Floor cleaning system

• US 6,560,817 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred Lemke, Carl Lemke, Lenard Deiterman
• Original Assignee: Alfred Lemke, Carl Lemke, Lenard Deiterman
• Inventors: Deiterman, Lenard, Lemke, Carl, Lemke, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/948,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20020083549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/21, 153/39
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning floors which recycles waste heat and water to provide greater efficiency. An internal combustion engine is used to power the apparatus. Heat from the engine'"'"'s lubricant is used to heat the wash solution applied to the floor. Heat from the engine'"'"'s cooling air, radiator, and catalytic converter is used to dry the cleaned floor. A drying brush is also used to accelerate drying. Used rinse water is recycled for use as wash solution. Exhaust from the engine is used to preheat the floor to be cleaned. The engine may be used to propel the apparatus.

Claims

1. A recycling floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a mobile frame;

an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame and adapted to provide motive power;

a vacuum pump powered by said engine and operatively associated with means adapted to treat a floor, said means including means for applying a liquid cleaning solution to the floor and means for subsequently recovering said liquid from the floor, said floor treatment means also adapted to heat the floor to enhance the penetration of said liquid; and

,

wherein said liquid is recovered and recycled by said vacuum pump and said means for recovering.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said apparatus recycles heat removed from the group including engine exhaust, liquid engine coolant, air engine coolant, engine lubricant, catalytic converter, engine and vacuum pump.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said cleaning solution includes soap and said soap is removed during liquid recovery.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein heat from the exhaust of said engine is recycled to heat the floor.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein heat from the liquid coolant of said engine is recycled to heat the floor.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein heat from air that cools said engine is recycled to heat the floor.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein heat from the lubricant of said engine is recycled to heat said cleaning solution.

8. The apparatus as described in claim 7 further including means for regulating the heat recycled from said engine lubricant.

9. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein heat from the catalytic converter of said engine is recycled to heat the floor.

10. A recycling floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a mobile frame;

an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame and adapted to provide motive power;

a vacuum pump powered by said engine and operatively associated with means adapted to treat a floor, said means including means for applying a liquid cleaning solution to the floor and means for subsequently recovering said liquid from the floor, said floor treatment means also adapted to heat the floor to enhance the penetration of said liquid; and

,

wherein said liquid is recovered and recycled by said vacuum pump and said means for recovering and wherein heat from said engine is recycled to heat a floor.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein heat from said vacuum pump is recycled to preheat a floor.

12. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein a rinse liquid is recycled to be used as a cleaning solution.

13. The apparatus as described in claim 12 further including means for regulating the concentration of cleaning agents in said recycled liquid.

14. The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said engine is used to power a second vacuum pump used to recycle air used to preheat said floor.

15. The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said engine is used to power a fan that circulates air used to dry the floor.

16. The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said engine is used to power a brush or brushes used to dry the floor.

17. A recycling floor treatment apparatus comprising:

a mobile frame;

an internal combustion engine mounted on said frame and adapted to provide power;

a vacuum pump powered by said engine and operatively associated with means adapted to treat a floor, said means including means for applying a liquid cleaning solution to the floor and means for subsequently recovering said liquid from the floor, said floor treatment means also adapted to heat the floor to enhance the penetration of said liquid; and

,

wherein said liquid is recovered and recycled by said vacuum pump and said means for recovering and wherein said internal combustion engine is used to propel said mobile vehicle.

18. The apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein heat from said vacuum pump is recycled to preheat a floor.

19. The apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein a rinse liquid is recycled to be used as a cleaning solution.

20. The apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said engine is used to power a fan that circulates air used to dry the floor.