US3808698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for drying washed motor vehicles and for heating the washing and drying stations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A washing station is divided from a drying station by a suspended barrier which provides for overhead clearance for the passage of motor vehicles on a moving endless conveyor from the washing station to the drying station. The washing station includes a suitable combination of rotatably mounted washing brushes. The motor vehicle is washed by the combination brushes in the washing station and passes beneath the suspended barrier on the endless conveyor to the drying station. An overhead swivelable nozzle and stationary side nozzles positioned in the drying station combine to discharge a stream of warm air downwardly upon the horizontal surfaces and laterally upon the vertical surfaces of the washed motor vehicle respectively to dry the vehicle as it passes through the drying station. A portion of the warm air discharged from the overhead nozzle passes from the drying station below the suspended barrier into the washing station and follows a circulating path therethrough to provide heat in the washing station during the washing operation. A low pressure fan positioned in the drying station draws the warm air circulating throughout the washing and drying station into an air heating device. Air is heated in the air heating device and is directed through a conduit to a high pressure fan. The high pressure fan feeds heated air to the overhead nozzle from which the air is discharged for drying the motor vehicle in the drying station. A suction pipe fitting discharged into the drying station draws heated circulating air from the drying station to the high pressure fan. A reversing box provided in the first conduit selectively directs the flow of heated air to the overhead nozzle for drying or through a second conduit to the washing station for supplying warm air to heat the washing station. The reversing box is operable to provide simultaneous warm air heating in the washing station and warm air drying of washed motor vehicles in the drying station.
Inventors
- 👤 A Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
Apparatus for washing and drying motor vehicles which comprises, a washing station, a drying station, suspended barrier means dividing said washing station from said drying station to permit transfer of a motor vehicle from said washing station to said drying station, an air heating device positioned in said drying station for heating air to a predetermined, constant temperature, air conveying means connected to said air heating device for supplying air to said air heating device, discharge means positioned in said drying station for directing the flow of heated air in a controlled stream into said drying station, first conduit means connecting said air heating device to said discharge means, second conduit means for supplying heated air to said washing station, said second conduit means connected in fluid communication with said first conduit means, suction means arranged in fluid communication with said first conduit means for directing the air from said drying station into said discharge means, fluid control means provided in said first conduit means arranged to assume a first position for directing substantially the entire flow of heated air to said discharge means while closing said suction means and a second position for directing substantially the entire flow of heated air to said second conduit means while opening said suction means, and said fluid control means fuRther operable to assume a third position for simultaneously directing the flow of heated air to said discharge means and to said second conduit means while opening said suction means to an intermediate position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
Apparatus for washing and drying motor vehicles which comprises, a washing station, a drying station, suspended barrier means dividing said washing station from said drying station to permit transfer of a motor vehicle from said washing station to said drying station, an air heating device positioned in said drying station for heating air to a predetermined, constant temperature, air conveying means connected to said air heating device for supplying air to said air heating device, discharge means positioned in said drying station for directing the flow of heated air in a controlled stream into said drying station, first conduit means connecting said air heating device to said discharge means, second conduit means for supplying heated air to said washing station, said second conduit means connected in fluid communication with said first conduit means, suction means arranged in fluid communication with said first conduit means for directing the air from said drying station into said discharge means, fluid control means provided in said first conduit means arranged to assume a first position for directing substantially the entire flow of heated air to said discharge means while closing said suction means and a second position for directing substantially the entire flow of heated air to said second conduit means while opening said suction means, and said fluid control means fuRther operable to assume a third position for simultaneously directing the flow of heated air to said discharge means and to said second conduit means while opening said suction means to an intermediate position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said air conveying means includes, a low pressure fan arranged in fluid communication with said air heating device, said low pressure fan operable to draw circulating air from said drying station to supply said air heating device with the air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said discharge means includes, a swivelable nozzle having an outlet positioned overhead in said drying station, said swivelable nozzle arranged for vertical movement in an arcuate path, said swivelable nozzle selectively adjustable to direct the flow of heated air in a controlled stream into said drying station and from said drying station below said suspended barrier means to said washing station, a high pressure fan arranged in fluid communication with said first conduit means between said air heating device and said swivelable nozzle to supply heated air from said air heating device to said swivelable nozzle for discharge therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said discharge means includes, a swivelable nozzle positioned overhead in said drying station operable to selectively direct flow of warm air upon the horizontal surfaces of said washed motor vehicles, a pair of stationary side nozzles secured to opposite walls of said drying station operable to direct flow of warm air upon the vertical surfaces of said washed motor vehicles, and a stationary roof nozzle positioned forward of said swivelable nozzle adjacent said suspended barrier means in said drying station operable to direct flow of warm air upon the horizontal surfaces of said motor vehicles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which, each of said stationary side nozzles and said stationary roof nozzle includes a blower device ssociated therewith, said blower device having an opening arranged in fluid communication with said drying station, said blower device operable to draw a portion of the circulating air from said drying station and feed the circulating air to said stationary side nozzles and said stationary roof nozzle for discharge therefrom into said drying station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said air conveying means includes, a low pressure fan arranged in fluid communication with said air heating device to supply circulating air from said drying station to said air heating device for heating therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said suction means includes, a suction pipe fitting arranged in fluid communication at one end with said drying station and at the other end with said first conduit means and said discharge means, said suction pipe fitting operable to draw circulating air from said drying station and convey the air through said conduit means to said discharge means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said fluid control means includes, a reversing box positioned in first conduit means, said reversing box arranged in fluid communication with said air heating device and said discharge means to permit the passage of heated air therebetween, said reversing box arranged in fluid communication with said second conduit means, adjusting means rotatably positioned in said reversing box for selectively directing the flow of heated air to said dischage means for drying in said drying station, to said second conduit means for heating said washing station and to said first and second conduit means for simultaneously drying in said drying station and for heating said washing station respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said adjusting means includes, a first flap member rotatably positioned to swing about a first fixed axis in said reversing box, a second flap member rotatably positioned to swing about a second fixed axis in said reversing box, lever means for discharged said first flap member to said second flap member so that both of said flap members rotate simultaneously in the same direction, pneumatic cylinder means for rotating said first and second flap members about the axes thereof, said pneumatic cylinder means operable upon actuation to rotate said first and second flap members in a counterclockwise direction about the axes thereof to thereby direct the flow of warm air to the discharge means when the first flap member closes the reversing box from fluid communication with said second conduit means, said pneumatic cylinder means operable upon actuation to rotate said first and second flap members in a clockwise direction about the axes thereof to thereby direct the flow of warm air to the second conduit means when the second flap member closes the reversing box from fluid communication with said discharge means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said adjusting means includes, stop means for engaging said lever means and maintaining said lever means immovable in said reversing box, pneumatic cylinder means for urging said stop means into engagement with said lever means so that said first and second flap members are retained at an intermediate position in said reversing box to provide flow of warm air simultaneously to said discharge means and said second conduit means, and slotted means for selectively moving said stop means longitudinally within said reversing box.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 which includes, said reversing box arranged in fluid communication with said suction means in said first conduit means, one of said flap members operable to permit the flow of circulating air from said suction means through said reversing box to said discharge means when said flap members are suitably positioned in said reversing box to provide flow of warm air exclusively to said second conduit means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for drying washed motor vehicles and for heating the washing and drying stations comprising, conveying circulating air from said drying station through a low pressure fan to an air heating device, heating the air in said air heating device to a predetermined, constant temperature level, feeding the heated air from said air heating device through a first conduit to a reversing box, passing the heated air through said reversing box to a high pressure fan, directing the heated air from said high pressure fan to a swivelable nozzle positioned overhead the moving endless conveyor in said drying station, discharging the heated air from said swivelable nozzle in a downwardly directed controlled stream upon the horizontal surfaces of said washed motor vehicles as they are transferred on the moving endless conveyor from said washing station to said drying station, drawing preheated air circulating throughout said drying station into the blowers associated with a pair of stationary nozzles positioned at the sides of said drying station, discharging the preheated air from said stationary nozzles in a laterally directed stream upon the vertical surfaces of said washed motor vehicles passing through said drying station, circulating the preheated air dischrged from said swivelable nozzle from said drying station through said washing station to thereby furnish heat therein, and conveying heated air from said reversing box to a second conduit for passage to said washing station and discharge therein to heat the washing station after flow of heated air from said reversing box to said high pressure fan is terminated.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
257 words
A method for drying washed motor vehicles and for heating the washing and drying stations comprising, conveying circulating air from said drying station through a low pressure fan to an air heating device, heating the air in said air heating device to a predetermined, constant temperature level, feeding the heated air from said air heating device through a first conduit to a reversing box, passing the heated air through said reversing box to a high pressure fan, directing the heated air from said high pressure fan to a swivelable nozzle positioned overhead the moving endless conveyor in said drying station, discharging the heated air from said swivelable nozzle in a downwardly directed controlled stream upon the horizontal surfaces of said washed motor vehicles as they are transferred on the moving endless conveyor from said washing station to said drying station, drawing preheated air circulating throughout said drying station into the blowers associated with a pair of stationary nozzles positioned at the sides of said drying station, discharging the preheated air from said stationary nozzles in a laterally directed stream upon the vertical surfaces of said washed motor vehicles passing through said drying station, circulating the preheated air dischrged from said swivelable nozzle from said drying station through said washing station to thereby furnish heat therein, and conveying heated air from said reversing box to a second conduit for passage to said washing station and discharge therein to heat the washing station after flow of heated air from said reversing box to said high pressure fan is terminated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
141 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 which includes, adjusting the rotatable flap members of said reversing box to an intermediate position therein, feeding heated air from said air heating device to said reversing box, directing a portion of the heated Air by said flap members from the reversing box through the high pressure fan to the swivelable nozzle for discharge into said drying station for drying washed motor vehicles, conveying the remaining portion of the heated air by said flap members from the reversing box through said second conduit for discharge into the washing station to supply heat therein, drawing preheated circulating air from said drying station through a suction pipe fitting by said high pressure fan, and feeding said preheated circulating air to said swivelable nozzle for return to said drying station for drying washed motor vehicles therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as set forth in claim 13 which includes, discharging 55 to 65 percent of the volume stream of heated air conducted by said low pressure fan through said swivelable nozzle to said drying station for drying washed motor vehicles, conveying the remaining portion of the volume stream of heated air conducted by said low pressure fan through said second conduit into said washing station to supply heat therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |