Self-propelled brushless surface cleaner with reclamation

• US 6,381,801 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terry L. New
• Original Assignee: Clean Up America Incorporated (Clean Up)
• Inventors: Clemons, William E. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/569,124
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 153/45, 153/20, 153/21, 153/401, 153/54, 154/20, 154/21
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0229 Suction chambers for aspirating the sprayed liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 5/04 Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action B08B9/035 takes precedence; suction cleaners A47L
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/103 in which the soiled loosening or washing liquid is removed, e.g. by suction removing liquids in general E01H1/108

Abstract

A self-propelled brushless surface cleaner with reclamation is provided as a self-contained vehicle. A cleaning head mounted to the vehicle extends forward therefrom. The cleaning head has a deck and a skirt extending from the deck such that when the skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is defined. The cleaning head has at least one vent port formed in a forward portion thereof and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion thereof. Nozzles are mounted in the cleaning volume for movement therein when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom. A liquid supply system supplies the liquid under pressure to the nozzles so that the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by the liquid to produce a mixture of the liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned. A vacuum recycling system coupled to the vacuum port(s) draws high-pressure air through the vent port(s) and over the surface being sprayed with the liquid under pressure. The mixture of liquid and contaminants is suctioned through the rear vacuum port(s) and filtered to separate the liquid from the contaminants. The liquid so-separated is returned to the liquid supply system for reuse thereby.

Claims

1. A brushless surface cleaner, comprising:

a vehicle having at least one drive system for propelling said vehicle on a surface to be cleaned;

a cleaning head mounted to said vehicle to extend forward therefrom, said cleaning head having a deck and a skirt extending from said deck wherein, when said skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is bounded by said deck, said skirt and the surface to be cleaned;

said cleaning head having at least one vent port formed in a forward portion thereof and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion thereof;

a plurality of nozzles mounted to said deck for movement between said forward portion and said rear portion within said cleaning volume when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom;

a liquid supply system mounted on said vehicle for supplying said liquid under pressure to said plurality of nozzles wherein the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by said liquid to produce a mixture of said liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned; and

a vacuum recycling system mounted on said vehicle and coupled to said at least one vacuum port for suctioning said mixture, filtering said mixture to separate said liquid from said contaminants and returning said liquid so-separated to said liquid supply system for reuse thereby.

2. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein said at least one vent port and said at least one vacuum port are formed in said deck.

3. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein the area defined by said at least one vent port is approximately equal to the area defined by said at least one vacuum port.

4. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising an open-ended duct extending from each said vent port and away from said cleaning volume.

5. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein said skirt includes a flexible seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

6. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 5 wherein said flexible seal comprises a multi-layered material having at least one layer of rubber and at least one layer of nylon.

7. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 5 wherein said flexible seal is mounted for adjustable positioning relative to said deck.

8. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting a forward-to-rear pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

9. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting a side-to-side pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

10. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein said at least one drive system comprises:

an electric motor;

a combustion-engine motor;

a drive train; and

means for selectively coupling one of said electric motor and said combustion-engine motor to said drive train to propel said vehicle.

11. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 10 further comprising:

at least one battery serving as a first source of electricity;

an alternator coupled to said combustion-engine motor wherein operation of said combustion-engine motor causes said alternator to serve as a second source of electricity; and

means for coupling one of said first source and said second source to said electric motor.

12. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a speed limiter coupled to said at least one drive system for setting the top speed of said vehicle.

13. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a speed control coupled to said at least one drive system for maintaining a selected constant speed of said vehicle.

14. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of nozzles is directed towards the surface to be cleaned at an acute angle of approximately 30°

with respect to vertical.

15. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein said liquid supply system comprises:

a tank for storing said liquid;

a pump coupled to said tank for pumping said liquid therefrom under pressure; and

a boiler having an inlet coupled to said pump for receiving said liquid under pressure and said boiler having an outlet coupled to said plurality of nozzles.

16. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 wherein said vacuum recycling system comprises:

a vacuum tank coupled to said at least one vacuum port;

first filter means mounted in said vacuum tank for partially filtering said mixture wherein a partially-filtered mixture is deposited via gravity in a lower portion of said vacuum tank;

a sump pump mounted in said lower portion of said vacuum tank for pumping said partially-filtered mixture therefrom;

second filter means coupled to said sump pump for completely filtering said partially-filtered mixture wherein said liquid is returned to said liquid supply system; and

a vacuum source coupled to an upper portion of said vacuum tank above said partially-filtered mixture for suctioning air from said upper portion of said vacuum tank to maintain a suction force at said at least one vacuum port.

17. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 16 further comprising a baffle mounted in said upper portion of said vacuum tank for entrainment of said partially-filtered mixture drawn into said air in said upper portion of said vacuum tank by said vacuum source.

18. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 1 further comprising a pair of side-by-side mounting arms rotatably mounted to said deck between said forward portion and said rear portion for rotation within said cleaning volume in a plane substantially parallel to said deck, each of said mounting arms having at least one of said plurality of nozzles mounted thereon wherein said mounting arms rotate when said liquid under pressure is sprayed from said plurality of nozzles.

19. A brushless surface cleaner, comprising:

a vehicle having at least one drive system for propelling said vehicle on a surface to be cleaned;

a cleaning head mounted to said vehicle to extend forward therefrom, said cleaning head having a deck and a skirt extending from said deck wherein, when said skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is bounded by said deck, said skirt and the surface to be cleaned;

said cleaning head having at least one vent port formed in a forward portion of said deck and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion of said deck, wherein the area defined by said at least one vent port is approximately equal to the area defined by said at least one vacuum port;

a plurality of nozzles mounted to said deck for movement within said cleaning volume when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom, said movement being between said at least one vent port and said at least one vacuum port, each of said plurality of nozzles directed towards the surface to be cleaned at an acute angle with respect to vertical;

a liquid supply system mounted on said vehicle for supplying said liquid under pressure to said plurality of nozzles wherein the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by said liquid to produce a mixture of said liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned; and

a vacuum recycling system mounted on said vehicle and coupled to said at least one vacuum port for suctioning said mixture, filtering said mixture to separate said liquid from said contaminants and returning said liquid so-separated to said liquid supply system for reuse thereby.

20. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising an open-ended duct extending from each said vent port and away from said cleaning volume.

21. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 wherein said skirt includes a flexible seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

22. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 21 wherein said flexible seal comprises a multi-layered material having at least one layer of rubber and at least one layer of nylon.

23. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 21 wherein said flexible seal is mounted for adjustable positioning relative to said deck.

24. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising means for adjusting a forward-to-rear pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

25. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising means for adjusting a side-to-side pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

26. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 wherein said at least one drive system comprises:

an electric motor;

a combustion-engine motor;

a drive train; and

means for selectively coupling one of said electric motor and said combustion-engine motor to said drive train to propel said vehicle.

27. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 26 further comprising:

at least one battery serving as a first source of electricity;

an alternator coupled to said combustion-engine motor wherein operation of said combustion-engine motor causes said alternator to serve as a second source of electricity; and

means for coupling one of said first source and said second source to said electric motor.

28. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising a speed limiter coupled to said at least one drive system for setting the top speed of said vehicle.

29. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising a speed control coupled to said at least one drive system for maintaining a selected constant speed of said vehicle.

30. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 wherein said acute angle is approximately 30°

.

31. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 wherein said liquid supply system comprises:

a tank for storing said liquid;

a pump coupled to said tank for pumping said liquid therefrom under pressure; and

a boiler having an inlet coupled to said pump for receiving said liquid under pressure and said boiler having an outlet coupled to said plurality of nozzles.

32. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 wherein said vacuum recycling system comprises:

a vacuum tank coupled to said at least one vacuum port;

first filter means mounted in said vacuum tank for partially filtering said mixture wherein a partially-filtered mixture is deposited via gravity in a lower portion of said vacuum tank;

a sump pump mounted in said lower portion of said vacuum tank for pumping said partially-filtered mixture therefrom;

second filter means coupled to said sump pump for completely filtering said partially-filtered mixture wherein said liquid is returned to said liquid supply system; and

a vacuum source coupled to an upper portion of said vacuum tank above said partially-filtered mixture for suctioning air from said upper portion of said vacuum tank to maintain a suction force at said at least one vacuum port.

33. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 32 further comprising a baffle mounted in said upper portion of said vacuum tank for entrainment of said partially-filtered mixture drawn into said air in said upper portion of said vacuum tank by said vacuum source.

34. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 19 further comprising a pair of side-by-side mounting arms rotatably mounted to said deck between said forward portion and said rear portion for rotation within said cleaning volume in a plane substantially parallel to said deck, each of said mounting arms having at least one of said plurality of nozzles mounted thereon wherein said mounting arms rotate when said liquid under pressure is sprayed from said plurality of nozzles.

35. A brushless surface cleaner, comprising:

a vehicle having an electric motor, a combustion-engine motor, a drive train, and means for selectively coupling one of said electric motor and said combustion-engine motor to said drive train to propel said vehicle;

a cleaning head mounted to said vehicle to extend forward therefrom, said cleaning head having a deck and a skirt extending from said deck wherein, when said skirt is placed in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning volume is bounded by said deck, said skirt and the surface to be cleaned;

said cleaning head having at least one vent port formed in a forward portion of said deck and at least one vacuum port formed in a rear portion of said deck, wherein the area defined by said at least one vent port is approximately equal to the area defined by said at least one vacuum port;

an open-ended duct extending from each said vent port and away from said cleaning volume;

a plurality of nozzles mounted to said deck for movement within said cleaning volume when liquid under pressure is supplied thereto and sprayed therefrom, said movement being between said at least one vent port and said at least one vacuum port, each of said plurality of nozzles directed towards the surface to be cleaned at an acute angle with respect to vertical;

a liquid supply system mounted on said vehicle for supplying said liquid under pressure to said plurality of nozzles wherein the surface to be cleaned is effectively scrubbed by said liquid to produce a mixture of said liquid and contaminants loosened from the surface to be cleaned; and

a vacuum recycling system mounted on said vehicle and coupled to said at least one vacuum port for suctioning said mixture, filtering said mixture to separate said liquid from said contaminants and returning said liquid so-separated to said liquid supply system for reuse thereby.

36. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 wherein said skirt includes a flexible seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

37. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 36 wherein said flexible seal comprises a multi-layered material having at least one layer of rubber and at least one layer of nylon.

38. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 36 wherein said flexible seal is mounted for adjustable positioning relative to said deck.

39. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising means for adjusting a forward-to-rear pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

40. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising means for adjusting a side-to-side pitch of said cleaning head relative to the surface to be cleaned.

41. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising a speed limiter for setting the top speed of said vehicle.

42. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising a speed control for maintaining a selected constant speed of said vehicle.

43. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 wherein said acute angle is approximately 30°

.

44. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 wherein said liquid supply system comprises:

a tank for storing said liquid;

a pump coupled to said tank for pumping said liquid therefrom under pressure; and

a boiler having an inlet coupled to said pump for receiving said liquid under pressure and said boiler having an outlet coupled to said plurality of nozzles.

45. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 wherein said vacuum recycling system comprises:

a vacuum tank coupled to said at least one vacuum port;

first filter means mounted in said vacuum tank for partially filtering said mixture wherein a partially-filtered mixture is deposited via gravity in a lower portion of said vacuum tank;

a sump pump mounted in said lower portion of said vacuum tank for pumping said partially-filtered mixture therefrom;

second filter means coupled to said sump pump for completely filtering said partially-filtered mixture wherein said liquid is returned to said liquid supply system; and

a vacuum source coupled to an upper portion of said vacuum tank above said partially-filtered mixture for suctioning air from said upper portion of said vacuum tank to maintain a suction force at said at least one vacuum port.

46. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 45 further comprising a baffle mounted in said upper portion of said vacuum tank for entrainment of said partially-filtered mixture drawn into said air in said upper portion of said vacuum tank by said vacuum source.

47. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising:

at least one battery serving as a first source of electricity;

an alternator coupled to said combustion-engine motor wherein operation of said combustion-engine motor causes said alternator to serve as a second source of electricity; and

means for coupling one of said first source and said second source to said electric motor.

48. A brushless surface cleaner as in claim 35 further comprising a pair of side-by-side mounting arms rotatably mounted to said deck between said forward portion and said rear portion for rotation within said cleaning volume in a plane substantially parallel to said deck, each of said mounting arms having at least one of said plurality of nozzles mounted thereon wherein said mounting arms rotate when said liquid under pressure is sprayed from said plurality of nozzles.