Abstract: A vacuum nozzle system has a vacuum nozzle with an inlet opening for engaging a surface to be vacuumed and an outlet opening for connection to a vacuum supply hose. The inlet opening is delimited by a circumferential end face. The nozzle defining a vacuum flow direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A holder bracket has a holder for holding the nozzle. The holder is disposed downstream of the end face in a vacuum flow in the vacuum flow direction when the nozzle is in a retained position on the holder bracket.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle system has a vacuum nozzle with an inlet opening for engaging a surface to be vacuumed and an outlet opening for connection to a vacuum supply hose. The inlet opening is delimited by a circumferential end face. The nozzle defining a vacuum flow direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A holder bracket has a holder for holding the nozzle. The holder is disposed downstream of the end face in a vacuum flow in the vacuum flow direction when the nozzle is in a retained position on the holder bracket.

Abstract: A method of operating a carwash includes driving a vehicle to a point of sale station of the carwash, purchasing a carwash transaction, and taking a first picture of a license plate number of the vehicle after the completion of the purchase of the carwash transaction at the point of sale station. The license plate number is associated with the carwash transaction as a carwash ticket. The vehicle is then sent to a carwash queue disposed downstream of the point of sale station. The carwash ticket information is sent to a carwash tunnel. A second picture of the license plate number of the vehicle is taken right as it approaches the carwash tunnel. The license plate number is associated with the carwash ticket and the vehicle is washed according to a wash dictated by the carwash ticket.

Abstract: A vacuum nozzle system has a vacuum nozzle with an inlet opening for engaging a surface to be vacuumed and an outlet opening for connection to a vacuum supply hose. The inlet opening is delimited by a circumferential end face. The nozzle defining a vacuum flow direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. A holder bracket has a holder for holding the nozzle. The holder is disposed downstream of the end face in a vacuum flow in the vacuum flow direction when the nozzle is in a retained position on the holder bracket.

Abstract: A sprocket is provided for a carrier link chain system which has a chain and a carrier link. The sprocket contains a unitary body which has three shaped sections including a central shaped section and two outer shaped sections sandwiching the central shaped section. The central shaped section has teeth for moving the chain of the carrier link chain. The two outer shaped sections have protrusions extending from a circumference and defines a path through which sides of the carrier link traverse and preventing a side-to-side movement of the carrier link and the chain links. The sprocket prevents jamming issues currently seen when a carrier link twists and causes the chain to jump off of the sprocket or the carrier link gets jammed against other portions of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A carwash station receives a vehicle being conveyed in a direction of travel in a carwash having a ground pathway. The carwash station includes a frame supported by the ground pathway, a four-bar linkage attached to the frame and a side washing brush attached to the four-bar linkage and having an axis of rotation being perpendicular to the direction of travel and perpendicular to the ground pathway.

Abstract: An air blower assembly has a main housing with an air inlet opening and an air inlet housing is disposed around the air inlet opening and connected to the main housing. The air inlet housing defines an air inlet channel leading into the air inlet opening in the main housing. An air outlet channel is connected to the main housing, the air outlet is fluidically connected to the air inlet channel. A fan is disposed in the main housing for driving airflow through the air inlet channel to the air outlet. A silencer covers the air inlet housing and redirects air into the air inlet channel. The silencer controls the direction of air flow into the air inflow channel and noises generated by the fan assembly and the air flow stream are absorbed by a noise cancelling material and walls of the silencer.

Abstract: A method of operating a carwash includes driving a vehicle to a point of sale station of the carwash, purchasing a carwash transaction, and taking a first picture of a license plate number of the vehicle after the completion of the purchase of the carwash transaction at the point of sale station. The license plate number is associated with the carwash transaction as a carwash ticket. The vehicle is then sent to a carwash queue disposed downstream of the point of sale station. The carwash ticket information is sent to a carwash tunnel. A second picture of the license plate number of the vehicle is taken right as it approaches the carwash tunnel. The license plate number is associated with the carwash ticket and the vehicle is washed according to a wash dictated by the carwash ticket.

Abstract: A wheel roller for a chain conveyor of an automated carwash has a more robust configuration due to a direction connection of the wheels to the carrier link. The wheel roller contains a carrier link forging having a main body with a carrier link formed as an unitary component, pins secured to the main body in a fixed, non-pivotable manner, and wheels attached to the pins.

Abstract: A carwash station receives a vehicle being conveyed in a direction of travel in a carwash having a ground pathway. The carwash station includes a frame supported by the ground pathway, a four-bar linkage attached to the frame and a side washing brush attached to the four-bar linkage and having an axis of rotation being perpendicular to the direction of travel and perpendicular to the ground pathway.

Abstract: A method operates a carwash having a carwash tunnel. A vehicle is conveyed into the carwash via a conveyor. At least a position, a length and/or a height of the vehicle traversing the carwash is captured. A progression of the vehicle going from a first checkpoint to a downstream second check point is monitored. The conveyor is stopped if the vehicle does not make it to the downstream second checkpoint in an allotted time period.

Abstract: A wheel roller for a chain conveyor of an automated carwash has a more robust configuration due to a direction connection of the wheels to the carrier link. The wheel roller contains a carrier link forging having a main body with a carrier link formed as an unitary component, pins secured to the main body in a fixed, non-pivotable manner, and wheels attached to the pins.

Abstract: An air blower assembly has a main housing with an air inlet opening and an air inlet housing is disposed around the air inlet opening and connected to the main housing. The air inlet housing defines an air inlet channel leading into the air inlet opening in the main housing. An air outlet channel is connected to the main housing, the air outlet is fluidically connected to the air inlet channel. A fan is disposed in the main housing for driving airflow through the air inlet channel to the air outlet. A silencer covers the air inlet housing and redirects air into the air inlet channel. The silencer controls the direction of air flow into the air inflow channel and noises generated by the fan assembly and the air flow stream are absorbed by a noise cancelling material and walls of the silencer.

Abstract: In a carwash a vehicle is conveyed via a conveyor. An initial image of a rear portion of the vehicle traversing the carwash is captured. The initial image is processed and a recorded light intensity of a tail light of the vehicle is generated. A benchmark light intensity is derived from the light intensity and a margin of error. Sample images of the tail lights of the vehicle are periodically obtained. The sample images are processed to derive sampled tail light intensities. The sampled tail light intensities are compared to the benchmark tail light intensity. The conveyor is stopped if a sampled tail light intensity is greater than the benchmark tail light intensity.

Abstract: A foam/liquid applicator system for an automated carwash has at least one foam generator with a first end, a second end, a first input for receiving air, and a second input for receiving a detergent mixture. The foam generator transforms the air and the detergent mixture into foam. A light chamber is attached to the first end of said foam generator and receives the foam formed in the foam generator, the light chamber has a plurality of openings for dispensing. A light bar is disposed in the light chamber and has a plurality of lights for illuminating the foam as it is expelled via the openings.

Abstract: A wheel roller for a chain conveyor of an automated carwash has a direct connection of the wheels to the carrier link. The wheel roller contains a carrier link and a roller frame supported by the carrier link. The roller frame has a plurality of pins rigidly connected to the carrier link. A plurality of wheels is supported by the pins of the roller frame. Because the roller frame is rigidly connected (e.g. welded) to the carrier link, the wheels cannot rotate about the carrier.

Abstract: A wheel roller for a chain conveyor of an automated carwash has a direct connection of the wheels to the carrier link. The wheel roller contains a carrier link and a roller frame supported by the carrier link. The roller frame has a plurality of pins rigidly connected to the carrier link. A plurality of wheels is supported by the pins of the roller frame. Because the roller frame is rigidly connected (e.g. welded) to the carrier link, the wheels cannot rotate about the carrier.

Abstract: A foam generating system for an automated carwash contains a foam generator for connecting to an air source, a water source and a detergent source. The foam generator has an input and an output outputting a foaming fluid formed from air from the air source, water from the water source, and a detergent from the detergent source. A detergent/water receiving input nozzle is attached to an input side of the foam generator. An agitating nozzle is disposed in the output of the input nozzle. The agitating nozzle spins and accelerates the foaming fluid flowing through the foam generator where it eventual is output by an output nozzle. The agitating nozzle outputs a homogenous full cone pattern of foaming fluid to be turned into foam.