Olli I Lamminen

US Patent:

60006315, Dec 14, 1999

Filed:

Mar 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/044053

Inventors:

Olli Lamminen - Ann Arbor MI
Pasi Kaipainen - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

InterClean Equipment, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B05B 1506

US Classification:

239200

Abstract:

A spray arch for a vehicle wash system having a pair of side supports and a continuously curved pipe extending upward above the side supports and over the path of travel for a vehicle being washed. The arch is preferably made of a flexible PVC pipe that is hand-manipulated to the curved position spanning over the path of travel and held in this shape by the side supports. Spray nozzles on the pipe all extend radially inward such that all nozzles are directed toward a vehicle beneath the arch regardless of the size of the vehicle.

US Patent:

52457257, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Aug 17, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/930173

Inventors:

Olli Lamminen - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

InterClean Equipment, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B60S 306

US Classification:

15 533

Abstract:

A vehicle washing apparatus in which both brushes and high pressure spray nozzles are used for selectively cleaning different portions of a vehicle. The high pressure nozzles and the brushes are both mounted to the same mounting structure for movement together, relative to the vehicle, such that the nozzles are maintained at the optimum distance from the vehicle surface for maximum cleaning effectiveness. The high pressure spray nozzles are used to clean selected portions of a vehicle that are susceptible to damage by the brushes used to clean other portions of the vehicle.

US Patent:

50205560, Jun 4, 1991

Filed:

Jan 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/466991

Inventors:

Olli Lamminen - Ann Arbor MI
Erkki A. Koivunen - Livonia MI

Assignee:

501 Peerless Pump Company - Egan MN

International Classification:

B60S 304
B05B 306

US Classification:

134112

Abstract:

A vehicle wash system is disclosed which consists of an arch through which a vehicle can be moved. A plurality of spinning nozzle assemblies are attached to the arch each having a number of nozzle outlets for directing the water to the vehicle surface to remove dirt, salt, etc. in which only water impacts the vehicle. The nozzles are oriented so as to create a rotational moment to spin the nozzles relative to the nozzle assembly. An oil pump is contained within the assembly to provide a resistance to rotation to regulate the speed of nozzle rotation. Each water nozzle includes an air nozzle to form a sheath of air around each water jet to maintain the integrity of the water jet to maximize the water jet impact force with the vehicle surface.

US Patent:

54983290, Mar 12, 1996

Filed:

Sep 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/304115

Inventors:

Olli Lamminen - Ann Arbor MI
P. Mikael Kaipainen - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Interclean Equipment, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B01D 1712
B01D 17038

US Classification:

210 86

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for cleaning vehicles which utilizes recirculated wash water to clean a vehicle, thereby saving water and expense in operation. The apparatus utilizes a clarifier tank which receives partially clarified water under pressure from a sump pump to produce a swirling flow of water within the tank which separates sediment centrifugally outwardly in the tank where it drops in a swirling path due to gravity and is collected in a conical base portion of the tank for expulsion therefrom. Clarified water is drawn out from the tank from an upper central portion therein. Preferably, a settling pit is used to partially clarify the water before it enters the clarifying tank. Furthermore, a pre-filter such as a cyclone separator is also utilized to pre-filter wash water before it is clarified in the clarifying tank. The drawn off clarified water from the clarifying tank is then pumped to a plurality of washing nozzles which assists in washing a vehicle passing through the apparatus.