Carpet cleaning machine

• US 6,637,546 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2000
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Wang
• Original Assignee: Kevin Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): San Martin, Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US09/665,991
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 181/264, 181/270, 181/282, 181/258
• US Class Current: 181/264
• 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: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4058 for adjusting the height of the tool
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2805 Parameters or conditions being sensed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2821 Pressure, vacuum level or airflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2831 Motor parameters, e.g. motor load or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2836 characterised by the parts which are controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2842 Suction motors or blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2889 Safety or protection devices or systems, e.g. for prevention of motor over-heating or for protection of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2894 Details related to signal transmission in suction cleaners

Abstract

A muffler for a steam cleaning apparatus comprising a housing having a first and a second inlet, and an outlet, a plurality of baffles disposed within, and coupled to the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are covered with a foam; wherein the first inlet is pneumatically coupled to an air pump of the steam cleaning apparatus, and wherein the first inlet provides to the housing a stream of humid air from an application subsystem of the steam cleaning apparatus; and wherein the second inlet receives combustion exhaust from a combustion motor that drives an air pump that is operationally coupled to the application subsystem, and wherein the outlet releases air comprising combustion exhaust of the motor.

Claims

1. A muffler for a steam cleaning apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first and a second inlet, and an outlet, wherein the housing is dimensioned for an air flow of up to 500 cubic feet per minute;

a plurality of baffles disposed within, and a coupled to the housing, wherein the plurality of baffles are covered with a foam;

wherein the first inlet is pneumatically coupled to an air pump of the steam cleaning apparatus, and wherein the first inlet provides to the housing a stream of humid air from an application subsystem of the steam cleaning apparatus; and

wherein the second inlet receives combustion exhaust from a combustion motor that drives an air pump that is operationally coupled to the application subsystem, and wherein the outlet releases air comprising combustion exhaust of the motor and the humid air at the air flow of up to 500 cubic feet per minute.

2. The muffler of claim 1 wherein the housing further has an inside surface that is covered with the foam.

3. The muffler of claim 1 wherein the foam is Technifoam TFX-1,5″

flat melomyn.

4. The muffler of claim 1 wherein the foam further comprises a projection.

5. The muffler of claim 4 wherein the projection has a pyramidal shape.

6. The muffler of claim 1 wherein the plurality of baffles are offset.

7. The muffler of claim 6 wherein the plurality of offset baffles define a passageway having a length of 3 inches and a width of 18 inches.

8. The muffler of claim 1 wherein the housing is fabricated from stainless steel.