficiently and quickly pick up liquid from a flat surface as well as from the cracks and expansion joints formed therein.
  • the present invention also relates to a mobile system for processing flat surfaces that has an improved rotary blade that picks up or reclaims sprayed water and the waste from the surface in an improved manner.
  • a mobile system according to the preamble of the independent claim is known from US-A-5500976.
  • the present invention also relates to a power wash system that reclaims and filters sprayed water and then recycles the filtered water to the system for further use in cleaning.
  • a typical mobile cyclonic power wash system includes a water storage means for holding the water that is to be used for cleaning, a water pumping system for pumping and pressurizing the water from the storage means, and a water cyclone sprayer for spraying the water onto the surfaces.
  • Typical power wash system can further include a water heating system for heating the water so that high temperature as well as high pressure water is provided for cleaning surfaces.
  • a mobile cyclonic power wash system with a water reclamation system that will recover substantially all of the water that is dispersed.
  • the mobile cyclonic power wash system can also be combined with a filter and recycling system, which reclaims and filters the water sprayed by the power wash system and has the capacity to return close to 100% of the water used by the power wash system.
  • the recovered liquid is processed, which removes and isolates the waste, and the cleaned liquid is stored so that it can be available for the continuous use of the system.
  • the mobile cyclonic power wash system can also be combined with a filter and recycling system, which reclaims and filters the water sprayed by the power wash system and has the capacity to return close to 100% of the water used by the power wash system.
  • the recovered liquid is processed, which removes and isolates the waste, and the cleaned liquid is stored so that it can be available for the continuous use of the system.
  • This invention relates to a processing system that can use high pressure water for cleaning flat surfaces and recovers a substantial portion of the dispersed water that contains matter recovered from the surface.
  • the processing system can also function as a pick up system to recover liquids that have been deposited on the surface to prevent their absorption and contamination of the environment. These recovered liquids can then be safely disposed of or recycled.
  • the system includes a water storage means for holding water to be used for cleaning, a water pumping system for pumping and pressurizing the water and a cyclone sprayer for spraying the water onto the surface.
  • An improvement in the system includes a power driven retrieval rotor that picks up nearly all the liquid that has been sprayed by the system.
  • the recovered liquid can then be filtered, processed and placed in a storage means so that it can be further used for cleaning by the system.
  • the system also preferably includes a water heater for heating the water.
  • a preferred feature of the invention is the construction of the filtration tank which includes an inlet at the top, a removable slanting trough below the inlet with a screened outlet at the bottom of the trough for filtering large matter from the water, a plurality of cascading chambers for allowing the water to successively fill a chamber and flow over into an adjacent chamber leaving behind smaller matter still present in the water continuously passing cleaner water to the next chamber.
  • a still further preferred feature of the invention is a mobile platform on which the system components are mounted for transport to a job site.
  • a further preferred feature of the invention is in the water cyclone sprayer of the power wash system, which sprays high pressure, high temperature water at a high rotating speed.
  • An improvement in this sprayer is in the rotary union seal, which is formed between two silicon carbide surfaces, one stationary and the other rotatable at high rpm with the water passing through a central bore through the sealing members which prevents leakage through the rotary union seal, and an o-ring which prevents leakage around the rotary union seal.
  • a further preferred feature of the invention is the method of effecting a leak proof seal in the rotary union which includes a non-rotatably, slidingly mounted a cylindrical support member which has affixed to one end thereof a first silicon carbide seal face.
  • the support member has a central bore there through and the sliding mounting forms an interface between a central bore formed in the housing and the outer surface of the cylindrical support member.
  • This feature of the invention further includes sealing the interface by sandwiching an o-ring between the other end of the cylindrical support member and a downwardly biased washer with the o-ring that engages the housing central bore.
  • a spindle having a second silicon carbide seal face affixed to its end that is adjacent the cylindrical support member is supported within another central bore.
  • the spindle has a central bore formed therein to its discharge end; thereby, forming a rotary union by sealingly engaging the first and second silicon seal faces.
  • fluid i.e. water
  • entering the inlet end of the housing passes through the central bores of the members, o-ring, spindle and rotary union and out the discharge end of the spindle without leaking around or through the seal at the rotary union.
  • a further preferred feature of the invention includes supporting the inner bore of the o-ring by a downwardly axially extended inner bore portion of the biased washer and an upwardly axially extended inner bore portion of the other end of the cylindrical support member. This construction prevents the o-ring from being blown into the central bore of the cylindrical support member by the high pressure water present at the interface.
  • a further preferred feature of this aspect of the invention includes applying an upward force to the spindle to further sealingly engage the seal faces in reaction to the downward force of the fluid exiting from the nozzles affixed to the retrieval rotor.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mobile cyclonic power wash system 10 which includes a novel roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 that functions to spray water and reclaim the sprayed water and recovered waste.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the mobile cyclonic power wash system 10.
  • a mobil component carrying platform 70 is provided for mounting and transporting the processing components of the cyclonic power wash system 10.
  • the component carrying platform 70 is a flat bed trailer of the type that is towed by a vehicle such as a truck.
  • the component carrying platform 70, for these processing components is the bed of a truck having a closed cargo section.
  • a vacuum source 300 and a filtration tank 400 as shown in Figure 9 are used.
  • the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 is connected to the component carrying platform by a flexible water transporting hose 51 and a water and waste return conduit 61.
  • the hose 51 and conduit 61 are of a length that will permit the component carrying platform 70 to remain stationary while the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 cleans a section of surface.
  • the section defined by the lengths of hose 51 and conduit 61, is completed the component carrying platform is moved to a new location from which the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 process another section.
  • the mobile cyclonic power wash system 10 includes a component carrying platform 70 on which a liquid storage component 20 for holding the water to be used for cleaning by the system 10 and a water pumping component 30 for pumping and pressurizing the water from the storage component 20 are mounted.
  • the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 sprays the water on the surfaces to be cleaned as well as recovers the sprayed water along with waste recovered from the surface being cleaned.
  • Component carrying platform 70, along with the components carried thereby, is transportable from job site to job site.
  • a water heater component 40 may be included, as part of the power wash system 10, for heating the water.
  • the power wash system 10 can include a chemical treatment system 90.
  • the treatment system 90 would be used prior to operating the power wash system 10 to apply chemicals to the surfaces to be cleaned for the purpose of loosening hard to remove dirt, grease, oil, grime, and the like from the surface.
  • the treatment system 90 comprises an independently power operated pump 91 which pumps chemicals through a hose 92 to a spray gun 93. The chemicals are sprayed on the surfaces to be cleaned through spray gun 93.
  • the pumping system 30 is typically a water pump that is driven by a gas-powered engine 31 which also powers a generator 35.
  • the water may then be either pumped to the water heater component 40 if hot water is desired or pumped directly to the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 if hot water is not desired.
  • the water heater component 40 burns diesel fuel that is stored in fuel tank 41 to heat the water.
  • the water is heated to an operating temperature of 250°F.
  • An electrical thermostatic switch (not shown) turns the oil burner "on” when the water temperature falls to 230°F and "off" when the water temperature rises to 255°F.
  • the water is directed through a water transporting hose 51 and lever type on/off valve 58 to the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50.
  • the water under high pressure and/or high temperature is sprayed by the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 onto the surfaces to be cleaned.
  • the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 comprises a mobile frame 52 having a handle 53 secured thereto that allows an operator to walk behind and control the movement of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50.
  • An inverted tub or shroud 73 is secured to the under surface of the mobile frame 52.
  • the discharge end of the flexible water transporting hose 51 is seen connected to the rotary union 100 and a power drive such as an internal combustion engine 56 is shown mounted on the mobile frame 52.
  • Engine 56 drives the retrieval rotor 59.
  • this power source is disclosed as an internal combustion engine 56 the use of a 12 volt electrical engine is also contemplated.
  • FIG 3 which is a perspective view of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50, discloses the mobile frame 52 that is supported from the ground surface by four wheels 54.
  • a handle 53 is secured to the mobile frame 52 that allows an operator to walk behind and control the water flow to and movement of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50.
  • An inverted tub or shroud 73 is secured to the under surface of the mobile frame 52.
  • the discharge end of the flexible water transporting hose 51 is connected to the rotary union 100 through which pressurized water passes to the water discharge jets 55.
  • An internal combustion engine 56 is mounted on the mobile frame 52. Engine 56, drives the retrieval rotor 59 through a shaft drive or belt 62 and sheave 69.
  • the inverted tub or shroud 73 is provided with a pair of exit ducts 78 that are spaced 180 degrees from each other. Each exit duct 78 empties into a conduit 63 and both conduits 63 merge into the waste return conduit 61.
  • a rotary union such as the rotary union 100 shown in Figures 7, 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 is mounted underneath cover 57.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 is attached to the spindle or rotating shaft 170 of the rotary union 100.
  • This power wash system 10 is extremely efficient at cleaning dirt, grease, oil, grime, and the like from flat surfaces such as asphalt and concrete floors.
  • Figure 4 a bottom view of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50, discloses the internal surface of the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 is mounted for rotation within the confines of the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 includes swept back rods 65 that, in the preferred embodiment, are secured by welding to the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 of the rotary union 100.
  • Another alternative would be to provide the retrieval rotor 59 with a central hub that could be secured to the spindle or hollow shaft 170.
  • the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 has a central bore 161, and functions as a hollow shaft that receives water under pressure that has flowed through the rotary union 100.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow R such that the rods 65 appear as swept back.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 of the preferred embodiment has eight swept back rods 65, the number is not critical and more or fewer rods could be used.
  • Water discharge jets 55 spaced 180 degrees from each other, are secured to the extremities of two of the swept back rods 65.
  • a curved blade 66 having a bottom forwardly extending lip 67 is secured to each of the swept back rods 65.
  • the blades 66 are swept back in the same curvature as the swept back rods 65 and have flat front facing curved surfaces 68.
  • the curved blades 66 are formed along a radius that is equal to the radius of the inverted tub or shroud 73 and their length is about 1/8 the circumference of the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • eight blades 66 can be fabricated from a hoop having a diameter equal to the diameter of the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • a cross section of a blades 66 is shown in Figure 5.
  • the lip 67 extends forward, into the direction of rotation, and functions to prevent water on the surface of the blade 66 from flowing off the bottom edge.
  • the blades 66 function as fan blades that pick up water and debris from the underlaying surface. The water flows, as a result of centrifugal force, along the flat curved surface 68 of the blades 66 toward the outer extremities of the blades 66.
  • a stabilizer 77 connects the outer extremity of each blade 66 to the next adjacent blade. The stabilizers 77 function to prevent twisting and flexing of the retrieval rotor 59.
  • the rim 74 of the inverted tub or shroud 73 has a lip 75 formed thereon.
  • the outer extremities of the blades 66 extend into a channel 76 formed by the upper surface of the inverted tub or shroud 73, its rim 74 and lip 75.
  • the water that flows off the outer extremities of the blades 66 flow into channel 76 and the momentum of the water causes it to continue flowing in the direction of rotation of the retrieval rotor 59.
  • the inverted tub or shroud 73 is provided with a pair of exit ducts 78 that are spaced 180 degrees from each other.
  • a section 79 of the rim 74 of the inverted tub or shroud 73 is flared out to form an opening for each of the exit ducts 78.
  • the stream of water flowing in the channel 76 follows the section 79 into an exit duct 78.
  • Each of the exit ducts 78 are connected by a conduit 63 to the water and waste return conduit 61.
  • a brush 85 is secured to the outer lower edge of the rim 74 of the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • the brush 85 extends downwardly toward the surface being cleaned and serves several functions.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 functions as a fan blade that sucks water and waste up and pumps the water and waste along with a large volume of air out the exit ducts 78. This air is drawn in along the space between the peripheral edge of the rim 74 and the surface being cleaned.
  • the brush 85 functions as a partial seal of this space that controls the magnitude of the vacuum that is created. If the brush 85 is too thick, making it difficult for air to pass therethrough, a vacuum is created under the inverted tub or shroud 73 which attempts to pull the peripheral edge of the rim 74 into contact with the surface.
  • the brush 85 is too thin or too porous, thus permitting air to flow unencumbered through the space, then the vacuum created will be insufficient to lift the water and debris from the surface.
  • the porosity of the brush 85 is critical to the proper operation of this invention.
  • the brush 85 functions as a valve to limit and control the amount of air that can flow into the inverted tub or shroud 73 under the space between the lower edge of the rim and the surface being cleaned.
  • a second function of the brush 85 is to prevent or retard solid waste such as rocks from being thrown out from under the inverted tub or shroud 73.
  • the swept back rods 65 upon which discharge jets 55 are carried are comprised of a single hollow tube that extends through the central bore 161 of the rotating spindle 150.
  • An opening 162 is formed in the portion of the hollow tube 65 that is located in the central bore 161. Water under pressure thus flows from the central bore 161 through opening 162 into the hollow rod 65 and then through the conduits extending through hollow rod 65 to the discharge jets 55. The high pressure water is then discharged to the surface being cleaned through the water discharge jets 55.
  • the swept back rods 65 that do not function as water conduits, could be hollow or solid and are welded to the outer surface of the rotating spindle 150.
  • FIG 11 a second sheave 169 is shown. Sheave 169 is not used with this embodiment of the invention but is used with a subsequently described embodiment. Figure 11 thus illustrates the rotating spindle 150 which can be used with either embodiment of the invention.
  • the swept back blades 66 having lips 67 along their lower edges that extend into the direction that the blades travel function as fan blades that force air to move toward the free ends of the blades 66. This creates a vacuum below the blades. The vacuum causes the water and debris to be lifted from the surface being cleaned. As the retrieval rotor 59 rotates the lips 67 function to physically scoop the water up such that it reaches the flat portion of the blade and is then caused by centrifugal force to move toward the free end of the blade.
  • the rim 74 of the inverted tub or shroud 73 has a lip 75 that cooperates to retain the water and waste and pump it away from the surfaces to be cleaned.
  • Conduits 63 are attached to an end of exit ducts 78 through which the water and waste is transported to the return conduit 61 and then to the filtration tank 400.
  • Vacuum source 300 comprises a vacuum pump 310 and a gas driven motor 320 which drives and operates the pump 310.
  • the vacuum source 300 may further comprise a silencer 330 attached to the pump 310 and an exhaust muffler 340 attached to the motor 320 so that the vacuum source 300 may be operated with less noise (i.e. for quieter operations in or near residential areas).
  • the water is then passed through the filtration tank 400 so that the water is filtered and cleaned for re-use by the power wash system 10.
  • the water to be processed in the filtration tank 400 can be drawn to the tank 400 by attaching the conduit 350 of the vacuum source 300 to the clean end of tank 400 (i.e. the right side of tank 400 in Figure 9) using an attaching means 360.
  • the vacuum source creates a low pressure in tank 400. This low pressure is transmitted to the conduit 61 and exit ducts 78 which sucks the water into the exit ducts 78, through conduit 61, and then through the tank 400.
  • the filtration tank 400 comprises a top inlet 410, a removable slanting trough 420 located in the upper portion of the tank, a screened trough outlet 425 located at the lower end of trough 420, a plurality of cascading chambers 430 located in the lower portion of the tank, a drain 432 for each chamber 430, and baffles 433 also located in the central portion of the tank between the screened trough outlet 425 and the vacuum source inlet 350.
  • the reclaimed water and waste is passed to the tank 400 through inlet 410, and the water flows downwardly along the trough 420 to the screened outlet 425.
  • Large debris and particles are removed from the water as the water passes through screened outlet 425.
  • large debris is collected and retained in the trough 420 which is located in the upper portion of the tank 400.
  • the trough 420 can be removed from tank 400 so that the large debris and particles can be easily cleaned from it.
  • the water is then successively passed through a plurality of cascading chambers 430.
  • the chambers 430 are each separated by a series of dividing walls 431 that are descending in height.
  • the water successively fills each chamber and then flows over to the next adjacent chamber so that debris and particles still present in the water are left in a chamber 430, and cleaner water is continuously passed to the next chamber.
  • the water is then sufficiently cleaned and available for re-use when it reaches the last chamber 436.
  • the filtered water exits the tank 400 through outlet 435 located in the last chamber 436 after passing through a one-way, spring loaded, water check valve (not shown) and is transported by gravity feed or by pump (not shown) through a conduit 440 to storage component 20.
  • This filtered water is then available for reuse by the power wash system 10.
  • a pump is used to pump the water from the outlet 435 to the storage component 20, the pump may be automatically operated by a float switch (not shown) which regulates the water level between predetermined high (pump ON) and low (pump OFF) water levels.
  • a drain 432 is provided for each chamber 430 so that the debris and particles that remain in these chambers can be removed.
  • a plurality of baffles 433 are located below the trough 420 and generally above the chambers 430 to prevent debris, particles, and water from being directly vacuumed into inlet 350 of vacuum source 300. These baffles 433 ensure that the vacuum source 300 and the reclamation and recycling system 60 operate properly.
  • a rotary union 100 is typically mounted in the central portion of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 on the mobile frame 52.
  • Rotary union 100 functions as a seal and coupling for passing high pressure and high temperature water to the water jets 55.
  • the rotary union is used to maintain the water pressure sufficiency high so that the water jets 55 spray the water downwardly at high speeds.
  • Figs. 7, 7A, 7B and 8 show subassemblies of components for an improved rotary union 100 according to this invention.
  • This rotary union 100 is a more effective coupling for passing high temperature and high pressure water to the water jets 55 without causing any leaks in the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 and for sufficiently maintaining the water pressure high enough to be an effective cleaning force.
  • This improved rotary union 100 is also designed to be more durable since its components do not wear out as fast as the components of the prior art rotary unions. At high temperatures small amounts of water can "weep" through the engaging surfaces of the silicon carbide components.
  • the improved rotary union 100 includes a first subassembly of components 110 fixedly and non-rotatably mounted to the inverted tub or shroud 73 which is attached to the mobile frame 52 of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 and a second subassembly of components 150 rotatably mounted within the first subassembly 110.
  • the first subassembly 110 provides a first silicon carbide seal surface 125 which is fixed
  • the second subassembly 150 provides a second silicon carbide seal surface 165 which rotates at high speed and presses against the first silicon carbide seal surface 125 to create the more effective seal for water passing through the central bore of rotary union 100.
  • the first subassembly of components 110 comprises a fixed housing 130, which is mounted to the mobile frame 52 of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50, and a first floating silicon carbide seal member 120, which is non-rotatably, slidably mounted in cylindrical recess 115 in the housing 130 below the inlet 140 and above the recess 145.
  • the housing 130 has an inlet 140 located at its upper portion for receiving the water that is to be sprayed by roving sprayer and retrieval unit 50 and has a recess 145 located at its lower portion for receiving the second subassembly of components 150.
  • FIG. 7A shows an enlarged side view of the first floating silicon carbide seal member 120.
  • the seal member 120 comprises an upside down T-shaped cylindrical support member 121, a silicon carbide component 124 affixed at the discharge end of member 121, an o-ring 128, an inlet end member which may be a flat washer 126, and a steel spring 127.
  • Spring 127 biases washer 126, o-ring 128 and support member 121 downwardly so that surface 125 presses against surface 165 when installed as a unit.
  • the T-shaped cylindrical member 121, o-ring 128 and washer 126 have a central inside bore 122.
  • member 121 has at its lower end a pair of recesses 132 which engage a pair of lugs 133 in the housing 130 to permit slidable (floating) but non-rotational movement of member 121 in recess 115. (Alternatively, member 121 may be formed with a pair of lugs which fit into recesses in housing 130).
  • T-shaped member 121 at its other end also has a raised lip 123 at its upper portion extending into the central bore 121 of o-ring 128 and supporting its inner surface.
  • the silicon carbide component 124 is affixed to the bottom of the T-shaped cylindrical member 121 and provides the first silicon carbide seal surface 125, which faces downwardly.
  • the o-ring 128 is placed on top of the raised lip 123 of the cylindrical member 121, and the inner bore of the o-ring 128 abuts the raised lip 123.
  • the flat washer 126 is placed on top of the o-ring 128.
  • the flat washer 126 comprises a countersunk inner bore 129, which extends partially into the inner bore of the o-ring 128 and abuts and supports its inner surface.
  • the o-ring 128, in effect, is sandwiched between the end of raised lip 123 of the cylindrical member 121, on its one hand, and the end of countersunk bore 129 of the flat washer 126, on the other hand.
  • the vertical edges 131 of washer 126 slidingly engage in the inner walls of recess 115 as shown in Fig. 7.
  • This sandwiching feature prevents the o-ring 128 from being blown into the inner bore 122 of the cylindrical member 121 by the high pressure, high temperature water which is present at the interface between o-ring edges 131 and the outside diameter of member 121, on the one hand, and the walls of recess 115, on the other hand.
  • This feature overcomes the problem with prior art rotary unions which have o-rings that are more easily blown into the inner bore by the high pressure or high temperature water.
  • This sandwiching feature provides a novel way of retaining the o-ring 128 at its set location for proper operation of the rotary union.
  • o-ring 128 effectively seals the aforesaid interface and prevents high pressure water from bypassing the rotary union seal at surfaces 125, 165 by attempting to go around member 121 through the interface (slide fit) with recess 115 and cylindrical member 121.
  • FIG. 8 shows the second subassembly of components 150.
  • the second subassembly 150 comprises a rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170, a silicon carbide component 160, a roller bearing unit 180, a shaft collar 185, a spring clip retaining washer 190, and a sealing ring 195.
  • the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 has a central bore 161 into which water that flows through the rotary union 100 is received.
  • the silicon carbide component 160 is mounted at the top of the rotating spindle 170 to provide the second silicon carbide seal surface 165. In operation the second silicon carbide seal surface 165 is pressed and rotated against the first silicon carbide seal surface 125, to form an effective seal which prevents high pressure water passing through the rotary union 100 from leaking through the seal.
  • the sealing surfaces have been described in the preferred embodiment as being silicon carbide.
  • the sealing surfaces may also be made of tungsten carbide or any other hard, durable material used as a sealing surface which is soft enough to effectively make a seal at the sealing surfaces yet is hard enough to give a long life to the sealing surfaces such as is provided by silicon carbide under the conditions in which the present invention is operated.
  • silicon carbide sealing surfaces the lifetime of the sealing surfaces is in excess of 16,000 hours operating at 3000 psi, 250°F and 1500 rpm.
  • the roller bearing unit 180 is attached to the central portion of the rotating spindle 170, and this unit 180 provides rotating support to the rotating spindle 170.
  • the shaft collar 185 is also attached to the upper portion of the rotating spindle 170 for holding and supporting the roller bearing unit 180 to the rotating spindle 170.
  • the roller bearing unit 180 comprises a pair of roller bearing columns 182, bearing supports 181 attached to the shaft collar 185, and a bearing spacer 183 attached between the two bearing rings 182.
  • one roller bearing ring is mounted on top of the other at the central portion of the spindle 170.
  • the roller bearing rings 182 provide the rolling function for rotating the spindle 170, and the bearing supports 181 hold the roller bearing rings 182 in position on the rotating spindle 170.
  • the bearing spacer 183 separates the two column's 182 so that these columns can rotate independently.
  • the spring clip retaining washer 190 is attached below the roller bearing unit 180, and this washer 190 retains the second subassembly of components 150 within the first subassembly of components 110.
  • the washer 190 is retained within a recess 146 at the lower portion of the first subassembly 110 to hold the second subassembly 150 in the first subassembly 110.
  • the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 as seen in Figure 8 has a threaded portion 198 at its lower end for attaching and engaging the retrieval rotor 59.
  • the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 used in the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Figure 11.
  • nozzles 55 At the outer peripheral ends of two of the swept back rods 65 are affixed nozzles 55.
  • the second silicon carbide surface 165 rotates against the first silicon carbide surface 125, and a sealing relationship is established between the two surfaces for water passing through the rotary union 100 at high pressure and temperature without leaking through or around the rotary union seal. Operational pressure of 3000 psi at 250°F and 1500 rpm are readily achievable with the present invention.
  • a second embodiment, which is the preferred embodiment, of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250 is shown in Figures 12-14.
  • the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250 of this embodiment can be used either as a stand alone unit or in combination with the reclamation and recycling system 60.
  • the roving and retrieval unit 250 can be used as a stand alone unit in a situation where there is a source of water and facilities to dispose of the unprocessed water that has been recovered by the unit 250.
  • FIG 12 which is a top view of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250, includes a mobile frame 52 that is supported from the ground surface by four wheels 54.
  • a handle 53 is secured to the mobile frame 52 which allows an operator to walk behind, control the water flow to and movement of the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250.
  • a shroud 73 having the shape of an inverted tub or shroud is secured to the under surface of the mobile frame 52.
  • the discharge end of a flexible water transporting hose 51 is connected to the rotary union 100 through which pressurized water is directed to the water discharge jets 55.
  • An internal combustion engine 56 or its equivalent, which could be a 12V electric motor, is mounted on the mobile frame 52.
  • Engine 56 drives the retrieval rotor 59 through a shaft drive such as a belt 62 and sheave 69 (see Figure 11).
  • the inverted tub or shroud 73 is provided with a pair of exit ducts 78 that are spaced 180 degrees from each other. Each exit duct 78 empties into a conduit 63 and both conduits 63 flow into tank 152 that is supported by the mobile frame 52.
  • a positive displacement pump 154 is mounted on the mobile frame 52. Pumps of this type are much more efficient than a vacuum system for discharging the water and debris from the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250. Pump 154 is in fluid communication with tank 152 through conduit 156. Water received by the pump 154 through conduit 156 is discharged through a conduit 261.
  • the roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250 is being used as a stand alone unit then the water is discharged through return conduit 261 to the sewage system or other disposal facility.
  • the return conduit 261 could also discharge into the liquid storage component 20 from which it can be properly disposed of.
  • the water is returned through the return conduit 261 to the filtration tank 400.
  • An advantage of this embodiment over the previous embodiment is that with this embodiment it is no longer necessary for the filtration tank to be maintained at a vacuum.
  • the vacuum source 300 that is comprised of the pump 310, motor 320 and conduit 350, illustrated in Figure 9 can be eliminated.
  • the baffles 433, located below trough 420, in Figure 9 can also be eliminated from the filtration tank 400 in this embodiment.
  • the positive displacement water pumps 154 carried by the roving sprayer and retrieval units 250 are much more efficient than the vacuum system 300 of the previously described embodiment. Pump 154 is driven by a belt 155 and sheave 169.
  • sheave 169 is secured to the rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 of the rotary union 100.
  • rotating spindle or hollow shaft 170 is driven by internal combustion engine 56 through a shaft drive such as a belt 62.
  • Pump 154 could instead have its own power source, for example another internal combustion engine or a 12 Volt electric motor.
  • the retrieval rotor 59 used with this embodiment is as shown in Figures 4-6 and 11.
  • the rotary union 100 used in this embodiment is as shown in Figures 7, 7A, 7B, 7C and 8 which has been previously discussed.
  • FIGS 13 and 14 are cross section views of tank 152 taken along the lines 13-13 and 14-14 of Figure 12.
  • Water and debris that has been recovered by the retrieval rotor 59 flows through conduits 63 and into the tank 152 through both tank end walls 157.
  • a removable screen 158 is supported within tank 152 at a level below the entrance of conduits 63. Large debris is collected on the upper surface of screen 158 and the water passes through the screen.
  • the screen 158 functions to remove any large debris such as nuts, bolts or nails that could damage the downstream pump 154.
  • the tank 152 includes a sump 159 at one side from which the water is discharged through a conduit 156. As previously discussed conduit 156 is connected to the pump 154 which functions to discharge the water.
  • the tank 152 includes a removable top 200 that provides access to the screen 158 and permits the screen 158 to be removed and cleaned.
  • Top 200 includes an opening 151 through which the interior of tank 152 communicates with the ambient atmosphere.
  • a baffle 149 extends at an upward angle into the opening 151 to prevent water from splashing out.
  • FIG. 15 Another embodiment, Figure 15, is contemplated in which a plurality or series of roving sprayer and retrieval units 250, preferably of the type shown in Figures 12-14, are coupled together as a combined unit 178.
  • This combined unit 178 can function either as a stand alone unit or be towed behind a self propelled vehicle that could also functions as the component carrying platform.
  • the combined unit 178 could also be mounted on a forwardly extending hydraulically operated boom arm which would enables the operator of the self propelled vehicle to see and control the combined unit 178.
  • the combined unit could also be carried by or under the self propelled vehicle in which case the combined unit 178 would be maneuvered along with the self propelled vehicle.
  • a handle 153 is connected to the other end of the series.
  • One operator drives the self propelled component carrying platform or vehicle 70 and a second operator controls the series of roving sprayers 250 through handle 153.
  • the second operator can control the trailing end of the series of roving sprayer and retrieval units such that they extend at an angle to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle 70.
  • the operator controlling the trailing end of the series can change the angle of the series of sprayers 250 relative to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle 70 such that the overlap of the sprayers 250 can be changed.
  • a plurality of retrieval units 250 are hitched together to form a combined unit 178.
  • the hitch mechanism 177 that connects two units 250 comprises first 171 and second 172 longitudinally extending links that are connected by ball joints at each end to the mobile frames 52 of adjacent unit 250.
  • a transverse link 173 is also connected, at its opposite ends, by ball joints to the mobile frames 52 of adjacent units 250. This hitch mechanism 177 allows relative movement between adjacent roving sprayer and retrieval units 250 while maintaining the series of units aligned longitudinally.
  • the hitch mechanism 177 will allow, for example, one roving sprayer and retrieval unit to be moving up an inclined surface while the adjacent unit is moving down a declining surface.
  • the hitch mechanism 177 will also permit one roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250 to rotate relative to the adjacent unit that it is hitch to about the longitudinal axis of the combined unit.
  • the combined unit 178 shown in Figure 15 is hitched at its front end hitch members 175 to a self propelled vehicle such as a truck by a ball type hitch that will allow the combined unit to swivel relative to the towing vehicle.
  • a handle 153 is secured to the mobile frame 52 of the last roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250.
  • An operator controls the combined unit 178 through the handle 153.
  • a first operator who drives the towing vehicle and a second operator who controls the combined unit 178 can process considerably more surface area than when using a single roving sprayer and retrieval unit 250.
  • the second operator can cause the combined unit 178 to extend along a line that is inclined to the direction of travel and thereby determine the swath that the combined unit will process in a pass of the device.
  • the swath can be narrowed in areas where the debris is greater than in other areas.
  • the first and second operators can communicate vocally through speakers and head sets and the driver of the towing vehicle can view the combined unit through a video system.
  • All of the above described embodiments can also be used as liquid pick up mechanisms, for processing flat surfaces that are covered with a liquid that was not deposited on the surface by the mechanism of this invention.
  • An example of such a use is to clean up the deicing fluid that falls to the surface while an aircraft is being sprayed to protect against icing during inclement weather conditions.
  • Deicing fluids such as ethylene glycol, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol are used in this process. These deicing fluids can be harmful to the environment particularly if they find their way into the rivers, streams and lakes. When the deicing fluids fall to the concrete surface on which the aircraft is resting it saturates the adjacent surface and collects in puddles.
  • this surface liquid can be retrieved by existing vacuum systems carried by trucks.
  • the deicing fluids will within a relatively short time fill and flow through the cracks, crevices and expansion joints of the surface.
  • Conventional vacuum surface cleaners are unable to retrieve the deicing fluids from the cracks, crevices and expansion joints.
  • the deicing fluids in the cracks, crevices and expansion joints flow to the drainage canals and storm sewers from which it eventually find its way into our rivers, streams and lakes.
  • the conventional vacuum pick up systems have a relatively narrow swath of about 8 feet and advance at a relatively slow rate.
  • Each modular of this invention is supported relative to the underlying surface such that the brush seal extending along the peripheral edge engages the surface.
  • the brush seal concentrates the vacuum pick up of this invention to a relatively small area, however the vacuum is very strong and effective.
  • a combined unit consisting of 8 to 12 modular units can be used to process a very wide swath, 20 to 30 feet, and quickly recover the deicing fluid before it has had the opportunity to flow into the storm sewers:
  • the recovered deicing fluid can be reclaimed, the process can not be economically performed at remote cites. Thus, the recovered deicing fluid must be collected and transported to stationary processing facilities. When using the invention as a liquid pick up mechanism the reclamation system of this invention is not utilized.
  • the recovered deicing fluid can be collected for example in the liquid storage component 20, a stationary storage tank or a tank carried by a pickup truck or other vehicle. This invention can also be used to clean up other types of chemical spills to prevent pollution.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Mobiles System (10) zum Bearbeiten flacher Oberflächen des Typs umfassend eine Flüssigkeitsspeicherkomponente (20), eine Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50), um Flüssigkeit von der gerade behandelten Oberfläche wieder aufzunehmen, wobei die Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50) einen mobilen Rahmen (52), eine Abdeckung (73), die von dem mobilen Rahmen (52) getragen ist, umfasst, wobei die Abdeckung (73) von einem allgemein scheibenförmigen oberen Teil gebildet ist, das eine sich von dessen Umfang nach unten erstreckende Einfassung und eine im zentralen Abschnitt des scheibenförmigen oberen Teils gelagerte Welle aufweist,
    gekennzeichnet durch
       einen Motorantrieb (56), der von der Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50) getragen ist, einen Wellenantrieb (62), um die Welle (62) durch den Motorantrieb (56) in einer gegebenen Richtung in Drehung zu versetzen;
       einen an der Welle (62) an einer Stelle unterhalb des scheibenförmigen oberen Teils befestigten Wiederaufnahmerotor (59), wobei der Wiederaufnahmerotor (59) eine Mehrzahl von gekrümmten Blättern (66) umfasst, wobei die Blätter (66) an der Welle (62) befestigt sind und von dieser strahlenförmig ausgehen, wobei die gekrümmten Blätter (66) im Wesentlichen vertikale gekrümmte Oberflächen (68) umfassen, die von der gegebenen Drehrichtung weg gekrümmt sind und der Einfassung benachbart enden;
       wenigstens eine in der Einfassung ausgebildete Ausgangsöffnung (78); und
       eine Leitung (63), die sich von der in der Einfassung ausgebildeten Ausgangsöffnung (78) zur Flüssigkeitsspeicherkomponente (20) erstreckt.
  2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei das System ferner gebildet ist von:
    der Flüssigkeitsspeicherkomponente (20), die die Funktion hat, Wasser zu fassen, das zum Reinigen flacher Oberflächen benutzt werden soll;
    einer Wasserpumpkomponente (30), um Wasser von der Flüssigkeltsspeicherkomponente (20) zu pumpen und unter Druck zu setzen;
    einem Wiedergewinnungssystem, das einen Einlass und einen Auslass aufweist, wobei das Wiedergewinnungssystem durch den Einlass Wasser und Materie von der Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50) erhält, wobei das Wiedergewinnungssystem das Wasser von der Materie trennt und das gereinigte Wasser durch den Auslass zur Wiederverwendung in die Flüssigkeitsspeicher komponente (20) fördert;
    der Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50), die die Funktion einer Wassersprüheinheit hat, um das unter Druck gesetzte Wasser auf die gerade behandelte Oberfläche zu sprühen;
    der Welle, die hohl ist;
    wenigstens einer Wasserstrahldüse, die an dem Wiederaufnahmerotor (50) befestigt ist;
    der Leitung, die sich von der in der Einfassung gebildeten Ausgangsöffnung zum Einlass des Wiedergewinnungssystems und vom Auslass des Wiedergewinnungssystems zur Flüssigkeitsspeicherkomponente (20) erstreckt;
    einem flexiblen Wassertransportschlauch, der sich von der Wasserpumpkomponente (30) zur Wasserpumpkomponente (30) und dann zum Inneren der hohlen Welle erstreckt; und
    Leitungen, die sich vom Inneren der hohlen Welle zu der Wasserstrahldüse erstrecken, durch die Wasser vom Inneren der hohlen Welle zu den Wasserstrahldüsen fließt und auf die zu reinigende Oberfläche gesprüht wird.
  3. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Wiederaufnahmerotor (50) Stabilisatoren umfasst, die sich zwischen den Spitzen benachbarter Blätter (66) erstrecken.
  4. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Erfindung ferner umfasst:
    eine Verdrängerpumpe, die vom Wagen (70) getragen ist;
    einen Pumpenantrieb, der den Motorantrieb mit der Verdrängerpumpe verbindet, um die Verdrängerpumpe anzutreiben;
    einen Tank, der von dem Wagen (70) getragen ist;
    die Leitung, die sich von der in der Einfassung gebildeten Ausgangsöffnung erstreckt und in den Tank mündet und sich als Auslass für den Tank fortsetzt; und
    wobei die Verdrängerpumpe die Funktion hat, den Inhalt des Tanks durch die Ausiassleitung zu pumpen.
  5. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die im Wesentlichen vertikalen gekrümmten Oberflächen (68) der Blätter (66) eine Lippe (67) umfassen, die sich in der gegebenen Richtung entlang deren unterer Kante erstreckt.
  6. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die sich nach unten erstreckende Einfassung eine im Wesentlichen horizontal verlaufende Lippe (75) umfasst, die sich von deren unterer Kante (74) in Richtung des Zentrums der Abdeckung (73) erstreckt.
  7. System nach Anspruch 3, wobei die im Wesentlichen vertikalen gekrümmten Oberflächen (68) der Blätter (66) eine Lippe (67) umfassen, die sich in der gegebenen Richtung entlang deren unterer Kante erstreckt.
  8. System nach Anspruch 3, wobei die sich nach unten erstreckende Einfassung eine im Wesentlichen horizontal verlaufende Lippe (75) umfasst, die sich von deren unterer Kante (74) in Richtung des Zentrums der Abdeckung (73) erstreckt.
  9. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei eine Mehrzahl von Wiederaufnahmeeinheiten (50) in der Vorwärts- und Rückwärtsrichtung zusammengekoppelt sind, um eine kombinierte Einheit zu bilden.
  10. System nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Mittel zum Zusammenkoppeln der Wiederaufnahmeeinheiten (50) in der Vorwärts- und Rückwärtsrichtung es einer Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50) ermöglichen, sich an einer nach oben geneigten Oberfläche nach oben zu bewegen, während sich eine benachbarte Einheit an einer nach unten geneigten Oberfläche nach unten bewegt, und es einer Wiederaufnahmeeinheit (50) ermöglichen, sich relativ zu der benachbarten Einheit (50) zu drehen.
  11. System nach Anspruch 9, wobei die im Wesentlichen vertikalen gekrümmten Oberflächen (68) der Blätter (66) eine Lippe (67) umfassen, die sich in der gegebenen Richtung entlang deren unterer Kante erstreckt.
  12. System nach Anspruch 9, wobei die sich nach unten erstreckende Einfassung eine im Wesentlichen horizontal verlaufende Lippe (75) umfasst, die sich von deren unterer Kante (74) in Richtung des Zentrums der Abdeckung (73) erstreckt.
  13. System nach Anspruch 11, wobei die sich nach unten erstreckende Einfassung eine im Wesentlichen horizontal verlaufende Lippe (75) umfasst, die sich von deren unterer Kante (74) in Richtung des Zentrums der Abdeckung (73) erstreckt.
  14. System nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Erfindung ferner umfasst:
    eine Selbstvortriebseinheit;
    die Flüssigkeitsspeicherkomponente (20), die von der Selbstvortriebseinheit getragen ist; und
    Verbindungsmittel zum Verbinden der kombinierten Einheit mit der Selbstvortriebseinheit.
  15. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Erfindung ferner umfasst:
    eine Bürstendichtung (85), die an der freien Kante der Einfassung befestigt ist und sich von dieser nach unten erstreckt; und
    die Abdeckung (73), die von dem mobilen Rahmen (52) derart getragen ist, dass die Bürstendichtung (85) mit der gerade behandelten flachen Oberfläche im Eingriff steht.
EP97934883A 1996-07-02 1997-07-02 Einrichtung zum reinigen von oberflächen mit sprüzerstäuber und wiederverwendungseinheit Expired - Lifetime EP1006854B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2106296P 1996-07-02 1996-07-02
US21062P 1996-07-02
US746025 1996-11-04
US08/746,025 US5826298A (en) 1993-09-08 1996-11-04 Surface cleaner, sprayer and retrieval unit
PCT/US1997/011694 WO1998000239A2 (en) 1996-07-02 1997-07-02 Surface cleaner, sprayer and retrieval unit

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1006854A2 EP1006854A2 (de) 2000-06-14
EP1006854A4 EP1006854A4 (de) 2002-04-17
EP1006854B1 true EP1006854B1 (de) 2005-06-15

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EP (1) EP1006854B1 (de)
JP (1) JP4542630B2 (de)
AU (1) AU723056B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69733576T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2245002T3 (de)
WO (1) WO1998000239A2 (de)

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GB2643897A (en) * 2024-09-05 2026-03-11 Dyson Technology Ltd A surface cleaner

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WO1998000239A2 (en) 1998-01-08
HK1028942A1 (en) 2001-03-16
DE69733576T2 (de) 2006-05-18
DE69733576D1 (de) 2005-07-21
AU3794497A (en) 1998-01-21
EP1006854A2 (de) 2000-06-14
WO1998000239A3 (en) 1998-06-25
ES2245002T3 (es) 2005-12-16
EP1006854A4 (de) 2002-04-17
JP2001508671A (ja) 2001-07-03
JP4542630B2 (ja) 2010-09-15
AU723056B2 (en) 2000-08-17

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