Abstract: A fluid heater system with tiltable heater assembly for facilitating the performance of maintenance on the heater assembly. The fluid heater system with tiltable heater assembly includes a support frame and a heater assembly mounted on the support frame. The heater assembly comprises a combustion chamber and a burner apparatus for burning fuel in the combustion chamber. The heater assembly is pivotally mounted on the support frame for permitting pivoting of the heater assembly in a substantially vertical plane with respect to the support frame such that the heater assembly is pivotable between an operational position and a maintenance position. The operational position is characterized by a central axis of the combustion chamber being oriented in a substantially vertical direction and the maintenance position is characterized by the central axis being rotated from the substantially vertical direction toward a generally horizontal direction.

Abstract: A new fluid temperature control for a heated fluid cleaner with multiple outlets for maintaining the temperature of the discharge fluid when multiple outlets of the heated fluid cleaner are opened. The inventive device includes a fluid reservoir for containing a supply of fluid, at least one pump for suctioning fluid from the fluid reservoir. A heater is also in fluid communication with the pump for heating a flow of fluid received therefrom. The heater preferably comprises a combustible fuel heater and has a fuel conduit fluidly connecting the heater to a fuel reservoir. An outlet conduit is fluidly connected to the heater for receiving heated fluid therefrom. The outlet conduit has a plurality of outlets for discharging fluid therefrom. A heater control device is provided for controlling the temperature of the fluid exiting the heater such that it is maintained at a constant predetermined temperature when more than one outlet is opened.

Abstract: A new support frame for supporting a cleaning device. The inventive device includes a base having a pair of spaced apart elongate side bars and spaced apart elongate first and second end bars. The end bars of the base are extended between the side bars of the base. The base has ground engaging members downwardly depending therefrom. The frame also includes first and second end members with each end member having a pair of elongate lower arm portions and an elongate upper cross portion. An upper mounting assembly is spaced apart from the base and is interposed between the base and the upper cross portions of the end members. Elongate first and second upper bars are extended between the arm portions of the first end member and are interposed between the upper cross portion of the first end member and the first end portion of the upper mounting assembly. A handle member is extended from the first end member away from the second end member.

Abstract: A cleaner with temperature control is provided including a fluid tank for containing a supply of water and at least one pump for suctioning water from the fluid tank. Also included is a heating element in communication with the pump for heating water received therefrom. A heating element control mechanism is provided for controlling the temperature of the water exiting the heating element such that it transitions smoothly to a constant predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A safety shutoff system for steam and combination steam and water cleaners for permitting safe shutoff at the hand held spray gun thereof. The system includes a fluid reservoir connected to a first valve by a first conduit having a first pump for pumping fluid from the reservoir towards the first valve. A by-pass conduit connects the first valve to the fluid reservoir. An outlet conduit is connected to the first valve. The first valve controls fluid flow between the first conduit and the outlet conduit. The first valve blocks fluid flow from the first conduit into the outlet conduit upon detection of a pressure in the outlet conduit greater than a predetermined pressure such that fluid flowing from the first conduit passes into the by-pass conduit. The outlet conduit has a spray gun with a shutoff valve and a fluid heater between the first valve and the shutoff valve.

Abstract: A safety control circuit for an electric combination cleaner includes an on-delay relay (18) operatively coupled with the motor start relay (16) together with an off-delay relay (40) operatively coupled with the start switch (30) and the pump motor relay to provide automatic predetermined time delays upon start-up and shutdown to avoid overheating and thus damage to the equipment.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved pressure cleaning system (10) which is adapted to facilitate complete purging of air and thus priming of the system in minimal time, and which incorporates all mechanical or electrical components constructed and arranged so as to be suitable for use in hazardous areas. The cleaning system (10) includes a float entry tank (20) connected via a U-shaped conduit (38) to a pump (42) located at substantially the same level as the tank. An electrical heater tank (88) is connected to the pump (42) and is located beneath the pump. A flow sensor (28) on the inlet to the float water tank (20) and temperature sensor (132) on the heater tank (88) are provided for sensing conditions which could lead to overheating and thus premature burnout of the heating elements in the heater tank. The controls are responsive to the flow sensor (28) and temperature sensor (132).

Abstract: Pressure cleaning apparatus (10) comprising a pair of liquid containers at substantially the same level, including a water container (11) and a detergent container (12), a positive displacement pump (14) located below said liquid containers and having an inlet and an outlet, and an aspirator mixer (13) for supplying a mixture of water and detergent to the pump, comprising an outer tube (60) having first and second ends and a lateral inlet connection (42) near the first end, an inner tube (47) projecting into the outer tube in sealed relation to the first end, and having a first end extending past the lateral inlet, piping connecting (41) the second end of the outer tube to the inlet of the pump, connecting (48, 49, 32) the inner tube to the bottom of the detergent container, and connecting (43, 44, 45, 30) the lateral inlet to the bottom of the water container, slow operating check valve mechanism (63, 64, 65) operative to prevent continuous flow of liquid from the water container to the liquid container, and

Abstract: Pressure cleaning apparatus comprising a pair of liquid containers at substantially the same level, including a water container (11) and a detergent container (12), a positive displacement pump (14) located below said liquid containers and having an inlet and an outlet, and an aspirator mixer (13) for supplying a mixture of water and detergent to the pump, comprising an outer tube (60) having first and second ends and a lateral inlet connection (42) near the first end, an inner tube (47) projecting into the outer tube in sealed relation to the first end, and having a first end extending past the lateral inlet, piping connecting (41) the second end of the outer tube to the inlet of the pump, connecting (48, 49, 32) the inner tube to the bottom of the detergent container, and connecting (43, 44, 45, 30) the lateral inlet to the bottom of the water container, slow operating check valve mechanism (63, 64, 65) operative to prevent continuous flow of liquid from the water container to the liquid container, and spri

Abstract: A solar heat collector for use with a solar heating system, the solar heat collector being composed of a heat absorbing structure, a heat transmitting panel, a housing within which the heat absorbing structure is supported and further including a device for mounting the panel, and a conduit for trapping and conveying away liquid leaking past the panel.

Abstract: A low pressure steam generator comprising a horizontal coil of tubing having a single upper steam outlet header and a pair of lower water inlet headers on opposite sides of the coil. Curved taps connect the successive turns of the coil with the steam header, and curved taps connect the water headers alternately to the coil turns to give a structure which is resistant to differential thermal expansion and which is minimally susceptible to surging, pressure variation, and entrainment of water in the steam input.

Abstract: An industrial cleaning system comprising a method and apparatus for substantially inverting a container to be cleaned into a washing space, temporarily enclosing the space, discharging cleaning fluids into and onto the container in a predetermined cycle of steps, removing the enclosure, and restoring the container to its initial position in cleaned, dryed, sterile condition.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical housing containing a burner underlying a fluid conduit formed to provide a plurality of interconnected concentric helical coils, the outermost coil having a lower end portion projection below the lower ends of the inner coils. A reticulate baffle, in underlying engagement with the lower end of an inner coil, cooperates with the lower end portion of the outermost coil to define a combustion chamber, the baffle permitting flow of gases of combustion upwardly therethrough but retaining most of the burner flame within the combustion chamber. The fluid conduit and its mounting structure are arranged for easy removal from the housing and replacement therein.

Abstract: A condensation reducing shroud assembly positionable around the inlet pipe of a water heater or the like. The assembly consists of a sleeve element which is positioned in a spaced-apart relationship about the portion of the water heater inlet pipe where condensation normally occurs. A spacing element is utilized to hold the sleeve in proper position, preferably by frictional force. By providing such a shroud assembly on the inlet pipe of a water heater, the accumulation and dripping of condensate which results from the temperature differential between the pipe and the heated air within the heater is eliminated or reduced by various thermal and evaporative processes. In an alternative embodiment, means are provided for trapping the condensate which forms and subsequently eliminating it through evaporation or drainage.

Abstract: Mechanism for controlling flow of cleaning fluids under pressure to a discharge nozzle of cleaning apparatus using steam or hot water for industrial cleaning purposes. A control valve for controlling flow of the cleaning fluid is operated by other fluid introduced thereto by an automatically closing manually opened valve. The control valve is arranged to close gradually when the manually opened valve is permitted to close, to prevent shock loads in the fluid system.

Abstract: An improvement in liquid pumps having a piston with a packing surface which reciprocates in contact with a cylinder, comprising means for increasing the life of the packing by transmitting thereto a small portion of the liquid being pumped, for absorption thereby to cool and lubricate the frictional interface. The structure includes a groove in the piston head and an annular member of flexible material having inherent lubricity which continuously engages the cylinder, but is smaller in cross-section than the groove so that at each reversal of the piston a tortuous passage is briefly opened past the member through the groove.

Abstract: A low pressure steam generator including a water tube structure of plural, substantially annular coaxial portions each connected individually by separate conduits to a steam header above and a water header below. The portions coact with suitable baffle means to comprise a combustion chamber, but are significantly spaced to allow combustion products to pass between them from a burner directing a flame axially within the chamber, and the greater part of the combustion products are directed upward by the baffle means to bathe the steam header outside the combustion chamber as well. Means are provided for maintaining the water to be vaporized at a suitable level, and the whole is enclosed in a suitable housing to the top and bottom of which the headers are secured. The tube structure may be a continuous helix or an array of discrete annuli.