US3774625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carwash water reclaim system
Assignee: Ultra Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A recycle arrangement in which wash water containing grit and particles is collected and treated in a cyclone which removes the solid particles from the water, and disposes of the solids in the form of sludge. The treated water is reclaimed for subsequent washing purposes. After washing, the surface is rinsed with water collected and passed through filters after the rinsing to remove soap, detergents, and other impurities so as to produce clear reusable water. The resulting clear water is then reclaimed and recycled for subsequent rinsing purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 D Wiltrout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:08
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F9/00; C02F1/00; C02F1/28; C02F1/283; C02F1/38; C02F1/44; C02F1/441; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/44; C02F5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for reclaiming fluids from wash and rinse operations comprising, in combination, a. used wash fluid receiving means for receiving wash fluid draining from the surface of a vehicle, container, or the like being washed by washing means; b. means for separating sludge from the used wash fluid; c. means operable to convey used wash fluid from said receiving means to said sludge separating means; d. a storage area operable to receive and hold used wash fluid after separation of sludge; e. means operable to convey wash fluid from said storage area to the washing means in the wash operation; f. used rinse water receiving means for receiving rinse water draining from the surface of the vehicle, container, or the like being rinsed by rinsing means; g. used rinse water filtering means; h. means operable to convey used rinse water from said rinse water receiving means to said filtering means; i. a rinse water storage area operable to receive filtered rinse water emerging from said filtering means; j. means operable to convey rinse water from said rinse water storage area to the rinsing means in the rinse operation; and k. means for periodically backwashing said filter means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said sludge separating means comprises a cyclone separator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as defined in claim 2 including sludge receiving means in operative communication with said cyclone for receiving sludge separated from said wash fluid by said cyclone separator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means for diverting from said wash fluid storage area wash area emerging from said sludge separating means to said used wash fluid receiving means for further sludge removal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system as defined in claim 4 including fluid level sensing means in said wash fluid storage area operable to determine when the wash fluid is at a predetermined level and means associated with said fluid level sensing means operable to divert all the wash fluid emerging from said sludge separating means to said receiving means when said level is reached and to redirect at least some of said wash fluid emerging from said sludge separating mEans to said wash fluid storage area when wash fluid is below the predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means to replenish said wash fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said replenishing means includes reclaim chemical addition means and fresh water addition means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as defined in claim 7 including means for conveying the backwash from said filtering means to said wash fluid replenishing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said rinse water filtering means comprises a plurality of filters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 9 wherein said rinse water filtering means comprises a first filter and a plurality of second filters connected to said first filter for further filtering rinse water after passing through said first filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means for timing the interval after which said means operable to said backwash said filtering means are activated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including pressure sensing means associated with said filtering means, said sensing means being operable to backwash said filtering means upon a predetermined difference in the pressure being sensed by said pressure sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means for diverting rinse water emerging from said filtering means from said rinse water storage area to said used rinse water receiving means for further filtering.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system as defined in claim 13 including fluid level sensing means in said rinse water storage area operable to determine when the said rinse water is at a predetermined level and means associated with said fluid level sensing means operable to divert all rinse water emerging from said filtering means to said used rinse water receiving means, when said level is reached and to redirect at least some of said rinse water emerging from said filtering means to said rinse water storage area when rinse water is below the predetermined level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as defined in claim 1 including means to replenish said rinse water with fresh water.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
415 words
A system for reclaiming fluids from wash and rinse operations comprising in combination a. a used wash fluid receiving means for receiving wash fluid draining from the surface of a vehicle, container, or the like being washed by washing means; b. a cyclone separator for removing sludge from the used wash fluid; c. means operable to convey used wash fluid from said receiving means to said sludge separating means; d. a storage area operable to receive and hold used wash fluid after separation of sludge; e. a fluid level sensor in said wash fluid storage area operable to determine when the wash fluid is at a predetermined level; f. valve means associated with said fluid level sensor and operable to divert all the wash fluid emerging from said cyclone to said wash fluid receiving means when said level is reached for recycling and to redirect at least some of said wash fluid emerging from said cyclone to said wash fluid storage area when wash fluid is below the predetermined level; g. means operable to convey wash fluid from said storage area to the washing means in the wash operation; h. used rinse water receiving means for receiving rinse water draining from the surface of the vehicle, container, or the like being rinsed by rinsing means; i. used rinse water filtering means including a plurality of filters; j. means operable to convey used rinse water from said rinse water receiving means to said filtering means; k. a rinse water storage area operable to receive filtered rinse water emerging from said filtering means; l. a fluid level sensor in said rinse water storage area operable to determine when the said rinse water is at a predetermined level; m. valve means associated with said fluid level sensor operable to divert all rinse water emerging from said filtering means to said used rinse water rEceiving means for further filtering when said level is reached and to redirect at least some of said rinse water emerging from said filtering means to said rinse water storage area when rinse water is below the predetermined level; n. means operable to convey rinse water from said rinse water storage area to the rinsing means in the rinse operation; and o. means for periodically backwashing said filter means, said backwashing means including pressure sensing means at the inlet and outlet of said filtering means and operable to initiate backwash of said filtering means upon sensing a predetermined difference in pressure across said filtering means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as defined in claim 16 including means to replenish said wash fluid and said rinse water, comprising chemical addition means and fresh water addition means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as defined in claim 17 including means for conveying the backwash fluid from said filtering means to said wash fluid replenishing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |