CHEMICAL DELIVERY SYSTEM AND PLATFORM

• US 20110067738A1
• Filed: 09/10/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonny's HFI Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Hydra-Flex, Inc. (Sonny'S Enterprises, LLC)
• Inventors: Brown, Gary A., Molitor, Christopher, Kensinger, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,887,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/123
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 3/04 for exteriors of land vehicles B60S3/002, B60S3/004 take precedence; specially adapted for railway vehicles B60S3/006

Abstract

A chemical delivery system capable of handling a variety of concentrated chemicals in such a manner as to reduce the amount of service required to maintain the system. The system should be able to accurately and consistently deliver an appropriate quantity of concentrated chemicals as needed by the application where the system is utilized. Additionally, the system is configured such that the system occupies as little space as necessary.

Claims

1. A chemical delivery system for distributing chemicals within a car wash, comprising:

at least one supply pump pressurizing a motive fluid;

a distribution manifold having a plurality of distribution ports, and

at least one chemical delivery manifold including a plurality of chemical injectors, each chemical injector have a motive fluid inlet, a chemical inlet and a mixed solution outlet,

wherein the motive fluid is supplied to the distribution manifold and to each chemical delivery manifold through a corresponding distribution port, the motive fluid being provided each motive fluid inlet at a constant pressure.

2. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one supply pump comprises a multi-stage centrifugal booster pump.

3. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one supply pump includes a pair of supply pumps configured for parallel operation, and wherein each supply pump is capable of pressurizing one-half of a maximum flow requirement of the motive fluid.

4. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein a concentrated chemical is drawn through each chemical inlet by a venturi configuration in each chemical injector.

5. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, further comprising:

a water-tight control panel enclosing a control processor for electrically operating the supply pump and a solenoid valve on each chemical injector.

6. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, further comprising:

a compressed air handling assembly.

7. The chemical delivery system of claim 1, wherein the supply pump, the distribution manifold and the at least one chemical delivery manifold are mounted on a common support frame.

8. A car wash comprising the chemical delivery system of claim 1.

9. A tunnel car wash, comprising:

a tunnel layout including a plurality of solution application areas;

a frame mounted chemical delivery system including at least one supply pump, a distribution manifold and at least one chemical delivery manifold including a plurality of chemical injectors;

a plurality of concentrated chemical sources,

wherein the at least one supply pump delivers a pressurized motive fluid source to the distribution manifold wherein the pressurized motive fluid is directed to the at least one chemical delivery manifold such that the pressurized motive fluid is provided to each chemical injector at a constant pressure.

10. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the number of chemical injectors are equivalent to the number of solution application areas.

11. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the plurality of solution application areas are selected from the group comprising:

a pre-soak area, a wheel cleaner area, a triple foam soap area, a spot-free rinse area and a wax applicator area.

12. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the supply pump comprises a multi-stage centrifugal booster pump.

13. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the at least one supply pump includes a pair of supply pumps configured for parallel operation, and wherein each supply pump is capable of supplying one-half of a maximum flow requirement of the pressurized motive fluid.

14. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the frame mounted chemical delivery system further comprises a water-tight control panel enclosing a control processor for electrically operating the supply pump and a solenoid valve on each chemical injector.

15. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein a concentrated chemical from each concentrated chemical sources is drawn into each corresponding chemical injector by a venturi configuration in each chemical injector.

16. The tunnel car wash of claim 9, wherein the frame mounted chemical delivery system further comprises a compressed air handling assembly.

17. A method for reducing maintenance in a car wash chemical delivery system, comprising:

pressurizing a motive fluid with at least one common supply pump;

delivering the motive fluid to each of a plurality of chemical injectors on a chemical delivery manifold assembly; and

drawing a concentrated chemical into each chemical injector under the influence of a venturi created by the motive fluid.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing the common supply pump and the chemical delivery manifold on a mounting frame.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

attaching the mounting frame directly to a wall.

20. The method of 17, wherein the at least one common supply pump comprises a pair of supply pumps arranged for parallel operation, each supply pump selected to supply one-half of a maximum required flow of the motive fluid.