Abstract: A vehicle wash system having a wash bay including a plurality of pivotable robotic wash monitors disposed therein. The system includes measuring devices that calculate the distance between the robotic wash monitors and a vehicle in the wash bay. A master control unit is provided for programming the plurality of robotic wash monitors to clean the vehicle in accordance with an optimal set of cleaning instructions. The master control unit generates the optimal set of cleaning instructions based on three-dimensional (3D) data associated with the wash bay, 3D data associated with the vehicle, and the location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system having a series of spray assemblies for use in cleaning vehicles such as a highway salt truck. As the vehicle is driven through the vehicle wash system, sensors alert the control system as to the location of the vehicle. While using a single pump, the control system then activates and deactivates valves to selectively open and close high pressure flow paths to various spray assemblies as the vehicle moves through the vehicle wash system. The nozzles in the spray assemblies receive full pressure water when the corresponding valve is opened and are oriented to clean specific portions of the vehicle in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A spinning wash nozzle assembly having a fluid brake pump within the rotating spinner housing. The fluid pump has a sump which is also within the rotating spinner housing such that centrifical forces acting on the fluid tend to separate the heavier fluid from any air within the sump. As a result, only the fluid is drawn into the pump as opposed to fluid and air. This avoids undesirable effects on the pump from air being drawn therein.

Abstract: A spray arch for a vehicle wash system having a pair of side supports and a continuously curved pipe extending upward above the side supports and over the path of travel for a vehicle being washed. The arch is preferably made of a flexible PVC pipe that is hand-manipulated to the curved position spanning over the path of travel and held in this shape by the side supports. Spray nozzles on the pipe all extend radially inward such that all nozzles are directed toward a vehicle beneath the arch regardless of the size of the vehicle.

Abstract: A water reclamation system for a vehicle wash system that provides water that is purified to enable reclaimed water to be used in a positive displacement pump. The reclamation system provides for continuous flow of water through the vehicle wash settling pit with an aerator to oxygenate the water and prevent odors typically produced by stagnant water from wash system settling pits. The water reclamation system is operable to clean the carwash system settling pit except for the primary pit in which the debris accumulated from the secondary settling pit is deposited.

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: An apparatus is provided for cleaning vehicles which utilizes recirculated wash water to clean a vehicle, thereby saving water and expense in operation. The apparatus utilizes a clarifier tank which receives partially clarified water under pressure from a sump pump to produce a swirling flow of water within the tank which separates sediment centrifugally outwardly in the tank where it drops in a swirling path due to gravity and is collected in a conical base portion of the tank for expulsion therefrom. Clarified water is drawn out from the tank from an upper central portion therein. Preferably, a settling pit is used to partially clarify the water before it enters the clarifying tank. Furthermore, a pre-filter such as a cyclone separator is also utilized to pre-filter wash water before it is clarified in the clarifying tank. The drawn off clarified water from the clarifying tank is then pumped to a plurality of washing nozzles which assists in washing a vehicle passing through the apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus in which both brushes and high pressure spray nozzles are used for selectively cleaning different portions of a vehicle. The high pressure nozzles and the brushes are both mounted to the same mounting structure for movement together, relative to the vehicle, such that the nozzles are maintained at the optimum distance from the vehicle surface for maximum cleaning effectiveness. The high pressure spray nozzles are used to clean selected portions of a vehicle that are susceptible to damage by the brushes used to clean other portions of the vehicle.