Patents Assigned to Nilfisk-A/S
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Publication number: 20250113966Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning along an intended direction of use includes a drive assembly, a cleaning element, and a multi-directional wheel. The Drive assembly includes a motor and a pair of drive wheels operable connected to the motor. Each wheel of the pair of wheels can be configured to be driven independently of the other wheel. The cleaning element can be disposed forward of the pair of drive wheels along the intended direction of use of the cleaning machine. The multi-directional wheel disposed forward along the intended direction of use of the pair of drive wheels. The multi-directional wheel can define a pivot axis and can be configured to swivel about the pivot axis in a range of direction extending 360°.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Thomas J. Suelflow, Kurt Vetse, Stephen Klopp
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Patent number: 11953907Abstract: The invention provides an autonomous surface treatment vehicle, e.g. a floor cleaner, with an autonomy system navigating according to a map, a scanning sensor to detect a position of an obstacle within a scanning zone and generate a detection signal. A safety system is arranged to generate a safety stop in case the detection signal indicates an obstacle within a safety zone. The safety system can enter a special mode of operation, e.g. upon request from the autonomy system, where a special safety zone selection algorithm selects the safety zone e.g. from a special set of pre-determined safety zones. Especially, such special mode can provide safety zones with a relaxed speed limit in combination with a restricted direction limit, so as to provide a faster driving near a wall or similar known obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Claus Thybo, Rasmus Pedersen
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Patent number: 11707172Abstract: Method for operating a dirt collecting device for a sweeping vehicle or for a vacuum cleaner nozzle of a floor or upright vacuum cleaner, which each comprise a suction fan with controllable speed and/or power, wherein in a first method step, the suction power of the suction fan is set at such a low level that the suction pressure in the dirt collecting device or the vacuum cleaner nozzle is merely sufficient to convey and deposit the absorbed coarse dirt into the intermediate container, and to convey the absorbed fine dirt into a downstream collection container, (normal operation); and that in a second method step, the filling level in the intermediate container is detected with respect to the coarse dirt deposited therein; and that in a third method step, if the filling level in the intermediate container is exceeded, the suction power of the suction fan is increased such that the coarse dirt, which is temporarily deposited in the intermediate container, becomes dispersible and is conveyed into the downstreaType: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Peter Noehr Larsen, Martin Walters Schmidt
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Patent number: 11432698Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 11399686Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 11357379Abstract: A random orbit scrubber comprises a main body having a front end and a rear end, a squeegee assembly coupled to the rear end of the main body, and a cleaning head assembly coupled to the front end of the main body. The cleaning head assembly can include a cleaning element structured for contact with a floor surface. The cleaning head assembly can further include a motor that is operable to impart rotational and orbital movement on the cleaning element. The cleaning head assembly can also include one or more arcuate cleaning fluid manifolds each having a plurality of dispensing points to distribute cleaning fluid in one or more locations on top of and in front of the cleaning element. The arcuate cleaning fluid manifolds can include variable flow nozzles and can be mounted to a carriage that rotates about the cleaning head assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: William Randall Stuchlik, David Wood
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Patent number: 11311161Abstract: Method for operating a dirt collecting device for a sweeping vehicle or for a vacuum cleaner nozzle of a floor or upright vacuum cleaner, which each comprise a suction fan with controllable speed and/or power, wherein in a first method step, the suction power of the suction fan is set at such a low level that the suction pressure in the dirt collecting device or the vacuum cleaner nozzle is merely sufficient to convey and deposit the absorbed coarse dirt into the intermediate container, and to convey the absorbed fine dirt into a downstream collection container, (normal operation); and that in a second method step, the filling level in the intermediate container is detected with respect to the coarse dirt deposited therein; and that in a third method step, if the filling level in the intermediate container is exceeded, the suction power of the suction fan is increased such that the coarse dirt, which is temporarily deposited in the intermediate container, becomes dispersible and is conveyed into the downstreaType: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Peter Noehr Larsen, Martin Walters Schmidt
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Patent number: 11174607Abstract: A method for collecting garbage from a surface includes providing a motor-sweeper including a sweep broom. A rear guide is provided between the sweep broom and the collecting container extending downwards from the collecting container close to the sweep broom. The sweep broom rests with the guide assembly onto the surface, and the sweep broom is rotated in order to collect and convey the garbage into the collecting container. The rotation of the sweep broom causes the garbage to be swept forwardly and upwardly with respect to the forward motion of the motor-sweeper. In response to the bristles of the sweep broom wearing, the sweep broom is moved toward the surface and the guide assembly and the rear guide are moved towards the sweep broom so as to maintain uniform spaces between the sweep broom and the guide assembly, and the sweep broom and the rear guide.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Giancarlo Vetrucci, Alfonso Colletti, David Wood
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Patent number: 11083357Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system; an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 10874270Abstract: A compact motor housing for housing a motor and a blower of a cleaning device and with integrated air outlet silencing. The motor housing encloses a flow passage between a flow inlet and outlet. The housing has a blower chamber fluidically connected to the flow inlet, and via first and second outlet openings also fluidically connected to at least two parallel, preferably similar, silencer ducts each being arranged in an area limited by an angle of less than 90°, seen in a view parallel with the blower and motor axis. The silencer ducts each have at least one wall between the blower chamber and the external wall of the motor housing for causing at least one flow direction bend, so as to provide a noise attenuating effect. The areas occupied by the at least two silencer ducts are non-overlapping, seen in a view parallel with the blower and motor axis. With a circular blower chamber, a compact box shaped motor housing can be provided with corner volumes available for silencer ducts.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Nilfisk A/SInventors: Peter Nøhr Larsen, Bilal Sahsah
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Patent number: 10674882Abstract: An adapter device for arranging a container (4, 6) on the upper face (5) of a cleaning device (9), said adapter device consisting of an adapter plate (1, 2) with a support surface (13, 15) and at least one locking element for locking the container in place on the (4, 6) adapter plate. The adapter plate (1, 2) is divided into at least two parts and consists of a front adapter plate (1) and a rear adapter plate (2) which can be separately mounted on the upper face (5) of the cleaning device (9).Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Henrik Mathiassen, Steen Klimt Johannesen, Thomas Elmer, Trine Baek Nielsen
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Publication number: 20200102711Abstract: A method for collecting garbage from a surface includes providing a motor-sweeper including a sweep broom. A rear guide is provided between the sweep broom and the collecting container extending downwards from the collecting container close to the sweep broom. The sweep broom rests with the guide assembly onto the surface, and the sweep broom is rotated in order to collect and convey the garbage into the collecting container. The rotation of the sweep broom causes the garbage to be swept forwardly and upwardly with respect to the forward motion of the motor-sweeper. In response to the bristles of the sweep broom wearing, the sweep broom is moved toward the surface and the guide assembly and the rear guide are moved towards the sweep broom so as to maintain uniform spaces between the sweep broom and the guide assembly, and the sweep broom and the rear guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: NILFISK A/SInventors: Giancarlo VETRUCCI, Alfonso COLLETTI, David Wood
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Patent number: 10596502Abstract: A filter element for a dirt suction device is provided, with a filter frame, on which a filter medium is attached, wherein on the filter frame, a continuous seal is arranged, the inner circumferential surface of which is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the filter frame and has a section that radially protrudes over the filter frame, wherein a groove is arranged on a front side of the protruding section of the seal, and that a sealing surface is arranged on the opposite front side of the protruding section of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventor: Anders Foenss
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Patent number: 10507415Abstract: A filter door for closing a filter housing, in an industrial extraction system, wherein the filter door is fastened, with at least two locking elements relative to the housing surface wherein the filter door is pivotally arranged on one side by a slotted guide on the housing surface and is provided with a movable pivot axis. An industrial extraction system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Maurizio Montalti, Cesare Bondioli
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Patent number: 10492655Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor-sweeper for cleaning large surfaces such as streets or industrial facilities. In particular it refers to an apparatus for collecting garbage and debris from the ground to apply to a motor-sweeper, wherein the broom for collecting garbage always remains adherent to the ground and the space between the garbage conveyor assembly toward the collecting container and the broom, and between the broom and the container remains uniform despite the wear of the brooms. Thus, the cleaning capability is not lost and the machine efficiency is improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Giancarlo Vetrucci, Alfonso Colletti
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Patent number: 10470632Abstract: A method for operating a suction-type cleaner, in which, in a manner controlled in the filter dedusting position by an electromagnetically actuated switchover valve arrangement (19, 20, 21), at least one filter (9), through which the dirt-laden air flow passes, is dedusted in the opposite direction to said air flow, and the dirt-laden suction air from the dirt-collecting container (1) firstly passes through the at least one filter (9) which is adjoined, in the flow direction, by a suction chamber (12), which is adjoined downstream by an intermediate chamber (26) which is arranged on the suction side of the turbine (30), and a pressure chamber (34) is arranged downstream of the turbine (30), wherein, in order to reduce the actuating force of the switchover valve arrangement (19, 20, 21) in the dedusting position of the suction-type cleaner, the pressure between the pressure chamber (34) and the intermediate chamber (26) is equalized.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventor: Anders Foenss
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Patent number: 10076219Abstract: A floor scrubber machine can comprise a chassis, a scrub deck and a propulsion system. The scrub deck can include a hands-free, double-scrub side skirt mechanism, and a dual mode side blade assembly. The chassis can include a rear squeegee assembly having a self-aligning hanger system with balanced handles. The propulsion system can include a throttle pedal having a button for forward/reverse control, and a control panel having a setting for rescaling the acceleration profile. A disc brush scrub deck can include a brush centering mechanism. A cylindrical brush scrub deck can include an idler end brush cover with self-aligning tabs, and a self-contained drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Kurt Morris Vetse, Kale R. Johnson, Michael Kanitz, Jerome A. Gunn
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Patent number: 10064532Abstract: A cleaning system comprises a power plant, a regenerative blower having a power input shaft, a suction port, and a discharge port, an interface assembly configured for transmitting power from the power plant to the regenerative blower, a pump configured for generating pressurized water, and a heat exchanger system configured for heating the pressurized water.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Horace Kurt Betton, Mark Wayne Baxter, Lance Ronal Joseph Koty, Christopher Isamu Ryan
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Patent number: 10010231Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
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Patent number: 9937918Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for controlling an engine (552) in a sweeper-scrubber. An electrical system alternator (554) provides power to at least one cleaning function (576, 578, 580) of a self-propelled hybrid vehicle and to driven wheels. The operational load is monitored, and the running state of an internal combustion engine (552) is controlled based on the monitored operational load. A threshold charge, of an electrical system battery pack (556) is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: NILFISK A/SInventors: Kale R. Johnson, Hanafi Habbas, Wayne G. Lorenz