CA2521743A1 - Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control - Google Patents

Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2521743A1
CA2521743A1 CA002521743A CA2521743A CA2521743A1 CA 2521743 A1 CA2521743 A1 CA 2521743A1 CA 002521743 A CA002521743 A CA 002521743A CA 2521743 A CA2521743 A CA 2521743A CA 2521743 A1 CA2521743 A1 CA 2521743A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
temperature
cleaning liquid
module
sensor assembly
heating element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA002521743A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2521743C (en
Inventor
Rudy Publ
Brian Porter
Michael Korkowski
Don Knill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Safety Kleen Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2521743A1 publication Critical patent/CA2521743A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2521743C publication Critical patent/CA2521743C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/10Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/006Cabinets or cupboards specially adapted for cleaning articles by hand
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays

Abstract

A parts washer (10) including a receptacle (12) positioned on a reservoir for cleaning liquid having a drain opening (36) and a module (40) which engages a portion of the reservoir in the cleaning liquid for adjusting the temperature of the cleaning liquid and circulating the cleaning liquid into the receptacle (12). The module includes a heating element (74), a sensor (75) and pump (78).
An enclosure (82) houses a temperature controller (100) which displays the temperature of the cleaning liquid and low level condition. A bridge (114) thermally links the heating element to the sensor so that the sensor normally generates a signal representative of the temperature of the cleaning fluid unless the level of the cleaning fluid is disposed below the sensor.

Claims (36)

1. A parts washer for washing mechanical parts, said parts washer comprising, in combination, a parts receiving receptacle positionable on a reservoir for cleaning liquid, a drain opening formed in a part of said receptacle and a module engageable with a portion of the reservoir and the cleaning liquid for adjusting a temperature of the cleaning liquid and circulating the cleaning liquid into the parts receiving receptacle; the module including a heating element, a sensor assembly and a pump assembly including a pump and a motor for driving the pump, all connected to and supported by a bracket extending and depending from an enclosure housing a programmable temperature controller for receiving sensor assembly signals and generating heater element signals; the sensor assembly operatively coupled with the temperature controller such that the temperature controller may display the temperature of the cleaning liquid and a low liquid level condition; and a bridge thermally linking the heating element to a thermowell of the sensor assembly in which is disposed a thermocouple such that the sensor assembly normally generates a signal representing the temperature of the cleaning fluid unless a level of the cleaning liquid is disposed below the sensor assembly.
2. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, which further includes means under control of an operator for energizing the motor to drive the pump.
3. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the module further includes a plate connected to the bracket for covering an opening defined between an upper edge of the reservoir and the adjacent parts receiving receptacle.
4. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump assembly includes a housing, an inlet having a screen filter and a outlet fitting to which a tube is connected, the tube having a fitting connected to a distal end thereof, said fitting extending through and operatively connected to a plate connected to the bracket for covering an opening defined between an upper edge of the reservoir and the parts receiving receptacle such that the pump assembly may be independently disconnected from the module.
5. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the bridge is contiguous with the thermowell and the heating element.
6. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature controller is a modular unit replaceable from an exterior of the enclosure.
7. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature controller includes an alpha-numeric array for displaying values representative of the temperature of the cleaning liquid, a temperature set-point and error codes.
8. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the module further includes a surge suppressor and a resettable circuit interrupter.
9. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature controller includes a main control for maintaining the cleaning liquid temperature at a temperature set-point by receiving the sensor assembly signal, comparing the sensor assembly signal against the set-point, generating an activation signal if the sensor assembly signal is less than the set-point, and generating a deactivation signal if the sensor assembly signal is greater than the set-point, the main control is operatively coupled to an interface control for generating a heating element signal responsive to the activation and deactivation signal for activating and deactivating the heating element.
10. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the pump assembly includes a metal housing to which is attached support for connection with the bracket such that the pump assembly and support are modularly interchangeable independent of the module.
11. The parts washer as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature controller is operatively coupled to the heating element and selectively activates the heating element to maintain the temperature of the cleaning liquid within a preselected range.
12. A module for adjusting a temperature of a cleaning fluid in a reservoir of a parts washer and for circulating the cleaning liquid from the reservoir to a surmounted parts receiving receptacle, the module being removably operatively associated with the reservoir and cleaning liquid, said module comprising:

a heating element, a sensor assembly and a pump assembly, each connected to and supported by a bracket extending and depending from an enclosure;
the enclosure including a programmable temperature controller for receiving sensor assembly signals, generating heating element signals for periodically activating the heating element, wherein the sensor assembly is operatively coupled to the temperature controller such that the temperature controller may display the temperature of the cleaning liquid and a low liquid level condition, a bridge thermally linking the heating element to a thermowell of the sensor assembly in which is disposed a thermocouple such that the sensor assembly normally generates a signal representing the temperature of the cleaning liquid unless a level of the cleaning liquid is disposed below the sensor assembly, and wherein the temperature controller periodically deactivates the heating element in order to prevent over-temperature of the cleaning liquid.
13. The module as defined in claim 12, which further includes means under control of an operator for energizing a motor to drive a pump of the pump assembly.
14. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the module further includes a plate connected to the bracket for covering an opening defined between an upper edge of the reservoir and the adjacent parts receiving receptacle.
15. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the pump assembly includes a housing, an inlet having a screen filter and an outlet connected to a tube which has a fitting connected to a distal end thereof, said fitting extending through and operatively connected to a plate connected to the bracket for covering an opening defined between an upper edge of the reservoir and the parts receiving receptacle such that the pump assembly may be independently quickly disconnected from the module.
16. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the bridge is contiguous with the thermowell and the heating element.
17. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the temperature controller includes an alpha-numeric array for displaying values representative of the temperature of the cleaning liquid, a temperature set-point and error codes.
18. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the temperature controller, includes a processing unit and memory that stores programming instructions, that, when read by the processing unit, cause the controller to function to:
(i) receive a set-point for a desired cleaning liquid temperature;
(ii) activate the heating element periodically;
(iii) monitor the temperature of the cleaning liquid continuously;
(iv) compare the monitored temperature of the cleaning liquid against the set-point;

(v) alter the periodic activation of the heating element such that the temperature of the cleaning liquid is moved toward the set-point;
and (vi) repeat steps (ii) - (vi) for a desired period of time.
19. The module as defined in claim 18, including further programming instructions, that, when read by the processing unit, causes the controller to function to:
(i) generate an error code in response to an over-temperature condition; and (ii) deactivate the heating element in order to correct the over-temperature condition.
20. The module as defined in claim 18, wherein the set-point is defined as an operating range having an upper limit and a lower limit to which the temperature of the cleaning liquid is compared.
21. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the enclosure further includes a main power switch, a circuit interrupter, a circuit interrupter reset button disposed on a movable cover and a surge suppressor.
22. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the enclosure further includes a handle for lifting the module disposed adjacent a top edge thereof and a spacer for aligning the enclosure with respect to the reservoir disposed adjacent a bottom edge thereof.
23. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the temperature controller is a modular unit replaceable from an exterior of the enclosure.
24. The module as defined in claim 12, wherein the temperature controller includes a main control for maintaining the cleaning temperature at a temperature set-point by receiving the sensor assembly signal, comparing the sensor assembly signal against the set-point, generating an activation signal if the sensor assembly signal is less than the set-point, and generating a deactivation signal if the sensor assembly signal is greater than the set-point, the main control is operatively coupled to an interface control for generating a heater element signal responsive to the activation and deactivation signal for activating and deactivating the heating element.
25. A method of operating a parts washer for washing mechanical parts including a parts receiving receptacle positionable on a reservoir for cleaning liquid, a drain opening formed in a part of the receptacle and a module for adjusting a temperature and circulation of the cleaning liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
qualifying an electrical service outlet to confirm proper wiring thereof;
connecting the module to the qualified electrical service outlet;
activating a main power switch on the module;
inputting a desired temperature set-point to a temperature controller associated with the module;

actuating a switch to activate a pump connected to the module for circulating the cleaning liquid from the reservoir into the receptacle; and cleaning parts.
26. The method as defined in claim 25, further including the steps of:
observing an over-temperature error code generated and displayed by the temperature controller;
resetting the temperature controller such that the temperature controller may run at the desired temperature set-point;
observing whether the over-temperature error code is repeated;
and adding cleaning liquid if the over-temperature error code is repeated.
27. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein the set-point is defined as an operating range having an upper limit and a lower limit.
28. In a parts washer including a receptacle positionable on a container forming a cleaning liquid reservoir, a drain opening in said receptacle, and a module including a pump and motor secured thereto, said pump including an inlet and an outlet and a tube extending between said outlet and an interior portion of said receptacle, whereby activation of said motor turns said pump to pick up the cleaning liquid and circulate the cleaning liquid through said tube to the interior portion of said parts receiving receptacle through said drain opening and into said reservoir, the improvement comprising the module including a programmable temperature controller operatively connected to a sensor assembly and a heating element, wherein a desired set-point may be inputted to the temperature controller such that periodic activation and deactivation of the heating element in cooperation with the sensor assembly results in the cleaning liquid disposed at a temperature with in one degree Fahrenheit of the desired set-point.
29. The parts washer as defined in claim 28, wherein the sensor assembly includes a bridge thermally linking a temperature sensor and the heating element.
30. The parts washer as defined in claim 28, wherein the temperature controller is a modular unit replaceable from an exterior of the enclosure.
31. The parts washer as defined in claim 28, wherein a thermocouple of the sensor assembly disposed within a thermowell and the thermowell is disposed closely proximate to the heating element.
32. A sensor assembly for detecting a temperature and low liquid level condition of a cleaning liquid for use in connection with a parts washer positionable on a reservoir for the cleaning liquid, a drain opening formed in a part of the receptacle and a module, the sensor assembly comprising:

a thermocouple operatively coupled to a temperature controller of the module and disposed within a thermowell which is adapted for immersion in the cleaning liquid; and a bridge connected at a first-end to the thermowell and at a second end to a heating element such that the bridge conducts heat directly from the heating element to the thermowell and the thermocouple disposed therein when the cleaning liquid is in a low liquid level condition.
33. The sensor assembly as defined in claim 32, wherein the bridge is constructed from a thermally conductive material.
34. The sensor assembly as defined in claim 32, wherein the first end of the bridge engages the thermowell without encircling and the second end of the bridge engages the heating element without encircling.
35. The sensor assembly as defined in claim 32, wherein the first end of the bridge encircles the thermowell and engages the thermowell with an interference fit and the second end of the bridge is contiguous with the heating element.
36. A sensor assembly for detecting a temperature and low liquid level condition of a cleaning liquid for use in connection with a parts washer positionable atop a reservoir for the cleaning liquid, a drain opening formed in a part of the receptacle and a module, the sensor assembly comprising:

a thermocouple operatively coupled to a temperature controller of the module and disposed within a thermowell which is adapted for immersion in the cleaning liquid; and the thermowell disposed closely proximate the heating element such that when the cleaning liquid is in a low-liquid level condition the thermocouple detects a temperature of the heating element rather than a temperature of the cleaning liquid.
CA2521743A 2003-04-10 2004-02-26 Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control Expired - Lifetime CA2521743C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/412,068 US6874512B2 (en) 2003-04-10 2003-04-10 Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control
US10/412,068 2003-04-10
PCT/US2004/005673 WO2004094079A1 (en) 2003-04-10 2004-02-26 Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2521743A1 true CA2521743A1 (en) 2004-11-04
CA2521743C CA2521743C (en) 2012-07-31

Family

ID=33131144

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2521743A Expired - Lifetime CA2521743C (en) 2003-04-10 2004-02-26 Parts washer with improved temperature and pump control

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US6874512B2 (en)
EP (2) EP2556901A1 (en)
CN (1) CN1771098B (en)
CA (1) CA2521743C (en)
MX (1) MXPA05010331A (en)
WO (1) WO2004094079A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1610912A4 (en) 2008-02-06
US20050126592A1 (en) 2005-06-16
CA2521743C (en) 2012-07-31
CN1771098B (en) 2011-05-11
EP1610912B1 (en) 2014-01-22
EP1610912A1 (en) 2006-01-04
US6874512B2 (en) 2005-04-05
US20040200504A1 (en) 2004-10-14
WO2004094079A1 (en) 2004-11-04
EP2556901A1 (en) 2013-02-13
CN1771098A (en) 2006-05-10
US7040161B2 (en) 2006-05-09
MXPA05010331A (en) 2005-11-17

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