Abstract: A valve cleaning apparatus and method provide for cleaning of heat resistant, scratch resistant coated valves using deionized water and at least one chemical mixture. The cleaning method includes sampling and analysis of the chemical mixture for the presence of metal impurities to within 0.5 to 1.5 ppb. Valves cleaned using this method and apparatus can then be transferred for use in semiconductor device fabrication equipment without the danger of metal impurities from the valves entering and damaging the fabrication equipment and the semiconductor devices being fabricated. The apparatus uses a single pumping device and a single return line, which are provided with selection devices to alternatively supply to or return from the valves either the deionized water or the chemical mixture. A plurality of same-sized or different-sized valves can be cleaned simultaneously.

Abstract: With this device for positioning motor vehicles (F) in front of vehicle washing plants, especially portal washing plants, at least one transmitting-/receiving device (5, 6) in the portal is assigned to each terminating plane (E1, E2), which portal has a clear space of a predetermined clearance width (D), which clear space is delimited laterally by imaginary, substantially vertical terminating planes (E1, E2) extending in the direction of movement. Said transmitting-/receiving device emits signals, which extend substantially in the terminating plane (E1, E2) in the space in front of the portal (1), and receives said signals.

Abstract: Process for cleaning a transport belt of a machine for manufacturing and/or processing a material web with at least one cleaning device. The process includes detecting the contamination of the transport belt with at least one sensor, generating a state matrix which contains the location coordinates of the detected contamination, and one of controlling and regulating the at least one cleaning device for cleaning over at least a width of the transport belt with a varying desired intensity of cleaning in accordance with the generated state matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning articles such as pallets, totes, containers, bins, trays, carts, and other like articles. The apparatus includes a main housing having a conveyor system on which articles are transported into and through a washing chamber. The apparatus is versatile and employs adjustable guide rails to hold in place a wide variety of different sizes and configurations of a wide assortment of articles. A plurality of high pressure, jet-stream spray nozzles rotating at high speeds are supplied with a high pressure wash fluid. The spray nozzles provide rapid, powerful, knife-like jet streams of wash fluid which impact the surfaces of the articles moving through the washing chamber repeatedly to lift and blast off contaminants adhered to the articles. The apparatus is portable and includes a closed-loop water reclamation system having a plurality filter assembly and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: PLANT FOR WASHING MACHINERY, which is characterized by being a compact plant which includes a small engine room of approximately 9m3, inside which the different elements such as the following are housed: pressure pumps, electric motors, a diesel boiler, a hot water accumulator, a plant for osmotizing water, an electronic robot mechanism, an electric switchboard, fuel tanks, osmotized water tank, measurement pumps and auxiliary material. The washing liquids come out under pressure through hoses and reach a manual shuttle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to efficiently clean a mat or a screen. The screen or mat is placed on or within a frame and within an enclosure; large volumes of pressurized water and/or cleaning solvent are simultaneously directed towards one or more sides of the screen or mat. Temperature sensors in combination with a heating element and ph detectors are controlled by a pre-programmed system controller to insure that the temperature of the water is maintained within a specified range and that the water recycled within the apparatus is within an acceptable limit of contamination. A preferred design of the apparatus includes a mobile frame that is moved to the initial location of the mat and then returned to the enclosure while bearing the mat. The mobile frame reduces a risk of injury to cleaning personnel. A truck may be configured to carry one or more apparatus from site to site to allow customer based site cleaning opportunities.

Abstract: During a rinsing stage a first quantity of water is accumulated in a buffer reservoir and the tank is rinsed. During a washing stage a second quantity of water is accumulated and the milk tank is washed. A first period of time used for accumulating the first quantity is measured. A second period of time is determined from the measured first period of time and either the first quantity and the second quantity or the ratio between the first quantity and the second quantity. During the washing stage water is supplied during the second period of time. A flexible and reliable method of dosing the second quantity of water essentially independently of the prevailing water pressure is obtained, which does not require a correspondingly large reservoir or any instruments specially provided for measuring the second quantity of water.

Abstract: Apparatuses for cleaning wafers used in integrated circuit devices comprise: (1) a dry cleaning section comprising inert gas storage bath, a hydrogen fluoride gas storage bath, and a vapor storage bath containing a component selected from the group consisting of water vapor, alcohol vapor, and mixtures thereof and a gas mixer, wherein the inert gas storage bath, the hydrogen fluoride gas storage bath, and the vapor storage bath are in communication with the gas mixer; (2) a wet cleaning section comprising a first bath for storing a fluoride; a second bath for storing a liquid alcohol; and a cleaning solution storage bath in communication with the first bath and second bath, wherein the fluoride and the liquid alcohol form a cleaning solution which is stored in the cleaning solution storage bath; and (3) a common cleaning bath positioned between and in communication with the dry cleaning section and the wet cleaning section.

Abstract: A dairy pipeline wash system for monitoring and controlling the wash cycle of a dairy harvesting facility including a user interactive data processor for receiving and storing wash parameters, monitoring wash conditions, comparing monitored wash conditions to wash parameters, and controlling wash conditions to comply with wash parameters. The dairy pipeline wash system may include a closed loop or fuzzy logic system to vary wash conditions as dairy pipeline conditions change.

Abstract: A cleaning tank 30 stores a cleaning liquid to clean the surfaces of semiconductor wafers W immersed in the cleaning liquid. A cleaning liquid supply pipe 33 connects the cleaning tank 30 to a pure water supply source 31. A chemical liquid container 34 stores a chemical liquid, and a chemical liquid supply pipe 36 connects the cleaning liquid supply pipe 33 to the chemical liquid container 34 via an infusion open/close switching valve 35, and a chemical liquid feed means is interposed in the chemical liquid supply pipe 36. The chemical liquid feed means is a reciprocal pump, such as diaphragm pump 37. Thus, a predetermined quantity of the chemical liquid can be infused into pure water or to a drying gas generator to ensure that the chemical liquid of a predetermined concentration be available for washing or drying treatment, regardless of fluctuations in flow amount or pressure of pure water or a drying gas carrier gas.

Abstract: A pulse vacuum extraction solvent cleaning system in which solvent remnants are removed from a cleaning vessel by evacuating the closed cleaning vessel to a predetermined vacuum pressure. At the predetermined vacuum pressure, if the concentration of solvent exceeds a predetermined value, air is introduced into the cleaning vessel to reduce the vacuum pressure and provide a carrier to remove the solvent. The process repeats until the solvent concentration falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of cleaning golf clubs (including grips and club heads) using an ultrasonic golf club cleaning machine including four bays to allow a complete foursome to clean the clubs simultaneously while they are waiting for their turn to play golf.

Abstract: An apparatus for descaling semi-finished products, such as thin slabs or steel strips in rolling mills by highly pressurized water that is sprayed through a nozzle device onto the surface of the semi-finished product is characterized in that the nozzle device is movable with a vertical component above the surface of the semi-finished product by means of a drive. The drive can be controlled by a control device that receives a target distance as input value and an actual distance between the nozzle device and the surface of the semi-finished product detected by means of a distance sensor. The control device supplies an output signal via a signal line to the drive for resetting any deviation to zero. Hence, the nozzle device is always kept at a desired target distance even if humps such as bulgings occur on the surface of the semi-finished product.

Abstract: Improved megasonic cleaning is obtained by use of an apparatus containing a plurality of transducers arranged to transmit a progressive megasonic wave through a liquid containing a planar surface of an object. The progression of the wave is preferably such that particles are carried by the wave toward the toward the edge of the wafer. The processes and apparatus are especially useful for cleaning wafers in the course of manufacturing integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a head portion of a medical stethoscope. The head portion of the stethoscope includes a diaphragm capable of transducing medical sounds when positioned during use in juxtaposition relative to a patient. The cleaning apparatus of the present invention includes a housing defining an interior cleaning chamber and having an opening communicating between an exterior of the housing and the cleaning chamber. The opening in the housing permits the head portion of the stethoscope to be inserted into the cleaning chamber. An apparatus is arranged in the cleaning chamber for disinfecting the head portion of the stethoscope inserted through the opening.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning system and process for cleaning critical application gas systems and components, critical application fluid systems, and cryogenic systems. The aqueous cleaning system comprises multiple cleaning and rinsing stations, and a water purification and recycling system to implement a multi-step aqueous cleaning process. The multi-step aqueous cleaning process includes a pre-cleaning step, a rinsing step, a final cleaning step, and a final rinsing step. The rinsing step includes primary and secondary rinsing stages. The aqueous cleaning system is portable and self-contained and the aqueous cleaning process may be utilized in batch or lot type cleaning as well as in situ system level cleaning.

Abstract: An electrically actuated flow control device for use with an electrical household appliance includes a single body defining first and second flow passages. Inlet ends of the flow passages connect to pressurized sources of hot and cold water, and outlet ends of the flow passages connect to hoses for delivery of hot and cold water to the appliance. Hot and cold water actuators are each adapted to move between a first position resisting flow through the flow passages and a second position permitting flow through the flow passages. A sensor detects whether current is being drawn by the appliance, and a controller controls the positions of the actuators dependant upon whether current is being drawn. The inlet ends of the flow passage each include a connector arranged at a desired spacing from each other corresponding to the connector spacing in a mechanical flow control device.

Abstract: A method for a person to wash their hands using a hand washing apparatus comprising a hand washing bowl having an interior and a cover which are reconfigurable between a hand washing position in which the person can wash their hands and an inactive position, a controller for reconfigurating the bowl between the hand washing position and the inactive position; and, a dispenser for dispensing water and a cleaner over the person's hands, the method comprising the steps of actuating the controller to rotate the bowl and the cover about an axis to the hand washing position; dispensing water and soap over the person's hands; and, dispensing water to rinse the person's hands.

Abstract: A method for washing both surfaces of a substrate, comprising (a) a first washing step for washing a front surface of a substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said front surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the front surface, (b) a second washing step for washing a back surface of the substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said back surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the back surface, (c) a heating step for drying under heat the wet surfaces of the substrate, (d) a recipe determining step for determining whether said heating step (c) is performed at a period between said first washing step (a) and second washing step (b) and at a period after the second washing step (b), whether the heating step (c) is performed only once after the second washing step (b), or whether the heating step (c) is not performed, and (e) a conducting step for performing or not performing the he

Abstract: An automatic handwash apparatus (1) is provided with an input device (50) so that a user can be identified after a handwash operation has been completed. Since the input device is used after each handwash, it does not become a vector for cross-contamination.

Abstract: A denture cleaner is provided including a housing adapted to contain a cleaning fluid. Also included is an agitator assembly for forcing the cleaning fluid upwardly when actuated. Next provided is a lid mounted on the housing with clamps for connecting dentures thereto. The lid is removably mounted on the housing thereby cleaning the dentures when the agitator assembly is actuated.

Abstract: Scrubbing equipment for semiconductor devices includes an automatic brush-height adjustment device for automatically adjusting the height of a brush over a wafer surface so that eddy currents are produced in a layer of water on the wafer and minute particles are cleaned from the wafer without damaging the wafer surface. The brush-height adjustment device uses a distance sensor which measures the distance between the tip of the brush and the top of the wafer using laser pulses and then controls up-and-down movement of the shaft upon which the brush is mounted based upon that distance.

Abstract: The invention can be used to monitor the cleaning effectiveness of a cleaning system in which vibrations (such as, for example, vibrations having a megasonic or ultrasonic frequency) are applied to a volume of fluid (e.g., water) in which an object to be cleaned (e.g., a substrate, such as semiconductor wafer or other semiconductor substrate) is at least partially immersed. Generally, the invention monitors the state of a physical characteristic of the fluid during the application of the vibrations, thus providing a more direct and accurate measure of the effectiveness of the cleaning than has heretofore been obtainable. For example, the magnitude of the acceleration of a pressure wave produced in the volume of fluid by the vibrations can be monitored, thus enabling the amplitude and/or frequency of the pressure wave to be determined.

Abstract: A dispenser (1) for filling containers with confectionery such as ice cream includes a plurality of filler nozzles (2) with inlet openings (27, 28) and nozzle tips (3, 7), in each filler nozzle including a filler piston (9) displaceable in a filler housing (10). The filler housing and the filler piston are produced from a stainless steel with a treatment so that these surfaces can move together without tearing and at the same time are produced with such tolerances that the gap formed between the piston and the housing is impermeable to the confectionery but not impermeable to liquid. A hose/pipe arrangement (40) for detergent is connectable with the inlet openings (27, 28) and the nozzle tips (37) for flushing and cleaning, the detergent passing through the gap between the piston (9) and the housing (10) to exit through a hollow space (50) and be flushed by the detergent introduced from at least one nozzle tip (37). Owing to this, complete flushing/cleaning of the nozzle arrangement (1) is obtained.

Abstract: An improved cleaning and sterilizing apparatus adapted for cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments in which a wash cycle and rinse cycle are repeated if proper cleaning of the instrument has not been obtained. Using a turbidity monitor or comparable instrument, an indicia representative of the particles in the rinse water is obtained. If the indicia does not meet some pre-defined standard, such as those set by the Food and Drug Administration, then the wash/rinse cycles are repeated. This is done either until the standards are met or for a certain number of times. If the standards are met, then the medical instrument is sterilized for later use. In the preferred embodiment, proper sterilization is monitored by the turbidity monitor.

Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system includes a cabinet with a sink for receiving the canister and a subsink for receiving a lower portion thereof. The subsink is connected to a drain line. A plunger subassembly includes a stopper which functions as a drain valve for the canister. An injection jet is connected to water and cleaning solution sources and discharges diluted cleaning solution into the canister for flushing same. The injection jet engages the plunger subassembly for ejecting the stopper from a canister drain opening. A control system includes a programmable microprocessor which can be programmed to provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined duration. A number of different container and accessory embodiments are disclosed. A method of liquid waste disposal and canister flushing utilizes the microprocessor for delaying the flush cycle until completion of the drain cycle.

Abstract: A device for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or drying an endoscope consists of a basin supported on a base. The basin forms a channel that defines a teardrop shape. The device includes a lid that sealingly engages the basin. During operation, the endoscope to be cleaned is completely immersed in cleaning solution in the basin. The basin includes injectors arranged so as to create a rotating flow of cleaning liquid and sterile rinsing water or recycled drying air within the channel. The vessel also includes injection nozzles that attach to various inlets of the endoscope to inject products at specified pressures and to continuously test the tightness of the seal.

Abstract: An elongated element, for example, a soot blower for the cleaning of wall surfaces, is guided along a predetermined, meandrical blow figure. The element is supported in two spaced-apart cardanic joints (3, 4) the first of which is stationary and the second axially moveable on a first spindle (6) the ends of which are axially moveable on two parallel second spindles (8). The first and one of the second spindles (6, 8) are each provided with two non-mechanical, inductive proximity switches or end switches (11-14) which are connected with a controller (16) having a memory and being programmable. The end switches (13, 14) detect a reference point in horizontal and vertical directions, and two end switches (11, 12) detect the rotations of the spindles (6, 8) as a measure of the distance travelled by the second cardanic joint (4).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for periodically cleaning the fins of a radiator of an internal combustion engine using a nozzle system with at least one nozzle directed toward the fins, and a cleaning agent delivery system connected to the nozzle system. The apparatus determines the presence of airflow resistance through the fins, generates an airflow resistance signal, delivers the airflow resistance signal to a control system, and delivers a control signal to the cleaning agent delivery system.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning assembly (10) and method for removing contaminant substances (11) from a surface (12) of a substrate (13) employed in microelectronics manufacturing. The cleaning assembly (10) includes a substance locator (15) adapted to locate and map at least one contaminant substance (11) on the surface (12) of the substrate (13) and a dispenser (16) formed and dimensioned to accurately dispense a substantially controlled, impinging stream (17) of cleaning agent along a path (18). A controller (20) is coupled to the map device (15) and the dispenser (16), and is adapted to control the impinging stream (17) such that the located contaminant substance (11) is positioned in the path (18) of the impinging stream (17) to enable substantially localized impingement and removal of the substance (11) from the substrate surface (12).

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer cleaning apparatus includes an internal cleaning tank having an inlet for introducing and an outlet for removing a cleaning solution, and an external cleaning tank surrounding the internal cleaning tank and having a plurality of inlets and outlets for introducing and removing the cleaning solution. First and second circulation pumps each disposed in the middle of the first and second circulation pipes for connecting the inlet and outlet of the internal cleaning tank with the plurality of inlets and outlets of the external cleaning tank are also provided. A baffle plate may also be disposed within the internal cleaning tank for fixing and separating a cassette having a plurality of wafers contained therein from the bottom of internal cleaning tank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are providing for cleansing contaminants from substrates, such as semiconductor wafer handling implements, and thereby reduce the incidence of contamination of semiconductor devices being assembled upon the semiconductor wafers.In one aspect of the invention, a substrate such as a semiconductor cassette or other semiconductor wafer handling implement, is inserted into a chamber that is substantially isolated from a surrounding environment. A pressurized, and optionally purified, cleansing medium is directed against at least one surface of the substrate to dislodge contaminants from the substrate surface. Dislodged contaminants are evacuated with negative pressure from the chamber. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the cleansing medium is an inert gas, such as nitrogen, and is applied to the substrate at a pressure from about 10 p.s.i. to about 100 or more p.s.i.

Abstract: A process and arrangement are disclosed for cleaning the surface of airpls (44). A large manipulator arranged on a truck (8) is moved towards the airplane (44) up to a predetermined position within its range of action and is parked in that position. A rotary brush-bearing head (18) is moved over the surface of the object by means of an articulated mast (13) arranged on the truck (10) and constituted of several extension arms (12, 12', 12", 12"', 14) that may swivel or slide with respect to each other at turning knuckles and/or prismatic joints and of a multiple joint (16) arranged at the last extension arm (14).

Abstract: An elongated element, for example, a soot blower for the cleaning of wall surfaces, is guided along a predetermined, meandrical blow figure. The element is supported in two spaced-apart cardanic joints (3, 4) the first of which is stationary and the second axially moveable on a first spindle (6) the ends of which are axially moveable on two parallel second spindles (8). The first and one of the second spindles (6, 8) are each provided with two non-mechanical, inductive proximity switches or end switches (11-14) which are connected with a controller (16) having a memory and being programmable. The end switches (13, 14) detect a reference point in horizontal and vertical directions, and two end switches (11, 12) detect the rotations of the spindles (6, 8) as a measure of the distance travelled by the second cardanic joint (4). The impulses of the end switches.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic based control method adjusts the pump speed of a cleaning apparatus in which tubes or other article are located in a tank of cleaning solution. The tank has a circulation system with a discharge header for directing the cleaning solution at the tubes and a suction header for pulling fluid from the tank. The circulation system has a variable speed pump for circulating the fluid. A funnel directs the flow from the tubes towards the suction header. A fuzzy logic controller is used to determine when the pump speed may be stablized at a cleaning speed creating the proper flow of a cleaning solution through the tubes. The fuzzy logic controller utilizes a novel algorithm to determine the proper pump speed which uses fuzzy input variables for the input flow, the output flow, and the amplitude of the difference.

Abstract: A washing apparatus designed particularly for road transport vehicles comprises a washing station with a pair of longitudinal rails carrying a carriage for movement along the vehicle. The carriage carries a pair of depending side arms with spray nozzles on the inside surface for spraying the sides of the vehicle. A horizontal beam is supported on a pair of lift carriages to move vertically and can rotate about a transverse axis to point forwardly, downwardly or rearwardly. The horizontal beam carries spray nozzles. The system uses sensors carried on the carriage to detect the position of the vehicle and to generate a stored matrix defining the shape. A control unit in response to the matrix moves the carriage and vertically movable element to the required position to spray the front, top and rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for rinsing residue from steel product with a fluid includes a monitoring system for monitoring movement of the steel product and a rinse control system for controlling a pumping system to pump fluid to at least one sprayer and an actuator which can open and close a drain seal in a drain in the rinse tank. The system operates by having the monitoring system monitor the movement of the steel product through the rinse tank and generating a run signal when the steel product is moving and a stop signal when the steel product has stopped moving and the rinse control system controlling the pumping system to pump fluid to at least one sprayer in the rinse tank and the actuator to open the drain seal in the drain in the rinse tank when the run signal is received and to control the actuator to close the drain seal when the stop signal is received.

Abstract: For cleaning endoscopes which have at least two channels with one inlet and one outlet that each open into a chamber of the endoscope, wherein the inlets are connectable to a source of cleaning fluid, the invention provides for an insertion element insertable into the chamber of the endoscope head, said insertion element features controllable seals that in the activated state rest against the wall of the chamber and thus form mutually separated annular spaces that communicate with each channel and connect one associated inlet in the sense of the flow with an associated outlet, whereas in the deactivated state they feature a distance between the insertion element and the wall. This ensures that each channel is individually cleaned, and that the cleaning can also be monitored. In order to clean the surface of the chamber covered by the activated seal, the seal is deactivated so that this location can then also be rinsed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring use of a handsink to determine compliance with a use regimen by a user, the apparatus including a first data collection device for determining an identity of the user of the handsink during each use for comparison to the use regimen, a second data collection device for determining a time of use of the handsink by the user during each use for comparison to the use regimen, and a device for evaluating compliance with the use regimen by the user based on the determined identity of the user and the determined time of use. Third, fourth, and fifth data collection devices may be provided for determining a completion of use of the handsink during each use for comparison to the use regimen, the determined completion being also employed by the compliance evaluating device.

Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system includes a cabinet with a sink for receiving the canister and a subsink for receiving a lower portion thereof. The subsink is connected to a drain line. A plunger subassembly includes a stopper which functions as a drain valve for the canister. An injection jet is connected to water and cleaning solution sources and discharges diluted cleaning solution into the canister for flushing same. The injection jet engages the plunger subassembly for ejecting the stopper from a canister drain opening. A control system includes a programmable microprocessor which can be programmed to provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined duration. A method of liquid waste disposal and canister flushing utilizes the microprocessor for delaying the flush cycle until completion of the drain cycle. The control system can provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined durations.

Abstract: A portable cleaning and flushing device for beverage conduits such as draft beer distribution coils includes a manifold, couplings and a number of valves which are controllable so as to sequence the supply of detergent from a reservoir, mixing with water from an external water source and flushing and rinsing of the distribution conduits. The device is wheeled about like a handcart and is coupleable to one or more beverage distribution lines by lead lines in place of normally attached kegs. The device is coupled to a water supply and to an electric power outlet. Detergent and pressurized water are mixed and flushed through the beverage conduit to an open spigot at the dispensing end. A preferably programmable computerized controller sequences the operation of valves for detergent addition to a manifold, venting of the manifold, water supply for obtaining a mixing solution, application of the mixing solution to the conduit, rinsing and finally draining.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.

Abstract: Obtained are a washing apparatus inhibiting a washing liquid from losing its washability and a method therefor. A circulating pump (5) circulates a washing liquid (3) successively through a heater (6), a filter (7), and an overflow washing tank (2). The washing liquid (3) is gradually evaporated. On the other hand, a water supplier (10) supplies the overflow washing tank (2) with water through a tube (8). An amine supplier (11) supplies the overflow washing tank (2) with amines through a tube (9). A control unit (12) controls the quantities of the water and amines as supplied. In a washing part (50), therefore, the quantities of the water and amines are inhibited from being reduced upon a lapse of time from operation starting, whereby the washing liquid (3) is inhibited from losing its washability.

Abstract: A process apparatus for processing semiconductor wafers. It includes a process vessel in which process solution is contained. In the process solution, the wafers are immersed and processed. A supply pipe extends from the process vessel to solution storing vessels. Component solutions are stored in the component solution storing vessels and supplied from them to the process vessel to keep the concentration of each component in process solution. A supply pump is attached to the supply pipe. Valves for adjusting the amount of each component supplied are attached to the supply pipe. The adjusting valves are electrically connected to a CPU. Data representing that concentration of each component in process solution which changes with passage of time are previously stored in the CPU. The CPU controls the adjusting valves on the basis of the data to supply component solutions into the process vessel so as to meet any change in the concentration of each component in process solution in the process vessel.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system having a nozzle for directing a spray of a fluid wash medium at a vehicle for washing the vehicle in which, after the vehicle has passed the spray path, the fluid spray contacts a switch on the opposite side of the vehicle wash that is aligned with the spray path to actuate the switch. The switch is used to shut-off the fluid spray.

Abstract: A wash water system for retrofitting a pre-wash tank or sink includes a plurality of spray nozzles which extend along an inner surface of a back wall of a pre-wash sink wherein the spray nozzles are in flow communication with a discharge side of a water circulating pump. A return conduit is provided wherein the return conduit extends vertically downward along the inner back wall of the sink a preselected distance and is in flow communication with a suction or intake side of said pump. The sink is provided with a bottom wall with at least one opening therein and a heater is provided with a conduit extending from the heater to and in flow communication with the opening in the bottom wall of the sink. A vertically extending first filter device is placed along the back wall of the sink over the openings into the return conduits to the suction side of the pump and a second filter device is placed over the opening in the bottom wall of the sink.

Abstract: A system for determining the cleanliness of a boiler having a plurality of tube banks by obtaining a temperature profile of the boiler heat transfer surfaces includes extending an extension arm, such as a soot blower lance, near the tube banks of the boiler. A separate temperature reading is taken at intervals along the length of the extension arm by utilizing either a plurality of infrared non-contact temperature sensors or a plurality of optical fibers. Each separate temperature reading enables a temperature profile to be determined along the length of the extension arm which, in turn, allows deposit accumulation on the tube banks to be determined.

Abstract: A lipstick molding mold cleaning apparatus including a water level controller to automatically control the level of water in a washing tank, a plurality of sensors to detect the position of the lipstick molding mold under cleaning, and sets of nozzles controlled by the sensors to respectively wash the lipstick molding mold with washing water, clean the lipstick molding mold with detergent, rinse the lipstick molding mold with rinsing water, and dry the lipstick molding mold with air.

Abstract: The dryer for a motor vehicle washing and drying system includes three downwardly-facing nozzles. The nozzles oscillate in a synchronized manner, with two side nozzles oscillating over a limited range only. A center nozzle, disposed between the two side nozzles, oscillates over a wider range to drive water on the upper surface of the vehicle towards the side nozzles. The side nozzles then drive the water along the contours of the vehicle surface down the sides of the vehicle using the Coanda effect. One of the side nozzles as well as the center nozzle is moved in an inward or outward direction depending upon the sensed width of the vehicle. The center nozzle is rotated in a forward or rearward direction as the vehicle moves underneath the dryer. Each nozzle contains a unique ovoid-shaped member disposed in the nozzle to accelerate and concentrate the output of the nozzles.