Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: An impact reset mechanism and method that automatically resets a spray arch in a vehicle washing system to permit operation of the vehicle wash system after the spray arch has broken away from its rigid, operating position due to contact with a vehicle. The impact reset mechanism includes a bias member that exerts a bias force on a pair of mounting blocks used to support the spray arch. When the spray arch contacts the vehicle, the spray arch pivots one of the mounting blocks. The pivoting movement of the mounting block is sensed and relayed to a control unit. The control unit immediately stops the wash process and moves the spray arch away from the vehicle. The control unit automatically resets the wash process and begins washing the next vehicle without resuming manual intervention.

Abstract: A chemical injection system for use in a vehicle wash system having a single spray arch that distributes a plurality of various chemicals onto a vehicle during the wash process. The chemical injection system includes a high pressure supply manifold formed from stainless steel that receives a high pressure supply of inlet water. The supply manifold receives a plurality of individual chemical injectors that are each connected to a supply of one or more chemicals. Each of the chemical injectors is formed from a thermoplastic material and is separately insertable into the high pressure supply manifold. The flow of water through the chemical injectors creates a Venturi effect that pulls the chemical agent into the water supply for distribution downstream through the spray arch.

Abstract: A pumping system for a vehicle wash system in which the pumping system includes a single, variable speed pumping unit. The variable speed pumping unit includes a variable speed motor that is controlled by a variable frequency motor drive such that the single pumping unit supplies water at varying pressures to the vehicle wash system. The vehicle wash system includes a plurality of distribution manifolds that can be selectively opened to apply water and/or a chemical agent to the vehicle during the wash cycle. The variable speed pumping unit of the vehicle wash system is controlled by a wash controller such that the wash controller can selectively control the pressure of water flowing through the distribution manifolds.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A heating system for use with an automatic vehicle wash system used to wash a car positioned within a wash bay. The heating system of the present invention includes a heating unit mounted directly to an overhead gantry used to wash the vehicle positioned within the wash bay. The heating unit receives the supply of water with the desired chemical agent already mixed with the water. Upon receiving the mixed supply of water, the heating unit elevates the temperature of the water to a desired temperature. The heating unit is positioned on the overhead gantry such that the heated water from the heating unit travels a short distance prior to its actual application to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A chemical injection system for use in a vehicle wash system having a single spray arch that distributes a plurality of various chemicals onto a vehicle during the wash process. The chemical injection system includes a high pressure supply manifold formed from stainless steel that receives a high pressure supply of inlet water. The supply manifold receives a plurality of individual chemical injectors that are each connected to a supply of one or more chemicals. Each of the chemical injectors is formed from a thermoplastic material and is separately insertable into the high pressure supply manifold. The flow of water through the chemical injectors creates a Venturi effect that pulls the chemical agent into the water supply for distribution downstream through the spray arch.

Abstract: A pumping system for a vehicle wash system in which the pumping system includes a single, variable speed pumping unit. The variable speed pumping unit includes a variable speed motor that is controlled by a variable frequency motor drive such that the single pumping unit supplies water at varying pressures to the vehicle wash system. The vehicle wash system includes a plurality of distribution manifolds that can be selectively opened to apply water and/or a chemical agent to the vehicle during the wash cycle. The variable speed pumping unit of the vehicle wash system is controlled by a wash controller such that the wash controller can selectively control the pressure of water flowing through the distribution manifolds.

Abstract: An impact reset mechanism and method that automatically resets a spray arch in a vehicle washing system to permit operation of the vehicle wash system after the spray arch has broken away from its rigid, operating position due to contact with a vehicle. The impact reset mechanism includes a bias member that exerts a bias force on a pair of mounting blocks used to support the spray arch. When the spray arch contacts the vehicle, the spray arch pivots one of the mounting blocks. The pivoting movement of the mounting block is sensed and relayed to a control unit. The control unit immediately stops the wash process and moves the spray arch away from the vehicle. The control unit automatically resets the wash process and begins washing the next vehicle without resuming manual intervention.

Abstract: A heating system for use with an automatic vehicle wash system used to wash a car positioned within a wash bay. The heating system of the present invention includes a heating unit mounted directly to an overhead gantry used to wash the vehicle positioned within the wash bay. The heating unit receives the supply of water with the desired chemical agent already mixed with the water. Upon receiving the mixed supply of water, the heating unit elevates the temperature of the water to a desired temperature. The heating unit is positioned on the overhead gantry such that the heated water from the heating unit travels a short distance prior to its actual application to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible bag-like liner having a relatively thin wall is adapted to be connected to a wall portion of a receptacle with a liquid passageway provided in association with the wall portion so that liquid may be introduced into the liner and discharged therefrom; the wall portion is adapted to be fitted substantially in sealing relationship with a body portion of the receptacle with discharge means being provided for discharging air from between the liner and the interior walls of the receptacle when fluid under pressure is introduced into the liner to urge the liner against the interior walls of the receptacle. The arrangement is such that when the contents of the liner are partially discharged, a partial vacuum between the exterior of the liner and the interior of the receptacle urges the liner into contact with interior walls of the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved spread spectrum communication system having a transmitter subsystem and a receiver subsystem is disclosed. The transmitter subsystem comprises a data source of 50 bps rate which is modulo-2 added to a C/A (clear/acquisition) code of 1,023K chips/sec in an EXCLUSIVE OR gate, phase modulated on a carrier signal at about 154 f.sub.o where f.sub.o = 10.23 MHz in a phase shift keying modulator and transmitted.