Abstract: A valve plate (54) is slidably moved on a frame (52) by an actuator (62) between open and closed positions to control the supply of air sucked into the inlet (44) of a blower system (40) that supplies pressurized air through an outlet (46) to a plenum (12) for distribution to said nozzle (16, 18). By disposing the valve plate (54) at the inlet, the blower motor (49) may run continuously without a load as the impeller is not pumping air when there is no demand to blow the water from a vehicle.

Abstract: An actuator (42) moves a nozzle (16) between vertical operating positions to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle (18) and a rotary drive (46) rotates the nozzle (16) about a nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18). A first sensor (50) is disposed upstream of the nozzle (16) for detecting the presence of a vehicle from above and for generating a blower start signal (50) and for generating an actuator signal to energize the actuator (42) and move the nozzle system (14) vertically between the operating positions. A second sensor (52) is disposed between the first sensor (50) and the nozzle (16) for detecting the contour of a vehicle from above. A third sensor (56) is disposed downstream of the second sensor for sensing the rear of a vehicle from above.

Abstract: An actuator (42) moves a nozzle (16) between vertical operating positions to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle (18) and a rotary drive (46) rotates the nozzle (16) about a nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18). A first sensor (50) is disposed upstream of the nozzle (16) for detecting the presence of a vehicle from above and for generating a blower start signal (50) and for generating an actuator signal to energize the actuator (42) and move the nozzle system (14) vertically between the operating positions. A second sensor (52) is disposed between the first sensor (50) and the nozzle (16) for detecting the contour of a vehicle from above. A third sensor (56) is disposed downstream of the second sensor for sensing the rear of a vehicle from above.

Abstract: An axle (30) supports both a nozzle plenum (18) and a plurality lower tubes (28) that telescope into a plurality of upper tubes (26). The nozzle plenum (18) is moved vertically up and down between various operating positions as the tubes (26, 28) telescope into and out of one another to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of a vehicle and the nozzle plenum (18) may be rotated about the axle (30) to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle.

Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).

Abstract: A plurality of pairs of telescoping tubes (20) and (22) interconnect a support plenum (12) and a nozzle system (14) for delivering air from the plenum (12) to the nozzle system (14) while allowing the nozzle system (14) to move in an adjustment direction toward and away from the plenum (12). The nozzle system (14) is elongated and includes a fixed shell (24) and a movable shell (26) movably supported by the fixed shell (24). The assembly (10) is characterized by actuators (42) for moving the nozzle system (14) between the various vertical-operating positions and a motor (46) for rotating the nozzle (16). The nozzle system (14) may be moved up and down to accommodate the changing longitudinal configuration of the vehicle (18) and the nozzle (16) may be rotated about the nozzle axis to efficiently direct air against the contour of the vehicle (18).

Abstract: A plurality of bags (16), each of a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by spaced and parallel bag panels (18) interconnected by shorter sides (20), have inlets respectively connected to a support plenum (12) and extend to a distal end (22). An elongated nozzle (24) extends across each bag (16) at the distal end (22) between the sides (20) and converges from the bag panels (18) to a nozzle opening (26) for directing air toward the object. The assembly is characterized by a plurality of nozzle gussets (32) each including two layers (34) of flexible material suspended between the first and second nozzle panels (30) for bulging away from one another and toward the next adjacent nozzle gusset. Consequently, the spaced layers (34) of next adjacent nozzle gussets (32) bulge toward one another in response to air flow through the nozzle (24) to create a restriction and increased velocity of the air flow.

Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 56 and 58, each having a rectangular cross section with an open end for receiving air from various ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66, and extending vertically to a nozzle end 52. A plurality of first starboard bags 43 overlap a plurality of second starboard bags 44 in the horizontal direction and a plurality of first port bags 46 overlap a plurality of second port bags 47 in the horizontal direction. Also, the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream from the first 43 starboard and port 46 bags. The nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags 43 are disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a.

Abstract: An assembly for blowing liquids from a vehicle in a car wash which is characterized by the pair of first 24 and second 26 side bags extending from each of side supports 14, 16, 114 and 116 with each pair 24 and 26 of side bags being coextensive and extending vertically along the associated side support 14, 16, 114 or 116 and outwardly therefrom to elongated generally vertical nozzles 32. The first side bag 24 is disposed to direct the output flow therefrom along a first plane (A) directed forwardly twenty degrees (20.degree.) and the second side bag 26 is disposed to direct the output flow therefrom along a second plane (B) directed rearwardly twenty degrees (20.degree.).

Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 56 and 58, each having a rectangular cross section with an open end for receiving air from various ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66, and extending vertically to a nozzle end 52. A plurality of first starboard bags 43 overlap a plurality of second starboard bags 44 in the horizontal direction and a plurality of first port bags 46 overlap a plurality of second port bags 47 in the horizontal direction. Also, the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream from the first 43 starboard and port 46 bags. The nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags 43 are disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a.

Abstract: An assembly for blowing liquids from the surfaces of a vehicle comprising support plenum (10) for distributing a stream of air to the surfaces of a vehicle, a blower (16) connected to said support plenum (10) for producing the stream of air, and an overhead bag (18) extending downwardly from the plenum (10) to a distal end. A nozzle is disposed at the distal end and includes a center section (20) having a length (Y) extending horizontally between ends for directing air against the top of a vehicle. The nozzle is characterized by including an inwardly directed end section (22) at each end of the center section (20) to define outward tips (24) of the nozzle for directing air downwardly and inwardly against the sides of a vehicle. A positioner (30) positions the vehicle to combine with the geometric configuration of the overhead bag (18) to assure that the stream of air emitted from the nozzle tips (24) impacts the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated car wash system includes a device for recognizing the types of vehicles passing through the system. The vehicle type recognition device includes two ultrasonic sensors positioned above the vehicle pathway to determine a vehicle profile. A computer recognizes the vehicle profile and type by monitoring a relationship between signals present at each sensor. The computer communicates the vehicle type information to a dryer controller that controls the position of the dryer relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle wash system maintains blower air bags (18) at a predetermined distance from the vehicle providing forced air against the vehicle for water removal. Ultrasonic sensors (66) are provided on the nozzles (26) of the bags (18) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance. Control circuitry (40) controls a motor (42) to control movement of the air bags (18) to maintain the predetermined distance. The wiring interconnecting the control circuitry and motor (38) and sensor (66) extends through the interior of the air bags (18) and support air plenum (13, 14) to avoid damage thereto. The control circuitry (40) allows for manual adjustment of the sensitivity of the sensors (66). The circuitry in the sensors (66) is minimized to only the transmitter, receiver and amplifier. Furthermore, each bag (18) is controlled by separate control circuitry (40) so that failure of one air bag and associated circuit does not effect any other bag's operation.