Abstract: A light-weight, high-speed, electrically powered manually directed floor polisher for cleaning and polishing a floor, the polisher having a carriage on which is mounted wheels, a motor, an electronic motor controller means for providing the current and voltage to operate the motor, cooling means for cooling the motor and its controller, the controller including a power factor correction device, a polishing pad, means engaged to the polishing pad and the brushless D.C. motor for rotating the polishing pad, the polishing pad fixed on the carriage so that substantially the entire area of its polishing face is in contact with the surface during operation of the polisher, and a detachable free-floating handle rotatably mounted to the carriage to direct transport of the polisher when in operation.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning method uses ozone-bearing cleaning liquid which is spread over the fabric and then vacuumed up. The spreading and the vacuuming are both performed through a cleaning head or tool which has hoses to a vacuum cleaner and cleaning liquid tank. The cleaning liquid is ozonized by injecting air from a conventional ozone generator into the cleaning liquid tank or into the delivery hose. An air pump and/or a venturi in the cleaning liquid line are used for the air injection. The ozone in the air stream dissolves into the cleaning liquid, which both helps to clean the fabric and avoids excessive ozone concentrations in the air. The elements may be housed in a single movable unit.

Abstract: An extraction cleaning device is of the type having a cleaning head (60), a vacuum system (70, 80, 90) for applying suction at the cleaning head, a holding tank (10) for holding cleaning liquid, a pump (20) for pressurizing the liquid, and a delivery line for delivering the pressurized liquid to the cleaning head wand, where it is sprayed onto a carpet, upholstery, etc. The device is improved by the addition of a pressure reduction valve, having a calibrated orifice, which is hydraulically connected between the liquid delivery line and a return line to the holding tank. When the reduction valve is open, the delivery line pressure is reduced by the added leakage; this allows switching between high pressure jet spray for carpets and low pressure jet spray for upholstery, drapes, etc. For easy opening and closing of the reduction valve, it is preferably a solenoid valve activated by a switch.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning apparatus and method uses ozone-bearing cleaning liquid which is spread over the fabric and then vacuumed up. The spreading and the vacuuming are both performed through a cleaning head or tool which has hoses to a vacuum cleaner and cleaning liquid tank. The cleaning liquid is ozonized by injecting air from a conventional ozone generator into the cleaning liquid tank or into the delivery hose. An air pump and/or a venturi in the cleaning liquid line are used for the air injection. The ozone in the air stream dissolves into the cleaning liquid, which both helps to clean the fabric and avoids excessive ozone concentrations in the air. The elements may be housed in a single movable unit.

Abstract: A soft start power control device for a liquid vacuum motor includes a detection component for shutting off the vacuum motor when the vacuum's recovery tank reach full capacity, and in-rush current limiting component for restraining the in-rush current to the motor when the power is switched on, whereby the motor slowly ramps up to its operating speed. The motor is switch by a triac. The device includes a component for preventing the triac from inadvertently triggering at commutation frequency. A snubber circuit is also connected in parallel with the triac to limit the dv/dt characteristic. The detection component includes a float switch to monitor the level of liquid in the recovery tank. The detection component disables the motor once the water reaches a predetermined high level, which then requires the operator to empty the recovery tank before restarting the motor.

Abstract: An independent unit heat exchanger is provided downstream of a machine for cleaning upholstery and/or carpets so that unheated detergent water from the cleaning machine passes through a hose and then through the heat exchanger where it is heated to an elevated temperature, and then to the cleaning nozzle where it is discharged. The heat exchanger is provided with an electric heating core about which pipe carrying the detergent water is coiled.

Abstract: A sensor connected to two different phases of an electrical wiring system provides positive protection against overloading of any single phase by preventing operation of one circuit load when there is no phase difference between the wiring circuits.

Abstract: A fabric cleaning apparatus including a vacuum hose and a liquid spray nozzle is provided with a cleaning wand having a universal head support for accepting any one of a series of different sized and/or shaped cleaning head attachments, each being adapted for a particular fabric cleaning function.

Abstract: A cleaning machine for carpet, upholstery, draperies, and the like is designed with a safety system to prevent the cleaning liquid from being inadvertently overheated. The system senses the electrical conductivity or the density of the liquid and then limits the heating to a temperature which has been programmed to correspond that conductivity or density.