Abstract: A vehicle having an electric hybrid power system. By The vehicle includes an electric motor and an engine, both of which are drivably connectable to propel the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a battery for powering the electric motor and a single generator continuously coupled to the engine for providing a charging power output to the battery whenever the engine is running. A voltage reducer is coupled to both the single generator and the battery and has an accessory voltage output, which has a lower voltage than the charging power output of the single generator.

Abstract: A foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a washing machine includes a cleaning liquid dispenser and a foaming device. The cleaning liquid dispenser includes an output flow of cleaning liquid, which is received by the foaming device. The foaming device includes an input flow of air and a mixing member, in which the flows of air and the cleaning liquid are combined to form an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid that is directed to a washing chamber of the washing machine.

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: The invention is directed to an aggregate floor coating and method/system for applying the same. In one embodiment, a base layer of epoxy or equivalent material may be applied to a prepared floor surface. Prior to curing of the base layer, a quantity of aggregate flooring material, e.g., quartz particles, may be broadcast over the exposed surface of the base layer. Upon curing of the base layer, an ultraviolet (UV)-curable topcoat layer may be applied. Exposure of the UV-curable topcoat layer to one or more specific wavelengths of UV energy results in fast curing of the topcoat layer, permitting quick resumption of floor traffic. Coatings of the present invention provide numerous advantages, such as allowing application of aggregate floor coatings in well-lit, e.g., sun-exposed areas.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

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 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.

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 vehicle having an electric hybrid power system is provided. The vehicle includes an electric motor and an engine, both of which are drivably connectable to propel the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a battery for powering the electric motor and a single generator continuously coupled to the engine for providing a charging power output to the battery whenever the engine is running. A voltage reducer is coupled to both the single generator and the battery and has an accessory voltage output, which has a lower voltage than the charging power output of the single generator.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electric hybrid power system is provided. The vehicle includes an electric motor drivably connected to one or more ground engaging wheels. A battery pack stores electricity to power the electric motor. An engine is drivably connected to the wheels with an alternator connected to the engine for recharging an accessory battery. The alternator has at least a voltage output range of between approximately the standard output voltage of the accessory battery and the standard output voltage of the battery pack. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for electrically connecting the alternator to the battery pack is provided such that the alternator alternatively recharges both the battery pack and the accessory battery.

Abstract: A tubular type brush for use in a cleaning machine includes a generally cylindrical driver tube adapted to be rotated about its axis for use in cleaning an adjacent floor surface. The driver tube has an exterior surface with circumferentially and axially located bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles extend, when the driver tube is in an at rest position, in a direction which is closer to parallel with the driver tube exterior surface than perpendicular to the driver tube exterior surface. The bristles have tips which move outwardly from the driver tube exterior surface as the tube rotates, with the degree of the outward movement being dependent, at least in part, upon rotary speed of the driver tube.

Abstract: A mobile surface maintenance machine has a cleaning brush and a dust collection system mounted on the machine. The dust collection system includes a vacuum fan, a filter housing having an air inlet and a pleated filter element positioned within the housing with its upstream side being in communication with the housing air inlet. The filter housing has separate, side-by-side, chambers on the downstream side of the filter. There are electrically operated valves located in the filter housing on the downstream side of the filter element, with the valves being in communication with the vacuum fan. There is one valve controlling air flow from each chamber. The filter element is functionally divided into separate, but joined, pleated sections, with each section being aligned with one of the chambers. There is an electric actuator mounted on the downstream side of each pleated filter section and there is a pleat moving element associated with and movable by each electric actuator.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating to a floor surface and curing that coating after application includes the steps of first spreading a photochemically curable liquid coating in a thickness of from about 0.003 to about 0.006 inches on a floor surface. After the coating has been applied, it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation at a power level of about 40 watts per inch of width of coating being cured and at two different sequentially applied wavelengths. This cures the liquid coating instantly to a durable solid coating. The first applied ultraviolet radiation may have the wavelength of about 365 nm and the second applied ultraviolet radiation may have a wavelength of about 254 nm. The ultraviolet radiation is provided by an array of UV lights on a mobile, self-powered vehicle which moves over the floor coating at a speed in the range of 20 to 40 feet per minute.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electric hybrid power system is provided. The vehicle includes an electric motor drivably connected to one or more ground engaging wheels. A battery pack stores electricity to power the electric motor. An engine is drivably connected to the wheels with an alternator connected to the engine for recharging an accessory battery. The engine is located near the end of the vehicle opposite the end where the electric motor is located and the two motors are joined with a light-weight small-diameter drive shaft. The alternator has at least a voltage output range of between approximately the standard output voltage of the accessory battery and the standard output voltage of the battery pack. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for electrically connecting the alternator to the battery pack is provided such that the alternator alternatively recharges both the battery pack and the accessory battery.

Abstract: A sweeping machine has a housing, wheels for moving the housing, a sweeping brush mounted on the housing, a hopper positioned adjacent the brush to receive dust and debris therefrom, a dust collection chamber on the housing, and a vacuum fan mounted on the housing and creating an air flow path from the brush through the hopper and to the dust collection chamber. There is a filter element in the air flow path, with the filter element including a plurality of generally parallel pleats having folds extending in a direction transverse to the air flow path. There is a pleat moving element extending generally transverse to the pleats and engaged with the pleats. An electric actuator is mounted on top of the pleats and a bar is associated with the actuator and movable upon actuation thereof. There is a spring connected between the pleat moving element and the filter frame.

Abstract: A sweeping machine includes a housing, wheels for moving the housing and a sweeping brush mounted on the housing. There is a hopper positioned adjacent the brush to receive dust and debris from the rotating brush. A dust collection chamber is located on the housing and a vacuum fan mounted on the housing creates an air flow path from the brush through the hopper into the dust collection chamber. A filter element is positioned in the air flow path with the filter element including a plurality of generally parallel pleats extending in a direction transverse to the air flow path. There is a plurality of electric coils positioned adjacent the pleats. A plurality of metal elements are associated with the pleats. Pulsed electric power is applied to the coils with the electromagnetic fields caused thereby moving the metal elements reciprocally back and forth and the pleats associated therewith to impart a shaking, cleaning movement to the pleats.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having an electric hybrid power system comprising a battery powered electric motor connected to drive the wheels of the vehicle and a combustion engine which may be releasably coupled mechanically to the electric motor. When so coupled the combustion engine may drive the vehicle and the electric motor may act as a generator to maintain a desired charge level in the batteries. In operation the power train is automatically controlled by a process controller to produce maximum fuel economy for the engine and to maintain the batteries at an acceptable charge level. Means are provided to apply the combined power of the electric motor and the combustion engine to the drive wheels for short duration peaking power. Means are also provided whereby the combustion engine may drive the electric motor to function as a generator and charge the batteries when the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: This is an improved apparatus and method for guiding an automated guided vehicle, particularly a floor maintenance machine. This invention discloses electronic means which permit guiding the vehicle toward a point that is laterally offset a desired distance from a retroreflective target, generally in front of the machine, by reference to that target. A series of targets may be sequentially referenced in this manner. A floor area of extended width relative to the width of the machine can be treated by causing the machine to traverse the floor area in a series of passes from one end of the area to the other. The machine is guided during each pass by reference to each one in turn of a series of retroreflective targets located generally ahead of it, and maintains a selected lateral offset from each target. Changing the offset distance during successive passes allows treatment of the area while guiding off a single series of targets.