CLEANING SYSTEM FOR OPTICALLY TRANSPARENT SURFACES

• US 20100300496A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alfred Souza
• Original Assignee: Alfred Souza
• Inventors: Souza, Alfred
• Application Number:
  US12/784,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20100300496A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/104.4
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/20 Cleaning; Removing snow
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to cleaning systems for optically transparent surfaces. In one embodiment, the system includes a reservoir integrally connected to (a) a non-recycled fluid transfer line and (b) a recycled fluid transfer line. A combination of non-recycled and recycled fluids housed in the reservoir may be integrally connected to at least one pump and one or more purifying apparatuses via one or more fluid transfer lines. In turn, one or more of the purifying apparatuses may be integrally connected to one or more spraying mechanisms apparatuses adjacent or substantially adjacent to an uppermost edge of one or more angled optically transparent surfaces via one or more fluid transfer lines. One or more troughs may be positioned adjacent to a lowermost edge of the one or more angled surfaces and integrally connected to the reservoir via one or more fluid transfer lines.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for optically transparent surfaces, comprising:

a reservoir for storing an amount of fluid, the reservoir integrally connected to (a) a non-recycled fluid transfer line and (b) a recycled fluid transfer line;

at least one pump integrally connected to the reservoir;

at least one purifying apparatus integrally connected to the at least one pump;

at least one spraying mechanism integrally connected to the at least one purifying apparatus; and

a trough positioned a predetermined distance from the at least one spraying mechanism, the trough integrally connected to the reservoir via the recycled fluid transfer line.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one pump includes one of a positive displacement pump, a centrifugal pump, a diaphragm pump or a multi-diaphragm pump.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the pump is capable of transferring between 1 and 10,000 gallons per minute (gpm) of fluid at between 10 to 7,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one purifying apparatus includes at least one particulate filter with a filter grade from between thirty (30) mesh to one (1) micron.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one purifying apparatus is a de-ionizing tank having cationic media and anionic media.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one purifying apparatus is a water softening tank or a reverse osmosis unit.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the spraying mechanism is an elongate tubular member having a plurality of apertures symmetrically spaced along the length thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising, a plurality of nozzles coupled to the plurality of apertures.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the spraying mechanism is positioned adjacent an uppermost edge of an optically transparent surface.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the trough is positioned adjacent a lowermost edge of the optically transparent surface.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the optically transparent surface is a solar panel or a solar collector.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of fluid transfer lines connect the reservoir to the pump, the pump to the at least one purifying apparatus, and the at least one purifying apparatus to the spraying mechanism.

4. The system of claim, further comprising, a control mechanism.