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Vehicle windshield cleaning system

  • US 7,857,238 B2
  • Filed: 10/30/2007
  • Issued: 12/28/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:

  • a) a reservoir having a wall defining an opening that comprises an inlet port for receiving fluid that enters an interior region of the reservoir and wherein the interior region is bound by interior walls of said reservoir;

    b) an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior of said reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;

    c) a heater element for heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet port through said reservoir;

    d) a heat exchanger supported by an interior wall of the reservoir in a position to be at least partially covered by fluid within the reservoir, said heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir; and

    e) a temperature sensor mounted to the heat exchanger for sensing a temperature as the heat exchanger transmits heat from the heater element to fluid in the reservoir;

    f) a control circuit electrically coupled to the temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature sensor output signal and energizing the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element and control a temperature of the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet through the reservoir.

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