With Movably Or Flexibly Mounted Spray Or Jet Applying Conduits Or Nozzles Patents (Class 134/172)
  • Publication number: 20130284216
    Abstract: A wash arm arrangement (20) for a dishwasher is disclosed. The wash arm arrangement comprises a central arm (21) adapted to be rotatably connected with a first shaft (23) through which liquid under pressure is fed into the central arm during operation. A second shaft (24) is arranged on the central arm to provide liquid to a satellite arm (22) which is rotatably connected with the second shaft. The satellite arm comprises a collimating nozzle (25) with an exit. The collimating nozzle is arranged for providing a collimated jet for distributing liquid to a washing area of the dishwasher. The inventive concept is based on an understanding that by utilizing a collimated liquid jet with sufficient pressure and flow a good cleaning performance is achieved with a reduced water consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Sarah Förster, Anders Haegermarck, Niklas Olson
  • Patent number: 8567420
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a semiconductor wafer includes: a gas jet device including a gas nozzle which jets a first gas onto the surface of a semiconductor wafer to thin the thickness of a stagnant layer on the surface of the semiconductor wafer; and a two-fluid jet device including a two-fluid nozzle which jets droplet mist onto a region where thickness of the stagnant layer of the semiconductor wafer is thinned, the droplet mist being mixed two-fluid of a liquid and a second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Minako Inukai, Hiroshi Tomita, Kaori Umezawa, Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Linan Ji
  • Patent number: 8561624
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a washing compartment with a sidewall; a height-adjustable basket that can be at least partially withdrawn from the washing compartment; a spray arm; a feed pipe, disposed on the basket, for the spray arm; and a coupling device. The coupling device has a first part-coupling that is disposed on the sidewall and that has first openings arranged vertically one above another. The coupling device also has a second part-coupling that is connected to the feed pipe and that has a second opening which, depending on a height adjustment of the basket, cooperates with one of the first openings such that washing liquor passes through that opening and the second opening and flows via the feed pipe to the spray arm. The washing liquor is discharged under pressure from the first openings. The second part-coupling closes the remaining first openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Oblinger, Karlheinz Rehm
  • Patent number: 8561320
    Abstract: A method for determining status of a drying cycle comprises receiving, at a first time, a first signal from a bladder pressure sensor configured to be responsive to changes in a weight of a container of the dryer, the container retaining materials to be dried. At a second time, the controller receives a second signal from the bladder pressure sensor. A change in the bladder pressure signals is calculated based on difference between the second signal and the first signal, and the change in the bladder pressure signals is interpreted as a change in the weight of the container. Based on the change in the weight of the container and the length of time, a rate of change in the weight of the container is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David John Geer, Jason John Detsch, Bradley McKay Johnson
  • Patent number: 8557050
    Abstract: The system includes a wash source configured to concurrently generate a plurality of streams that are each incident on a sensor structure configured to detect a presence and/or amount of a compound on the sensor structure. The sensor structure has electrodes on a substrate. The wash source generates the streams such that each one of the streams is incident on a different one of the electrodes. Each of the streams is incident on one of the electrodes at an angle that is non-perpendicular to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GeneFluidics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Jr Gau, Chris Wiita
  • Publication number: 20130240002
    Abstract: System for washing a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a spray device including at least one nozzle adapted to inject liquid into an inlet of said engine during a washing operation; a wash unit adapted to distribute said liquid to said spray device; and a positioning device adapted to move said spray device in three dimensions, thereby enabling a positioning of said spray device in a washing operation position in said three dimensions relative said engine inlet without any contact between the spray device and the engine. The invention further relates to a vehicle for making the inventive system mobile and to a mobile system for serving a gas turbine engine comprising a mobile vehicle carrying the washing system and a liquid collecting unit comprising a collecting device adapted to collect waste wash liquid emanating from the engine during a washing operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventor: Carl-Johan Hjerpe
  • Patent number: 8524008
    Abstract: In the case of a device and a method for cleaning substrates on a carrier, to the underside of which the substrates are fastened so as to be parallel to and slightly apart from one another, the carrier has in its interior a plurality of longitudinal channels, which run parallel to one another. As a result of the sawing of the wafers, they merge, via openings, into interstices between the substrates. As a result of a relative movement, an elongate tube, from which cleaning fluid is let out, is introduced into one of the longitudinal channels, the relative movement being achieved substantially through moving of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Gebr. Schmid GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Worm, Reinhard Huber
  • Publication number: 20130206184
    Abstract: Mitigating solid accumulation on a screen includes jetting water upstream through a portion of the screen while water simultaneously flows downstream through another portion of the screen. The water is jetted via at least one submerged nozzle. Several submerged nozzles may be present in an array on a moveable trolley. The submerged nozzles may be configured to provide warm or hot water or cold water having temperatures of less than 1° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: SHELL OIL COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130206188
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a dishwashing compartment and a rack provided in the dishwashing compartment for holding items to be cleaned. A rotatable spray arm is associated with the rack for applying water or wash liquor liquid upon the items. Water or wash liquor liquid is supplied to the spray arm via an upright supply tube having at least one region which flares in a direction of the spray arm and a peripheral terminal end facing the spray arm. The terminal end of the supply tube is configured to project into the cavity and thereby is extended into the spray arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Büsing, Christian Jakob, Hans-Peter Nannt
  • Patent number: 8499409
    Abstract: A cleaning device (1) for hose filters comprising a cleaning head (5) having at least one nozzle (11) rotating about a longitudinal axis (L), is characterized in that the cleaning head (5) comprises a fixed jacket (15) having a smooth outer surface which surrounds the at least one rotating nozzle (11) at a distance and in which a series of through holes (17) are formed, said holes being distributed over the circumference of the jacket (15) and being arranged with respect to each nozzle (11) such that a jet emerging from each nozzle (11) during operation can pass through a through hole (17) at least intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Christian Reining
  • Publication number: 20130180555
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly capable of evenly spraying wash water at an inside a washing tub and a dishwasher having the same, the nozzle assembly including a nozzle configured to rotate on a rotating axis thereof, an inside rotor having a shape of a cylinder and configured to rotate according to a rotation of the nozzle while coupled to the rotating axis, and an outside rotor case having a larger radius than a radius of the inside rotor to accommodate the inside rotor therein, and having an opening hole through which the rotating axis passes, and the rotating axis of the nozzle revolves around a circumference of the opening hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8485205
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher has a rotatable spray arm and at least one rotatable sprayer, a drive link coupling the rotation of the rotatable spray arm and the at least one rotatable sprayer, and a drive for directly driving at least one of the rotatable spray arm and the at least one rotatable sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Robert Fountain, Sathish Andrea Sundaram, Bryan E. Wagenknecht
  • Patent number: 8479752
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a surface comprises a pressurized container containing a cleaning composition; a nozzle through which the composition is arranged to be dispensed, in use, upon an actuation of a valve; a shroud attached to the container and surrounding the nozzle. The shroud has a hollow generally cylindrical portion adjacent to the nozzle for guiding the dispensed product in the direction in which it leaves the nozzle, and a flared portion at the end of the cylindrical portion furthest from the nozzle forming a spreading plate for guiding the dispensed product laterally when in contact, in use, with a surface to be cleaned. The nozzle is arranged to be actuated by movement of the container towards the shroud. The device comprises a reservoir. The nozzle and shroud are configured so that, in use, the cleaning composition is directed across the surface to be cleaned and into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
    Inventors: Paul John Duffield, Madeleine Chadwick
  • Patent number: 8479754
    Abstract: System for washing a gas turbine engine (1). The system comprises a spray device (33; 90) including at least one nozzle (54) adapted to inject liquid into an inlet (110) of said engine during a washing operation; a wash unit (31, 35) adapted to distribute said liquid to said spray device (33; 90); and a positioning device (34) adapted to move said spray device in three dimensions, thereby enabling a positioning of said spray device in a washing operation position in said three dimensions relative said engine inlet (110) without any contact between the spray device (33; 90) and the engine (1). The invention further relates to a vehicle for making the inventive system mobile and to a mobile system for serving a gas turbine engine (1) comprising a mobile vehicle carrying the washing system and a liquid collecting unit (116) comprising a collecting device (114) adapted to collect waste wash liquid emanating from the engine during a washing operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventor: Carl-Johan Hjerpe
  • Publication number: 20130152980
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods to clean a paint roller are disclosed. Such apparatuses and systems include a housing with an outlet; a handle connected to housing; an adapter disposed on an end portion of the handle; a nozzle disposed inside the handle; an idler attached to an inside surface of the housing; and a slot disposed on the housing on a location substantially opposite to the location of the inside surface of the housing where the idler is attached, wherein the idler is configured to support a paint roller cover to be cleaned and the slot is configured to receive a first portion of a paint roller frame configured to support the paint roller cover so as to dispose the paint roller cover substantially in front of the cleaning fluid jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Peter James HUES
  • Patent number: 8465597
    Abstract: A modular recycling cleaning system comprising in combination: a pressure washing and control module, a vacuum motor assembly module, a reservoir module, an air/liquid separator module, a flexible hose system, a control system and a cleaning head, capable of being easily configured so as to function as any one of: a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied from an external source; a straight through pressure washer with cleaning liquid supplied internally from an integral water reservoir; a recycling pressure washer with cleaning liquid being supplied and reused from an integral cleaning liquid reservoir replenished with cleaning liquid by means of a vacuum recovery system; a straight through pressure washer with recovery of contaminated cleaning liquid but without reuse; a conventional wet vacuum cleaning system or a conventional dry vacuum cleaning system. The appliance being capable of further configuration as a shampooing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: John C. Turner
  • Patent number: 8454759
    Abstract: Washing machine for screen that includes a closed washing chamber having internal nozzles for cleaning the screen. The nozzles are provided on a flushing frame enclosing the screen, and the flushing frame may be moved upwards and downwards within the chamber whereby the screen is flushed and cleaned. A method for cleaning the screen in the washing machine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kjell Rune Selsvik
  • Publication number: 20130118529
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a surface. The apparatus includes a frame having wheels and a handle extending outwardly therefrom. A disc plate assembly is mounted on the frame for rotation about a first vertical axis and a nozzle assembly is mounted on the disc plate assembly for rotation about a second vertical axis. The disc plate assembly is rotated at a lower speed than the nozzle assembly. Separate pneumatically-operable motors drive the wheels, the disc plate assembly and nozzle assembly. A skirt extends downwardly from the frame and outwardly from nozzles on the nozzle assembly. The nozzles may be raised or lowered relative to the surface to be cleaned. Fluid is delivered from a fluid source to the nozzles and a vacuum port is provided on the frame to enable dirty fluid to be removed from a chamber bounded by the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: TERYDON, INC.
    Inventor: Terry D. Gromes, SR.
  • Patent number: 8434504
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning generally upright surfaces, walls and windows of a building has a frame rotatably supporting one or more brushes adapted to engage the upright surface of a building. A davit supported on top of the building is connected to a cable pendently supporting the frame and brushes. A winch driven with a motor mounted on the frame operably connected to the cable operates to move the frame and brushes relative to the upright surface. A counterforce generator mounted on the frame establishes a force on the frame and brushes that maintains the brushes in effective continuous engagement with the upright surface during cleaning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Dallas W. Simonette, Michael R. Lange
  • Patent number: 8437875
    Abstract: An autonomous all weather outdoor cleaning robot that identifies and cleans various outdoor household objects including but not limited to personal automobiles and other vehicles. The robot autonomously navigates to a designated area and scans a vehicle or object to determine the optimum cleaning routine. The robot learns its working environment by comparing scanned vehicles and outdoor objects with its existing database for future reference. The robot compares and stores navigation data regarding areas previously visited to increase efficiency for future work by reducing travel and scanning times. The robot can perform many different functions. Specifically, the robot incorporates micro-processors to control cleaning, navigation and perception. The robot uses multi-segmented arms to perform chores. The robot adapts and learns from its environment while performing useful tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Eusebio Guillermo Hernandez, Michael Christopher Colucci
  • Patent number: 8434501
    Abstract: A cleaning system which includes an enclosure and having a door with a transparent window. The door is opened and closed to load and unload products to be cleaned. An operator puck on the outside of the enclosure couples magnetically to another actuator puck on the inside of the enclosure. This coupling allows an operator to move and direct the inside puck to actuate spray or air blast functions, without opening the enclosure. The outside operator puck includes one or more switches which turn on the various electronic components such as the liquid pump, light, or air blast valve. The cleaning system enables a user to efficiently direct cleaning action to parts inside to minimize the cleaning time, and to prevent exposure of chemicals. The cleaning fluid is cycled out of the enclosure continuously, and into a “trap” box, through a pump and back into the cleaner box in a closed loop cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Transition Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Curtin
  • Patent number: 8434505
    Abstract: In this disclosure, a reactor system is described. The reaction system comprises (a) a reaction vessel having an inner wall, wherein said reaction vessel is configured to receive reactants and export products and byproducts; (b) a primary quench device (PQD) configured to receive a coolant and disperse said coolant into said reaction vessel; and (c) a secondary quench device (SQD) configured to receive a coolant and disperse said coolant into said reaction vessel; wherein said PQD comprises an array of spray nozzles fixed on the inner wall of said reaction vessel at a first axial position; and wherein said SQD comprises (1) an axially movable pipe having a coolant entry end and a nozzle end, wherein said pipe is configured to be removably fixed inside said reaction vessel; and (2) a spray nozzle that is fluidly connected to said pipe at its nozzle end via a fluid tight seal connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Synfuels International, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Morrow, Joel Cantrell, Edward R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130104936
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an article may include a cleaning head. The cleaning head may have a lower edge and may include an annular steam chamber and a steam nozzle. The annular steam chamber may define a vacuum chamber that may be configured to receive the article therewithin. The annular steam chamber may have a plurality of discrete apertures positioned in vertically spaced relation to the lower edge. The steam nozzle may be configured to provide steam to the annular steam chamber for discharge through the apertures into the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Sergey G. Ponomarev
  • Patent number: 8430108
    Abstract: In a device (1) for cleaning a window (2) or a lens of a motor vehicle, a wash nozzle (5) is of spherical design and is held in a ball socket (13) of a nozzle stem (4). The wash nozzle (5) produces a fan-type jet (6) and can be adjusted by an angle of inclination ? and a tilting angle ? in relation to the nozzle stem (4). The device can be freely adjusted to different designs of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Bettenhausen, Patrick Opel, Dirk Ringler, Heiko Weitzel
  • Patent number: 8426736
    Abstract: An electrical power transmission system includes electrical insulators arranged to electrically isolate live power lines. Surface reconditioning units are incorporated or integrated in the insulator structures. A sensor arrangement determines surface conditions of the electrical insulators in use to isolate live power lines. In response, the surface reconditioning units automatically recondition the surfaces of the in-service electrical insulators if appropriate for maintaining the electrical insulators in healthy state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20130092192
    Abstract: A cleaning or care device for the cleaning or care of medical or dental instruments, having a cleaning or care chamber in which at least two connections for the instruments to be cleaned are provided, and a supply device for supplying the at least two connections with a cleaning or care agent. The at least two connections and the supply device can be moved relative to one another in such a way that one of the connections can be connected to the supply device and supplied with a cleaning or care agent, while another of the connections is not connected to the supply device and cannot be supplied with a cleaning or care agent. A corresponding method for the cleaning or care of medical or dental instruments with such a cleaning or care device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Nikolaus Pfaffinger, Christian Spieler
  • Publication number: 20130092194
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple apertures and/or sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER J. CARLSON, JORDAN R. FOUNTAIN, ANTONY M. RAPPETTE, CHAD T. VANDERROEST
  • Publication number: 20130081659
    Abstract: An oil-in-water monitor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle configured to direct pressurized cleaning fluid at an optical window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Per Gerhard Grini, Harald Kallevik
  • Publication number: 20130074887
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and a sprayer for spraying liquid to the treating chamber. The sprayer may include a liquid passage and at least one outlet extending from an interior to an exterior of the sprayer and in fluid communication with the liquid passage. A membrane may have at least one opening and may be in fluid communication with the liquid passage to control the flow of liquid through the at least one outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: MARK S. FEDDEMA
  • Publication number: 20130074886
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation, a rotatable spray arm provided within the treating chamber and defining an interior through which liquid may pass, and hydraulic driving nozzles to rotate the rotatable spray arm in both a a first direction and a second direction, opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: MARK S. FEDDEMA, CHAD T. VANDERROEST
  • Patent number: 8403583
    Abstract: An assembly structured to clean the head portion of a stethoscope comprising a housing including a path of travel along which the head portion passes during cleaning. A supply of cleaning fluid associated with a dispenser assembly is cooperatively disposed relative to an activating assembly. The activating assembly is operated in moveable engagement with the head portion, and activates the dispenser assembly when engaged by the head portion as it passes along the path of travel. The dispenser assembly delivers the cleaning fluid to an applicator assembly which distributes the cleaning fluid to the head portion and facilitates the cleaning thereof and removal of excess cleaning fluid there from. At least one disinfectant agent is dispersed within or comprises a portion of the housing and is formulated to be destructively effective against pathogenic bacteria, such as in the spore form, which is generally not affected by the cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seedlings Life Science Ventures, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Perlman, James M. Sellers, Keith Rubin, Mathew Cardinali, Michael R. Cole, Sidney Perlman
  • Publication number: 20130048752
    Abstract: A maintenance vehicle for heliostats as well as heliostats within a solar field of a solar tower system can be controlled to reduce the likelihood of damage to an indigenous animal or its habitat. At least some of the heliostats can be arranged and operated in such a manner that the maintenance vehicle can pass through the solar field along conditional pathways. The arrangement and control of the heliostats to allow access to heliostats by a maintenance vehicle can enable different heliostat patterns as compared with conventional arrangements. In particular, heliostats in one section of the solar field can be arranged in a more ordered and high density pattern while heliostats in another section of the solar field can be arranged in a more disordered pattern. The density and arrangement of heliostats in various sections of the field can be optimized to improve and/or maximize solar energy production and/or revenue generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Yoel Gilon, Gil Kroyzer, Maro Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 8382915
    Abstract: The present invention is a concrete mixer drum cleaner system. The system has a multi-axis spray head mounted to a lance. One of the spray head's axes of rotation is coaxial with the lance. An operator uses the lance to position the spray cleaner head within the interior of a concrete mixer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventor: Forrest A. Shook
  • Patent number: 8372349
    Abstract: An air freshener including a housing having a reservoir chamber, a dispenser, a pump intermediate the reservoir and the dispenser, a pad, at least one fan proximate the pad, and wherein the dispenser transfers a scented liquid onto the pad and the at least one fan directs air flow proximate the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Marcus J. Shotey, John Klein
  • Patent number: 8372208
    Abstract: In an automatic wash, a control unit operates a boom arm around a vehicle in a bay by moving a bridge along a lengthwise vehicle orientation, moving a trolley on the bridge along a widthwise vehicle orientation, and rotating the boom arm about the trolley. The boom arm is coupled to a mount which is flexibly coupled to the trolley such that boom arm impact displaces the mount and the trolley. The displacement may be two-dimensional and/or angular. In response, the control unit determines whether an impact has occurred by comparing the data to a baseline. If there is an impact, the control unit relocates the boom arm and may continue the wash process. If a sufficient force impact occurs that the control unit cannot correct, the boom arm may disengage from the mount which may trigger a breakaway sensor and cause the control unit to abandon the wash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mark VII Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Gauthier, Roderick MacWilliam
  • Publication number: 20130025639
    Abstract: A washer adapted to wash a part with a solution, the washer comprising spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one arm rotatably mounted near its center on at least one of the sidewalls. The arm has one end and another end, a central portion, and an angled portion near the one arm end and angled relative to its adjacent arm central portion. The washer also includes a plurality of nozzles spaced apart along the arm central portion and the arm angled portion between near the one arm end and near the other arm end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8347900
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Patent number: 8347898
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a rotatable spray arm and at least one rotatable sprayer, with a drive for directly driving at least one of the spray arm and sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jordan Robert Fountain, Sathish Andrea Sundaram, Bryan E. Wagenknecht
  • Patent number: 8347899
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20120325276
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher has a rotatable spray arm and at least one rotatable sprayer, a drive link coupling the rotation of the rotatable spray arm and the at least one rotatable sprayer, and a drive for directly driving at least one of the rotatable spray arm and the at least one rotatable sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JORDAN ROBERT FOUNTAIN, SATHISH ANDREA SUNDARAM, BRYAN E. WAGENKNECHT
  • Patent number: 8337760
    Abstract: A system and method of cleaning an enclosure of a container defined by inner walls, including providing a container, orienting the container so that the opening is lowermost and opens downwardly and generating resonant vibration in the container at a predetermined frequency and at an energy level sufficient to dislodge any loose solid particles from the inner walls of said container but not being of an energy level to impact the structural integrity of the container and maintaining the resonant vibration within the container enclosure for a sufficient time to dislodge all loose solid particles from the inner walls of said container. The system may include a resonant chamber in the form of a shroud and means to effectuate the method steps and may also include a sanitizing step in which the containers are further sanitized to render inactive any organic contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Wolters
  • Patent number: 8333207
    Abstract: An arm includes a tubular body that is rotatable. The tubular body has a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion is bent in a first direction forming a first angle with the intermediate portion, and the second end portion is bent in a second direction forming a second angle with the intermediate portion. A plurality of nozzles are through the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Jackson MSC LLC
    Inventors: James Scott Calhoun, Walter Ray Lambert, Clifford Ernest Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120312334
    Abstract: A resist removal apparatus and method are effective in removing a resist without oxidizing the substrate material other than the resist. The resist removal apparatus, which removes resist from a wafer on which a resist film has been formed, includes a cluster spraying unit which sprays a wafer with clusters each of which is formed of a plurality of organic solvent molecules agglomerated together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: Iwatani Corporation, Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuya DOBASHI, Takashi FUSE
  • Patent number: 8322046
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing heat-sensitive pharmaceutical powder is disclosed. The original pharmaceutical substances are dissolved in a solution or suspended in a suspension, which is sprayed through an atomizing nozzle and frozen in a cold gas phase or liquid nitrogen atomized directly in the spray-freeze chamber or gas jacket at the same time (for cooling purposes). The particles are freeze-dried at roughly atmospheric pressure in a down-stream fluid flow with exit filter thereby to remove moisture entrapped on or inside the frozen particles. The system has applicability for forming other powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Zhaolin Wang, Warren H. Finlay
  • Publication number: 20120291819
    Abstract: A rotary atomizing head (125, 226) is rotatably provided on a leading end of a coating gun (115, 215). The rotary atomizing head (125, 226) is provided with a central paint discharge opening (141, 241) provided in a vicinity of a rotation axis (137, 237) of the rotary atomizing head (125, 226) and an outer paint discharge opening (142, 242) having a central axis (148, 248) inclined relative to the rotation axis (137, 237). A cleaning nozzle (124, 225) has an axis (127, 228) which aligns with the central axis (148, 248) of the outer paint discharge opening (142, 242) when the coating gun (115, 215) is cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Wakimoto, Masaaki Shoji, Yutaka Hariya, Koji Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Kumano, Toshiyuki Kokubo, Shinji Noda
  • Patent number: 8313579
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for treating a workpiece with a cryogenic impingement fluid. A fixture supports the workpiece in an upright position and operably connects an electrical component of the workpiece to a power source in the supported position. A cryogenic impingement fluid applicator sprays a stream of the cryogenic impingement fluid against the supported workpiece and laterally moves the stream in accordance with a predetermined path. A shield deflects the stream of cryogenic impingement fluid to prevent the stream from contacting at least a part of the workpiece as the stream is moved along the predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Quinto Cruz, David Maxwell Harrold, Grant Nicholas Hester, Timothy Ronald Brown
  • Patent number: 8298347
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cleaning a surface, such as a wall of a waste boiler of a Kivcet furnace, are described. The invention comprises suspending a pair of spaced apart cables adjacent a surface to be cleaned, attaching ends of the rail to respective ones of the cables with equal lengths of cable between the rail and the roof, the rail being reversibly moveable up and down the surface. A carriage has a nozzle assembly, operative to emit a jet of water, with the carriage reversibly moveable along the rail. The rail is moved from one of a top and bottom of the surface to another of the top and bottom of the surface, and the carriage is moved from one side of the rail to another, cleaning the surface as it moves. The foregoing steps are repeated for each remaining uncleaned surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard J. MacNeil, Gordon W. MacNeil, David B. MacNeil, Vernon Bose
  • Patent number: 8297447
    Abstract: A dual-side cleaning traversing screen filtration system which generally comprises a main trough water containment housing, a traversing manifold having a multitude of top and bottom disposed spray heads, flexible plumbing, a substantially planar, rectangular supported screen which is disposed over, and spans the opening of, the main trough water containment housing which, in the preferred embodiment, has a rectangular box like shape, with the combined assemblage functioning as a filter to separate unwanted debris from the water that passes through the screen into the slightly inclined main trough water containment housing where it can be continually removed and re-used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Fruit Growers Supply Company
    Inventors: David Sorenson, Bruce Adams
  • Patent number: 8287660
    Abstract: A dishwashing machine includes a washing chamber, a spray jet, and a spray arm positioned below the spray jet. The spray arm has a deflector fin extending upwardly there from. The spray arm is rotated when the fluid stream generated by the spray jet contacts the deflector fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Chen, Donald J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8282741
    Abstract: A sequencing spray arm assembly includes a plurality fluid spray arms rotatably mounted on respective radially spaced carrier arms. The rotating fluid spray arms are in fluid communication with a fluid distribution manifold and adapted to distribute washing fluid throughout a washing chamber of the appliance. A sequencing diverter valve system enables delivery of washing fluid from the fluid distribution manifold to one or more of the plurality of rotating fluid spray arms. A fluid responsive rotating drive arm drives the rotation of a sequencing disk in the valve system between discrete positions and enables delivery of fluid to one or more of the plurality of rotating fluid spray arms in a sequential manner such that, for each discrete position, less than the total number of spray arms are supplied with washing fluid at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Bertsch, Rayburn L. Cox, Bruce W. Gillum, Bernhard Mohrbacher, Donald J. Wilson