Method and apparatus for producing humanly-perceptable indicator of electrochemical properties of an output cleaning liquid

• US 20070186957A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Field, Bruce F., Gronlund, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,836,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/40 Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4618 for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a cleaning device carried by the mobile body, a liquid flow path, and an electrolyzing device in the liquid flow path. An indicator provides a humanly-perceptible indication of an electrical operating characteristic of the electrolyzing device.

Claims

4-1. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises an element from the group consisting of a visual indicator, an audible indicator and a tactile indicator.

10. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a mobile body configured to travel over a surface;

a cleaning device carried by the mobile body;

a liquid flow path;

an electrolyzing device in the liquid flow path; and

an indicator that provides a humanly-perceptible indication of an electrical operating characteristic of the electrolyzing device.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the indicator provides the humanly-perceptible indication as a function of a level of power consumed by the electrolyzing device.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein the indicator comprises a light attached to the apparatus.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the indicator comprises an element from the group consisting of a visual indicator, an audible indicator and a tactile indicator.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the indicator comprises:

a current sensor coupled in series with the electrolyzing device and generating an output; and

an electrical circuit, which controls the indicator as a function of the output.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the electrical circuit energizes the indicator to an “

on”

state when a current level drawn by the electrolyzing device exceeds a threshold level and cycles the indicator between the “

on”

state and an “

off”

state when the current level is below the threshold level.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14 and further comprising:

a lighted fan assembly located to cool control electronics associated with operation of the electrolyzing device, wherein the lighted fan assembly comprises a light that forms the indicator.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrolyzing device comprises a functional generator, which comprises:

an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and an ion exchange membrane, which separates the anode chamber and the cathode chamber.

18. The surface apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrolyzing device comprises an electrolyzing sparging device having an anode, a cathode and a reaction chamber formed by a gap between the anode and the cathode.

19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 and further comprising:

a least one wheel providing relative motion of the apparatus;

a tank carried by the mobile body and coupled to the liquid flow path;

a liquid dispenser, which is in fluid communication with the electrolyzing device; and

a liquid recovery device.

20. A method comprising:

a) onboard a mobile surface cleaning device, electrolyzing a liquid at least by a process of electrolysis;

b) onboard the mobile surface cleaning device, measuring an electrical characteristic of the electrolysis process; and

c) producing a humanly-perceptible indication of the electrical characteristic utilizing an indicator located onboard the mobile surface cleaning device.