Abstract: A support having an inverted U-shape defining a top plenum for distributing air and extending along a top plenum axis and a pair of legs extending downwardly from the top plenum in a spaced and parallel relationship. The top plenum of the support defines an attachment opening at an attachment angle. A bag extends downwardly at the attachment angle from the top plenum to a distal end in an inflated position. A nozzle is disposed the distal end of the bag to define a nozzle opening extending along a nozzle plane. The bag includes a major length and a curved portion. The curved portion of the bag includes a minor length and a filler length. The filler length positions the nozzle to be slanted open at a first nozzle acute angle of 20° forwardly in the inflated position and at a second nozzle acute angle of 20° rearwardly in an up position.

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: 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 blower system (10) for use in a car wash includes a support plenum (12) comprising two side supports (14, 16) and an overhead support (18), each supporting a blower bag (24, 26, 28). The blower bags (24, 26, 28) are comprised of flexible material. Long and short gussets (46, 48) are spaced across the width of the bags (24, 26, 28) to maintain the bags in a substantially rectangular cross section shape throughout the length of the bag (24, 26, 28). The bags (24, 26, 28) taper to a nozzle (32) to supply the pressurized air 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.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle washing system maintains blower air bags (18) a predetermined distance from the vehicle without contacting same providing forced air against the vehicle. Ultrasonic sensors (66) are provided on front and back sides of the nozzle (26) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance in combination with control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a motor (42) to retract a cord (36) to in turn raise or move out of the path of the vehicle, the air bag (18) maintaining the predetermined distance from the vehicle. The signals from each of the sensors (66) are each combined to control the motor. The control circuitry includes and oscillator, counter circuit and integrator for producing a distance ramp, and an echo detector for receiving the reflected signal for comparison to the distance ramp to determine the distance of the sensor (66) from the object.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle washing system maintains blower air bags (18) a predetermined distance from the vehicle without contacting same providing forced air against the vehicle. Ultrasonic sensor (66) are provided on front and back sides of the nozzle (26) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance in combination with control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a motor (42) to retract a cord (36) to in turn raise or move out of the path of the vehicle, the air bag (18) maintaining the predetermined distance from the vehicle. The signals from each of the sensors (66) are each combined to control the motor. The sensors (66) include a housing for supporting same with apertures therethrough for transmissions and reception of ultrasonic signals. The housing includes sawtooth projections extending between the apertures to block transmissions from direct reception by the receiver.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle washing system maintains blower air bags (18) a predetermined distance from the vehicle without contacting same providing forced air against the vehicle. Ultrasonic sensor (66) are provided on front and back sides of the nozzle (26) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance in combination with control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a motor (42) to retract a cord (36) to in turn raise or move out of the path of the vehicle, the air bag (18) maintaining the predetermined distance from the vehicle. The signals from each of the sensors (66) are each combined to control the motor. Releasable connections are provided between the air bag and support structure to allow releasing of control of the cord in case of emergency.

Abstract: A drying apparatus (10) for a vehicle washing system maintains blower air bags (18) a predetermined distance from the vehicle without contacting same providing forced air against the vehicle. Ultrasonic sensor (66) are provided on front and back sides of the nozzle (26) for sensing objects within a predetermined distance in combination with control circuitry. The control circuitry controls a motor (42) to retract a cord (36) to in turn raise or move out of the path of the vehicle, the air bag (18) maintaining the predetermined distance from the vehicle. The signals from each of the sensors (66) are each combined to control the motor. The control circuitry includes and oscillator, counter circuit and integrator for producing a distance ramp, and an echo detector for receiving the reflected signal for comparison to the distance ramp to determine the distance of the sensor (66) from the object.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (26) to be connected to an outlet 24 of a flexible inflatable bag (18, 20) for emitting a stream of air under pressure therethrough to remove fluid from the surface of a vehicle including an elongated body having a first pair of oppositely disposed walls (28, 30) spaced a predetermined distance apart and a second pair of oppositely disposed walls (32, 34) extending between the first pair of walls (28, 30) and spaced from each other a lesser distance than the spacing of the first pair of walls (28, 30). The body further includes an inlet portion (36) defining a first elongated opening (37) and being adapted to be connected to the bag outlet (24) and a nozzle portion (38) defining a second opening (40) having a smaller area than the first opening (37).

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping fluids from the surface of a vehicle (26) including a plurality of dimensionally stable and substantially rigid bags (12) including an inlet (14) for introducing air under pressure into the bag (12) and an elongated opening at one end of the bag (12) defining a nozzle end (16,16') of smaller cross sectional area than the inlet (14) for emitting a stream of air. A support structure including an air distributor (18) supports the bag (12) to extend toward the object (26) wherein the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) lies in the path of motion of the object (26) to cause physical engagement between the nozzle end (16,16') of the bag (12) and the object (26) to bring the stream of air emitted from the nozzle opening into close spacial relationship with the surface of the object (26) to strip fluid from the object.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (26) to be connected to an outlet 24 of a flexible inflatable bag (18, 20) for emitting a stream of air under pressure therethrough to remove fluid from the surface of a vehicle including an elongated body portion, an inlet portion (36) defining a first elongated opening (37) and being adapted to be connected to the bag outlet (24), and a nozzle portion (38) defining a second opening (40) having a smaller area than the first opening (37). The nozzle assembly (26) is characterized by a plurality of rollers (50) and a plurality of projections (52) extending from and being integral with the nozzle portion (38) for supporting the rollers (50) longitudinally along the nozzle portion (38).

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for stripping fluid from the surface of a vehicle including a flexible inflatable bag 12 including an elongated bag inlet 14 having a predetermined cross-sectional area and an elongated opening at one end thereof defining a nozzle 16 and a plenum (20), the bag inlet 14 being mounted on the plenum 20 for the flow of air from the plenum 20 into the bag 12. A pair of bag-retaining rods 30 extend the length of the bag inlet 14 on each side thereof and saddle members 32 are disposed between the retaining rods 30 for positioning the retaining rods (30).

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for stripping fluid from the surface of a vehicle including a plenum 14 and a flexible inflatable primary bag 20 having a primary bag inlet releasably mounted on the plenum 14 for allowing the flow of air from the plenum 14 to the primary bag 20 and a nozzle end 22 and a bag opening 24 disposed between the primary bag inlet and the nozzle end 22. The apparatus further includes a flexible inflatable secondary bag 26 having an elongated secondary bag inlet 28 secured about the bag opening 24 for hinging movement and a nozzle end 30 for allowing the flow of air therethrough. The apparatus is characterized by including a hinging control frame 34 for controlling the hinging action of the secondary bag 26 with respect to the primary bag 20.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for stripping fluids from the surface of a vehicle includes an air distributor (28) and inflatable bags (14-26), each of generally rectangular transverse cross section. The bags (14-26) are supported by the air distributor (28) and each of the bags (14-26) includes an inlet end (40) connected to the air distributor (28) for introducing air under pressure into the bags (14-26) and a nozzle end (42) of smaller area than the inlet end (40) spaced apart from the inlet end (40) for emitting a stream of air while maintaining the bags (14-26) in a nonflailing orientation and substantially rigidly inflated.