Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a source of a liquid, a liquid dispenser and a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid dispenser. A functional generator is coupled in the flow path, which comprises an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and which electrochemically activates the liquid from the liquid source which is passed through the functional generator.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes generating a cleaning liquid by a combination of a sparging process and an electrochemical process that produces an anolyte and a catholye.

Abstract: A mobile surface cleaner is provided, which includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a source of a liquid, a liquid dispenser, a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid dispenser, and an electrolyzing sparging device in fluid communication with the flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a cleaning liquid having a pH in a range between pH6-pH8 and an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) between ±50 mV. The liquid is converted into an anolyte liquid and a catholyte liquid having respective pHs outside of the range between pH6-pH8 and having respective ORPs outside the range between ±50 mV. The anolyte and catholyte liquids are applied to a surface, wherein the anolyte and catholyte liquids are, for example, in a combined state on the surface and substantially neutralize to a pH between pH6-pH8 and an ORP between ±50 mV within one minute of the time at which the anolyte and catholyte liquids are converted.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes moving a mobile floor cleaning machine along a floor. Onboard the mobile floor cleaning machine, a liquid is sparged by electrolysis. The sparged liquid is dispensed from the mobile floor cleaning machine.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a cleaning device carried by the mobile body, a liquid flow path, and an electrolyzing device in the liquid flow path. An indicator provides a humanly-perceptible indication of an electrical operating characteristic of the electrolyzing device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a sparging device and a functional generator. The functional generator is in fluid communication with the sparging device and includes an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: In a method of communicating data from a mobile floor cleaner to a remote receiver a data communication is initiated from a communicator of the mobile floor cleaner to the remote receiver and data is communicated to the remote receiver with the communicator.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaner includes a motorized scrub head, a fluid recovery device, a primary cleaning liquid component container, a cleaning agent container, a flow control device and a fluid flow path. The flow control device is configured to supply a flow of cleaning agent from the cleaning agent container at a flow rate of less than approximately 10 cubic centimeters per minute to a flow of primary cleaning liquid component from the primary cleaning liquid component container. The fluid flow path is configured to receive a flow of cleaning liquid, which comprises the cleaning agent and the primary cleaning liquid component.

Abstract: A cleaner cartridge includes a container having an interior cavity, in which cleaning agent can be stored. A first end of conduit is fluidically coupled to the interior cavity. A second end of the conduit is connectable to a chemical dispenser.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a mobile hard surface cleaner. The system generally includes a cleaning agent container, a cleaning agent supply line coupled to the cleaning agent container, a flow control device, and a pressure regulator. The cleaning agent container is configured to contain a supply of cleaning agent. The flow control device includes a first input coupled to the cleaning agent supply line, a second input, and an output. The pressure regulator is configured to control a pressure in the cleaning agent supply line and is positioned in line with the cleaning agent supply line between the first input of the flow control device and the cleaning agent container.

Abstract: In a method for use in a hard floor surface cleaner, a supply of cleaning agent and a flow control device are provided. The flow control device is coupled to the supply of cleaning agent. Next, a flow of cleaning agent is provided that travels from the supply of cleaning agent through the flow control device. Finally, the flow of cleaning agent is restricted to less than approximately 10.0 cubic centimeters per minute using the flow control device.

Abstract: Machines and methods for curing ultraviolet (UV) curable floor coatings are provided. In one embodiment, the machine includes a UV radiation source having one or more lamps where each lamp is operable to simultaneously emit UV radiation at two or more wavelengths and at relatively low power consumption, e.g., no more than about 75 watts per inch of cured coating width. The floor coating includes components that are reactive to these two or more wavelengths such that substantial or complete curing of the floor coating may occur upon simultaneous exposure to the two or more wavelengths. Preferably, the UV radiation emitted by each of the one or more lamps is greater at the two or more wavelengths than at wavelengths other than the two or more wavelengths.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a mobile hard floor surface cleaner includes fluid conduit and fluid communication with a supply of cleaning liquid, a pump, and a flow restriction member. The pump is adapted to drive a flow of the cleaning liquid through the conduit. The flow restriction member generates a pressure drop in the conduit, thereby restricting the flow of the cleaning liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A hard floor surface cleaning apparatus includes an aerator, a rotating scrub medium engaging the hard floor surface, a fluid conveyor, and a fluid recovery device. The aerator is configured to produce a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid. The fluid conveyor is coupled to the aerator and is configured to deliver the aerated cleaning liquid onto the scrub medium. The fluid recovery device is configured to remove soiled solution from the hard floor surface.

Abstract: A portable cooling system includes an air cooling unit, a housing enclosing the air cooling unit, an output port, and flexible tubing. The air cooling unit includes an air intake, an air cooler, an air output, and a blower. The blower is configured to drive air from the outside through the air cooling unit. The air cooler is configured to cool air received through the air intake. The cooled air is then discharged through the air output by the blower. The output port is connected to the air output for receiving the cooled air. The flexible tubing includes a first end that is coupled to the output port and can be used to deliver the cooled air to a portable personal shelter.

Abstract: A foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system includes a cleaner cartridge, a flow control device, and an aerator. The cleaner cartridge includes a collapsible bag containing a supply of cleaning agent. The flow control device is configured to receive a flow of the cleaning agent from the cartridge and a flow of a primary cleaning liquid component. The flow control device combines the flows of cleaning agent and primary cleaning liquid component and produces an output flow of cleaning liquid at an output. The aerator includes a nozzle having an inlet fluidically coupled to the output of the flow control device, an outlet, a body having a bore extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a radial port. The nozzle is configured to receive the output flow of cleaning liquid at the inlet, inject air into the output flow of cleaning liquid through the radial port, and produce an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid through the outlet.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is provided, which includes an electric motor, an engine, first and second electrical storage mechanisms, an energy conversion device and a voltage reducer. The electric motor and the engine are drivably connectable to propel the vehicle. The first electrical storage mechanism powers the electric motor. The energy conversion device is continuously coupled to the engine for providing a charging power output to the first electrical storage mechanism whenever the engine is running. The second electrical storage mechanism provides power to vehicle accessories at a lower voltage than the first electrical storage mechanism. The voltage reducer has an input coupled to the generator and the first electrical storage mechanism and has an output coupled to the second electrical storage mechanism to provide charging power at the lower voltage to the second electrical storage mechanism.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser for use in a hard floor surface cleaner includes a supply of cleaning agent and a flow control device. The flow control device is fluidically coupled to the supply of cleaning agent and includes an output flow of cleaning agent therethrough having a flow rate that is substantially independent of a volume of the supply of cleaning agent.